Wanted to let everyone know about a product I installed a couple of months ago in advance of the August NASA weekend at High Plains Raceway in Colorado.

Background: I had replaced my JCW front brakes with the 12.2" Wilwood DynaPro BBK, and after about 300 track miles (and very few road miles, the MINI is mostly for fun at the track), using Poly B race pads, I cracked both of my front rotors.

Resolution: Installed the Sneed Speed MINI brake cooling kit, new rotors, and Poly H race pads and went to the HPDE3 weekend. After about 200 miles over 2 days in 90 degree+ ambient temps, both rotors and pads look almost new, with very little wear, no cracking. Had no issues with soft pedal both days, and could outbrake almost all other cars in my sessions, even running Direzza Star Specs that are close to being heat cycled out.

So if you are having issues with brake temps/fade, consider investing in one of these kits. You do need to remove factory fog lights and do some cutting of the radiator support plastic to fit the ductwork, but can be done without structural compromise or removing ability to re-fit fogs if you decide to remove cooling kit at a later date.

 

Thanks for the write up. Glad you like the brake cooler kit and they helped reduce your lap times PM me your name and address and I'll send you a t shirt.
Chris

 

Glad to hear of the improvements. Longer life with ample braking is always a good thing.

 

Can't say enough for the both Sneed Speed Shop brake duct kit and especially Todd at TCE. My Wilwood DynaPro 12.2" kit was sourced from TCE and Todd has been awesome with tech assistance and getting me sorted with the proper pads as I've moved up on the track.

Chris - did also post that review of your cooling kit on your website, will be in touch and looking forward to the tshirt and maybe contingency? Also might be interested in the front splitter.

Rgds

 

Had the same issue, cracking rotors, with my TSW BDM kit. And the same resolution. Installed Sneed Speed brake ducts and got rotors and pads from Todd. Turns out you can fit a 12" rotor in the TSW BDM kit.

 

Alan - how do you like the Quaife LSD? Am looking into LSDs and considering the Quaife and the OS Giken, along with an upgraded clutch and lightened flywheel. Would you mind sharing your experiences with your setup and how you made your equipment choices, as well as lap time reductions/street feel?

Thanks!

 

The Quaife is awesome! It was the first mod I did to the car about 70K miles ago. I got so frustrated catching cars headed into the hairpin on the east course at Pocono, and then having to watch them go away while I desperately tried to get the car straight to stop the inside wheel spinning up on the way out of the hairpin. It is a no brainer for track events.

I put the new Giken clutch/flywheel in the car (well actually Keith @ Werkin MINI did) when I toasted the stock throw-out bearing. There is a slight increase in acceleration. I noticed that I shift to 5th about 2 to 3 car lengths sooner on the front straight at TWS. I did this based on my knowledge and Keith's recommendation (well, mostly Keith's recommendation). This is NOT a street friendly clutch. It Grabs. Its great at the track though. Shifts are quicker than the stock setup.

 

Amen on the Quaife -- we little autox folks don't cook our brakes though, like y'all big bad road racers!

 

How about some pics of the install!!!

Alan... Quaife vs OS Giken (torsen vs clutch type) thoughts?

 

The Quaife is guaranteed for life. I've had it in the car since September '04 and I attend 12 to 14 DEs a year, so 24 to 28 track days a year. Quaife still works same as day one.

Clutch LSDs will require servicing. Advantage is they are adjustable - but not much of an advantage for the MINI since its 8 hours of labor to do it.

Alan