14 replies to this topic

[patto]

Just wondering if anyone knew what the difference is between these drums http://www.minispare...AX.aspx|Back to and these drums http://www.minispare...NS.aspx|Back to

 

Just the photos are identical and the description doesn't say. I don't mind paying the extra if they are a superior product but if there isn't much difference then i'll just by the budget ones.

[the_samkingdon15]

it kinda puts forward that the budget ones aren't great quality in the good ones description..
idk, but I'd go for the expensive ones

[HarrysMini]

Yes, the cheaper ones are budget ones wheel the more expensive ones are genuine. 

 

That's the only difference.

[patto]

Thanks but I'm after specifically why they are classed as budget items though i.e. are they made of inferior material, not finished to the same standard etc. I'd just like to know as they have used identical photos for them. I've had this before with other companies where i pay for a superior product then receive something that is identical to the lesser items (i.e. alloy door furniture).  

[ukcooper]

I think I was once told that genuine ones had a steel band inside the casting and so they would not distort, but I may be wrong.

[minimender]

I would go with budget ones, they wont exactly be oval or wear out in twelve months.

Edited by minimender, 02 February 2014 - 04:29 PM.

[Tamworthbay]

In this case I would go for the more expensive ones. The cheap ones are nowhere near as well made. The concern I have with the cheaper ones is how the steel braking surface is attached to the alloy outer. I have heard stories (but never come across it myself) of the steel and alloy sections come apart from each other. Bear in mind that is as close to nothing in terms of performance gains in these when compared to standard drums when used on the rear, and a tiny improvement if used on the front (but as they are superfins not Minifins I assume they are for the rear). They are a 'look nice' component.

[grumpy dad]

Hi 

how about this 

http://www.minispare...AX.aspx|Back to

sold as a pair 

and this 

http://www.minispare...NS.aspx|Back to

looks like each 

[Tamworthbay]

Hi 
how about this 
http://www.minispare...AX.aspx|Back to
sold as a pair 
and this 
http://www.minispare...NS.aspx|Back to
looks like each

If you read the description for the second it says 'drums' so a pair. I don't know anywhere that sells them singularly.

[cradley-heathen]

i have had quite a bit of experience with both the expensive ones and the cheaper ones.

 

on the back of my last mini i had some really heavily modified genuine ones, i took all the fins off, a large part of the outer section that overhangs the backplate, and even took some of the spacer off to bring the track width back to where i wanted it. when they were on the lathe i took note of what the swarf was like and i was also surprised to see that machining them back as much as i did didnt expose any porosity or gas holes etc. i used these on the back of my mini for 2 years and it was both a daily driver and a track toy and i never had any trouble with them. i had worried that they might break under really hard breaking, or that if i came to the point where the wheels might lock on the back that the tyres grip would overcome the strength of the now very light drum, but no problems, and i used to inspect them regularly.

 

 

my dad has a pair of the budget ones on the back of his mini and have been fitted for about 6 years now, no problems with them so far! i also have a set of modifed budget ones on the back of my mk1 metro, and i have had no trouble with them either, and they have been on for about 2 years and i have covered about 18k on them. when these were machined i expected to see the swarf was different or that i exposed inclusions or gas holes in the new surface, and it was just like on the expensive ones!

 

so, in my opinion, i cant see any difference between the expensive ones and the "budget" ones, other than the budget ones dont have a name on them! so at the risk of causing controversy, i would only buy the cheaper ones as im sure they must be made in the same factory!

[tiger99]

Well, there is a long history of the steel insert loosening in cast alloy drums. The original "Minifin" always had an excellent reputation, and the cost therefore was justified, but almost all of the cheap counterfeits (yes, even in the 1960s and 1970s there were counterfeits, albeit not Chinese in those days, more likely some back street near Birmingham...) were notorious for failing quickly. Remember that when hot, the ali expands MUCH more than the steel insert, and that can't be changed, it is fundamental to the materials. The clever bit is how the insert is ribbed, finned or keyed on its outside fo form a positive interlock with the ali.

 

You don't normally need an alloy drum on a Mini, as the rear brakes don't do all that much work, and therefore usually don't need the extra cooling, but there "may" be a small advantage in terms of reduction of unsprung mass. They are also a "pose factor", if the wheels allow them to be visible, so fair enough, use them if you feel the need. I would fit them, well polished, for pose factor too. But I would STRONGLY recommend the better quality items. Too many people on this forum have been caught out by cheap parts of various types, which are almost always false economy. There are exceptions, of course.

[patto]

Thanks for the info guys, exactly the sort of stuff i needed to know. will probably end up going for the expensive ones to be on the safe side.

[Tamworthbay]

Thanks for the info guys, exactly the sort of stuff i needed to know. will probably end up going for the expensive ones to be on the safe side.

I have sent you a PM.

[ado15]

.................. You don't normally need an alloy drum on a Mini, as the rear brakes don't do all that much work, and therefore usually don't need the extra cooling, but there "may" be a small advantage in terms of reduction of unsprung mass. ...............

 

I'd say the reduction in unsprung mass is the main reason for using these. As you say, the rear brakes don't work too hard on a Mini so the cooling is not so much of an issue. Lower unsprung mass works the dampers less hard retaining their efficiency. An efficient damper is what keeps the tyre in contact with the road which is kinda important

[Cooperman]

They are intended as an un-sprung weight reduction item, not for improved braking. As above, the rear brakes only do about 20% of the braking on a Mini and possibly less on a racing Mini. In fact it should be possible to further reduce the weight of even these alloy ones.

With racing Minis the rear brakes are often set to do virtually no braking at all and I have heard of the rears being blanked off completely with 100% going to the fronts.

But anything on a race car any way of cutting un-sprung weight is a big advantage in terms of lap times.