11" Brake Rotor

[DPDISXR4Ti]

I can't ever recall someone talking about doing a "big brake" upgrade for the Scorpio. It would seem to me that the XR upgrade would work if there's a 11" rotor with the 5x112 lug pattern. Does such a thing exist?

[Marc]

In europe the Scorpio 24v had 278 mm front discs, with the same calipers as the Sierra Cosworth 4x4 and Escort Cosworth.

[DPDISXR4Ti]

In europe the Scorpio 24v had 278 mm front discs, with the same calipers as the Sierra Cosworth 4x4 and Escort Cosworth.

Thanks. Looks like D607 is the universal part# for those discs. Unfortunately, not available in the US, so I'd need to have them shipped across the pond if I went that route.

[DPDISXR4Ti]

And then the follow-up question is whether stock 15" wheels will fit over the calipers with these rotors. My plan would be to use the 2008+ Focus calipers, but hopefully they wouldn't be much different from the stock calipers.

[Marc]

Most 15" wheels should fit. But it may depend on the actual shape of that particular wheel. I've seen huge differences in clearance on different 17" wheels. But normally the 15" Ford wheels fit over the 278 mm brakes.

There are quite a lot of cars with 5x112 mm fitment, so you should be able to find some big discs with the correct offset.

For the XR4Ti you can for instance fit 300 mm Focus ST170 discs, or even 324 mm Focus RS discs.

[DPDISXR4Ti]

Most 15" wheels should fit. But it may depend on the actual shape of that particular wheel. I've seen huge differences in clearance on different 17" wheels. But normally the 15" Ford wheels fit over the 278 mm brakes.

There are quite a lot of cars with 5x112 mm fitment, so you should be able to find some big discs with the correct offset.

Someone had mentioned on the MK3 Facebook group that the Estate version of the Cosworth Granada came with 15" wheels from the factory, so that's consistent with what you're saying. Also, the '08+ Focus came with 11" rotors and 15" wheels (along with a more severe offset), so there's another data-point that would suggest it should fit.

Here's a page that lists the applications using a 5x112 bolt pattern... https://www.wheel-size.com/pcd/5x112/
A large percentage of those use 14mm lug bolts (Audi/VW/Mercedes). That wouldn't totally rule them out, but it wouldn't be ideal, especially since the center-hub would likely be a mis-match. Looks like most of the BMW hubs are actually 5x120.

[DPDISXR4Ti]

BMW switched over to 5x112, 66.6 center bore, starting circa 2014, inclusive of the Mini Cooper.

Raybestos Front Rotor p/n 130178-05737926 for the 2015 Mini cooper is 5x112 and 279.80mm (10.98") 22mm thickness. Seems like the closest option even if the hub size is a little too big and no idea what the offset is.

[timxr8]

The 2008-2011 Focus use a 275mm rotor, so a little smaller than the 2005-2007 and 2012+ cars which use the 278mm rotor. Bolt-in, I'd look into the Cosworth Scorpio discs if they are relatively inexpensive to get here. The other option would be to use the 2012+ Focus rotors and redrill to 5x112.

[DPDISXR4Ti]

Bolt-in, I'd look into the Cosworth Scorpio discs if they are relatively inexpensive to get here. The other option would be to use the 2012+ Focus rotors and redrill to 5x112.

Least expensive I could find is a tick over $200 for the pair, delivered from UK to NY, so not inexpensive. 2012 Focus still uses a 63.3mm hub center? I do have a milling machine and a rotary vise (poor man's rotary table), so drilling 5 new holes isn't out of the question.

[merkurdriver]

I can't ever recall someone talking about doing a "big brake" upgrade for the Scorpio.

ChuckW about the only person I can think of doing Scorpio brake upgrades...
http://forum.merkurclub.com/forum/viewt ... 9&start=15

[DPDISXR4Ti]

ChuckW about the only person I can think of doing Scorpio brake upgrades...
http://forum.merkurclub.com/forum/viewt ... 9&start=15

I'd forgotten that Chuck had gone with Corvette brakes, but that's too big as I still want to be able to run stock 15" wheels for the winter. I think Tim has got the winning answer of using the 2012+ Focus rotors re-drilled to 5x112 along with either the 2008-11 or 2012+ Focus caliper. The Focus stuff is readily available everywhere for reasonable money. Even if I didn't re-drill the rotors myself, they'd still be cheaper than bringing the Cosworth rotors in from overseas.

[brokencase]

Maybe it is just me but...

Is the stock braking performance of the Scorpio so bad that such an upgrade is warranted?

I don't know about you, but I don't find that the performance of the Scorpio gets me into trouble with regards to braking.

How about throwing on a set of EBC Greenstuff, some slotted rotors, and calling it a day?

I apologize ahead of time if on the off handed chance you have transplanted a 5.0L or a hot 2.3L turbo...
If this is the case then send a link to those postings...

[DPDISXR4Ti]

Is the stock braking performance of the Scorpio so bad that such an upgrade is warranted?

It's certainly adequate, no doubt. But I've had issues with the front stock calipers seizing (while 200 miles from home) and then not being able to readily source replacements. There's a much higher likelihood of finding calipers, pads, and rotors on the shelf for a 2012 Focus at an AutoZone on a Sunday afternoon. If I mild upgrade in performance can be achieved in the process, so much the better.

[Ed Lijewski]

A rear caliper has been noted as frozen up (typically from from infrequent/little use) and that the fronts bear more braking burden, in most instances. A yearly or so exercising of the ABS (on gravel or slippery surface) might be worthwhile preventive maintenance.

Re your frozen front caliper, replace with remanned units or rebuild them yourself and brake unfrozen for years as long as the car is used regularly.

YMMV

[brokencase]

I'm all for cheap and plentiful alternatives. I understand the rotor re-drill part, but what does it take to mount the Focus calipers?
Do the mounting holes line up?