8 replies to this topic

[TRS666]

I have had Metro turbo vented 4 pots in my Mini for a long time. Complete kit with Metro hubs, drive flanges and all. Modified them so they fit my 10" MMAA rims back then by moving caliber mount holes, skimming calibers and so on. Now i got a set of reverse steel rims i would like to be able to use also, but no way. So thought that i could get this 7,9" kit from Minisport.

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Had a mail conversation with them but the answer was that they do not fit Metro swivel hubs? I have a bit hard time to understand why though, the answer i got was the geometry is wrong. But how? So a long shot, but has anyone any idea if this could be done?

[nicklouse]

No good if you have modified the holes for the caliper.

 

and I would not use metro hubs as the geometry is way out.

 

also note if you have not modified the drive flange they won’t fit most Mini wheels. And also the Metro used different threaded bolts for the discs so the drive flange holes will be IIRC bigger than needed.

[imack]

KAD 7.9's use modified metro turbo vented discs and run using 8.4"mini drive flanges, not the metro flanges. The bolt hole in the mini drive flanges need enlarging from 3/8" to 10mm. To achieve this, the inner face othe discs bell is machined by I think 80thou. Using the mini drive flange moves the disc inboard until it almost touches the steering arm. If minisport do the same it might be that the inner face of the disc fouls the bulkier metro lower ball joint. As Nicklouse has mentioned, the metro hub carrier has different geometry to the mini hub carrier, that alone might bring the ball joint closer to the disc.

Another this is that if the minisport calipers are designed to fit mini hub carriers the bolts will be 3/8", the metro hub carrier requires 10mm bolts, they won't fit through the mini caliper.

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Edited by imack, 14 February 2025 - 06:46 PM.

[TRS666]

No good if you have modified the holes for the caliper.

 

and I would not use metro hubs as the geometry is way out.

 

also note if you have not modified the drive flange they won’t fit most Mini wheels. And also the Metro used different threaded bolts for the discs so the drive flange holes will be IIRC bigger than needed.

I have driven with them since late 80:s, no problems. Negative camber lower arms, no bumpsteer or other strange driveability things. Flanges not modified, fit my rims without problems. Have now Metro disc and drive flanges so right bolts. When i did this in late 80:s there were now kits available, or no internet to find them. Original Cooper brakes was not even an option, impossible to find or cost a fortune.

[TRS666]

 

No good if you have modified the holes for the caliper.

 

and I would not use metro hubs as the geometry is way out.

 

also note if you have not modified the drive flange they won’t fit most Mini wheels. And also the Metro used different threaded bolts for the discs so the drive flange holes will be IIRC bigger than needed.

I have driven with them since late 80:s, no problems. Negative camber lower arms, no bumpsteer or other strange driveability things. Reading Calvers article he has had Metro brakes/hubs with and without handling problems, maybe i was a lucky one! Flanges not modified, fit my rims without problems. Have now Metro disc and drive flanges so right bolts. When i did this in late 80:s there were now kits available, or no internet to find them. Original Cooper brakes was not even an option, impossible to find or cost a fortune.

 

[TRS666]

KAD 7.9's use modified metro turbo vented discs and run using 8.4"mini drive flanges, not the metro flanges. The bolt hole in the mini drive flanges need enlarging from 3/8" to 10mm. To achieve this, the inner face othe discs bell is machined by I think 80thou. Using the mini drive flange moves the disc inboard until it almost touches the steering arm. If minisport do the same it might be that the inner face of the disc fouls  the bulkier metro lower ball joint. As Nicklouse has mentioned, the metro hub carrier has different geometry to the mini hub carrier, that alone might bring the ball joint closer to the disc.

Another this is that if the minisport calipers are designed to fit mini hub carriers the bolts will be 3/8", the metro hub carrier requires 10mm bolts, they won't fit through the mini caliper.

Thanks, will take a look at the distance to lower ball joint. I just might order the kit and test, if it won´t fit then i order Mini hubs and the rest of needs parts.

[imack]

No good if you have modified the holes for the caliper.

and I would not use metro hubs as the geometry is way out.

also note if you have not modified the drive flange they won’t fit most Mini wheels. And also the Metro used different threaded bolts for the discs so the drive flange holes will be IIRC bigger than needed.

I have driven with them since late 80:s, no problems. Negative camber lower arms, no bumpsteer or other strange driveability things. Flanges not modified, fit my rims without problems. Have now Metro disc and drive flanges so right bolts. When i did this in late 80:s there were now kits available, or no internet to find them. Original Cooper brakes was not even an option, impossible to find or cost a fortune.

No good if you have modified the holes for the caliper.

and I would not use metro hubs as the geometry is way out.

also note if you have not modified the drive flange they won’t fit most Mini wheels. And also the Metro used different threaded bolts for the discs so the drive flange holes will be IIRC bigger than needed.

I have driven with them since late 80:s, no problems. Negative camber lower arms, no bumpsteer or other strange driveability things. Flanges not modified, fit my rims without problems. Have now Metro disc and drive flanges so right bolts. When i did this in late 80:s there were now kits available, or no internet to find them. Original Cooper brakes was not even an option, impossible to find or cost a fortune.

I used to run an 8.4" metro turbo brake conversion sold by minispares in the 80's. I fitted it to my mk1 cooper s hub carriers. I too ground the calipers down, moved the disc and caliper inboard by 1/4", turned down the inside of the wheel rim and added 13mm of wheel spacers to get my 5x10 GB alloys to fit. Some dubious modifications there, but I ran them for over 30 years without issues. But, in my experience, the combination of 13mm wheel spacers plus the additional 6mm offset added by the turbo hubs could give some interesting handling/torque steer type moments, especially as power output increased and an LSD added.

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[TRS666]

 

 

No good if you have modified the holes for the caliper.

and I would not use metro hubs as the geometry is way out.

also note if you have not modified the drive flange they won’t fit most Mini wheels. And also the Metro used different threaded bolts for the discs so the drive flange holes will be IIRC bigger than needed.

I have driven with them since late 80:s, no problems. Negative camber lower arms, no bumpsteer or other strange driveability things. Flanges not modified, fit my rims without problems. Have now Metro disc and drive flanges so right bolts. When i did this in late 80:s there were now kits available, or no internet to find them. Original Cooper brakes was not even an option, impossible to find or cost a fortune.

 

No good if you have modified the holes for the caliper.

and I would not use metro hubs as the geometry is way out.

also note if you have not modified the drive flange they won’t fit most Mini wheels. And also the Metro used different threaded bolts for the discs so the drive flange holes will be IIRC bigger than needed.

I have driven with them since late 80:s, no problems. Negative camber lower arms, no bumpsteer or other strange driveability things. Flanges not modified, fit my rims without problems. Have now Metro disc and drive flanges so right bolts. When i did this in late 80:s there were now kits available, or no internet to find them. Original Cooper brakes was not even an option, impossible to find or cost a fortune.

I used to run an 8.4" metro turbo brake conversion sold by minispares in the 80's. I fitted it to my mk1 cooper s hub carriers. I too ground the calipers down, moved the disc and caliper inboard by 1/4", turned down the inside of the wheel rim and added 13mm of wheel spacers to get my 5x10 GB alloys to fit. Some dubious modifications there, but I ran them for over 30 years without issues. But, in my experience, the combination of 13mm wheel spacers plus the additional 6mm offset added by the turbo hubs could give some interesting handling/torque steer type moments, especially as power output increased and an LSD added.

 

I only needed 3mm spacers for my MMAA 5x10 rims. No LSD so major handling issues. Intresting solution connecting the upper bleeder with the second hose inlet. 

Edited by TRS666, 14 February 2025 - 08:12 PM.

[imack]

[/quote]
Intresting solution connecting the upper bleeder with the second hose inlet. [/quote]

That's how minispares used to supply the conversion kit prior to the braided link hose between the two hose ports that becamethe norn. It never caused any issues for me bleeding the system.