13 replies to this topic

[Tomm]

Hello TMF.

For the past few months now I have been considering some Minisport 4 pot 7.5 calipers and I would like to hear some opinions from those of you who own these brakes. They are an item I have always had on my "wish list" but now with money in hand I want to be sure that it will not just be a waste of money on a fancy part which is over rated and/or unneccesary.

I have read a few threads on this subject via the search and I have read that the main conclusion seems to be that a well set up 7.5 system will work just as well as a 4 pot system.

Is there anyone on here who has gone from the 7.5 system (which is what I have at the moment) to the 7.5? What were your thoughts on the upgrade? Was you impressed? Would you reccomend it to someone in my position? Is there anything you would do differently?

How would you compare the 4 pot 7.5 to the standard 7.5's? Both in good and bad points.

What are replacement pads and discs like on these brakes? I don't want to be stumped come renewal time or hugely out of pocket.

Any advise on this would be fantastic!

[Noah]

Oh you daring bastard, await abuse for even thinking about it. Thats what I got

[Tomm]

Oh dear! Not what I was hoping to hear.

Hopefully it won't invite a massive bashing. Just genuinely woundered

[yeti21586]

ive got the minispares 7.5s with vented disks, now i cant comment on how well they brak etc as Vini isnt on the road yet, but they were easy to fit and they work well from rolling

YetI

ps ignore the numptys who say you dont need them etc, its your money and if YOU wont them then thats yours choice, equally ive heard it said that drums on the front can be just as good as the standard 7.5s if its adujusted properly

[Vipernoir]

One of my cars has std calipers on S discs, another has the 7.5" MiniSport 4-pots.
Both will happily lock the front wheels, but the 4-pots do it more easily.

Other than being shiny gold colour and the theoretical gains in unspring weight, the only real advantage as I see it is bragging rights.

[Tomm]

ive got the minispares 7.5s with vented disks, now i cant comment on how well they brak etc as Vini isnt on the road yet, but they were easy to fit and they work well from rolling

YetI

ps ignore the numptys who say you dont need them etc, its your money and if YOU wont them then thats yours choice, equally ive heard it said that drums on the front can be just as good as the standard 7.5s if its adujusted properly

The one I have been looking at does not come with vented discs. Are yours Mini Sport ones? Where did you get your discs from? I dont seem to see many, I can how ever turn some down at work if I am hard pushed for finding some.

One of my cars has std calipers on S discs, another has the 7.5" MiniSport 4-pots.
Both will happily lock the front wheels, but the 4-pots do it more easily.

Other than being shiny gold colour and the theoretical gains in unspring weight, the only real advantage as I see it is bragging rights.

Hearing things like this make me think about trying to spend some time with my 7.5s but I don't want to invest money onto something and at the end of the day stand back and think "They aren't 4 pots"

I think that your last point is some what of a valid one in respect to bragging rights.

[HUBBA.HUBBA]

ive got the minispares 7.5s with vented disks, now i cant comment on how well they brak etc as Vini isnt on the road yet, but they were easy to fit and they work well from rolling

YetI

ps ignore the numptys who say you dont need them etc, its your money and if YOU wont them then thats yours choice, equally ive heard it said that drums on the front can be just as good as the standard 7.5s if its adujusted properly

There's no chance what so ever that drums all round could match 7.5 discs. There' s a surestop kit at mini sport - cross drilled discs and green stuff pads ( all the stopping power you'll ever need) they work well cold and I am yet to experience any fade. I've been well impressed with them. If you want bragging rights, then paint your calipers and tell people you cross drilled discs are vented!

[HUBBA.HUBBA]

And remember brakes only ok as well as the tyre choice.

[Vipernoir]

Properly adjusted twin-leading shoe drums will match or exceed discs at low speeds for initial bite and decceleration and will happily lock wheels the same as a disc will from high speed.
The problem is they will only do it once or twice...

Round town I'd be more than happy with drums as long as they are in proper working order.

[HUBBA.HUBBA]

Properly adjusted twin-leading shoe drums will match or exceed discs at low speeds for initial bite and decceleration and will happily lock wheels the same as a disc will from high speed.
The problem is they will only do it once or twice...

Round town I'd be more than happy with drums as long as they are in proper working order.

All I can say is, i have run both (& yes the drums were working at their optimum) and the discs are far superior. I agree use the drums heavily twice and you'll get fading.

[Vipernoir]

Drilled 7.5" discs can be a bit dodgy - the ones I have seen have holes drilled behind the drive flange which cannot be countersunk properly. Excess pad wear and potential stress cracks from that !

[Sputnik]

For what it is worth, I race with a set of 7.5" standard calipers, carbon metallic pads and gross drilled discs with Dunlops. the car is a nicely modified 1330 and I must say to date I did not have any issues as yet. I run a single master cylinder and the brake is sometime so harsh that the car become twitchy into any very harsh brake effort. I think that if I had to use that amount of braking effort on a set of 4 pots, I might get the car to stand on it's nose !

For road use, the standard calipers with uprated discs from minispares and green ebc pads should be more than ok. Spend your money on something else rather.

[cliche]

I'm glad I went standard 7.5 now

[Tomm]

Hello Chaps.

Thanks for all of the replies, didn't expect so much of a response.

I have decided to stick with what I have for now, some new discs, pads, lines, rear set up and we will see what happens. Fingers crossed everything is good and I have some well performing brakes.

Think I may have to get rid of the M/C on the bulkhead and go for a pedal box so that I can run my alternator in a more suitable place.