I've got a 1973 with 12" wheels, 7.9" front rotors, and superfin rear drums. I'm going to be replacing the front brakes with new rotors and calipers because of mechanical reasons ... likely with a KAD or other racing product.

So the question - should I buy front brakes compatible with 10" wheels, or should I stick with the 12". I will be taking this car onto the local race track for my continued NASA HPDE training, but only occasionally. I like the idea of 10" wheels for the classic racing heritage and the tire options available, but of course the 8.4" (12" wheel) brakes will have more stopping power.

Please post your preference (10" or 12" wheels) and why.

Cheers,
Jeff

 

Hi..I put Kad 4 pots on 7.5 vented discs ................



This was taken before I put vented discs on.............

 

Today I drove my Mini for the first time (legally- with antique plates) after owning and working on it for nearly two years- long story. It has 5X10 Minator wheels, and I bought the complete "S" brake conversion kit for it which has 7.5" front disks. I just couldn't see parting with the 10" wheels, in fact I passed over several other cars that were ready to roll in favor of this one with the tens. So I'm definitely biased. The small wheels just look right to me, are lighter, and I believe that smaller brake rotors can easily deal with the little wheels/tires. Less unspung weight too!

 

well, I have tens and my brother has 12s. I like both. You can get some really cool 10 inch wheels. I won't change mine to 12 inch and my brother wants to chage his to 13s. It really depends on what you like.

 

Who needs more than 10"?

If I had the option, I'd make sure I could fit either. BTW, I run a 7.9" Ford Fiesta disc brake conversion with 10x6.

 

If you plan on running some HPDE's dont fool yourself into thinking "the 8.4in (12" wheel) brakes will have more stopping power". With the right tires a bone stock 7.5 Cooper S disk brake set up will out brake a four piston fully vented 8.4 brake system.

Remember it's the traction of the tires and not the brakes that stop a car. Once traction is lost and a car begins to skid/slide it doesn't matter how many pistons a caliper has because all control is gone. Think about how poorly a Ferrari Enzo would stop if it was fitted with rock hard 5in wide tires. Greater tire traction equals greater braking performance which leads to the 10in wheel option because of the better selection of high performance tires when compared to 12in tires.

You could always roll on the 12's for the street and get a set of gumball 10's for the track.

But then again everyone knows classic Mini's should have 10in tires.

John