Our Top Recommended Big Brake Upgrade Kits For Your Ford Cortina MK3
The Cortina MK3 spent the first half of the 1970s as Ford’s competition saloon. The 2000E and GT versions ran in the British Saloon Car Championship, and a good number are still doing similar work in historic saloon events today. The factory brakes were a weak point in period racing, and the original hardware has not improved with age.
There is no Tarox coverage for the Cortina MK3 in this catalogue, so everything on this page is HiSpec. Eight kits in the Billet 4 range cover 15 to 17 inch wheels, from £672 to £1,320. The full Cortina MK3 range is on the site if you want to browse it raw. This page goes through the disc construction decision first, then picks the five kits we would actually recommend.
- Eight HiSpec Billet 4 kits from 245mm to 325mm, covering 15 to 17 inch wheels
- The same hub fits the Ford Escort Mk2, Cortina Mk4 and Mk5, so these kits carry across all of them
- Four smaller 1P single-piece disc kits; four larger 2P two-piece floating disc kits, roughly £400 more in each pair
- Pads and braided hoses are priced separately on every kit in this range
HiSpec in this catalogue
There is no Tarox listing for the Cortina MK3. The Tarox UK catalogue does not cover the older Ford front hub that the Cortina and Escort share, so the range here is HiSpec only. HiSpec Motorsport in Dartford built specifically for these cars, which is why eight Billet 4 kits exist. Every kit is made to order in up to 28 working days, with the caliper finished in your choice of black, red, blue, gold or silver.
HiSpec Motorsport
CNC machined in Dartford from 6082 T6 billet aluminium. Calipers and pistons machined at the same facility. Eight kits cover the Cortina MK3 front hub from 245mm to 325mm. Made to order in up to 28 working days, five caliper colours. Pads and hoses are priced separately so you choose the compound to match how the car is used.
The wheel size table
A bigger disc needs a bigger wheel to clear it. HiSpec publish a minimum wheel diameter for every kit size from 283mm up. The two smallest Billet 4 kits (245mm and 260mm) have no published figure, so Cameron checks the exact wheel and spoke profile before those go to build. For everything from 283mm, the figures are confirmed and are in the table.
| Kit | Disc | Type | Smallest wheel |
|---|---|---|---|
| HiSpec 245mm Billet 4 1P | 245 x 20mm | 1P | Ask us |
| HiSpec 260mm Billet 4 1P | 260 x 20mm | 1P | Ask us |
| HiSpec 283mm Billet 4 1P | 283 x 26mm | 1P | 15 inch |
| HiSpec 285mm Billet 4 2P | 285 x 24mm | 2P | 15 inch |
| HiSpec 300mm Billet 4 2P | 300 x 28mm | 2P | 16 inch |
| HiSpec 305mm Billet 4 1P | 305 x 28mm | 1P | 16 inch |
| HiSpec 310mm Billet 4 2P | 310 x 28mm | 2P | 16 inch |
| HiSpec 325mm Billet 4 2P | 325 x 28mm | 2P | 17 inch |
HiSpec 245mm and 260mm Billet 4 1P: the small-disc entry
These are the two smallest disc sizes in the Billet 4 range, both on a solid single-piece rotor. At £672 each they are the least expensive option by £113. HiSpec have not published a minimum wheel clearance for either disc size, so Cameron checks the exact wheel and spoke profile before the kit goes to build. Both are listed as fitting the Escort Mk2, Cortina Mk3, Mk4 and Mk5 on the same front hub.
If the car runs smaller factory-era wheels and you want to keep them, these kits are the place to start. If the confirmed 15-inch figure matters to you, step up to the 283mm kit where HiSpec have published the wheel clearance.
- £672.00 inc VAT each
- 245x20mm and 260x20mm solid single-piece discs
- Minimum wheel: ask us, Cameron confirms before build
- Billet 4 four-piston caliper, five finish colours
- Made to order in up to 28 working days
HiSpec 283mm and 305mm Billet 4 1P: first confirmed wheel sizes
Both kits run the solid 1P disc and the same Billet 4 caliper. The 283mm clears a 15-inch wheel at £785.44, the 305mm needs 16s at £817.24. The gap between them is £32 for a 22mm bigger disc. On a road car that has gained some power, Garreth’s pick from this pair is the 305mm: the extra rotor for the money is straightforward, assuming the car is already on 16s.
On a car staying on smaller wheels, the 283mm is a genuine step over the factory hardware at an entry price that leaves budget for a decent pad compound.
- 283mm at £785.44, 305mm at £817.24, both inc VAT
- 283mm clears 15 inch, 305mm needs 16 inch
- Single-piece solid discs, 26mm and 28mm thick
- Pads and hoses priced separately
- Made to order in Dartford
HiSpec 285mm Billet 4 2P: the step to floating disc
The 285mm two-piece kit costs £1,188.53 and clears the same 15-inch wheels as the 283mm 1P at £785.44. The extra £403 buys a two-piece floating disc: the rotor sits on an aluminium bell, letting it move fractionally as heat cycles in and out. On a car doing track sessions, that construction keeps the pad contact even as temperatures rise and the caliper is not fighting thermal distortion in the rotor.
On a road-only car, the 283mm 1P is the honest answer. On a Cortina MK3 that goes to historic events, the 285mm 2P is where the money earns its keep.
- £1,188.53 inc VAT
- Clears 15 inch wheels
- 285x24mm two-piece floating disc
- Four-piston Billet 4 caliper
- Pads and hoses priced separately
HiSpec 300mm and 310mm Billet 4 2P: the 16 inch build
Two 2P kits at the 16-inch wheel size, £21 apart. The 300mm at £1,233.29 and the 310mm at £1,254.77 use the same Billet 4 caliper with two-piece floating discs at different diameters. For most cars Garreth’s view is the 310mm: the extra 10mm of disc costs next to nothing more at this level, and on a Cortina doing track sessions the bigger rotor has more material to absorb heat.
If the car is on 17s and you want to stay under that clearance threshold, both kits sit comfortably in the 16-inch band. The choice is £21.
- 300mm at £1,233.29, 310mm at £1,254.77, both inc VAT
- Both clear 16 inch wheels
- 300x28mm and 310x28mm two-piece floating discs
- Pads and hoses priced separately
- Made to order in Dartford
HiSpec 325mm Billet 4 2P: the 17 inch track build
The 325mm two-piece kit is the largest disc in the catalogue for this car, and it needs 17-inch wheels. At £1,320.18 it is the most capable option in the range. On a Cortina MK3 used for regular circuit work or historic events, this is where the money would go: the two-piece floating 325mm disc gives the most rotor area, and the Billet 4 four-piston caliper has been on these hubs since the Cortina was running in national events.
The 17-inch minimum keeps a period-correct wheel size achievable. If you are running 17s already, there is no reason to stop short of the 325.
- £1,320.18 inc VAT
- Needs 17 inch wheels minimum
- 325x28mm two-piece floating disc
- Four-piston Billet 4 caliper, five finish colours
- Pads and hoses priced separately
What is in each box
Every kit in the Billet 4 range includes the calipers, the discs and all the Cortina-specific brackets, bells and fitting hardware. Pads and braided hoses are not included and are priced separately, which means you pick the pad compound to match how the car is used. A road compound for a daily, something more aggressive for track evenings. Both can be added to the order when the kit is placed.
| In the box | HiSpec Billet 4 |
|---|---|
| Calipers | Billet 4, 4-piston, 6082 T6 billet aluminium |
| Discs | 1P single-piece cast (245-305mm) or 2P two-piece floating with aluminium bell (285-325mm) |
| Brackets, bells and hardware | Included |
| Braided hoses | Priced separately |
| Pads | Priced separately, your choice of compound |
| Caliper finish | Black, red, blue, gold or silver |
| Built in | Dartford, UK, made to order, up to 28 working days |
Every kit on this page compared
| Kit | Disc | Type | Smallest wheel | Pads and hoses | Price inc VAT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HiSpec 245 Billet 4 1P | 245x20mm | 1P | Ask us | Extra | £672.00 |
| HiSpec 260 Billet 4 1P | 260x20mm | 1P | Ask us | Extra | £672.00 |
| HiSpec 283 Billet 4 1P | 283x26mm | 1P | 15in | Extra | £785.44 |
| HiSpec 305 Billet 4 1P | 305x28mm | 1P | 16in | Extra | £817.24 |
| HiSpec 285 Billet 4 2P | 285x24mm | 2P | 15in | Extra | £1,188.53 |
| HiSpec 300 Billet 4 2P | 300x28mm | 2P | 16in | Extra | £1,233.29 |
| HiSpec 310 Billet 4 2P | 310x28mm | 2P | 16in | Extra | £1,254.77 |
| HiSpec 325 Billet 4 2P | 325x28mm | 2P | 17in | Extra | £1,320.18 |
Prices include VAT and were correct on 7 September 2026. Minimum wheel sizes confirmed from HiSpec’s published figures across the catalogue. The 245mm and 260mm 1P kits have no published wheel figure: ring Cameron with your wheel size and spoke profile and he will confirm before the kit is built.
Common questions
Why is there no Tarox kit for the Cortina MK3?
The Tarox UK catalogue does not cover the older Ford front hub that the Cortina and Escort share. It is the same hub the Escort Mk2 uses, and neither car has Tarox coverage. HiSpec built specifically for it, which is why eight Billet 4 kits exist for this car.
What is the difference between a 1P and 2P disc?
1P is a solid single-piece disc machined in one casting. 2P is a two-piece floating disc: the rotor bolts onto a separate aluminium bell and can move fractionally as it heats and cools. On a road car the 1P is a genuine upgrade. On a car doing track work, the 2P keeps pad contact more even as temperatures rise, which is where it earns the extra cost.
Will these kits fit the Cortina MK4 and MK5 as well?
Yes. All eight HISC- kits in this range are listed as fitting the Ford Escort Mk2, Cortina Mk3, Mk4 and Mk5 on the same front hub. The disc sizes, caliper mounting and brackets are consistent across all of them.
Do I need to buy anything else to complete the conversion?
Pads and braided hoses are not included and are priced separately on every kit. Both can be added when you place the order. If you are sourcing pads independently, ask us for the pad spec for your kit and we will confirm the compound options HiSpec recommend for road and track use.
How long will the build take?
HiSpec build all kits to order in Dartford, allowing up to 28 working days from order. Lead times can vary through the year, so ask when you order and we will give you the current picture.
What we would actually fit
On a road car keeping factory-size wheels, the 283mm 1P at £785.44 is the honest starting point. It has a confirmed 15-inch clearance, it is a proper step over the original hardware, and it does not need a wheel spend on top of it.
On a 16-inch road car with some power done to it, Garreth’s pick is the 310mm 2P at £1,254.77. Two-piece floating disc, 16-inch minimum, and for £21 more than the 300mm the extra rotor is a straightforward decision.
For a car doing regular track sessions or historic events, the 325mm 2P at £1,320.18 is the answer. It is the most capable kit in this range for a Cortina MK3 being used in anger, and the 17-inch minimum leaves room for a period-correct wheel diameter.
If you are not sure which size clears your wheels or you are on non-standard wheels, ring us on 0115 9893488 with the wheel make, diameter and spoke profile. Sorting the spoke clearance is Cameron’s part of the business and he will work it out with you quickly.