Our Top Recommended Big Brake Upgrade Kits For Your Ford Escort MK2
Every kit on this page runs the Billet 4 caliper. The caliper does not change. What changes is the disc: HiSpec list a 1P kit on a solid single-piece rotor and a 2P kit on a two-piece floating disc, and the gap between them is about £400. Which side of that gap makes sense depends on what the car is being asked to do.
There is no Tarox coverage for the Escort Mk2 in this catalogue, so this is a HiSpec-only guide. Eight kits in total, covering 15 to 17 inch wheels, from £785 to £1,320. The full Ford Escort Mk2 range is on the site if you want to browse it raw. This page works through the disc construction decision first, then picks the five kits we would actually recommend.
- Eight HiSpec Billet 4 kits for the Escort Mk2, four 1P and four 2P
- Same caliper family throughout; the disc type is where the price splits
- All HISC- kits also fit the Ford Cortina Mk3, Mk4 and Mk5 on the same hub
- Smallest confirmed wheel size is 15 inch; entry two options have an unknown minimum (ask us)
- Pads and braided hoses are not included on any kit and are priced separately
What is on this page
HiSpec Motorsport: the only option for the Escort Mk2
Tarox do not list a kit for the Escort Mk2 in their current catalogue. The range on this page is HiSpec only, eight kits from one builder. That is not a shortcoming of the range: eight kits across two disc types gives a fair amount of room to find the right one for the car.
HiSpec Motorsport
Machined in Dartford from 6082 T6 billet aluminium. The Billet 4 is a four-piston caliper with external boots to keep road grime out of the seals, used across road and club sport applications. Kits are made to order in up to 28 working days, with the caliper finished in your choice of black, red, blue, gold or silver. Every kit ships without pads or braided hoses so you choose the compound to suit the use: a road compound for the road, something more aggressive for a track session.
Also fits Cortina Mk3, Mk4 and Mk5
Every HISC- kit on this page is listed for the Ford Escort Mk2 and the Ford Cortina Mk3, Mk4 and Mk5. The two cars share the same front hub, so a kit specified for one works on the other. If you own a Cortina, everything on this page applies to your car. The kits were originally listed separately by vehicle; the current HiSpec catalogue groups them together as one fitment.
The disc decision: 1P or 2P
HiSpec list two disc types for this car. The 1P kits use a solid cast single-piece disc. The 2P kits use a two-piece floating disc with a separate alloy bell and steel ring. That is the whole price split on this page: same caliper, different disc.
A two-piece floating disc lets the bell and the ring expand independently under heat. At sustained track temperatures, where the disc goes through many heat cycles in quick succession, that independence helps: the ring can grow without stressing the bell, and the disc stays flatter. On a car used mainly on the road, that distinction rarely comes into it. The solid 1P discs are simpler, lighter and a few hundred pounds cheaper. Garreth would lean to the 2P on a car that sees regular track use; for road use and occasional sprint days, the 1P is the honest starting point.
Wheel sizes: real numbers
A larger disc needs more wheel diameter to clear the caliper. The figures below come from HiSpec’s published minimum statements across the catalogue: a figure published for one car holds for the same kit on any other car, because the caliper envelope does not change between vehicles.
| Kit | Disc | Minimum wheel |
|---|---|---|
| HISC-001: 245mm Billet 4 1P | 245mm | Ask us |
| HISC-002: 260mm Billet 4 1P | 260mm | Ask us |
| HISC-003: 283mm Billet 4 1P | 283 x 26mm | 15 inch |
| HISC-004: 305mm Billet 4 1P | 305 x 28mm | 16 inch |
| HISC-005: 285mm Billet 4 2P | 285 x 24mm | 15 inch |
| HISC-006: 300mm Billet 4 2P | 300 x 28mm | 16 inch |
| HISC-007: 310mm Billet 4 2P | 310 x 28mm | 16 inch |
| HISC-008: 325mm Billet 4 2P | 325 x 28mm | 17 inch |
HiSpec 283mm Billet 4 1P: the entry kit on 15 inch wheels
This is the smallest kit on this page with a confirmed wheel size. The 283mm 1P uses a solid single-piece cast disc and the Billet 4 four-piston caliper. It is the starting point if the car is on 15 inch wheels and the brief is road use, occasionally sprints or track days. The disc is simple to source and replace and there are no additional parts to align if the disc ever needs changing, which is one practical argument for the 1P on a car that gets worked hard on a budget.
The step from the original sliding caliper to a four-piston Billet 4 is significant regardless of the disc type. The 1P construction is not a compromise; it is the right call for the use case and the price.
- £785.44 inc VAT
- Clears 15 inch wheels
- 283 x 26mm single-piece cast disc
- Four-piston Billet 4 caliper, five caliper colours
- Brackets and hardware included; pads and hoses priced separately
HiSpec 305mm Billet 4 1P: more disc on 16 inch
The 305mm is the largest single-piece disc in this catalogue. It needs 16 inch wheels and sits £32 above the 283mm. That gap is narrow: the extra diameter is the gain, and the disc construction stays the same. For a car already on 16 inch wheels that does not need the full floating-disc setup, this is the 1P pick: you get 22mm more swept area over the 283mm without paying the two-piece premium.
The disc is 305 x 28mm. If the car is moving from a 1P to a 2P later, this kit gives a useful data point on how a bigger disc behaves on the car before the additional investment.
- £817.24 inc VAT
- Clears 16 inch wheels
- 305 x 28mm single-piece cast disc
- Four-piston Billet 4 caliper, five caliper colours
- Brackets and hardware included; pads and hoses priced separately
HiSpec 285mm Billet 4 2P: the entry two-piece at 15 inch
This is the first 2P kit on the page, and the cheapest way into a floating disc on the Escort Mk2. The 285mm 2P sits £1,188.53 inc VAT and clears 15 inch wheels, so the choice between this and the 283mm 1P at £785.44 is the cleanest decision on this page: £403 and a different disc construction for the same wheel size.
On a car that goes to track days regularly, Garreth would move to this kit. The two-piece floating disc handles heat cycles better and the caliper is identical to the cheaper option, so the extra cost goes entirely into the disc. On a road car, the 1P at £785 does the job. That is the honest version of the decision.
- £1,188.53 inc VAT
- Clears 15 inch wheels
- 285 x 24mm two-piece floating disc
- Four-piston Billet 4 caliper, five caliper colours
- Brackets and hardware included; pads and hoses priced separately
HiSpec 300mm and 310mm Billet 4 2P: the 16 inch two-piece options
Two kits on the same widget because the choice between them is a 10mm disc difference and £21.48. Both need 16 inch wheels, both are 2P construction, both carry the same 28mm disc thickness. The 300mm (HISC-006) is £1,233.29 inc VAT. The 310mm (HISC-007) is £1,254.77 inc VAT. Garreth would take the 310mm if the budget allows: more swept area for a small premium.
If you are on 16 inch wheels and want a two-piece floating disc, one of these two will be the kit. The 310mm is the larger; if neither the diameter nor the £21 is a concern, order the bigger one. If you have a specific reason to keep the package smaller, the 300mm does the same job.
- £1,233.29 (300mm) and £1,254.77 (310mm) inc VAT
- Both clear 16 inch wheels
- 300 x 28mm and 310 x 28mm two-piece floating discs
- Four-piston Billet 4 caliper, five caliper colours
- Brackets and hardware included; pads and hoses priced separately
HiSpec 325mm Billet 4 2P: the top kit at 17 inch
The 325mm is the largest kit in the Escort Mk2 range and the only one that needs 17 inch wheels. The disc is 325 x 28mm, two-piece floating construction. At £1,320.18 it is the most expensive kit on this page and the one Garreth would run on a car built for circuit use.
On 17 inch wheels with a car that gets worked on track, the swept area of the 325mm disc matters. It handles more heat before fade sets in, and the two-piece construction gives it the best tolerance for repeated heat cycles. If the brief is a serious track car, this is where the conversation ends. Ring us on 0115 9893488 and Cameron can work through the wheel clearance on whatever you are running.
- £1,320.18 inc VAT
- Requires 17 inch wheels
- 325 x 28mm two-piece floating disc
- Four-piston Billet 4 caliper, five caliper colours
- Brackets and hardware included; pads and hoses priced separately
If the car is on 18s
The Escort Mk2 catalogue tops out at 325mm, which requires 17 inch wheels. There is no kit in this range sized for an 18 inch wheel. If you are already on 18s and want a kit that fills the wheel properly, ring us on 0115 9893488. Cameron will check whether anything from the wider HiSpec catalogue applies to your car and what the clearance looks like.
What is actually in each box
Every kit on this page ships the same way: calipers, discs, brackets and hardware are included. Pads and braided hoses are not. HiSpec price these separately so you choose the compound to suit the car: a street compound for everyday use, something more aggressive for a car that goes on track. We will quote the full build with pads and hoses alongside the kit price so you know what you are committing to before anything is ordered.
| In the box | All HISC- kits (1P and 2P) |
|---|---|
| Calipers | Billet 4, four-piston, 6082 T6 billet aluminium, external boots |
| 1P discs (HISC-001 to 004) | Single-piece cast disc, solid construction |
| 2P discs (HISC-005 to 008) | Two-piece floating disc, billet alloy bell and steel ring |
| Brackets and hardware | Included |
| Braided hoses | Priced separately, we will quote on request |
| Pads | Priced separately, you choose the compound |
| Caliper finish | Black, red, blue, gold or silver anodised |
| Built in | Dartford, UK, up to 28 working days |
Every kit on this page compared
| Kit | Disc | Type | Smallest wheel | Pads and hoses | Price inc VAT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HISC-001: 245mm Billet 4 | 245mm | 1P | Ask us | Extra | £672.00 |
| HISC-002: 260mm Billet 4 | 260mm | 1P | Ask us | Extra | £672.00 |
| HISC-003: 283mm Billet 4 | 283 x 26mm | 1P | 15in | Extra | £785.44 |
| HISC-004: 305mm Billet 4 | 305 x 28mm | 1P | 16in | Extra | £817.24 |
| HISC-005: 285mm Billet 4 | 285 x 24mm | 2P floating | 15in | Extra | £1,188.53 |
| HISC-006: 300mm Billet 4 | 300 x 28mm | 2P floating | 16in | Extra | £1,233.29 |
| HISC-007: 310mm Billet 4 | 310 x 28mm | 2P floating | 16in | Extra | £1,254.77 |
| HISC-008: 325mm Billet 4 | 325 x 28mm | 2P floating | 17in | Extra | £1,320.18 |
Prices include VAT and were correct on 4 September 2026. Wheel sizes for the 283mm and above are confirmed from HiSpec’s published minimum statements across the catalogue. Wheel sizes for the 245mm and 260mm kits are not published by HiSpec; contact us before ordering if you are on smaller wheels.
Common questions
Is there a Tarox option for the Ford Escort Mk2?
No. Tarox do not currently list a kit for the Escort Mk2 in their standard catalogue. The eight kits on this page are all from HiSpec. If a Tarox listing appears in future, we will add a guide section. For now, HiSpec covers the full range from entry solid disc to large floating disc.
What is the difference between a 1P and a 2P disc?
A 1P kit uses a single-piece solid cast disc. A 2P kit uses a two-piece floating disc where the alloy bell and the steel rotor ring are separate components joined by bobbins, which allows each piece to expand independently under heat. On a car used mainly on the road, both work well. On a car going to track days regularly, the 2P handles repeated heat cycles better. The caliper is the same Billet 4 in both cases; the price difference is in the disc.
Why do the 245mm and 260mm kits not have a confirmed wheel size?
HiSpec have not published a minimum wheel statement for the 245mm and 260mm kits in their current catalogue. They are smaller discs than the 283mm and may clear a 13 or 14 inch wheel, but we will not state a figure we have not confirmed. If you are on smaller wheels and want to know whether one of these fits, ring us and we will check with HiSpec directly.
Why do the HISC- kits also list the Cortina Mk3, Mk4 and Mk5?
The Escort Mk2 and the Ford Cortina Mk3, Mk4 and Mk5 share the same front hub. A kit built for one fits the other without modification. HiSpec group them as a single fitment in their current catalogue. If you own a Cortina rather than an Escort, every kit on this page covers your car.
How long before my kit arrives?
HiSpec kits are made to order in Dartford; allow up to 28 working days from order confirmation. Pads and braided hoses can be added to the same order. We will give you a current lead time when you call, as it can shift through the year.
What we would actually fit
On a car that goes on the road and the occasional sprint day, the 283mm 1P at £785.44 is the one Garreth would start with. It clears 15 inch wheels, it is a genuine step over the standard sliding calipers, and the 1P disc is simple to live with. Add pads and hoses and you have a complete front conversion without the two-piece premium.
For a car that goes to track days with some regularity, the answer changes. At 15 inch, the 285mm 2P at £1,188.53 is worth the extra £403. At 16 inch, the 310mm 2P at £1,254.77 is the pick: the 10mm over the 300mm costs £21.48 more and it is worth it. At 17 inch, the 325mm 2P at £1,320.18 is the only option and a good one. If you are not sure which disc size or wheel clearance applies to your car, ring us on 0115 9893488. Cameron runs the wheel clearance side of the business and he will work it out with you.