I think there is quite a calling for Big Brake kits out there...so I called Baer they make great stuff and ussually for alot less than some of the others out there...this was the answer

The guy tells me there's no demand for it!!!

That there really isn't enough Minis!!!

Not enough emails or phone calls!!!

So I ask should we all call them and email them...OR do we find someone else to make or get a great deal with...

I am kinda irrititated by this...however, I am not one to burn a bridge.

So maybe M7 would be interested in something....maybe they'd give us some crazy deal!! he heh LOL

 

Here is my take on big brakes....

big brakes = big wheels
if you want either track speed or autocross speed, directionally you want to go the other way....unless of course you want to start messing with ring and pinion gears.
so for moi....it is normal brakes, mean *** pads........... talk to Al at Patrick MINI in the Chicago area..... the man knows brakes and he knows MINI's......

 

Just to clarify...I am not an Autocross buy I am more of a Lime Rock/Watkins Glen guy...and that's a different thing all together....I know...

"track speed" is relative to corner speeds...and you time is helped with Late braking on tracks like I mentioned

 

Not trying to be a thread ****; but: Shouldn't this thread be moved to the suspension forum?

 

Or perhaps the "Tires, Wheels, & Brakes Forum sponsored by The Tire Rack." What do you know we have a forum for Brakes.

Paul

 

There is a good thread on big brakes running on the suspension forum:
Called: OK, now time for real brakes:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=27942

 

Big wheels are GOOOOOOOOD!!!!:smile:

 

They are also SLOOOOOOOOW........... but COOOOOOL looking.

I have 18" OZ for show and rain tires, 17" (stock) for the street and 15" for the track. to give you an idea....Mid Ohio has a pretty mean straight, all of it down hill....you barely get the MINI to 5700 RPM in 5th......with 15" wheels. With enough HP and different gearing, the 18" would be great.....

speed lesson # 1.... track speed is directly proportional to speed coming OUT of corners.... the kings of the late breakers never have had road racing success.....

 

Tuls,
You are not alone in your concern about big brakes for the MINI.
M7 already has a big brake kit (M7 style) but it's very costly like more than $3000 for the fronts alone.

I think you might want to take a look at another NAM sponsor-
http://www.tceperformanceproducts.co...Kits/Mini.mgi2
They are brake specialists and want to work with us to bring quality big brake kits to the MINI for MCS and MC. They do upgrades for many other cars and have prices that are nearly half the competition. Effort is made in making the brakes work really well by fine tuning of the brake pads for the use of the MINI from long track to autocross, driving events or street use.

Their brake kits look like this by Wilwood-


I've exchanged lots of PMs with Todd from TCE and he really knows brakes and wants to help us MINI owners. Drop him a line and tell him what you want out of a big brake kit.

 

yes hence the reason I said coner speeds....all in all it's not the tool it's how you use it...15s 18s...doesn't matter that much except (from what I have seen) on anything except the auto cross cause they are so small and you are throwing the car around...it's un sprung wieght and if you are already moving unlike in auto cross then it doesn't matter as much and in fact you don't want all that tire roll that you will get from a 15.....this is my expirence


in the end...we can blah blah blah about this all night...my favorite thing is.... just bring it to the track... and we'll find out

 

Aren't there like 500,000 MINIs worldwide now? I really have no idea how that compares to other cars, but I'm pretty sure it's more than the Lamborghini Diablo listed on their webpage.

 

I think it is the high profile that gives the tire roll and not the diameter of the tire. But I know what you are talking about. I think you mean that the MINIs you see with 15s have higher profile tires, which keep the stock 24 inch diameter. But something to think about is this: What about 15's with a 55 profile or even a 50 profile tire, i.e., 195/55/15 or 205/50/15? I think they would perform quite well -- i.e., lighter (rotational mass) than 16's, and with a smaller diameter for increased speed. :smile:

 

WHAT A GREAT QUOTE!!!

Can I steal it??

Earl

 

heh heh sure..I'd be honored

 

The term you are looking for is "Moment of Inertia'. Depends on where the weight is exactly.

 

And you must have a LOT of experience, I'm guessing....... I am also betting you are safely out of the way out west someplace huh??? Otherwise there is a BMWCCA support race at Mid Ohio the weekend of Aug 6th. Would LOOOVE to see you there and learn from all your experience. I am entered already. Go to www.bmwcca.org and find out about it.
Why you could even tell me how it is that the diameter of a wheel "don't matter"....can't wait......

 

My apologies all. I have posted on this thread of the benefits of 15 inch wheel/ tires -- however, this is a big brake thread. So, this thread probably applies to those with 17 and even 16 inch (and larger) wheel/tires. I've just learned and realized that quote "big brakes" don't fit on 15's. I've learned of some better brakes for 15's (i.e., rotors and pads and brake fluid mostly -- and there are some English vendors who sell calipers too), but I don't think they are called "big brakes". :smile:

 

Yes I am "safely" out west right now...LOL....

I do not claim to know it all...AND I do think it matters what size wheel you have...hence the reason I got my car with 17 and want 18s...but this is for ME cuase of the driving/racing style I like....however...my coment about it doesn't matter was simply made due to the "15s are better" post ....again...for auto cross 15s from what I have seen alow for less unsprung wieght so you may reach your speeds fast in a short distance....again not my cup of tea....

as for my expirence...I was going to write this big thing about how long I have been tuning cars and bikes...how long I have been racing etc...but I realized that it doesn't matter...I know how to tune my cars and those who want me to I will do so for them....my mini is not the only car I tune...it is not the only thing I race....and well was simply looking for a big brake kit ...or rather a company who wants to make one for the mini and have someone market it for them...and hey install it too.....LOL...

 

So after all of this Tuls, and the five pages of reading on the other thread, what are your plans? I'll make you a good offer, but no go on the 15s. You came looking for alternatives, I have one.

 

I recently upgraded my brake performance by getting the Ferodo racing brake pads (DS3000 front and DS2500 rear) and the StopTech stainless steel brakes lines. Later on, I plan to get a big brake kit but for now this is what I did to the brakes. Can anyone tell me if 1. Will this upgrade void my warranty?? and 2. Will the dealer be able to fix the yellow brake check symbol light on the speedometer, which is still on after I did the upgrade, with no problem??

 

Did you wait til after the light went on to upgrade/replace pads?
Typically the service brake pads light only goes on after the brakes have worn through the sensor.
replace the sensor(s); light goes off.

 

Not to derail the Big Brake side of things
but the Team Dynamics Rims 15x7 et35 have a minimum clearance of
1 3/4 inches between the hub face of the rim and the back side of the spokes, I will be getting a better ruler to define the profile from the hub out to the inner diameter of the shell.

So we got some serious room on the inside of this rim!
I like cheap tires and 15 inch rims and R compounds are uber cheaper than 17's or 18's.

I will be classed with a fellow pulley'd MCS at the next CCA DE so we can do some comparisons between wheel sizes. I run 15's and he runs 17's, any gearing advantages I get should be relavent at the entrance to turn 10a at Road Atlanta. Particualllary since it starts with a 2/3rd gear right hander, feeds into the longest straight on the track and is followed by a 3rd gear left hander.

This track kills the stock rotors after 2 track events so brake upgrades are more for longevitiy and consistency.

Ben

 

TCE Street Sport: 1.025"
TCE Road Race: 1.325"

Add about .100 air gap.

Radius check at 4.75-6.0" C/L


Nice research. Keep in mind it changes based on where they machine the hub face for offset. They won't all be 1.75" on every car.

 

Did you wait til after the light went on to upgrade/replace pads?
Typically the service brake pads light only goes on after the brakes have worn through the sensor.
replace the sensor(s); light goes off.


Thanks Polmear!!! You are a great help. I will immediately do that.