Affordable 2013 Focus brake upgrade - Page 2

felixthecat · 11-21-2012, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bwh13

I agree with that for the most part, but have enough experience (35 yrs) to know how much is too much when it comes to brake improvements.

While adding a better pad is the first step in getting the brakes to perform to a higher standard, a moderately larger rotor will be of even more help without upsetting the bias the engineers built into the car. Going from 280 to 300mm isn't that big a change that it will upset the apple cart, but will give better fade resistance and longer pad life.

I'm pretty sure the caliper brackets will fit the stock calipers, so there won't any change in the clamping force or pedal feel, travel, etc. If they don't then I'll make some brackets for the Wilwoods and use them.

Just to add, Todd at TCE supplies the bracket's.

bwh13 · 11-21-2012, 11:04 AM

No TCE has nothing to do with this OEM style upgrade. The brackets and rotors are OEM parts for a different car that I believe will adapt to the spindles with minor or no modifications. The stock caliper and the caliper the new brackets were originally from use the same pads, so the stock caliper MAY bolt right to this new bracket. That's what I'm going to try determine.

IF the new bracket bolts to the stock caliper AND fits over the new 300mm rotor (which they should, given the respective measurements of both rotors and calipers), then I'll determine what final thing to do to get it to fit/function as if the factory did it.

IF this doesn't work then I will look at installing the Wilwoods onto the 300mm rotor using my own bracket design. I've been selling brake kits for 15 years so this isn't that difficult.

I'm trying to fit this all under the 16" factory wheel (the OEM caliper will easily fit, the Wilwood don't know till I try it).

Michael Jackson · 11-22-2012, 05:38 PM

I've been curious to know if any of the Volvo 5x108 cars with larger brakes could be an upgrade path for us. Any chance you're looking at any of the Volvo stuff for this deal?

Just curious.

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bwh13 · 11-23-2012, 09:25 AM

Yes it is some Volvo parts I'm looking at. There are some minor differences that need to be addressed, and I will know next week if it's possible to adapt them.

bwh13 · 12-07-2012, 03:44 PM

Ok first try didn't work the brackets were for a different pad. Next up some Mazda calipers. Oh and I test fitted some Wilwood Dynalites onto both the stock rotor and the 300mm rotors. Easy 4 piston upgrade, you just need wheels to clear them, stock 2013 SE 16's will NOT clear.