![Ford RS Brake Upgrade](/logs/ford-focus-rs-brakes/ford-rs-brakes_hu15d4e93bacb4d6ba4cd990298d8d1317_3542233_400x0_resize_q60_linear.jpg)
Choosing what brakes, rotors, pads, and fluid can be a bit religious at times, especially without a data sheet. Selection isn’t that great either on the performance side either with few options. So I thought I’d share the parts and performance of those parts here. I’ll add more information as it becomes available.
Check out more about the Ford Focus RS Project here: https://alexwitherspoon.com/2016-ford-focus-rs/
To start, I had the goal of upgrading from the stock very capable rotors to two-piece sets so I could minimize heat transference and more cheaply swap out rotor bodies separate of the hats. I also wanted to go with slotted rotors to ensure better brake feel under track conditions. Some of these pros/cons are talked about at length here.
Fluid
I have goals to change fluids less often by putting good fluids in, and reduce waste and time investment. I’ve liked Red Line’s products, and the spec sheet is impressive for a good price. It’s good stuff, with all the heat the brakes can create, I wanted a good fluid to keep up.
- Red Line RL-600
- Brake Fluid Spec Page
- Specifications DOT 4, Exceeds VMVSS 116 And SAE J1704
- Dry Boiling Point 604°F/318°C
- Wet Boiling Point 400°F/°204C
- PH 7.7
- Vis @ -40°C 1657 CSt
- Vis @ 100°C 2.7 CSt
Lines
No data sheet here, these are 100% for looks, and making me feel like a responsible car owner.
Mountune Brake Hose Set - Steel Braided Lines
Calipers
Keeping Stock Brembo Calipers, they work just fine.
- Front
- Brembo four-piston calipers finished in RS blue
- Focus RS Front Brake Kit
- Rear
- Rear calipers are finished in RS blue
- Focus RS Rear Brake Kit
Rotors
I decided to go with two piece rotors to make replacement and maintenance down the road easier with a hat and body build. The weight reduction is also very welcome, and is noticeable. I went with RB because of the front and rear two piece kit. They feature a slotted design with minor holes in the slots to help ventilation when under hard braking. I’ve noticed that the brakes on OEM can fade pretty fast on a technical course, so this is a huge improvement to ensure no brake pad gassing is an issue, or that the heat isn’t being controlled.
RB OE Two Piece Rotor Kit for Ford Focus RS 2016+ (P/N 2562 & 2563)
![Ford RS Brake Upgrade](/logs/ford-focus-rs-brakes/_hufadb30f56516ed9cd3c0b9724cd4c93d_443705_8f1845ce940ae8995d80911bc39a0417.jpg)
![Ford RS Brake Upgrade](/logs/ford-focus-rs-brakes/_hu1a038f7bdd38550f3455f4635124bc2c_273012_9eec58e2b83cbef4a05fe4c75956e472.jpg)
Pads
For pads I am using OEM for now for road use, and swapping for track use. OEM pads work perfectly fine, though they emit a massive amount of brake dust. The WINMAX pads are much less dusty, but a bit louder.
![Ford RS Brake Upgrade](/logs/ford-focus-rs-brakes/edmountune_Brake_pad_Materials_Data_20170519_hu2010ce916e1fd5b0bc49f4580c73a6f2_61740_400x0_resize_q60_linear.jpg)
- Front
- Road Use
- Ford Service Part: G1FZ-2001-A
- Motorcraft: BRF1524
- Track Use
- WINMAX/Mountune A2 Compound
- Mountune Store Page
- Road Use
- Rear
- Road Use
- Ford Service Part: G1FZ-2200-A
- Motorcraft: BRF1525
- Track Use
- WINMAX/Mountune A2 Compound
- Mountune Store Page
- Road Use