9 replies to this topic

[spiguy]

Strange question maybe, but just wondering about something. I am tempted to go to 10" wheels (12" just now with 8.4" standard disc brakes).

 

However, I wondered whether I could buy the minispares conversion kit now and fit it, and continue to use the 12" wheels until I can afford / find a suitable set of 10" wheels and tyres?  Would that work / fit properly etc?

 

Whilst on the subject, I would be looking at the basic minispares kit, ie the one that comes with minispares calipers rather than the more expensive cooper s setup. Anyone used this kit and found it to be good / poor?  Car is just used for normal road use.

 

Cheers

Craig

[Burnard]

Yes 7.5 or 7.9 inch brake set up will be fine with 12 or even 13inch wheels. 

 

I run KAD 7.9 inch vented 4 pot brakes on my car and swap between 13 and 10 inch wheels with no issues and i currently have close to 140bhp, you will have no issues 

 

 

In terms of the mini spares kit, there stuff is good quality, take a look at what minisport have to offer though, any of their kits will be fine. 

 

I would highly recomend using mintex 1144 brakes pads though as they offer much better bite than anything else i have tried. this will normally make a set of normal 7.5inch brakes feel like a set of 8.4's with standard pads. 

 

Please never ever use any brake pads made by EBC. in my experiance they offer no feel or bite and are known to have the pad material come away from the backing too leaving you with metal to metal brakes = VERY BAD. 

[sledgehammer]

as above - some people run 12's on that set up all the time

 

I will avoid EBC pads after hearing that

 

anyone know how long pads can last un used -

 

have seen NOS pads at boot sales , in old unipart boxes - & wondered if the glue would still be good

 

but probably better than the fakes around

 

edit just searched EBC - if they are green stuff / red stuff - have heard some stories of breakup of pads

 

& excessive disk wear

Edited by sledgehammer, 11 November 2014 - 11:40 AM.

[spiguy]

Thanks for the info. Might go down this road then. It would be cool to have the option to run 10's or 12's, and it would mean I could make the change in stages and so stagger the cost.

 

Birthday this month, and Christmas coming up....

[Gadgets]

You will enjoy the 10" ride. Mini Spares have them Mintex M1144 pads at a good price but state they are not for road use only track use as they have to be heated up to work?

Edited by Gadgets, 11 November 2014 - 12:14 PM.

[spiguy]

is there a noticeable difference?  I read alot about how the overall diameter once you conside the tyre size and profile, is negligable, so I did wonder then if there is much difference?  Obviously I like the look of 10's

[Gadgets]

I was on 12" on my van and went to tens, far smoother ride as the side tyre (wall) is greater on ten inch that 12. It all adds into the suspension I suppose. Once you go onto tens you wont go back! I agree Tens look nicer too. I am on Dunlop D1 rims.

[Cooperman]

Mintex 1144 pads are superb all-round pads for road and comp use. I use then with 8.5" brakes for road use, but for rallying I| find the M1177 better. The 1144's work very well from cold.

With 7.5 discs & S callipers the carbon-metallic pads are even better.

[spiguy]

Thanks for all the info folks, very helpful

[maccers]

I fitted the Mini Spares drum to 7.5 inch cooper s front (and rear) brake setup to my mates Mini 1000, as the drums did not really cut it, and he wanted 10" wheels, but ran out of budget for the 10" wheels so continues to use 12" wheels and aches until such time as a body re-spray and 10" wheels can be sorted out.