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Uprating Brakes


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If you're upgrading brakes or even just replacing hoses, the braided type are worth having - but stick to a decent brand, you get what you pay for.

 

From personal experience, I'd rather source uprated brakes from S&S. TR7 standard issue front was barely adequate at the time, and for sure not too much cop today, especially if pressing on. You could use TR8 spec, 2.8 Capri kit, or even the 4-pot Princess fitments in ascending order of stopping power - and price. There is more exotic stuff available, but unnecessary unless you have an awful lot of horses (200+) to rein in. The rear drums are fine assuming they're 5-speed items, and you can always fit 4-speed cylinders as a minor upgrade assuming you have a decent right leg.

 

If you're not in a hurry, I have probably half a dozen sets of s/h uprated brakes, some good 'as is' other calipers in need of reconditioning, but I won't be getting round to sorting them until probably Xmas time - not that high on my priority list, I'm sorting through my surplus methodically, the Wedge items won't be for a while yet.

 

Cheers,

 

Alec

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If you're upgrading brakes or even just replacing hoses, the braided type are worth having - but stick to a decent brand, you get what you pay for.

 

From personal experience, I'd rather source uprated brakes from S&S. TR7 standard issue front was barely adequate at the time, and for sure not too much cop today, especially if pressing on. You could use TR8 spec, 2.8 Capri kit, or even the 4-pot Princess fitments in ascending order of stopping power - and price. There is more exotic stuff available, but unnecessary unless you have an awful lot of horses (200+) to rein in. The rear drums are fine assuming they're 5-speed items, and you can always fit 4-speed cylinders as a minor upgrade assuming you have a decent right leg.

 

If you're not in a hurry, I have probably half a dozen sets of s/h uprated brakes, some good 'as is' other calipers in need of reconditioning, but I won't be getting round to sorting them until probably Xmas time - not that high on my priority list, I'm sorting through my surplus methodically, the Wedge items won't be for a while yet.

 

Cheers,

 

Alec

 

 

 

 

Thanks, Alec. I don't want anything exotic, since I am happy to stay with the standard power output. I certainly don't want to go to the expense of having to get larger wheels. The standard alloys are in good nick and look nice. I just want the feeling that the car will stop when I stamp on the pedal! I am planning to play with car over the winter, so could wait a while for you to sort over what you have got, if you have anything that will fit and be an improvement. By the way, it is a late model drophead, one of the last ones made on a 'Y' plate.

 

ATB

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Hi Tom,

 

you have a reply.

 

For everyone else's benefit, Tom was enquiring if I had spare any of the bolts, or rather setscrews, that hold the brake disc onto the hub. I haven't, as it happens. You might care to note that they are UKC4817 and expensive as a TR7 part, or half the price or less for the same item numbered BTA370 for proper Minis (as opposed to the BMW thingies).

 

Cheers,

 

Alec

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i have the Ford Capri 2-8inj brakes i.e vented disc's and calipers and i cant fault em', easy to get parts and pads/anti-rattle squeal kit, :D

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Yep I'd have to agree the Ford brakes are excellent for the road and apart from being available through S&S as a TR kit, you can also get the M16 calipers/service kits, pads and discs from any number of Ford specialists if you need them separately- Rally Design, Peter Lloyd Rallying, Burton Performance Products, Europa, etc. Because these parts are common to the MkII Escort RS2000 and Capri 2.8i amongst others and are very popular in both the rally and kit car worlds. The only TR-specific parts are an adapter block that bolts between the Ford disc and the TR hub and that comes with the S&S kit, plus the hoses and fittings. I don't think Rimmers do this kit, not sure about Robsport who are helpful, they could probably get hold of it.

 

IIRC a couple of tips: The S&S kit will have the discs specified for the RS/2.8i and suitable pads. Other Fords such as the Grandad MKII used discs which looked the same and would cross-fit, but they were not heat-treated as well nor made from the same alloy of steel. So if replacing the discs alone in future from somewhere else, insist on RS/2.8i, you know it makes sense! Why mention disc replacement? Well the Grandad was notorious for warping its discs, but even though the TR/2.8i/RS are lighter, the brakes get used harder, yes ;) ? I had a pair warp on my TR, the tip I was given was that if using them hard, after parking up, just roll the car 1/2 a wheel turn after 30 seconds and then again, to dissipate heat, which otherwise would be concentrated in one point through the caliper and pads.

 

PS if you want lighter calipers or just bling, Hi-Spec Motorsport or Wilwood supply a modern, direct replacement for the M16 in light aluminium, anodised in red, blue etc.

 

The M16 and vented disc, together with decent pads, give an useful upgrade in power, more importantly better fade resistance, without upsetting the brake movement/pressure ratio greatly, i.e. ending up with a long pedal. Fitting smaller-bore rear wheel cylinders from the 4-speed axle to replace the 5-speed ones can help here if you're not quite happy with the result. Much bigger calipers tend to end up needing the TR8 or SD1 master cylinder and uprated servo to balance things up again,

 

Cheers

Alan

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And now the million-£££$$$€€€¥¥¥ question:

Does this Ford setup with RS/2.8i vented disks and M16 (or Wilwood all-bling alloy M16) calliper

fit comfortably within the TR8 alloy wheel rims? And/Or within the TR7 steel rims?

 

Any part numbers?

Edited by Odd
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Yes they do but very tight

 

this is my wheel with the 2.8i calipers on it and if you look you can see a small scuff mark where the caliper hit the wheel

 

DSC00205.jpg

 

So i did increase the wheel size to 15" mg tf wheels

 

DSC00769.jpg

 

then I upgraded to EBC Vented grooved and potted discs with green stuff pads

 

DSC00756.jpg

 

DSC00759.jpg

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OK,

for purity reasons I'd never change the TR8 rims out for something else

(as long as no-one starts making them in 14", or possibly 15"?)

It's a unique design, well worth keeping imho...

 

But a (red?) anodized aluminium alloy calliper and a vented EBC disk

MIGHT be a VERY good idea - if I could keep the outward look of the TR8...

 

Sooo - I definitely need part numbers - please! Anyone?

 

I can probably buy most of it locally here in Sweden as long as I know

exactly what to order. ( And - I've got a pair of Ted Schumacher's big

bearing front hubs that might be JUST the ones to improve further with

this brake kit idea...)

Edited by Odd
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Here's one to contemplate, I have fitted ventilated classic Range Rover discs & callipers to my TR7. I have MGF 15" wheels fitted. To date I have done only a few hundred miles but they are phenomenal. The down side is they are heavy (8kg) more on each side so I wouldn't go racing with them. The up side is they are easy to get hold of & they did stop something weighing 2tons.

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