I'm looking at buying a classic Mini that has drum brakes. I see a conversion kit for $1400. to switch from drums to disc. Are there easily obtained alternatives? What would the labor run on installing the kit? Any recommended mechanics in the L.A. area? Thanks.

 

labor cost .... this is gonna be a difficult one IMO

If you take your MINI to the dealer for front pads and rotors they look in a book and it tells them X hours of labor and the dealer applies their going hourly rate and ZAM you have your cost. If the guy does the job in 1/2 the time, it does not matter, you still get charged for the book hours ..... but I digress.

On the job you want done ... there is no book, nor is a dealer going to do it. You can search for the lowest hourly ... or try to get a job price but all I can say is good luck.

Trustworthy places to get this done DO exist. When I lived in Virginia I took my Mini to Abacus Racing in VA Beach several times. Not only did they give me a good estimate of cost every time but usually the work came in UNDER.

Can't help you find this guy near you, nor do I have one close to me now, but they ARE out there.

http://www.abacusracing.com/

***
and BTW there are several options for disk replacements. You can go genuine Mini Cooper ... or Cooper S ... or some folks are now selling Honda based kits.

 

If you are in California, I'd contact Heritage Garage or Seven Enterprises (7ent.com) to see what they could do.

 

yep 7 .... duh, how did I forget them!

7ent.com .... but Auburn is WAY up near Sacramento . .

here's a thought

the current specials flier from 7 has a Cooper S conversion kit for $1000 with free assembly. Why not call or E-Mail and ask if they can recommend someone to install in LA? (the S kit is 7 1/2 inch rotors which allows you to run 10" wheels)

btw, the price for these kits typically does not include the brake servo which is really the other half of the equation in getting the brake improvement you seek by going to disks. 7 has this kit too - expect to pay $230 or more for these parts as well . . . which brings the price to the ball park of the $1400 you mention.

 

Looks like the way to go is to get them from 7ent and sent down. Is the brake servo a necessary component, or just a nice improvement?

 

from the Seven listing:

"effectively doubles pedal pressure for instantaneous brake response."

MK3 Cooper S came with this, and I believe all later Mini with disks had similar. It is not what I would call full on power brakes but 'assisted' brakes.

Their current sale flyer highlights the Cooper S in honor of 50 years. There are several 'blurbs' about Cooper S features. See pg 7 for brakes:

http://www.7ent.net/pdf/Current_Mailer.pdf

 

I have a '79 that came with drum brakes. When I took the car down to the shell and re-assembled I put many new parts on the car including rebuilding all 4 drums. I was never comfortable with the braking - especially with my family in the car - so I purchased the assembled disc brakes for my 10" wheels. I should mention I had never worked on a car, much less taken one apart and re-assembled it. Many on this forum answered questions as I rebuilt the car. I purchased my assembled discs from the UK as with the currency conversion and the shipping I got a better deal than buying here in the US.

Installation is not that difficult for anyone with basic skills (IMHO) - especially with the completely assembled kit. I have been very pleased with the difference on the car. I did one side on one weekend and one side the next - not that I needed all that time (just had other obligations)

Now I just need to find someone who wants my complete assembled drum brakes as they were all new parts.....

Good luck

 

Thanks for the advice. I ordered the disc kit and servo from 7ent.com and hope to get them installed next week. Next up.... ::gulp:: trans probs. Stay tuned!

 

you found someone to put them on? or bolding going forward on your own?


btw, did 7 mention or are you aware that the disk conversion increases the 'front track ' ... you may have issues with those 'gigantic' wheels. did you mention those to the guys from Seven?

this track increase is why the cooper & s, and all later models with disk brakes, used a rear drum with a built-in spacer ... which uses longer studs ...

http://www.7ent.com/products/brake-d...r-gdb0106.html

funny how these projects have a tendency to grow . . . you don't HAVE to change the rears immediately, your car will just be somewhat staggered track width wise (and will there be issues with those 13's . . . dunno, I'm running 10's! 10x6 with WIDE arches) And you CAN use the existing drums with spacers .. even these:
http://www.minimania.com/part/BG4001...-sold-per-PAIR

 

7ent recommended Jorn in So Cal so I'm confident he'll get it fixed up like it ought to be. I'm thinking I'll want to go back to the 10's on a decent wheel. What are the chances I can sell the 13's (with Dunlops and plenty of tread) to be able to accomplish that goal?

 

I doubt you'll have any trouble either selling or trading the rims with someone looking for 13's. My strong personal preference is for 10's, but there are quite a few people our their who like 13's. To each his own I guess, but the look and handling with lower unsprung weight make a strong case for the 10's.

 

Yep, quite a difference to be able to stop. The aftermarket disc brakes, servo, labor, shipping, and tax all came to ::drumroll:: $1718.
Next up (for another thread).... running hot, and trans. grind.

 

if I'm doing my math correctly it looks like you got one heck of a good price on the labor.

Did you get the Cooper S 7.5 disks or something else?

Any thoughts on what to do about rear track?

Running hot? How hot? Boils over? Have you done a very good flush? What mix are you running - not more that 25% antifreeze is recommended. I run 20% plus 5% water wetter and have ZERO cooling problems.

Is your fan on correctly? If on backwards it does not move as much air (if you have the yellow plastic fan?)

Is your thermostat operating correctly? Do you know how to test it?

Tranny grind - you are running 20-50 oil??

****
cool slot car track btw . . you made it or bought it? I notice it is not sectional track . .

 

Labor Cost:
I THINK SO. $350. FOR BRAKES AND SERVO INSTALLATION.

Cooper S 7.5 disks or something else?
YEP. ON SALE FROM 7ENT AS RECOMMENDED HERE.

Any thoughts on what to do about rear track?
SEEMS FINE WITH SPACERS AS IS. MATCHES THE FRONT.

Running hot?
IT HASN'T BOILED OVER, BUT WHEN I'M ON THE FREEWAY IT GOES INTO THE RED ZONE. THE REST OF THE TIME IT'S AT THE LINE, OR JUST A BIT UNDER IT.

IT IS THE YELLOW PLASTIC FAN. THE MECHANIC WHO DID THE BRAKE JOB PUT IN A NEW THERMOSTAT, AND IS RECOMMENDING A 2 CORE HEAVY DUTY RADIATOR, AND POSSIBLY A WATER PUMP. IT HASN'T BEEN FLUSHED, BUT HE THOUGHT IT WOULD DO LITTLE GOOD, ANYWAY.

Tranny grind - you are running 20-50 oil??
HMMM... GOOD QUESTION. SHOULD I BE?

Track:
THANKS. I HAD IT BUILT BY A FRIEND. IT ACTUALLY IS IN 7 SECTIONS, ROUTED WOOD.

 

Tranny grind - you are running 20-50 oil??
HMMM... GOOD QUESTION. SHOULD I BE?

20-50 is THE most recommended oil for classic Mini

and while I endorse longer oil change intervals for MINI ... the Mini enjoys 3000 mile changes