23 replies to this topic

[Cloverleaf]

So my mini is only going to be used on track from now on as it's gradually evolved from a compromised fast road car to one that's no longer drivable on the road!

But on its first track day I suffered with brake fade after two successive 100+mph to 25mph stops in a row on that particular track. It has MG Metro 4-pots and vented disks, braded hoses and dot 4 fluid. I've read some poeple say this is overkill on a mini! Are rear brake conversion kits worthwhile? I've never been a fan of mini rear brakes!

Also what do you think of the timming belt kits? Are they better than an adjustable twin chain?

Sorry for the long post!

Thanks in advance

Joe

[MaryQuant88]

brake fade after two successive 100+mph to 25mph stops in a row on that particular track

Air ducts from the grillie area down to the disks? I wonder if that would cool them down.
What pads have you got?

[miniboo]

maybe try a better fluid?

[Wil_h]

Dot 4 is more than enough.

What pads are you using? and do you still have the dust covers on.

Mintex 1144 are a good pad that shouldn't fade. I've got some somewhere that went in my road car for about 10 minutes and I didn't like them as they took a bit of heating up. I'm never going to use them so you can have them if you like.

Wil

[Cloverleaf]

Not sure what pads they are as I cant remember, they were whatever came with the disks at the time! I think they might be greenstuff ones.

Wil h i how much for the mintex pads?

[miniboo]

http://www.minispare...le.aspx?aid=125

this may help a bit

[Wil_h]

You can have them, no charge. if I can find them and they appear in servisable condition that is. They were basically brand new when I took them off and will be fine use.

Where do you live?

[Cloverleaf]

Thanks Will that would be a good starting point! I live between Oxford and Swindon

[Wil_h]

So I can't drop them off then.

I've found them so PM me your address and I'll chuck them in the post.

Wil

[Bungle]

removing as much weight from the car will help and its also cheap

[Cloverleaf]

Will YHPM

Bungle, its already got no interior! Don't know how to save much more weight....

Anyone got a view on rear disk brake kits, are these not necessary? They would look awesome and save a bit of weight! I'm thinking of going VTEC on my next mini, would these be needed then? If so it wouldnt seem soo extreme!

[MaryQuant88]

Bungle, its already got no interior! Don't know how to save much more weight....

You could lose weight lol

[The Matt]

Anyone got a view on rear disk brake kits, are these not necessary? They would look awesome and save a bit of weight.!

There are varied opinions on them to be honest. I reckon if you can afford to go for it and you want them, then why not?

They will reduce unsprung weight at the back a little (or so KAD claim anyway). Have you thought about going to rear beam, coilovers and alloy arms on the back, it's expensive, but a little 'mini porn' never hurt anyone!

From what I have read, they tend to overbrake the back a little (I read it on here the other day I think) so you may want to look into an adjustable bias setup too. I have no personal experience of them though, sorry, just reporting what I have read/heard.

As far as the brake fade goes, what Will has said is true, the Mintex compound does tend to take longer to warm up on the road (sometimes scarily so) so they may fade less on the track.

[Cloverleaf]

I've got a rear beam and coilovers already

Will probably get some alloy arms at some point but I think the idea of having nice shiny disks and callipers on the back is becoming to much to resist!

There's basically not a lot I could do to the engine without going 7 port so I'm looking at other areas of the car.

Talking about timming, are belt drive kits significantly better than duplex chain kits?

[miniboo]

I would go for the alloy arms over the rear discs.