31 replies to this topic

[adam_93rio]

Of course, you also need Cooper 'S' disc brakes on the front or the 'S' wheels wont fit properly and the front track will be too narrow.

Why would you tell somebody they 'need' these brakes? There are a number of brake setups that could be used with 10" steel wheels of all types. From experience, the cooper 's' disc setup isn't really much better than drums.

The fiesta convertion, although not sticking with original sourced parts, has very good braking performance and with work will allow you to fit the cooper 's' wheel, or any steel wheel for that matter

'Cooper 'S' disc set-up not much better than drums', you must be having a laugh. There is no comparison between the 7.5" 'S' disc set up and drums. The 7.5 discs with good pads are just fantastic.

With the 'S' disc set-up standard offset 'S' wheels, as pourchased by the OP can be fitted and the smaller Van/'S'/Pick-Up chrome hub caps can be fitted. Wheel arch extensions will not be necessary. Either that of find some 4.5" x 10" reverse rim wheels and fit them to the drums.

I have driven cars with both, and neither are anywhere near as good as the fiesta brakes with 7.9" discs.
I didn't really rate the cooper s setup compared to my dads mk1 with standard drums all round, there really wasn't an amazing difference.

However, what I felt about the brakes must be wrong, because you said the opposite

[Cooperman]

I'm considering getting some Minilite rims like these:


Either by themselves or as a package: http://www.minispare...7#prod_selector

From what I've read, I shouldn't have any problems fitting them to my Mini, correct?

Also, what do most people do about a spare? Get a 5th rim and tire to match, or a plain steel rim? I was thinking of keeping one of the 'S' rims, but I would only be able to use it on the front. So a 5th one sounds more appealing...

Again you'll need the Cooper 'S' 7.5" disc brake package or equivalent like the Fiesta brake mods. I've never used the Fiesta conversion so can't comment on how easy it is to fit. The Cooper 'S' brakes will go on OK with all the correct 'S' parts, but it's not cheap. Thje only safe way to fit 4.5" steels to drum brakes is to find a reverse rim set.

[Sputnik]

Adam,

I agree with Cooperman 100%. He keeps to mini bits for minis, and make sense as when modifications, conversions or aftermarket stuff is fitted, it does 'confuse' those that is not up to speed with those aftermarket upgrades! I like to keep to the parts that are meant for the mini, although some times a bit more expensive, it does help with later required maintenance.

The Cooper S wheels are meant for the disc brake setup, and that includes the spacered rear drums. It is the way it was made by the master MR. Issigonis himself.

On the comparison between discs and drums, I am again camping with Cooperman. Drums will never ever get to the efficiency of that of 7.5" discs. 7" is however questionable !

Edited by Sputnik, 23 December 2012 - 07:40 PM.

[Cooperman]

The original 997/998 Cooper 7" x 1/4" thick discs were very poor, especially the 997 ones which had little round pads. I used to run a 998 Cooper and with the Ferodo DS11 competition pads they weren't too bad and certainly much better than the single leading shoe drums of the day which I rallied with on the early 850. On the 850 we really never had much in the way of brakes.
Now, the Cooper 'S' 7.5" x 3/8" thick are another matter entirely. If they are thought not to be too good it is probably because the discs are scored or the pads are not top quality. I run Carbon-Metallic pads with original quality discs in my rally 'S' and the brakes are simply fantastic. They never fade, even when the discs are red hot (literally glowing red). I use AP600 race fluid to prevent boiling.
The 8.4" discs in my Endurance 1990 Cooper rally car were certainly no better than the 7.5" 'S' ones, even with Mintex 1177 pads and AP600 fluid.
Drum brakes fade when hot due to two factors: lack of cooling capability and diametric distortion of the brake shoes as they get hot, thus preventing good lining contact with the drum surface.

[charie t]

Have you tried? Or read it on here?

i have tried, no steel wheels fit, original dunlop d1 fit with a small 5/16th spacer and some shaving of the caliper
Mini light style wheels seem to fit as do gb both 5" and 6"

Edited by charie t, 23 December 2012 - 07:47 PM.

[adam_93rio]

Adam,

I agree with Cooperman 100%. He keeps to mini bits for minis, and make sense as when modifications, conversions or aftermarket stuff is fitted, it does 'confuse' those that is not up to speed with those aftermarket upgrades! I like to keep to the parts that are meant for the mini, although some times a bit more expensive, it does help with later required maintenance.

The Cooper S wheels are meant for the disc brake setup, and that includes the spacered rear drums. It is the way it was made by the master MR. Issigonis himself.

On the comparison between discs and drums, I am again camping with Cooperman. Drums will never ever get to the efficiency of that of 7.5" discs. 7" is however questionable !

Agree all you like. But to be honest, the cooper s 7.5" brake conversion isn't what the op NEEDS. It's what cooperman recommends. I didn't want someone taking advice to go out there and spend hundreds of pounds on a disc conversion, which they don't need. They aren't the only option out there available

[adam_93rio]

Have you tried? Or read it on here?

i have tried, reverse wheels and standard wheels, original dunlop d1 fit with a small 5/16th spacer and some shaving of the caliper
Mini light style wheels seem to fit as do gb both 5" and 6"

10x3.5" Dunlop steel wheels sitting over mk2 fiesta brake callipers with a 3mm spacer.
They fit

[charie t]

have you shaved that caliper?
What flange are you using?
Where did you get 3mm spacers?

Edited by charie t, 23 December 2012 - 07:57 PM.

[Cooperman]

No, I just told the OP that he needs 4.5" x 10" Reverse Rims, rather than the 4.5" x 10" normal 'S' offset ones which he has bought, so that he can fit them to his drum brake set-up. That is his easiest option and he can then still use the van-type chrome hub caps without spending a fortune. I recently sold a set of those wheels to a MiniForum member for £120 and that is a lot cheaper than full disc brake conversion, Fiesta or 'S', and much easier.
Tim at Mini-Mail should be able to help with those wheels I would have thought and if not the OP could ask on here if anyone has any for sale or keep checking on ebay.

[Cooperman]

Have you tried? Or read it on here?

i have tried, reverse wheels and standard wheels, original dunlop d1 fit with a small 5/16th spacer and some shaving of the caliper
Mini light style wheels seem to fit as do gb both 5" and 6"

10x3.5" Dunlop steel wheels sitting over mk2 fiesta brake callipers with a 3mm spacer.
They fit

Are they 3.5" x 10" Cooper 'S' wheels or standard 3.5" x 10" drum-braked Mini wheels? There is a lot of difference in datum offset.

[Artful Dodger]

Rekon yer best bet is a KAD 4 pot set up with titanium flanges and uprights.


X. Cooper S setup for the win!

[adam_93rio]

I'm running with Dunlop lp1161 wheels at the front, however my dads original wheels from his 64 also fit, but there is less clearance.

Everyone on the mini scene seems to know 'fact' from what others have told them, and I don't agree with not trying it for yourself. So seen as I have been doubted in many posts across time and the forum about my setup, I'm no longer willing to post any information about how it is done.
If you want it, you'll have to work it out for yourselves.

This isn't aimed at any particular members, just every time I see people saying it can't be done I question their knowledge of this information. Most of the time they have just heard it, sometimes people have tried holding a wheel up and gave up instantly. But saying that it can't be done is false, as I have proven many times to many people with photographic evidence.
Trying not to sound like a complete arsehole, but I don't see why people who give up in what they want should get the outcome without the work?

[Woreign]

It seems this post has gone off on a couple of tangents...

I can appreciate the advice for upgrading to 7.5" discs, but that's not in my budget right now, and I just finished restoring the entire drum brake system.

So, I take it the Minilite rims won't fit my car either? What rims (aside from the allusive reverse rims) will fit?

I guess I'll be restoring the crusty Miglias that I have now...

[Cooperman]

You should be OK if you can find some Dunlop D1's as I believe they have the correct offset, but would cost more than a set of 4.5 x 10 reverse rims. Perhaps someone can confirm the offset for these as being correct for drums.
I might be able to find a couple of 5.0" x 10" Dunlop D1, but I know I don't have 4 of them.
MiniSport do the JBW replica D1 for around £44 each inc VAT, but you will need to confirm that the datum offset is correct for drum brakes as it's not stated. I shan't get the chance to measure the 2, possibly 3 second hand ones I have until after Christmas as I'm off until next Thursday tomorrow morning early. Mine ae the originals and I can discuss price with you off line if you PM me if interested. I might also have one 4.5 x 10 reverse rim which I would be happy to sell and that would be good as a spare.

[charie t]

I'm running with Dunlop lp1161 wheels at the front, however my dads original wheels from his 64 also fit, but there is less clearance.

They were no where near fitting on mine. i didn't bother trying to see if i could fit steels because they weren't for me.
I'm using alloys.

Perhaps someone can confirm the offset for these as being correct for drums.

Yerr i was told the original D1 was for drums too