13 replies to this topic

[matto224]

hello

 

my current standard calipers need changing as the pistons are corroded (calipers are quite corroded too so may as well replace) and i'm wondering if it's worth upgradings to the mini spares 4 pot alloy calipers? 

 

my minis a 1995 rover so 8.4 discs!

 

any advice would be great :)

[miniireland]

If your calipers need changing on an 8.4 setup and you wanted the option of running 12” and 10” wheels I’d be looking at the 12 to 10 conversion you don’t need 4 pots on a standard road car

[matto224]

If your calipers need changing on an 8.4 setup and you wanted the option of running 12” and 10” wheels I’d be looking at the 12 to 10 conversion you don’t need 4 pots on a standard road car

that's a good idea , but still undecided on what size wheels to run but that would give me the option to choose hmmm  . my discs are brand new so leaning towards sticking with 8.4 for 12's , thanks for your advice, just getting people opinions as i've heard mixed reviews , i don't plan to take it on the track so your right there lol. but was thinking safety wise. but they do stop quite well just like to veer to the right

[miniireland]

If your calipers need changing on an 8.4 setup and you wanted the option of running 12” and 10” wheels I’d be looking at the 12 to 10 conversion you don’t need 4 pots on a standard road car

that's a good idea , but still undecided on what size wheels to run but that would give me the option to choose hmmm  . my discs are brand new so leaning towards sticking with 8.4 for 12's , thanks for your advice, just getting people opinions as i've heard mixed reviews , i don't plan to take it on the track so your right there lol. but was thinking safety wise. but they do stop quite well just like to veer to the right

Veering to the left or right while braking is more than likely tie rod bushes, I ran that conversion on 2 cars with ebc green stuff pads and it was more than adequate

[matto224]

 

 

If your calipers need changing on an 8.4 setup and you wanted the option of running 12” and 10” wheels I’d be looking at the 12 to 10 conversion you don’t need 4 pots on a standard road car

that's a good idea , but still undecided on what size wheels to run but that would give me the option to choose hmmm  . my discs are brand new so leaning towards sticking with 8.4 for 12's , thanks for your advice, just getting people opinions as i've heard mixed reviews , i don't plan to take it on the track so your right there lol. but was thinking safety wise. but they do stop quite well just like to veer to the right

Veering to the left or right while braking is more than likely tie rod bushes, I ran that conversion on 2 cars with ebc green stuff pads and it was more than adequate

i thought that too but you can physically see that the left disc is less worn due to the piston not working properly! the right disc is much cleaner, you can see that the left side isn't working as well, i did my best with cleaning the pistons but they are pitted and rusty, and okay then i will take a look thank you :)

[matto224]

How do you reply to a single quote instead of everything in the post? 

Edited by matto224, 15 March 2018 - 09:18 PM.

[Dusky]

Not worth it at all.
A bit of cleaning, a set of pistons and seals and you'll have quite a bit of gas money left. ;)
Citric acid is the key. 
From junk 

To almost gem:

A citric acid solution bath for about a week

[matto224]

Not worth it at all.
A bit of cleaning, a set of pistons and seals and you'll have quite a bit of gas money left. ;)
Citric acid is the key. 
From junk 

To almost gem:

A citric acid solution bath for about a week

thats a good idea! is it hard to replace the pistons and seals? im new to working on cars :) 

[Dusky]

 

 

thats a good idea! is it hard to replace the pistons and seals? im new to working on cars :) 

 

It's not too bad, I would get 2 seal kits because chances are you'll mess up atleast 1 seal( been there, done that ;) )
But in all honesty it's not too hard to do, just need to split the caliper ( 2 bolts) and don't forget to put a new O ring ( https://www.minispar...ic/17H7679.aspx )

between the 2 calipers.

 

[cradley-heathen]

I have had alloy 4 pot calipers on a few cars now, but they were mainly for fast road/trackday stuff. I was thinking more about saving unsprung weight than any real braking improvement. but I have to say the braking was improved.

 

pulling to the side when braking can be down to a tracking/alignment issue, or as stated already tie rod bushes etc, but if you know the pistons in the calipers are rusty, they could well be causing those symptoms.

 

do I think they are worth fitting in your instance, I think it depends how long you plan to keep the car, and if you are planning power upgrades in the future.

[Icey]

Not worth it. Unless you're driving hard all the time it's difficult to get them to and keep them up to temperature even with normal road pads, so breaking has very little feel. You will also have to change your rear cylinders/fit a limiting valve to balance the line pressures again (or you'll lock the rears under moderate breaking) 

 

I'm just about to sell my vented setup to be replaced by 7.5" so I can run 10" wheels (I was just about to go back to solid 8.4" but a good deal came up).

[cradley-heathen]

Not worth it. Unless you're driving hard all the time it's difficult to get them to and keep them up to temperature even with normal road pads, so breaking has very little feel. You will also have to change your rear cylinders/fit a limiting valve to balance the line pressures again (or you'll lock the rears under moderate breaking) 

 

I'm just about to sell my vented setup to be replaced by 7.5" so I can run 10" wheels (I was just about to go back to solid 8.4" but a good deal came up).

what size of vented setup are you taking off mate? I might be interested.

[Icey]

8.4 Metro setup. Not sure on selling yet, someone may already have first chance.

Just noticed, sorry OP, you didnt mention vented so disregard my previous post.

[Spider]

I fitted Mini Spares Alloy 4 Pots on one of the Minis, that has Solid 8.4" Discs. It is a road car.

 

I dead set love them, ACE Brakes, no question. The pedal pressure is a little high, but otherwise, they would be among the best brakes of any car I've ever driven, though suspension set up also comes in to play here.