Subject: Uprating Midget Brakes!
>I'm the owner of a 79 Midget.
>Does anyone know of any ways to improve the cars braking ability,
>other than fitting a servo?
There are several "stages" for improving the braking on a Midget. These start
off
by a simple pad change to the installation of 4-pot calipers.
I believe the Moss (europe) MG Performance catalogue outlines the different
stages
of uprating the brakes.
>From memory
1 - Changes front pads and brakes shoes to an uprated version
(Ferodo DS11, Mintex M171, and other ) You may want to investigate pad
selection
carefully, as some of these pads work great when warmed up but are useless
when cold.
2 - Add vented rotors
3 - Add a servo
4 - Install MGB brakes on modified Spitfire rotors.
5 - Add 4-pot calipers (Very expensive)
6 - Go to AP Brake technology (even more expensive)
I have over the past 8 years slowly uprated the brakes on my Midget and
eventually
settled for the MGB calipers on the modified Spitfire rotors. These work GREAT,
definately improve the stopping power of the brakes, give great pedal feel and
are very resistant to fade (which used to be my biggest problem).
There are some drawbacks however. Fitment of the rotors/calipers has to be spot
on and may need to be shimmed to get the right clearance. When I first fitted
the
calipers/rotors, there were problems with rubbing on the upper a-arm. Carefull
shimming almost eliminated the problem (although on full lock, the rotors still
rub on the upper-arm bolt)
gerry
|