7 replies to this topic

[moocoow]

Hi All,

I've got a 1995 Sprite spi.

Does anyone know if the heater 'box' (the thing under the radio that has the vents) should get warm even when the heater is in the off position?

Also is it true that you can upgrade the brakes by swapping them for metro callipers?
If so are they are direct replacement and also is it a worth while update?
I mainly want to improve the brakes as they're fine with an unladen car but with stuff or people they require a lot of force.

Cheers,
Danny

[bunch1980]

Hi All,

I've got a 1995 Sprite spi.

Does anyone know if the heater 'box' (the thing under the radio that has the vents) should get warm even when the heater is in the off position?

Also is it true that you can upgrade the brakes by swapping them for metro callipers?
If so are they are direct replacement and also is it a worth while update?
I mainly want to improve the brakes as they're fine with an unladen car but with stuff or people they require a lot of force.

Cheers,
Danny

Similar thing i noticed to on my 93' Sprite carb, the pipes leading into the matrix still get very warm even when the heater plunger is in the cold position, i guess its just heat transfer up through pipes and water that are always in the pipe maybe.
When I used it last week in rain damn it gets hot in there! lol

[MRA]

changing to 4 pot callipers is worth it, you would get much better braking, however it is not as straight forward as changing the callipers..... you would need to change the pipes to cope with the twin inlet on metro callipers.

And there are two types of Metro callipers, those for vented discs and those for solid discs. the vented disc setup is better but requires the correct drive flanges to suit

Pads would need to suit the callipers.

Don't be tempted to use metro hubs as you would need fully adjustable bottom arms and tie bars to cope with the differences.

[Guess-Works.com]

Quicker option is to upgrade to alloy 4 pots, then you do only need to change the calliper ( and disk if you want to go to vented )

Regarding the heater, a suggestion would be that the valve is not fully closing, and you do realise on the later models, it's pull for on and push for off which is the reverse of the earlier models ( the differentiation is the placement of the valve ) on the head (metal valve) is the older type, inline with the pipes (plastic) newer.

[bunch1980]

Quicker option is to upgrade to alloy 4 pots, then you do only need to change the calliper ( and disk if you want to go to vented )

Regarding the heater, a suggestion would be that the valve is not fully closing, and you do realise on the later models, it's pull for on and push for off which is the reverse of the earlier models ( the differentiation is the placement of the valve ) on the head (metal valve) is the older type, inline with the pipes (plastic) newer.

I did wonder this to if its not fully closing or something as it seems awfully hot down there still and not some thing i want now temps are rising.
On weekend i was oiling the cable as over the years its been rubbing on rocker cover thankfully not all the way though covering yet but was runnning dry
now is much smoother.
Will take of cable again and see if it fully closes, I guess the only adjustment will be at the plunger end?
Mines a 93's so sure its a pull out for heat!

[moocoow]

Any recommendations on which 4 pot callipers I should get and where from?
Also I'm slightly confused as to whether this upgrade does or doesn't need any other parts changing?
There seem to be some conflicting messages here?

The heater control in the car is in the correct position, would be amusingly embarrassing if that was the issue.
I've checked that the cable is moving the valve arm, but will take the cable off and see if I can adjust it so it closes more.

Cheers,
Danny

[Ethel]

You could easily block off the heater pipe to see if it makes a difference.

There are alloy 4 pot calipers that are direct replacements for Mini calipers - Minispares or Minisport do them, you'd just need new, Metro, pads. If you used cast iron calipers off a metro you'd also need to convert them from double to single brake hoses and use ERA caliper bolts (calipers are metric, mini hubs are imperial).

Vented discs won't stop you any faster they just resist fade better; you'd need discs, drive flanges, and bolts to hold them together as well.

What condition are your brakes in> New discs and better pads may do the job.

[moocoow]

Thanks Ethel; the brakes are in fairly good condition, need to take the wheels off tomorrow anyway so will double check.

Can anyone recommend a set of replacement callipers and matching vented disks?
As there are just too many to choose from! (I've got 12" wheels if that helps.)

Cheers,
Danny