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MG Midget and Sprite Technical Is it worth it.....? BBS discussion at MG-Cars.net
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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Is it worth it.....?
| As some may see on the 16v side of this Im rebuilding a midget with a K series - I'm at a stage where I am looking at brakes and front suspension - so I need some advice:- Is there any obvious upgrades I should be making to the stub axle- I was planning on buy an already built up one from Moss/MGOC??(unless they are cheaper elsewhere please let me know... Brakes - now Ive read all the archives and I'm bamboozled with the topic - so here goes my knowledge MGB Calipers and Spitfore discs(£130) for both on fleabay - some engineering - Ie turn the disc down (? to what size) -get the engineering comapny to make up a braket for the caliper to hub (anyone got any dimensions) -get same comapny to make up a spacer so the disc sits on the hub correctly (again anyone got any dimensions) Is engineering company going to charge me a fotrune -so much so FL or PeterMay option would be better choice?? Or any other options (leave as standard and keep money??!!)- car is just for road use Poly bushes allround - already have some lowered springs from Tim @ FL (believe they are 1" lower with higher lbs) Lookimg to rebuild the lever arm shock with upgraded valve and new oil - do this myself.(definately can't afford front shock upgrade....yet) Many Thanks Jon |
| J WHITE |
| Jon, you can do your own big brakes, but you really need access to a machine shop, if not your better off just buying the kit from PM.  |
| Brad 1380 |
| Forgot to add, spacers would be about £40 or so from a machine shop, unless your mate owns the place :-) |
| Brad 1380 |
Jon, Frontline now also do a alloy4pot kit that fits in 13inch wheels.
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| Arie de Best |
| Arie, Isn't that a MGB front stub axle though rather than a spridget?. |
| David Billington |
| Erm.. Dave, your right... but they have one for the midget too(I was told). To be honest Dave, I didnt even noticed the B-parts, well spotted! :) |
| Arie de Best |
| Buy the kit from Peter May or face learning the hard way that not all Spitfire discs are the same despite having the same part number and are very slightly just not suitable for machining.... Ask me how I know? |
| Daniel Thirteen-Twelve |
| Daniel, is right, it's a lot of grief to do it yourself,but if you don't have handy access to a machine shop then just buy the kit. |
| Brad 1380 |
| Thanks for the input - I'm struggling to know what to do - This project is getting to the stage where I want to save a few quid here and there. But Im also mindful that a good standard set up will cost quite a lot and I might want to upgrade at a later date - which means the cheaper solution will have been a waste??? Help??? Jon |
| J WHITE |
| Are you using bigger sticky tyres? If not the extra braking may not be that usefull. Although your car will inevitably be capable of higher speeds it should be lighter, I think I would be tempted to fit decent pads on the standard discs and see how you feel. You could upgrade at a later date if you feel the need. Carl |
| C Bintcliffe |
| Wheels and tyres I was planning on putting some 14x5.5 alloys with 165/175 profile rubber.... Maybe there is my compromise, 13" wheels (cheaper) and get the brakes aswell???? Jon |
| J WHITE |
Jon, the original brakes are pretty good even for mild track work with good pads and some cooling. I did a pretty hard 20 minute run last month on a road course and didn't notice any fade from mine with stock size rotors and EBC greenstuff pads and there are better pads available for sure. The key for me is some ducting for air directly onto the rotors. I tend to agree with Carl, try some upgraded pads first before you spend a lot on the big brake kit. Cooling air is pretty easy to route if you want, just a couple of bits of exhaust tubing welded into the dust covers and some flex tubing to the front valance area.
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| Bill Young |
For the front I uses some exhaust reducing pieces and just flattened out the larger section to form an oval. I let them into the sheet metal, but you could just as easly hang them under if you want.
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| Bill Young |
| Kim at Magic midgets did me a very good deal on wheels, i made the big brake set up myself for the cost of discs, calipers & pads. |
| Brad 1380 |
| Hi Jon, My K midget is nearly finished, it has a caterham supersport 1.4 in it and like you I was in a dilemma as what to do with brakes. I also have purchased a set of drilled/grooved spitfire discs and mgb callipers, I also have had the hub spacers made up. But haven't fitted any of this to the car yet. As I was looking to get the car on the road asap, I figured that the brake upgrade could be a winter project and that an MOT was needed quicker. I decided that as the car was lighter and that it was going to be road only use, that the standard set up is pretty good, so I have put standard sized drilled/grooved ebc discs with mintex pads on the front in the view that this may be good enough for now. But then time will tell. hopefully I'll let you how it is on the road in a couple of weeks. John |
| John Collins |
| Thank you John, Let me know what you think - how's everything coming along?? "is on the road in a couple of weeks" I can't wait till I'm say that!!!! jon |
| J WHITE |
| John, that was my previous set up, it worked very well. |
| Brad 1380 |
| Don't want to be a damp squid here but you may have a bit of trouble persuading your insurance company to cover you without upgraded brakes. Just a thought. Neil |
| Neil (K series) |
| Oh Neil.....your input is 'usually' so welcome!!!!!! Jon |
| J WHITE |
| Sorry Jon. Glass always half empty and not half full! |
| Neil (K series) |
| Thanks Jon, I'll keep you posted, it would have been on the road sooner, except that I'm on a long holiday! When I get home, it just needs the handbrake adjusting and its ready to go for MOT. I insured it a few weeks before hols as I was optimistic on getting an MOT done. I cant remember off hand who it was with, but they were very reasonable and helpful. I gave them full list of changes from standard (including standard sized brakes - maybe it was easier for me as I am "only" using a 1400 engine?) and they rang me back pretty quickly with a price. When I get home, I'll look up who the company was. |
| John Collins |
| ..It's looking half FULL again - thanks John |
| J WHITE |
| "The glass is half empty / half full" - actually, in your case (installing a 16V) it should be, "The glass was not big enough!" ":oD Norm |
| Norm Kerr |
| The beauty of steel...just hit it into shape or weld another bit in!!!! |
| J WHITE |
| Why not just call the insurance company and check first - that way - you know for certain, and can take that information into account. However, I was always taught that, for every extra 10mph you go faster - you need to alter the stopping ability! |
| rachmacb |
| As I have heard lots of people say, speed isn't just about more power it's also about better braking. Glass half empty again Jon!!! |
| Neil (K series) |
| Neil, Who are you insured with? I'll give them a call see if I can get some insurance company guidance..... Ive just bought some nice 14" alloys - so that's one thing decided upon!(makes sure I can fit what ever I decide under them!!) 'Glass filling up drip by drip' Jon |
| J WHITE |
This thread was discussed between 15/08/2010 and 19/08/2010
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