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MG MGB Technical - v8 pads

I am changing my standard mgb pads to v8 pads but the v8 pads are different , they have the pad material not in the centre but at one end. my question is which way are they fitted ? The material to the top of the caliper or to the bottom.Thanks in advance, Peter
peter bramble

I have a set of V8 pads on my B/GT (Ferodo part# FDB833-A) and the friction material is centered onto
the backing plate, just as the non-V8 pads.

Maybe your set is a production glitch?

I suggest you go compare another set, preferably from another production batch or manufacturer.

If the pads are directional, they usually come with a set of instructions to indicate the installation
orientation.
Daniel Wong

Daniel. How do you like the V-8 pads? Do they really provide better stopping? I have a set from Moss, but have not bothered to install them yet. (Too many other projects that require immediate attention.) But, if, in your opinion, they offer a significant advantage, I will move the job to a higher priority. Thanks, Les
Les Bengtson

Les -

Do not expect your car to stop on a dime, or to stop a lot faster with less pedal pressure while wearing
the V8 pads.

If they manage to shorten your stopping distance by a foot or so in a panic (at best), then I suppose
they can save your bacon and may be worth having. Otherwise, I find their much higher cost over the
standard pads to be overrated to the amount of improved performance gained. Also...they emit
a lot of black dust onto the front wheels!

Unless their high cost were made more reasonable, I am doubtful if I would by another set for my next
renewal.
Daniel Wong

Both #3 and #4 Sons have V8 disc brake pads installed on their cars (1973 Roadster and 1974 GT). The larger surface area of the V8 pads makes for less brake fade when driven hard, but any increase in stopping power or decrease in pedal effort seems to be directly related to the coefficient of friction of the material that they're made out of and, ultimately, the traction that the tires give.
Steve S.

Rather than go down the V8 pads route, many articles praise the new green stuff pads. Has anyone tried them? They supposedly make a noticeable difference and they make much less dust, allegedly.
Mike
Mike Howlett

Daniel and Steve. Thank you for the response. I had suspected that the "improvement" would be somewhat marginal, but was hoping for a "miracle cure" offering significantly upgraded braking for the significantly higher pricing. I will install the V-8 pads into the GT when I have time, because it is sometimes used on the margin. But, it seems like the standard pads should do just fine for a street car. Thanks, Les
Les Bengtson

I installed v8 pads a couple weeks ago with new rotors. They are not run in yet and giving off alot of dust. So far I can't tell much difference in stopping but I think its to soon to tell. I'm hoping when run in, the amount of dust is reduced. I never had problems with dust before this.
Bob Ekstrand

These brakes are for racing they are mintex
I race in the ANGLIA PHOENIX Championships. I installed v8 pads last year but I did not know at the time they were of unequal material and not centred
peter bramble

Mike-
#3 Son installed a set of the V8 Green Stuff pads on his GT when the OE-type pads wore out. They're Carbon Kevlar-type and have a coefficient of friction of .46, which is much better than the OE pads which have only .32. Their fade resistance is also much better. It's true, they do make less dust. They cost more, but his wife and 5-year-old son ride in that car, so he's not complaining. Safety Fast!
Steve S.

I have also heard of these "green stuff" pads.....Anybody got a part #, and where i can get them?
DAve

Re dust from V8 pads. There seems to be a huge difference between makes as far as this goes. My current Mintex pads seems to give very little, the set before (sorry, can't recall) were terrible.

UK MGOC sell Greenstuff pads.
Paul Hunt

Try Doug Jackson:
http://www.mgbmga.com/tech/mgb18.htm

His pads are not "greenstuff." I think they are Porterfield -- R-4S carbon kevlar. From checking around the internet, his prices are quite good (relative to other special-interest car shops), but these pads are rather pricey.

Jerry
Jerry Causey

I can vouch for the Greenstuff pads. They are Kevlar and I think they've saved my ar*e (can I say that here?) on at least one occasion already. After the break-in period (200-300 miles) had to slam on the brakes to avoid someone coming into my lane out of the blue. Sure stopped me fast, can't prove it was the pads but it seemed to have made a difference.

Puchased them through the internet, use your search engine for Greenstuff (cause I can't remember the site and don't heve my receipt handy). About $60, I think.

Cheers,

Luis
Luis

I too can vouch for Greenstuff pads, but I went for both upgrades at the same time and now use greenstuff V8 pads.

A a=warning about V8 pads though, or at least the disks (rotors). The swept area of the pads is larger than standard pads, and it extends both further in, and out of the centre of the disk. For me that meant I needed new disks due to the wear from the original pads and the rust on the un worn areas.

Definetely worth while though.
Richard

I agree, the Greenstuff pads are worth the extra money - work from cold, little dust due to zero carbon content and seam to improve stopping distance although I think some of the claims of 30% is OTT unless you bought pads from Woolworths.

Paul

Paul

This thread was discussed between 26/01/2002 and 29/01/2002

MG MGB Technical index

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