Wilwood 13" brakes fitted

[melbzetec]

Finally got the brakes fitted yesterday.

Have to let them settle in, but braking power seems VERY good.

This is just a rough phone pic. I'll take better pics later.



A couple of hassles.

The Wilwood fittings are a little odd, so will take a little longer to get ADR compliant braided hoses made up (currently has the US hoses fitted).

The rotors are so big that we're getting a fouling problem against the ball joint at full lock. TCE Performance in Arizona are sending out a spacer shim to help sit the rotor a little further out which will (hopefully) solve the problem.

I should add, great service from the guys at HiTek Brakes in Moorabbin.

I'll take better pics later, and impressions once I've had a real chance to drive it

[XR5-Boy]

Man, those are chunky I'm sensing a cruise very soon. I believe this is the last thing on your 'to do' list, yes?

[DBourne]

my god!!! make sure you put a few bags of concrete in the car so you don't do a front flip!

[Fast Eddie]

Quote: "I'm sensing a cruise very soon".

Yeah, I am first in line for a ride! BTW Steve, what pads are you running with the Wilwoods?

[DZFord]

They look great and I am sure the stopping power would be awesome.

Will there be enough rim clearance from the calipers with the spacer fitted?

[melbzetec]

Yes, supposedly this was the last thing on my "to do" list!

We'll wait and see!!

Eddie, the pads are Wilwood BP10 street pads*.

And hopefully there is enough clearance
(TCE say they had a similar issue with some early US Focus models, and that this thin shim solved the problem. I'm also investigating if there is a slightly smaller profile ball joint. The fact that this problem has occurred gives me the shits....it is designed as a Focus kit, and I did all the clearance measures on the wheel first....but there was no suggestion we'd have this ball joint issue. The problem is the thickness of the rotor, not the diameter)

And whilst they are big, I am confident I won't need the bags of cement !!!since the Mark 1 RS Focus ran Brembo's on the front, and the same stock rear brakes on the back. Plus there have been about 1,000 of these kits sold and fitted in the states with great feedback



*
"BP-10" Compound
Released in mid 2005, this new pad is the standard pad for all TCE street kits. We have tested this pad in local use and find it's low temperature use to be low in noise and dust- things important to the street kit. However when pushed harder and allowed to warm up BP10 exhibits improved bite and performance.This pad should offer a reasonable light track day use without fade yet allow the user to drive it home. An excellent starting pad or even a balanced rear pad when paired with more aggressive front pads."

[melbzetec]

Update.

The spacers arrived from the U.S. and were fitted today, along with custom braided brake hoses. Apparently the fouling problem has been solved by the spacers (I pick the car up tomorrow morning).

One totally unexpected benefit fom the new brakes (apart from SERIOUS stopping power!) is better acceleration!!!!

How is that possible?

The weight of the new rotors (and calipers) is substantially lighter than the stock setup, so less rotating mass and less sprung weight. When I picked up the box with the stock brakes and rotors in it, I couldn't believe how heavy they were.
The difference is really noticeable when accelerating. I was pleasantly surprised

Decent pictures when I get a chance

[melbzetec]

correction. unsprung weight

[Fast Eddie]

Two more questions if you don't mind.

1. Are you using the OE Brake Master Cylinder and
2. Is it a 4 or 6 Piston Caliper set-up?

Eddie.

[melbzetec]

Yes Eddie, I'm using the OEM master cylinder, and it's a 4 piston caliper.

[mrbaxr6t]

nice work there looks good wife has an xr5 and that thing when you brake it feels asif it drives a couple steaks into the bitumen to stop immediately its a very strange feeling at first pity you have to shim the damn thing that would mean taking it all to bits again (that aint fun)

[XRDRIFT]

Nice brakes, very nice, I saw a set of 6 pot Willwoods for sale on ebay, wasnt to sure if the supplier had kits for the Aussie Fords, might look into it.

Good to see a different set up besides Brembo's going around. Not to say they are bad, just sooo common

[DZFord]

Good to hear that it all fits even with the spacers.

Did Hightek make the braided lines or do they contract someone to do it for them?

[Fast Eddie]

I'm in need for some front brake pads (Melbzetec's sorting this for me) and for something completely different to DBA's etc. I'm looking into some of these http://www.european-parts.net/catalo...roducts_id=213

Failing these I might investigate the Calipers and Discs fitted to the ST170.
BTW Is the OE Master Cylinder the same across all Mk1 Focus Models?

[FOCUSonTHIS]

Haven't been on AFF for a while...come and look what I see...A massive brake upgrade for the car Steve....make sure you guys invite me when you go for a cruise. I have to break in the XR6 for a cruise, it hasn't been on one just as yet!

[XR5-Boy]

Your car has been on a cruise! :P

Cougar and XR6 night remember??

[XR5-Boy]

Your car has been on a cruise! :P

Cougar and XR6 night remember??