Brake upgrade - new opinions !!

[Boris]

I am in the middle of designing a brake package for the Mini. I am taking a poll to determine the design specification for the rotors. I need to know if I need to consider a 16" wheel as an option for the package??

Stock rotors are 276 mm Front (10 7/8").
Proposed rotor would be a 330 mm Front (13").

With 16" wheels, I will offer a 315 mm Front (12 3/8").

If I don't have enought interest, I will only produce the 330 mm unit.

One complete, I will post testing data.
Regards,
Boris[list=1][*]17" wheel package[*]17" and 16" package[/list=1]

[chigh]

I would upgrade only a light 16" wheel (a Kosei R1 or SSR Comp)for track use. Don't care about show, only stop n go.

[DEye]

I have the Stock 16" 5 Spoke wheels and will be moving to 15" Wheels for weight
so going to bigger disks and calipers WILL not be an option...

The possibility of a more effective brake package that would fit with a large variety of wheels would have a bigger market ...

[stryder]

With brake upgrades I think you need to segment the market.

There's the market who wants brakes that stop amazingly well, but fit into whatever racing niche they're in (which gets them 15" or 16" tires, or smaller, according to weight + rules)

Then there's people who want to go for looks. Most 17" and 18" wheels look pretty empty with stock rotors. Filling in the blank space becomes more important and other factors less.

I would imagine the people most willing to pay for upgrades would be in the first category, but I'm not sure.

[911ETR]

I went with the light weight 17" @ 14 pounds each Volk SE37K. Then using a Stoptech brake setup form Mini-Madness.

Unless you are on the track I dont see a reason to go to 15 or 16 as you can just about get as light with the volks.

If its just for the track you may have a wheel clearance problem if you get bigger rotors.

Talk to George at Mini Madness I think he is sponsoring a professional race team. He would know all the answers.

[Boris]

Thanks for all the responses.

I will try to fill in the nitch for both the racing market and show group. The 13" rotor/caliper package is complete. I am now working on a smaller rotor diameter package that should eliminate brake fade. While I'm at it, I'll try to do some back to back testing of brake pads.

Regards,
Boris

[macncheese]

Where in jersey are you? I would like to check it out.

--
Dave

[CSDan]

Boris, do you run NASA events?? I was at the last one and we discussed brakes. Not sure if this is you though.


Daniel

[NearlyNN]

Boris,

I am interested in a 16" brake upgrade. Feel free to PM me later when you work something out. Have a while before my MCS arrives.

I have already bought a set of 16" wheels from Michael at AK Tires. So I have lightened the corners dramatically. 95% certain of getting the Works upgrade, so more stopping power seems appropriate.

All I have seen to date for the 16's is a Tarox (306mm?) upgrade and new drilled rotors and pads from the likes of Mini-madness and others.

One thing I haven't seen is braking distance comparison tests. Seems everyone is quick to run to the dyno or 0 -60 for HP and quickness, but indifferent to quantified braking results. Glad to hear you are going to run those tests.

Thanks for your efforts, Norm

[911ETR]

I just wanted to warn you guys about Porterfield brake pads. I was talking to Mini-Madness today about brakes. I was going to order some Porterfield pads but apparently there has been some issues with them.

It appears that one of Madness customers had a set and began having major brake problems. The customer took the car into the dealer and after about a day's labor and replacement of major parts they figured out it was the pads. There is some sort of tab on each pad that was not on the Porterfield.

Anyway the bill was over 500.00 and Mini-Madness paid for it. (I thought that was pretty nice)

Porterfield was not so generous saying that they would not back their product as it was a prototype. Mini-Madness claims that he did not ever order prototype pads instock and would have never sold such a product.

Needless to say it sounds like Porterfield again wouldn’t stand behind their product. Be careful guys.

[dukesantos]

I talked to the EBC people last month at the SEMA show about their green pads. As you know they haven't had any available for the new MINI. They said that it was taking awhile to get them right, especially the rears and they wouldn't be available until the end of the year and then only the fronts. Mini Mania now says they have the front EBC pads (Tire Rack also sells EBC pads). The green pad has a good reputation for street/autocross, produces less dust, but it is not a race compound.

[RSAmerica]

Quote:

Originally posted by 911ETR
I just wanted to warn you guys about Porterfield brake pads. I was talking to Mini-Madness today about brakes. I was going to order some Porterfield pads but apparently there has been some issues with them.

It appears that one of Madness customers had a set and began having major brake problems. The customer took the car into the dealer and after about a day's labor and replacement of major parts they figured out it was the pads. There is some sort of tab on each pad that was not on the Porterfield. Snip...

I ran the Porterfield R4 pads front & rear at one track event at Lime Rock. The pads worked fine on track, they had good grip without fade. But they did not fit right, I had to do some filing to get them to fit and slide properly in the caliper. Also, the pads do not have the spring clips mounted on the back of them which holds them in the piston, so they bang around in the caliper. They were fine for the event but you can not run them on the street without the factory style spring clips.