Another option for a front brake upgrade is BMW 5 series (E28) discs (284mm diameter, 22mm thick) with Mazda RX7 4 spot callipers (Series 4 and 5. Series 6 also have identical dimensions, with just a slightly more modern looking casting and possibly more rigid - so that’s around 1986 onwards.)

The BMW discs have quite a large offset (76mm) so they need to be placed over the Escort hub, rather than bolted behind it like the Escort/E30 discs are. Obviously the disks need to be redrilled and the Escort hub turned down a couple of millimetres so that the disc fits over it and the studs. The callipers have very wide mounting bolt spacing, so a simple 10mm thick flat bar adapter with 4 holes in it attaches the calliper to the strut. Mk2 Escort brake lines screw straight into the Mazda calliper. 15" wheels fit easily over this set up, while 14"s will fit if they’re a good design.

It is even possible to fit the later E34 series discs (302 x 22mm - same offset) if you have 16" wheels, or if your 15"s have space. The standard Escort master cylinder is fine, but with a slightly harder pedal (less travel) due to less volume required by the Mazda 4 spots when compared to the original (large!) Escort 2 pots.

Here are some pics of Mazda 4 pot and BMW 5 series discs. The adapter plate requires a 5mm offset spacer to place the calliper in-line with the centre of the disk. In this instance, 8mm steel plate has been used for the adapter with 5mm thick washers welded to it.

Download Attachment: Calliper Adaptor.jpg
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Download Attachment: On Car Rear View.jpg
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Download Attachment: On Car Front View.jpg
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Many thanks to Ash for providing the information and photos in this article.