I've been hearing about this st225 caliper upgrade. From what I've read it seems that this is the caliper and rotor that the newer Ford Focus uses? Please correct me if I am wrong!

If I'm not wrong, theoretically, shouldn't all the Brembo and Wilwood brake kits for the Focus bolt on to the X considering they bolt on to the Focus, which use the 225 calipers?

Hopefully I am on to something here!

Brembo 1P4.7002A3 GT Brake Kit Ford Focus ST Front 13+ Drilled Rotors Silver Calipers

That link is just a small example. There are a lot of options if this idea is legit.

 

The reason they fit are those little black pieces in the picture you linked, so actually if you get these you could fit any caliper with the same bolt pattern.

As for discs I would go with slotted not drilled because drilled discs tend to crack easily on the track. Also could go with floating discs which take more abuse.

 

Ok so that little brac let adapter is the missing link. But still since that adapts the brembo caliper to the focus then that means it adapts it to the x, correct? The fact that they already run the 5x108 bolt patter Just makes sense that thus is pretty much a bolt on big brake upgrade.

I'm not going to be doing this quite yet but I definitely will be. I still have to build my motor. They would certainly look pretty behind the wheel but I don't need that much stopping power...yet

I'm really just trying to figure out if my thinking is right on this?

 

Yes, it would also fit X-Type. If you used right rotor carrier for floating rotors you could have any size rotors as long as the caliper matches.

 

With the adapter bracket, Weldwoods and Brembos bolt right up, but you need to be sure that there is wheel clearance.

Even the stock Focus 225s won't work with 16" wheels.

 

Yup, I run 18 inch wheels already so clearance with that specific link I posted would be sufficient but it's about as big as I could go. Still, 1.4" bigger than factory rotor with monster calipers! I can't belive no one has touched on this before! There are even rear kits available with parking break assemblies!

It's very hard to not push this mod to the front of the list but I just have to tell myself that it's a lot of money away from the motor budget! I'll worry about brakes once I get to speed

 

A bit too late to think about brakes if you're going into a corner way too fast.

 

I might get kicked out for linking to another forum, but, http://www.jaguarforum.com/showthread.php?t=68944
the focus ST front brakes are a proven bolt on upgrade over factory x type fronts so I think the best bang for your buck would be St front calipers, ebc pads, slotted rotors and stainless lines. I'd also run some cooling ducts if you are really going to be pushing the car hard enough to think about a big brake upgrade. Fading is the real enemy with repeated braking. That would be a nice upgrade without blowing thousands. I have also heard people can have issues with really big brakes and the abs having a hard time working with them, its not likely but since I really haven't seen anyone doing this yet aside from someone claiming to have done it with xjr brakes, I'd be wondering about that, because I have also looked into doing this.


I'm likely going with St front calipers, ebc yellow pads, slotted rotors and Goodrich stainless lines, and cooling ducts. Also before upgrading the disk and caliper you should replace the master with a new one, flush out all the old fluid and put fresh dot 4 (or whatever you like) fluid in. No point in in making the brakes stronger if the heart and blood can't take the heat and pressure.

 

How'd this turn out? The breaks are next.

 

I have not done this upgrade yet but I am defintely going to do it next year after the motor and driveline is finished. I've done lots of research on the idea and both front and rear bbk kits from all the major brands listed to fit the ST will work on our cars. I've decided on the Wilwood 6pots and 14" fronts with 4pots and a 13" in back.

 

What items do you intend to upgrade in the front suspension to handle the stopping power of that much brake?
I want to do my rears because all the daylight showing with 18's and small rotor, but the fronts look great, I recently did drilled slotted upgrade.

The focus runs 225/40/18 tires if anyone was wondering

 

I have already completely upgraded my front and rear suspension and steering so I'm not worried about the suspension not being able to handle the stopping power. Polyurethane bushings everywhere possible, poly subframe mounts front and rear are being designed right now, Massive Speed System adjustable end links in front, Whiteline adjustable end links out back, 2 way adjustable larger stiffer sway bars, solid mount adjustable Godspeed upper control arms and lower forward arms from Massive Speed System. Very large contact patch with 265 tires, larger custom designed hardened 4130 chromoly inner tie rods, power steering cooler, Bilstein struts and H&R springs.... I'm probably forgetting some stuff lol

 

That does sound like everything.