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MG MGF Technical - MGF Brake upgrade - advice needed

Hi there

I have a '98 MGF 1.8i and the rear disks are "pitted". I've been told that the disks need replacement, so this is the ideal time to do a brake upgrade.

With so many aftermarket kits out there I'm dumbstruck which one to go for. I really wanted a Brembo kit, but they only make a front disk kit - no rear disks... I'd like to replace the front and rear disks at the same time.

If anyone has done this, I'll appreciate it of you could point me in the right direction.

Some of the brands I've been looking at are:

Tar-Ox
Black Diamond
EBC (green stuff)

Thanks!
PJ Pienaar

PJ

May I suggest that you read the write up on brake modifications on Rob Bell's site as a starting point.

The choice of brake size can be decided by the wheels that you have fitted - e.g. some of the bigger calipers and disks will only fit under a specific wheel size/shape.

http://www.mgf.ultimatemg.com/brakes/index.htm

After reading Rob's notes you could search the archive for suitable keywords and read those notes. Also somebody, I believe David Clelland, has recently undertaken brake improvements intended for an improved performance relevant to road rather than track driving.

Good luck, try to let us know how you progress. The more feedback on the bbs the more help there is for others who follow on.
JohnP

Thanks John

I currently have 16", six spoke MGF alloys on off a 2000 MGF, so I think there's enough space...

I'll be sure to leave feedback once the conversion is completed.

Thanks again for the help and quick reply!

'later

PJ
PJ Pienaar

PJ,

One of the popular upgrades is to use the larger Trophy discs on the front with the four pot AP Racing callipers. That's probably the best setup that you can achieve. However, you then have to fit either Trophy or TF160 16" wheels so that they fit over the larger callipers, which adds to the expense. These brakes have been fitted under other 16" wheels, but spacers usually have had to be used. HiSpec also do 280mm discs with four pot callipers, but there's been a question mark put against this company recently regarding service and quality of goods. You're more or less stuck with the 240mm discs on the back because in this country you need to keep the original callipers which are connected to the handbrake. The alternative to this is to use better standard sized discs and pads to improve braking or 280mm ones on the front retaining the standard callipers.

I wanted to keep my 15" square spoke wheels and get the best package that I could. My car is only used on the road so I went for Mike Satur's 280mm drilled big brake kit on the front (keeping my own callipers) and his upgraded 240mm drilled and grooved discs on the back with Mintex 1144 pads and stainless steel hoses all round. BIG BIG improvement in braking and I'm delighted with the results. Some people think that puting bigger discs on the front can upset the balance (Trophy has a different valve to compensate for this) but I've never had any problems in either the dry or the wet. I'd thoroughly reccomend this setup.

Trophy Front Brakes - http://www.csmgf.co.uk/darkside/wheels/TF160.jpg

MS 280 Discs on front - http://www.csmgf.co.uk/darkside/others/bigbrakes.jpg

MS 240 Discs on rear - http://www.csmgf.co.uk/darkside/others/Rear_disc.jpg
David Clelland

Information worth reading
ABS systems are covered
http://www.geocities.com/nosro/abs_faq/#What%20happens%20if%20I%20install%20aftermarket
Pad selection although EBC not shown
http://www.apracing.com/car/brakepad/performance.htm

This does indicate that Mintex 1166 is not suitable for road.

EBC information is on web site but there appears to be an error re redstuff in that cof is .4 rising to .5 when warmed.

Paul
Paul

This is the best explanation of the braking system

http://www.teamscr.com/grmbrakes.html

and simplest for understanding adding more front bias

http://www.stoptech.com/technical/balancedchart.htm

Paul
Paul

>> You're more or less stuck with the 240mm discs on the back because in this country you need to keep the original callipers which are connected to the handbrake. <<

David is quite right regarding the rear caliper: the law requires that the handbrake be a mechanical system independent of the main hydraulic system.

This doesn't necessarily mean that you have to retain the MGF rear brake caliper: a replacement caliper from another car could be used which opens up the possibility of larger diameter discs with greater thickness (the MGF rear calipers limit you to 240mm diameter, and around 10mm thickness). You could, for example, use 280mm rear discs on conjunction with Escort Cosworth rear calipers...
Rob Bell

This thread was discussed between 03/07/2004 and 05/07/2004

MG MGF Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGF Technical BBS is active now.