Prior to a track event at Pocono, I got a pair of Brake Caliper Stiffening Kits from Tyrolsport:

http://www.tyrolsport.com/Products.htm

It turns out the MINI has rubber bushings around the caliper guide pins both front and rear (VW/Audi tend to only have rubber bushings in the front). So, the MINI takes two sets, while VW/Audi use one.

The idea behind this mod is pretty simple - by replacing the rubber bushings with bronze ones, flex is reduced, allowing the pads to remain parallel to the rotors instead of flexing due to varying loads. The net result is improved pedal feel with more predictable stopping force for a given pedal movement.

I ran ~100 laps at Pocono with my Ferodo DS-2500's on stock rotors. On each lap, I braked hard from 110 mph down to ~70 mph coming off the banking, and each time the feel was solid and sure without a hint of fade.

There is lots of test data on the Tyrolsport site and I am very happy with the product.

BTW, I brought new brake fluid with me to the track, in anticipation of needing to bleed it, but since fade didn't present itself, I didn't do any bleeding or fluid change. Unlike stainless brake lines, the "stiffies" were installed without removing or adding any fluid.

 

Good information. Thanks.

The mod is similar to what I did with my old mustang. I didn't think it was something the coop needed.

 

my crew and i used the solid brass guide pins on bmw m3's and m5's and are extremely satisfied with them reducing caliper twist. they do require more maintenance (have to relube them with anti-squeal/anti-seize) to keep them quiet (depends on how much you track, but i re-lube with anti-seize every month as part of my trackday prep).

those look exactly like the ones made by bimmerworld.

btw, i'm new here. looking forward to meeting many of you and discussing racing technology and methods =) found a wealth of information on weight savings and go fast parts already.

 

I ordered some kits from Turner Motorsport to do this...

Install was a snap but did take awhile - mainly because I haven't ever had my calipers off and was doing a bit of OTJ training!

Initial impression - WHY the HECK aren't these things standard equipment? Wait, I can answer that - it's maintenance. The OEM pins are protected by a boot that is part of the rubber bushing and a cap, whereas the new pins are out in the breeze. This means that these will need to be backed out and lubed with more anti-sieze everytime you change the pads (which for me, will be a yearly thing). But, the OEM parts allow the clamping part of the caliper to slop around quite a bit - slop is GONE now!

Pedal feel is absolutely awesome now, a tad bit firmer, but still allows the perfect placement of your feet for heel-toe. Clamping force must be improved because stops seem shorter and firmer than before. I had to get used to the new feel. No more initial sponginess followed by a slight surge and grab like before, which makes for smoother, more impressive braking. It also seems as if the brakes grab a LOT more without the ABS kicking in during hard stops - my kids enjoyed the G's from the several hard stops! For me, this is a MAJOR bonus for autocrossing on the surface at Mineral Wells, which tends to cause the ABS to kick on and upset the car. Of course, I'll know a lot more after the AMTD and autocross.

FWIW, my pads all seemed to be wearing pretty evenly with the OEM pins and rubber bushings. This is supposed to be even better with the new brass guides, however.

All in all, I think this is a great mod if you want to keep your stock calipers and want better pedal feel and braking performance.

I wrote a how-to up... link is below:

http://www.pintail.com/extra/calipers.pdf

 

BTW, thanks for discovering these, Andy... Doesn't seem like anyone's really talked about them and they SHOULD BE!

 

scobib: Tried to open your How-To link and got nothing . Please try to post link again.

 

Andy: The site doesn't list a kit specifically for the Mini, only VW & Audi. Will the same kit shown for VW work on both front & rear of Mini? Also assume will need 2 kits, correct?

BTW:scobib, was able to download... my fault... sorry

 

Excellent job on the write up!! Anyone that's having problems, make sure you have the Adobe Acrobat Reader plugin on your browser. It's free.

Richard

 

wow, very good find!

 

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html...ODUCT_ID=CBMW1

 

P.S. The TyrolSport version is $79 each or $149 for a full set... the Turner ones are $59 each... Just saving people some $!

 

The Turner setup is $59 per bushing?

I believe the TyrolSport kit is $79 when ordering the front kit, but there is a package deal for $115 for a complete kit(all 4 wheels).

 

Turner's are $59 per axle set, or $118 for the whole car...

TyrolSport quoted me $79 per axle set or $149 for the whole car...

 

After 6 months, the brake stiffening kit is still working great. There is some new info on the Tyrolsport website:

http://tyrolsport.com/mini.htm

 

Yep - after the last track day, I was wholly impressed... nice, consistent braking and even pad wear for once. Coupled with my low-buck brake ducts, my system stayed really cool and I had zero fade!

 

Just curious, did this increase brake noise at all?

 

No... However, I would suggest lubing the pins with anti-seize each time you replace the pads (which for me, is every year :smile: ). If you track more than I do (3-4 DE's a year and 10+ autocrosses), you might need to do it more often...

 

I noticed that Tyrolsport now offers F&R package for $119.00 but then they show the OPTIONAL Steel Snapring Set for $18.00 for a total of $137.00.
I believe Tuner Motorsports includes the snap rings for $119.90.

 

I believe the snaprings that come with the $119 kit are black phosphate coated steel, while the optional ones are stainless. The kit that I got has the black ones and they look to still be in pristine condition, albeit with 10% less bling.

 

I'll give them a call later today. You would think that if the optional snaprings are stainless, they would show them as stainless and not just (steel).

 

Andy: I ordered from Tyrolsport, $119.00 complete set for both front and rear.
Your correct about the snaprings. I went for the stainless... sucker for the bling... I'm sure the black phosphate coated ones would last for a long time but with snow/salt thought.. probably more than bling in the long-run.

 

Enjoy... you're not going to regret it! IMHO, one of the best mods I have made on my car - they're great for autocrossing and track!

 

Wow! It's really refreshing when a mod really lives up to expectations. Even better when it goes above them!

I was really considering a custom BBK but have been really put off by the prices uncertain performance gains and fitment issues. I run stock 16" and have collected 3 sets for my different moods!
So after the really simple install and a wonder of how do those stock rubber bushes not melt??!!...I am happy to say I am NOW completely satisfied with the stock(stiffer) brakes and will only replace pads as they wear out.
Braking is consistant and more powerful. A few runs through my local twisties with lots of hard braking took a little getting used to because I was over braking using my old braking points!
Great call Andy, but sorry I don't have a time slip or dyno plot... just a satisfied GRIN!

 

Installed my set from Turner Motorsport. Install is a breeze! Great pedal feel. Excellent "Bang for the Buck"!!!
Jim

 

I got 'em from TyrolSport, and spent an evening in the garage putting them in. Pretty easy job overall. So far so good. I haven't driven the car hard yet, so I don't have any firm impressions.

Matt