Hi Guys,

I am new to this forum. Somebody local is selling a set of front R56 MCS brake calipers and brackets for $100. I was wondering if I should snag them or If I am better off upgrading my pads and rotors to something like Hawk plus and brembo rotors for relatively the same price as the used R56 brakes. If I'm going with the R56 setup, I won't have the budget to upgrade the pads to track pads, just new oem equivalent and oem equivalent rotors. The car will be autocrossed and maybe tracked. Thanks in advance.

 

Go the R56 route with the OEM discs and pads. You can upgrade the pads to better spec later on. Get the essentials (better calipers) out of the way 1st.

 

I swapped on track pads to my stock R53 rotors and calipers when i headed to the track and had no fade issues.
Swapping the pads were easy as well. i say just stay with what you have and get track pads when the situation calls for it.
if mod funds are limited, spend the money on other things like pulley, rear sways and tires.

 

Thanks for the response. From research, the R56 brake is 280mm compared to 276mm. Is the 280mm that much better?

 

Note: The R56 CooperS front rotors are 294mm, not 280. (That's almost 3/4" larger in diameter than R53 CooperS.)

 

Thanks for the clarification and pardon my ignorance. I’ve researching and have not found a clear answer, what brake lines will work? Will the r53 lines work? Or do i need r56 lines? Or do i need a special one from wmw?

thanks in advance.

 

You will need R56 lines (to match the different attachment to your new calipers).

 

Another consideration is that the R56 calipers are newer so may be in better condition.

 

Got it. Thanks, Mini_crazy

 

I'm really contemplating going with the r56 MCS 294mm brakes. Madtoro brought up a good point to get the bigger calipers and rotors now then upgrade the pads/liones later on when budget allows. The calipers I'm looking at come with r56 rubber lines, I would then just need a set of rotors and pads.

Thanks for the response, everyone.

 

Yes you for sure need our conversion lines to have a brake line that will connect to the R56 caliper and then connect to the body on the R53 without having to modify any brackets or have the lines loose.
https://www.waymotorworks.com/stainl...rsion-kit.html

 

I just went through this whole dilemma myself about 6 months ago. I went with the r56 calipers. You can read my experience here.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ml#post4479461
no regrets with the bigger calipers except it a little bit more of a process to change out the pads.

 

Thanks for the response. What would you say were the biggest benefits/gains with the r56 brakes? What did you like the most with the setup? Is it the feel? The stopping power? Is it the better brake fade?

 

I had Hawk HP+ pads on my stock front brakes for the track days. This was OK for the first few HPDE days. By the last couple they were overloaded and did not feel good. PIR has long front stretch into heavy braking. Too much heat and fade and I may have boiled the brake fluid... I don't know for sure.

R56S front brake conversion:
Carbotech CT1204-XP10 pads and Centric plain rotors for OEM R56 S front brake calipers.
R56s Calipers - Power Stop S3320A - rebuilt R56s from Rock Auto
Stainless Steel Brake Lines R56 Brake Conversion Kit - Way Motor Works
I'm using ATE Type 200 brake fluid and changing it often.

Not cheap but less than a BBK from Willwood.
In summary there is a significant difference on the track. To try and break it down part by part is over my head but the total R56S front brake package is for sure better. No fade, braking is much more consistent and even & I can brake harder and later without scaring myself. If I had to guess, the XP10 pads might be the most significant of the upgrades. The only downside I have right now is the pads take longer to change out. I bought some Carbotech CT1204 pads for the street because driving around town with the XP10s, they feel a little light when they are cold.

Here's some more reading for you:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/drivetrain-cooper-s/259443-r53-to-r56-front-brake-conversion-aka-poor-mans-jcw-brakes-kit-2.html#post4189803
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Thanks, bump. I plan to autocross and maybe HPDE so your applicable insights mean a lot.

 

I agree with bump32's post, that setup is almost exactly what I run and I use mine on track quite a bit. Far improved braking and no fade, even after 20 mins on track. Carbotech XP10's are the way to go when you can.

 

Thanks for the suggestions. I’m in the process of upgrading to the R56 brakes. Got the passenger side done then I see 2 washers in the box. Can someone tell me where these should go and is it dangerous to not have it installed? I’m assuming it goes on the brake line before connecting to the hard body line. Can someone confirm where it goes? I watched videos and don’t see where the washer goes. Thanks in advance.

 

There is a brass washer that goes between the banjo fitting and the caliper. IIRC their might be a washer on each side of the banjo.

 

Thanks, Aspen. I’m using r56 brake lines and they didn’t have banjo bolts on the caliper side. They screwed on vertically. Does that mean I can disregard these washers?

 

Sorry I guess my memory is not so good and getting my calipers mixed up. I did the conversion about 5 years ago. I used R56 rears too, that took a more work to clearance the control arm for the different hose fitting.

 

I bought my brake lines from Way Motor works and I don't think there were any washers. I found some old pictures and from what I can tell no washer on the R53 end.
And no washers on the R56 (caliper) end. Brake line just screws right into the caliper.

https://www.waymotorworks.com/stainl...rsion-kit.html

 

Oh great! Thanks a bunch, Bump32!

 

There is NO washers with the Conversion lines as the lines screw directly into the calipers. Unlike the original calipers that used a banjo fitting with two crush washers.

Our standard R53 non conversion line kits do include the washers to install the lines.

 

Thanks for the response, Way.

 

Thanks for the info here. I'm in a similar boat after just completely eating up by EBC greens in one track day (everything stock R53, Firestone Indy 500 tires so nothing crazy or even that racy). Greenstuff pads made a ton of red brake dust and the backing plates turned yellow... so I guess you get a little bit of all the colors! Live and learn, and with a quick trip to O'Reilly I still got to do three afternoon sessions on Sunday.

@bump32 what makes the R56 calipers more difficult to change pads? I thought some folks found them easier than R53 pad changes, but maybe they just don't like the retaining clip?