78 ford fiesta build

I am building a 78  fiesta  for hill climb use.  Big problom is the front brakes. They were very small on these cars.  Does anybody know what ford front brake parts could be used to upgrade the front brakes?  Will escort vented rotors and wilwood calipers work?

the wheel hub bolt pattern is 4x108mm. ford escort is 4x100mm

In reply to roadsportusa :

No

The early 00s Focus was 4x108 along with  Fox body mustangs. Shouldn't the early Escorts still be 4x108 too? The later Mazda chasis cars would be the 4x100 though.

Sounds like a cool project!  Would love to see some photos and build details.  I haven't seen a Fiesta on the road (or otherwise under its own power) in...maybe 20 years?

Have a look at this. Seems very creative

Cheers

http://fiestarescue.blogspot.com/2012/09/100-big-brake-kit-for-mk1-fiesta.html

The fiesta front brakes are fine.  Use RX7 rear brake pads, hawk blue.  I found the master to be a little small, so the brake pedal was always soft until I used a different master.

I bought a pair of 1985 lynx turbo front rotors. they are 9.25 inch and vented. I am hoping to use Lynx 60 mm bore front calipers. not sure they will fix the fiesta hubs???

I converted mine to use the Tempo/escort hubs and bearings.  Stronger hubs and better bearings.  Required modifying the spindle to fit the bearings, then custom axles.

   I also converted to the 5 speed gear box, escort / mazda 626.

I never felt the brakes were weak, with the hawk blue pads.  The master was a little to small, which caused to pedal to always feel soft.

I autocrossed a 78 and with ferrodo pads,the brakes were fine 

but that being said, I found that going down long hills would have me pumping the brakes a little as they would fade. 

will the RX7 shoes fit the rear drums on the 1978 fiesta??? what year RX7?

  The RX7 rear pads will fit the front fiesta calipers, look thru the pegasus catalog, the RX7 rear pads are not available in every pad compound, but you can get the Hawk Blue.  That work fine for road course racing, H production.   To run the 8 inch wide slicks had to use stronger hubs.   Where are you located at?

    I just used the rear drums with normal brake shoes, you just want to ensure the shoes and drums are not worn to far.  To much wear the the little hydraulic cylinder will come apart, then no brakes.

I am located north of Philly in new hope Pa. Thanks for the  advise on the brakes. I am still up in the air on the front calipers. I have not mocked up the vented rotors on the car yet.

   I in just south of Philly....   Have you found Burton Power yet, they have some good engine stuff.   We may have to meet up sometime.  I don't have mine anymore but raced it in SCCA Production class, it was great fun.

      I don't know what your rules are like but I can give you some engine info and other stuff.

Seems I read somewhere that Aspire brakes were larger and pretty much a bolt on swap.

Bruce

Dumb question, but why would you need big brakes if you're going uphill?

you still need to brake hard at race speed.   Go to you tube and watch hill climbs