Brake and Suspension Interchange Guide 00-06

[Sniperx]

OK OK OK! I am all confused now man! I have a 2004 ZX3 hatch zetec and want to do a full SVT front and REAR brake set up on it. Will it ALL bolt right up including the suspension?

[felixthecat]

Originally Posted by Stui420

I have an 01 ZX3 stock brake setup. i am wanting to go to the larger 278mm setup on the front.
i dont know what its called but i also need to know if i need to use a different part with this new setup or if the old one is the same heres the pic of it..
EXAMPLE---CALIPERS/05

Calipers/?= use svt= the piston diameter is bigger
Rotors/?= use the 300mm svt
Ball Joints/?=the '05+ use the bigger taper ones
Spindels/?= use the '05 ones, the '06+ use a bigger diameter strut
Brake Lines/?

= stock will work, Stainless steel is best

The '05 spindle uses the earlier strut & uses a bigger tapered ball joint stud, so you'll have to change your LCA's for '05+ arms.

[felixthecat]

Originally Posted by Sniperx

OK OK OK! I am all confused now man! I have a 2004 ZX3 hatch zetec and want to do a full SVT front and REAR brake set up on it. Will it ALL bolt right up including the suspension?

Yes it'll all bolt on.^^^^ Now the bad news= the rear kit has been discountined. So you'll have to look at used parts. svt=11'' rotors/ st=10'' rotors.

[Blue5ive]

Originally Posted by Sniperx

OK OK OK! I am all confused now man! I have a 2004 ZX3 hatch zetec and want to do a full SVT front and REAR brake set up on it. Will it ALL bolt right up including the suspension?

Originally Posted by felixthecat

Yes it'll all bolt on.^^^^ Now the bad news= the rear kit has been discountined. So you'll have to look at used parts. svt=11'' rotors/ st=10'' rotors.

More bad news. Ford has also discontinued the front knuckles so you cannot piece together a new kit. Options are: you can buy a new complete svt front brake kit that bolts up to any 00-04 model from Tousley Ford for about $485+ shipping. Only 8-10 left and Ford does not make them anymore. Or you can buy a used front kit. For the rear you can use any rear disc brake setup from any 00-07 focus but you need the complete rear kit most critical being the caliper mounting brackets. There is also a Baer rear kit for $600+ that uses 12" rotors but uses '98 chevy calipers on a custom bracket.

[Rob axel]

I have a 03 SE non-ABS no traction control Zetec I am looking at upgrading the front brakes....After reading this thread I found this...
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/FMS-M-2300-SVTF4/All/
$600... and from what I can see, direct bolt on...no mods...
I was looking at salvage yards...trying to obtain BETTER performing brakes than what I have...I am not into high performance....I just want the car to stop when you apply pressure to the pedal...
It says "use with rear disc brakes set up"....dont see any reason why you cant install on w/ rear drums?

[Sniperx]

Originally Posted by Rob axel

I have a 03 SE non-ABS no traction control Zetec I am looking at upgrading the front brakes....After reading this thread I found this...
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/FMS-M-2300-SVTF4/All/
$600... and from what I can see, direct bolt on...no mods...
I was looking at salvage yards...trying to obtain BETTER performing brakes than what I have...I am not into high performance....I just want the car to stop when you apply pressure to the pedal...
It says "use with rear disc brakes set up"....dont see any reason why you cant install on w/ rear drums?

That looks like a kit to upgrade stock NON SVT brakes to SVT brakes. I want to do that to mine. I also want to do the rear discs for mine too.

[_ANTI]

I'm not sure why it says that the "must be used with rear disks". I have defiantly done sketchier things to my cars... But 600 is a bunch of cash to throw at brakes.

[felixthecat]

Originally Posted by _ANTI

I'm not sure why it says that the "must be used with rear disks". I have defiantly done sketchier things to my cars... But 600 is a bunch of cash to throw at brakes.

Thats cheap if it keeps you out of an acciendent & all the hassells & issues that go w/ it. From 10'' to 11.8'' & bigger calipers is great & thats with new Ford parts. I'd add a set of stainless steel lines to that. I have 13'' & 11.75'' brakes just to say. My foot is playing w/ pressure & not distance.

[Geezer]

Originally Posted by _ANTI

I'm not sure why it says that the "must be used with rear disks". I have defiantly done sketchier things to my cars... But 600 is a bunch of cash to throw at brakes.

It's for brake bias reasons. Brake bias is generally based on a number of variables including net weight, weight distribution, gross weight, speed, etc.

[Geezer]

Originally Posted by Rob axel

I have a 03 SE non-ABS no traction control Zetec I am looking at upgrading the front brakes....After reading this thread I found this...
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/FMS-M-2300-SVTF4/All/
$600... and from what I can see, direct bolt on...no mods...
I was looking at salvage yards...trying to obtain BETTER performing brakes than what I have...I am not into high performance....I just want the car to stop when you apply pressure to the pedal...
It says "use with rear disc brakes set up"....dont see any reason why you cant install on w/ rear drums?

Good braking is obtainable from the stock setup. There are components that can make it work better such as street performance pads and/or shoes plus fresh brake fluid (importance is often overlooked) and possibly an upgrade to braided brake lines (improves pedal feel). If rotors or drums are worn they should be replaced with good quality OE parts. There's no need for drilled, slotted or for that matter, oversized rotors.