Tires, Wheels, & Brakes Discussion about wheels, tires, and brakes for the new MINI.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: CARiD

R56S *REAR* brake upgrades??

Old Jun 9, 2024 | 08:14 PM
  #1  
Speedviktm's Avatar
Speedviktm
Thread Starter
|
1st Gear
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 17
Likes: 2
From: Hutto, TX
R56S *REAR* brake upgrades??

Lots of options up front, I went with DIY GP2's, but I'm not finding upgrades for the rear. The JCW "upgrade" isn't really an upgrade since the caliper and pads are the same as stock, just a slightly bigger rotor.
 
Reply
Old Jun 10, 2024 | 03:59 AM
  #2  
njaremka's Avatar
njaremka
Alliance Member
5 Year Member
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 7,542
Likes: 2,507
From: WNY
The only real “upgrade” is the Wilwood kit. I say “upgrade” because you have to make some compromises when installing it.

Some other food for thought… the GP2 uses the same rear brake setup as the ‘regular’ JCW…

Is there a reason you want a bigger rear brake setup? What do you find deficient about the rear brakes? Is it just for looks, or are you actually seeking a performance upgrade? Since the R56 carries so much of its weight up front, the front brakes provide the majority of the stopping power. Pad selection will be more important to actual brake performance than rotor size.
 
Reply
Old Jun 10, 2024 | 07:42 AM
  #3  
Speedviktm's Avatar
Speedviktm
Thread Starter
|
1st Gear
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 17
Likes: 2
From: Hutto, TX
Originally Posted by njaremka
Is there a reason you want a bigger rear brake setup? What do you find deficient about the rear brakes? Is it just for looks, or are you actually seeking a performance upgrade? Since the R56 carries so much of its weight up front, the front brakes provide the majority of the stopping power. Pad selection will be more important to actual brake performance than rotor size.
I have not had it on track yet, but seems like a BIG discrepancy between GP2's up front and basically stock (JCW's) in the back. Although, as you said, it's the same setup the GP2 came with, so if Mini thought they needed to be bigger then they'd be bigger. I'm running EBC Yellow on the street, Hawk DTC-60 on the track (COTA).
 
Reply
Old Jun 10, 2024 | 07:54 AM
  #4  
njaremka's Avatar
njaremka
Alliance Member
5 Year Member
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 7,542
Likes: 2,507
From: WNY
Yup, Mini basically has only two different sized rear brakes for the R56. The smallest are the Cooper / Cooper S at 259mm, and the JCW/GP2 at 280mm.

For what it's worth, I run the JCW rears and BMW / GP2 fronts on my Clubman, and I feel the brakes are MORE than adequate for street use. And I'm only running inexpensive RockAuto street pads. If I REALLY stomp on it, I can get the ABS to activate, which means I'm tire limited for braking power. With a slightly better tire, I'd bet my braking distance could be reduced dramatically. I imagine you're doing way better than me with track pads and tires. Front GP2 rotors should give you plenty of heat capacity, too.
 
Reply
Old Jun 11, 2024 | 08:25 PM
  #5  
Brad S's Avatar
Brad S
2nd Gear
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 52
Likes: 20
From: NZ
Originally Posted by Speedviktm
I have not had it on track yet, but seems like a BIG discrepancy between GP2's up front and basically stock (JCW's) in the back. Although, as you said, it's the same setup the GP2 came with, so if Mini thought they needed to be bigger then they'd be bigger. I'm running EBC Yellow on the street, Hawk DTC-60 on the track (COTA).
how does it feel to be punting the R56 around such a high speed power circuit ?

the willwood kit for the R53/56 does have a larger disc at the rear, but its still a small caliper. you would do it more for the lower unsprung than the power increase. what im meaning here is that its really only the front you need to think about if your wanting more stopping power.
 
Reply
Old Jun 15, 2024 | 03:12 PM
  #6  
Speedviktm's Avatar
Speedviktm
Thread Starter
|
1st Gear
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 17
Likes: 2
From: Hutto, TX
Originally Posted by Brad S
how does it feel to be punting the R56 around such a high speed power circuit ?
It's a hoot!!! And it's only about 30 minutes away from home, I can't wait to get back out there with the brake upgrade in October! The last trip was fun, but I had to brake WAY early.

Originally Posted by Brad S
the willwood kit for the R53/56 does have a larger disc at the rear, but its still a small caliper. you would do it more for the lower unsprung than the power increase. what im meaning here is that its really only the front you need to think about if your wanting more stopping power.
Yeah, I looked at the Wilwoods and basically said, "Yeah, not much different than what I have now." I just kinda wonder if I'm going to need to worry about the rear wanting to swap ends with so much front bias. But if Mini thought the GP2 needed different rear brakes then it would have different rear brakes,
 
Reply
Old Aug 5, 2024 | 04:13 AM
  #7  
930 Engineering's Avatar
930 Engineering
2nd Gear
5 Year Member
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 144
Likes: 31
From: open range
Originally Posted by njaremka
Some other food for thought… the GP2 uses the same rear brake setup as the ‘regular’ JCW…
Pad selection will be more important to actual brake performance than rotor size.
Very good points. I tend to claim nobody needs bigger rotors or even bigger calipers on rear whether on street or track. On track you want to brake ~1 g or even harder (depending on tires and tarmac/circuit), resulting in less than 10 percent with your rear brakes. Former European Mini Challenge used to run 6-pot AP calipers (330 mm?) on front and stock rear calipers including stock 280 mm rotors. Dedicated racing pads available (Pagid RSL29, Ferodo DS1.1 etc.).
.

 
Reply
Old Aug 5, 2024 | 11:44 AM
  #8  
ECSTuning's Avatar
ECSTuning
Platinum Sponsor
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 36,759
Likes: 2,548
From: Wadsworth, Ohio
We just loaded up tarox and they have some options now.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-tarox-parts/v-mini/



 
__________________

MINI Guru/ MINI Owner Since 2004 | NEW Lifetime Part Replacement | Local Pickup
Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2024 | 01:03 PM
  #9  
Northern's Avatar
Northern
2nd Gear
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 144
Likes: 35
From: Halifax, CANADA
I keep seeing this thread from the main page, so I'll bite.

Rears are mostly weird because they have the manual integrated parking brake, so you're very limited in aftermarket options.

R56 Rear calipers are 36mm with 259mm (S) or 280mm (JCW & GP2) rotors.
R60/R61 S/JCW Rear calipers are 38mm with 280mm (S) or 296 (JCW) rotors.

So ~10% bump in piston area, plus some more if you run the 296. Pretty big jump, and probably not worth it.

Probably not a direct fit, but there's only one way to find out. Someone pull the trigger or bribe an R6x buddy lol.

Also, FWIW, the R60/61 Rotors are 79mm CB, which would need a massive spacer. F6x versions are supposedly 67mm and very similar otherwise.
Basically redrill to 4X100 and buy a 64.1 - 67mm hubcentric ring.
I'd solve the caliper first, then tackle the rotor problem.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
MiniManAdam
R50/R53 :: Hatch Talk (2002-2006)
23
Feb 16, 2025 04:42 PM
RomeoKilo
Tires, Wheels, & Brakes
0
Apr 13, 2017 10:23 AM
Dr Obnxs
Tires, Wheels, & Brakes
50
Jan 14, 2010 07:15 PM
ANT818
Drivetrain (Cooper S)
1
May 23, 2008 07:56 PM
Calaway16
Tires, Wheels, & Brakes
3
Jan 18, 2008 06:43 PM


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -7. The time now is 11:21 PM.