I have the 13" TCE/Wilwood (0.81 Rotors) big brake kit (BBK) from my old Mini that I plan to install on my GP. I am wondering what size wheel spacers I am going to need to clear the BBK calipers. I previously installed the 13" combo, on my 2003 MCS, with no spacers using 17x7" BBS RGR Wheels with 38 offset. The GP wheels are a much different shape and are 18x7" with 52 offset. I know the 13" rotors and FSL Caliper will not fit the GP wheel but I am not sure what size spacers are required. I want to use as thin a spacer as possible to leave room for wider tires and lowering. I plan to use spacers on the rear but maybe a different thickness than the front. The rear is not a concern at this time. Spacer options appear to be 5mm, 8mm, and 15mm. I am thinking that I will need to go with 15mm but would prefer 8mm. I am also a little concerned that the 15mm will not be enough due to the unique shape of the GP wheels. I want to make this work with the GP wheels.

Has anyone already installed the TCE/Wilwood 13" x 0.81 BBK on a GP with the stock GP wheels? If so, what spacers did you use? How much clearance do you end up with between the caliper and wheel?

 

I used 8 mm spacers on the front to clear the coilovers, the car sits a lot lower now and if I corner hard I am almost touching the arches. You will be ok with 8mm but I dont know about 15mm, I hope this helps.

 

You can test fit this prior to installing the brakes if you wish. *You'll need to remove a wheel however.

Take a wheel off and turn place it face down on the floor. Take the FSL caliper with pads in it, and slide it onto a rotor. Flip the assembly over and nest it down inside the wheel. Eyeball the centering of the hat to the wheel. Note any contact from the caliper to the spoke. (or if you want you can do this on a bench and look up from the bottom with part of the wheel overhanging the edge)

If you see contact then place something flat between the hat and the wheel to simulate the wheel spacer until you get the desired clearance. This should give you a pretty good idea how much spacer is needed. If any.

 

Thanks Tood,
I was hoping that someone else had already done the spacing experimentation but from the lack of response, I guess not. I will try your suggested method with the different size spacing available for the Mini (5mm, 8mm, and 15mm). I will make some kind of spacers to perform the test (maybe bolts, through the wheel, that I can adjust). I will let everyone know the results but it will probably be a few weeks due to other projects.