uprating the braking system - MK4 Cortina

Fitting 2.8i Capri vented disks and spaced M16 Calipers would help with brake fade, but won't give you any more braking force, as the pad area will be the same as what you have at the moment.

What is it about the current brakes that causes concern? Is it that they fade, or won't lock the wheels, or don't pull up straight?

If you want more pad area, a lot of kit cars use the Mk3/4/5 front suspension uprights and brakes so there are a lot of uprated disks and calipers available from kit car and similar suppliers. I know Rally Design www.rallydesign.co.uk/?homepage=4 do a range of calipers.

One thing to consider if you go down the Capri vented disk route, is avoid cheap pattern parts as they have a tendancy to warp very quickly (I've got some on my Mk1 Cortina which have done just that and that is a very light car, compared to a Mk4 with a V6).

Hope this gives some food for thought.

Cortinaman

because you are using 13s, you are limited to brakes I think 285mm are about as big as you can go, More pad area will help, and I think I would be going down the route of capri vents, and Mk2 Granada Vented calipers, (M18s) the pad area is about 50% bigger, but use the same size piston as the M16s that you have so no upgrade is needed on the master cyl, the callipers share the same bolt pitching so they bolt on without a problem,. the other option is the Princess 4 pots, again bolt on, but are getting hard to find and expensive for that reason. Good pads are really a benefit, I liked Green stuff but the last set I used really did not seem to be any where as good as the earlier ones I had used. I'm sure people will be along to give you advise on what to use,
what size drums are you using, I think the 2.3s used bigger drums on the back which would help too,

Thanks for all the useful advice
Now looking on Burton power for some Capri vented discs, and onto evilbay for Mk 2 granny calipers
Yes I think the rear drums are larger,
according to my old ford buddy,
I'm a vauxhall chap, who has wandered into Fords!!

Although if I check my bank account I may just visit the rally design website
posted above, got some very nice things!

Ive looked at the Mondeo route, and I would need larger rims
Which I don't really want, as the rims Ive got now just suit the motor
Think the capri vented with mk2 granny calipers are a decent bet
Indeed pattern parts I have had some issues in the past with
Mintex - Ive never used, could be worth a try
thanks for that

I haven't read the above comments so I'm sorry if I'm repeating what others have said. On my escort I am using willwood four pot powerlite calipers and 2.8 Capri drums on the rear and it stops really well, a servo would make it feel even better. If your wanting the slider type calipers you can use mondeo calipers and v6 sierra discs with Caprisport brackets but they only fit with 7" wide 13's minimum.

Welshpug has a point. Some decent brake fluid (Normal DOT 4 will be fine, or ATE Super Blue if you wish to go for a superior fluid) along with good pads (M1144s as an example) will help. But I do also believe that the Granada vented setup as suggested is the way to go, especially since you have a good chunk of BHP over a stock 2.3. Was this not the era when Ford underspecified their brakes according to mofidifiers of the time?

Good point about the brake fluid,
unsure. Pads are bog standard,
In agreement with the granny/capri set up,
looks like the way forward, but will get the brake fluid changed as well
Good work gents
Thank you all