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Braking Sierra/Cortina
James - 3/9/02 at 09:25 AM

Hi Folks,

This relates to front hubs/brakes- I'll be using Sierra rears.

Primarily, I do understand that a Locost is pretty light and will therefore stop pretty quickly.

What I would like to know is: are the Sierra brakes better than Cortina ones? They have the benefit of being newer, and designed for a heavier car so I would assume they are?

Presumably therefore, purely in regards to stopping the car they are beneficial?


Thanks,

James

JohnFol - 3/9/02 at 12:08 PM

Depends on what's parked down your street doesn't it? Ooops I mean theoretically it depends on whats down your street. . .

I agree with your logic, and I'd also say that the availability of service items, pads, uprated disks etc will be better for the Sierra setup.

Even so, the Locost is going to be about half the weight of a cortina, so I don't see a problem with Cortina stuff . ..

James - 3/9/02 at 02:01 PM

quote:
Depends on what's parked down your street doesn't it? Ooops I mean theoretically it depends on whats down your street. . .


I'm sure I don't know what you mean!

Anyway, I wonder, has anyone tried to fit Sierra discs and callipers to Cortina hubs?

I already have the Sierra hubs etc. but for various reasons I've decided I'd rather not use them unless I have to. But then again, I'd rather the added braking of the Sierra over the Cortina is possible.

Opinions please?

Thanks,

James

gjn200 - 3/9/02 at 04:08 PM

As far as I know ( bet I'm wrong ) the cortina ones are better as they are proper 2 pot.

scutter - 3/9/02 at 04:29 PM

James, If you want vented discs, i used a 2.8 capri discs on cortina hubs, the calipers are capri too, basically spaced out(no drugs involved) cortina calipers. There should be a photo of them in my archive.

Just a little useless info.

Take care Dan.

bob - 3/9/02 at 06:07 PM

And then get a pair of austin princess/ambasador ( you know the wedge shape thing)4 pot calipers and spacer kit chuck em on ya cortina hubs mixed with ya 2,8 capri discs.
Hey presto cheap upgrade,ask steveM how they perform.
And dont come back with where the hell will i get princess 4 pots,they are out there you just gotta look.

scutter - 3/9/02 at 07:00 PM

Bob, you are a pool of knowledge!

bob - 3/9/02 at 09:24 PM

Thanks Dan,i'm filling up now and overcome with happiness that someone has finally aknowledged this.

theconrod has taught me all i know.
Well actually thats a lie,it just sounded good

James - 4/9/02 at 10:44 AM

Bob wrote:

quote:
,they are out there you just gotta look.


I'm sure there'll be an abandoned one around me somewhere!


But anyway, by the sound of it no one seems to think there's much benefit in the Sierra ones?

The reason I'm asking is the following:
1) I already have the Sierra hubs
2) I'm gonna need to redesign the wishbone lengths to use either set as my chassis is wider.

So, I end up with this choice:
1. Stick with Sierra hubs (heavy and ugly and need inserts) that are free. But easy wishbone design as can copy MK wishbone length and reduce it to fit my chassis.
2. Buy (£60/65 is my best price so far from breakers) Cortina hubs (lighter and nicer looing and no inserts) and redesign standard wishbones to be longer (harder to do).

So, you can see why I was trying to find out which gives better braking as that'll make my decision for me!

Presumably as you can fit Sierra 2.8 discs you can also fit other Sierra discs? It can't then be that hard to make a spacer to fit the Sierra caliper if that's necessary and better than the cortina one?

Anybody want to lend me a Cortina hub so I can strip it and see?

No? thought not. Oh well.

James

bob - 4/9/02 at 06:15 PM

James wrote

Presumably as you can fit Sierra 2.8 discs you can also fit other Sierra discs? It can't then be that hard to make a spacer to fit the Sierra caliper if that's necessary and better than the cortina one?

James
you lost me there,and probably everyone else.
Capri 2.8 vented discs will fit on cortina hubs then a spacer kit is required for the cortina or princess calipers.

Sierra hubs nothing from cortina will fit em exept wheel nuts.

theconrodkid - 4/9/02 at 08:07 PM

I recon its the funny mushrooms he has in his fryups

bob - 4/9/02 at 09:14 PM

Nah,youngsters nowadays run on chemicals.!!!

James - 5/9/02 at 12:36 PM

Sorry! To much Pro Plus!!!

Anyway, my point is this:

I want to keep the front/rear track similar.
I've got Sierra hubs already.
The Sierra track is around 4" wider than Escort (still under discussion/research).
My chassis is 1.5" wider at the front than standard.

Basically, I've got to change away from The Book wishbone lengths. At the same time I can therefore use whichever hubs I want depending on which are better (factoring in age, weight, ease of rebuild, price and braking capability)


Therefore, I have two options:
1) Book syle wishbones (with Cortina hubs) designed to be 2.5" longer.
Or,
2) MKIndy style wishbones designed to be 1.5" shorter.

I guess the easiest is option 2 but having heard about the probs that ChrisW has just had mounting his Sierra hubs I was thinking I might change plan and move to Cortina ones whilst I have the chance.
Then again, if the Cortina ones aren't such good brakes maybe I want a combination of the two**
Please advise!


Thanks,

James


**And no, I don't mean one each side- O sarcastic ones!

bob - 5/9/02 at 06:22 PM

James

Cortina calipers work just fine,dont forget you will be stopping nearly half the weight they were designed for.