slinger, that was a nice read

A BBK doesn't sound so bad.

But also remember that the R55/56 S have larger brakes than the r53. I believe it's the same size as the previous gen JCW.

s-driver: Sounds nice to be able to use one set of pads every 10 trackdays. A BBK would be money very well spent :D

 

I still plan to make VIR...

 

I am only talking about the R56 MCS brakes since that is what I have.

 

I have the TSW BDM front brakes along with Porterfield R4 pads on the rears. My end result from the duct kit was a little different that the original pictures show. I had difficulties not hitting the wheel on the 3" hose so I reduced the size to 2" and was able to bring it all the back side of the rotor. Here are some pics:
















These have mostly worked for me. It has resolved my brake temp issues on all but one track. I was looking at what the Challenge teams do and came up with some modifications that I am going to start pretty soon. They have what looks like a 2" duct to the rear just like I do, but they also have a 3" duct that comes to the front side of the rotor but stops back at the fender well, like my first attempt. They use a custom inlet instead of just the fog light. I found a picture of what it looks like and will be recreating it out of fiberglass. Here is what the inlet looks like:



Right now I am using Raybestos ST-43 pads in the front and get about 3-4 two day DE's out of them. I run in the advanced group and tend to be pretty hard on the brakes compared to the other MINI drivers.

 

BTWDriver, that is some really nice work. Appreciate the photos.

How long did you take to do it. What wheels do you run and do you have a spacer?

 

To figure everything out I worked on it a for maybe a total of 10 hours. Most of that was trying different routing configurations and then scrapping them. I could reproduce the entire thing in a couple of hours if I had it to do again.

For the track I run 15x7 with a 35 offset. On the street I run 17x7's with like a 42 offset I think. I have sufficient clearance with both of those configs. I purchased a number of parts from siliconeintakes.com they have some pretty inexpensive t-clamps and different silicon reducers, I used a 4" to 3" from the fog light and then another 3" to 2" to get down to the end hose size.

 

Cheapest room rates I found were $89/night, located in Danville.

 

I got the same... I will pm you

 

S-driver and BTWdriver,

What 17" rims are you guys running and do you need spacers?

 

I am currently running 17x7 et42 5Zigen wheels on the street. I am considering upgrading my brakes to the TCE Plus 4 and that might force me to different wheels, not sure just yet.

 

17 x 7.5" Kosei K1 Racing...ET42

I leave the 5mm spacers on that I use on the track.....If I'm not mistaken - the BC coilovers up front were pretty close so I had to leave them on. The tire was slightly rubbing the adj nut, just enough to make it squeak.

 

Thanks guys for the info.

I just wanted to make sure I buy wheels that have upgrade capability if I decide to go for larger brakes (rotors and calipers) at a later time. I am thinking of using the 5 mm spacer for the front only.

This is what I am looking at for rims (all 17"x7"):
Breyton GTS-R +40 16.4 lbs
Enkei RPF1 +43 14.6 lbs
Kosei K1 TS +42 15 lbs
Motegi SP10 +40 16.5 lbs
OZ Allegerita +37 14.2 lbs
OZ Ultraleggera +37 17.7 lbs

 

I would add the soon to be released Enkei PF01 to that list. It is more "big brake" friendly and probably going to be lighter than the RPF1 (final specs yet to be released). They are supposed to be released within the next 30 days.
http://www.enkei.com/pf01.html

 

Thanks, I saw that on tireracks website but it did not have the weight. I hope the info gets released soon.

 

post 29 nice setup

 

Weights of the new Enkei PF01's are:
15" 12#
16" 13.9#
17" not listed but interpolating around 15 1/2#
18" 18#

These weights are based on their engineering stage, but will probably be pretty close to final numbers, give or take a few ounces.

 

VV,

Are you considering any of these rims too?

 

that IS a nice setup on post 29. Love the custom brackets - great idea on those. I have a length of 2.5" hose in the garage and am planning on doing the same thing at some point... I may shamelessly copy those brackets - well done.

 

Yes, depending on pricing, weight, and fitment compatibility with the Brembo.
I think the OZ Ultras have a more classic look, but since these wheels will be for track only use that won't count for much.

According to Tire Rack, these will be available early March, and will cost $243 in the 17" size. The OZ's are only $18 more, and my BBK will fit inside them.

 

These rotors look promising for 1st gen JCW and 2nd gen MCS.
Performance Friction Front Brake Rotors

 

I'm a little late to this thread, but that's a fantastic duct setup, btwdriver. When are you guys going to VIR? I'm 45 min from that track and I don't get the opportunity that often to run with other "advanced" MINI drivers.

Two more cents: I've run XP10's on stock R53 calipers and a TSW MDM kit with ducts, all on street tires. I boiled fluid (super blue) every time I ran those pads for 25 minute sessions. Chris Sneed helped me bleed the brakes one time, and he explained that he runs XP12's on stock R53 calipers with ducts, and he doesn't have any issues. Especially at a track like VIR with multiple 100+mph straightaways and 100' elevation change, you're gonna need that extra heat range. Another good MINI driver ran XP12F/XP8R at Road Atlanta, R53 JCW calipers, no ducts. Same deal: I bled, he was fine. My braking zone was a little smaller, but still, you won't see anything less than XP12's on my car this season.

 

S-driver and I will be going to VIR June 12-13 with Mazda Drivers. See this thread: http://www.mazdadrivers.com/

 

Grand Course, eh? Ballsy. =)

 

Hope all the snow is melted by then.

 

Don't jinx us Mike!!