hi guys,
I'm looking at upgrading my brakes in the not to distant future and I'm looking at the parts i'm going to need/want. At the moment I have cooper s discs with cooper S spaced drums on the back. Whilst they aren't the greatest brakes they do the job. However the handbrake is almost non existent.

anyway, here is the list I have so far. anyone want to add anything or comment or make suggestions please do.

Mini front cooper s slotted disc rotors,7.5, Pair $245
Mini alloy brake drums, superfins $295
Cooper S rear wheel cylinders (pair)- 5/8" $49.95
Brake hose kit, Front and rear $72
Mini rear brake spring set of 4 $19.95
Mini brake booster (suit all mini's) $484
Mini brake booster bracket set $54.95
Mini brake booster 1 way valve $44


Do the mini alloy brake drums fit directly in place of the old ones?

I'm thinking I will do this in two stages. all the brakes etc and then the booster at a later date as it will make it too expensive.

Also what pads do people recommend? It is a weekend fun car. I don't really drive it too hard, but I want the brakes to be good and reliable.

Also what parts will I need to fix up the handbrake. Are handbrake cables available new?

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Ryan Filippi
Minis In The Gong
[email protected]
www.minisinthegong.com.au

If you say your Cooper S brakes 'aren't that great' then I'd look a bit closer at them as is. I'd guess that your discs are glazed. Also, how is your front wheel alignment? A lot of neg. camber? This will detract a lot from stopping ability.

Are you running a booster?

Mini Fins or other Alloy Brake Drums are not street legal (at least in NSW). The rear brakes don't work that hard in a mini or do a real lot for stopping it.

I wouldn't recommend slotted or drilled rotors, you'll have less frictional area.

Green Stuff pads are quite good, but make sure your disc rotors are up to scratch first.

Handbrake cables are available, but make sure the cable route is clean of old dried grease before replacing these. Grease the new ones at the turn point on the front of the rear subframe.

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If I were you I'd check out the existing system first. Cooper S discs are definitely capable of any spirited driving in standard form. Just thing how much punishment they would have taken during the minis motorsport heyday in rallies, bathurst etc. Only once you get into serious power and racing territory are you likely to need to upgrade much.

Before you spend money on upgrades that may or may not be necessary, it would probably be a good idea to check the rotors, try a new set of pads, adjust the rear etc. You say the handbrake isn't working which probably means they are due for an adjustment anyway.

You might find that fixing any small problems in the existing system will make you happy with them, thereby saving you a whole heap of money. A well sorted system should be able to take anything you throw at it.

Just my two cents anyways.

Cheers,

_________________
Mister White Keys
"He who has the most toys, Wins"

1963 Austin Countryman Woody
1964 Morris 850 Van
1967 Austin Countryman
1975 Range Rover 2 Door
2004 Subaru Forester XT
2015 Potts Teardrop Camper
RIP 1990 Citroen BX 16Valve

Thanks GT.

By not that great, I'm comparing them to more modern cars.

Your advise is great, its just the type of thing I needed to hear. Plus it will make my shopping list a hell of a lot cheaper.

I'm not using a booster, which didn't worry me for the last seven years, but after driving a mini with one, I've had a change of heart.

I will pop the wheels off next weekend and have a look at the discs to see if they are glazed.

_________________
Ryan Filippi
Minis In The Gong
[email protected]
www.minisinthegong.com.au

A lot of people don't run booster with these brakes, I really don't know why not. Personally I would not run them without a booster. The bigger 8.4" brakes don't need a booster.

When compared to a modern car, well, they are not quite as good as most of these, but should be very adequate plus. Often the Brakes have quite enough power to lock the brakes, however if your wheels are not square to the road (under brakes) then your not going to be able to get all that braking power to the road. As you brake, the front of the car dips down (of course) and with a Mini, they (normally) exibit quite a bit of negitive camber, harder you stand on them the more negitive they get, the less foot print.....

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I don't run a booster on my S brakes, mainly because the `matic's heater is where the booster would go. It stops OK with firm pedal pressure. No, I'm not prepared to put a booster inside the car. One day, I might fit a Clubby heater though and take the booster off the shelf.

Greenstuff pads work best once warmed up a bit. if you want better bite when cold, try Blackstuffs. But, they are less effective when hot.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Cooper S had fantastic brakes for it's era. Seemed to be way better than other cars that I drove back then. Probably due in part to the low weight of the car.

Why don't you check your stopping distance from a set speed and compare to road tests of of modern cars. You just need to be able to stop if the guy in front gets on the anchors hard. If it stacks up you might save yourself a heap of dough.

Pete

S brakes in good condition with right pads will stop OK, but even with a booster require higher pedal pressures than most new cars which lead a lot of people to conclude they aren't as good. Stopping distance is the final criteria and good setup will still be in same range as many new cars, although not all - you aren't going to match some of the supersize, multi piston jobs fitted to some versions - but the basic versions of the same car can't compete with these either.

I think I have led some people astray.

The brakes that I currently have are fine. They work and stop well, better than some cars I have driven. Basically it is just the feel that I'm looking to change. Hence the booster.

I also want to replace a lot of the parts because they are getting old, and personally i believe they need to be kept in the best condition because I like my car to be safe.

GT has cleared a few things up for me, and the more research I do, I realise I don't need to spend as much.

Here is my list now:
Exchange booster $175 or outright purchase of recon unit $265
Mounting bracket for booster $15 - $45
Mini brake booster 1 way valve $44
Cooper S rear wheel cylinders (pair)- 5/8" $49.95
Brake hose kit, Front and rear $72
Mini front disc rotors, 7.5, cooper S, Pair $150
Mini cooper S, Brake pads, green stuff, kevlar, 7.5" $95
Mini rear brake spring set of 4 $19.95
Mini rear drum brake lining (set of 4) NEW $36.50
Handbrake cable $????
other stuff i may need $200

How is this looking now?

_________________
Ryan Filippi
Minis In The Gong
[email protected]
www.minisinthegong.com.au

Why are you replacing the drums and rotors? Are they undersized or scored?

Hi Morris.

I'm not replacing the drums, just the linings. They are not out of round as I have had them fixed before. I was going to replace them with minifins, but that is no more.

I still have to check the rotors for my self, but my rego check guy made the comment that they were looking rather worn and would need replacing in the near future.

_________________
Ryan Filippi
Minis In The Gong
[email protected]
www.minisinthegong.com.au