Brake pad's
Turbo Mini Forums

just read through some old topics on brake pads,

i have a metro vented 4-pot setup currently running standard unipart pads and vented disks, and no real complaints. but want to know if it can be improoved. non servo'd too.

general consesnus was mintex 1144's or some carbon metalic pad!?

i have no issues about ruining disks or wheels or the longevity of pads or disks, couldnt give a hoot so long as the brakes are better.

what are my options? i like the brakes to work when cold too, and have lots of bite. have had a few skary experiences on the motorway in the wet when the rain cools the disks/pads right down while just cruising along. usually requires one light application of the brake before applying it heavily.

Edited by evolotion on 15th May, 2008.

turbo 16v k-series 11.9@118.9 :)

Denis O'Brien.

If you want to avoid scary moments then avoid the 1144s, I found these terrible when cold and removed them.

I have green stuff on the front of mine at the moment, but I WOULDN'T recommend them.

The hillclimber uses Ferrodos (SP) which are pretty good, I have a feeling that they do a performance pad which might be what you are looking for, but I have no experience of them.

Fastest 998 mini in the world? 13.05 1/4 mile 106mph

I concure that the 1144 that I had many moons ago were brilliant once warm, but first press in the morning, were crap, even with a servo. I suspect that others will dispute this.

I have never been impressed with green stuff either.

http://www.twin-turbo.co.uk
http://www.hillclimbandsprint.co.uk/default.asp

A man without a project is like a like a woman without a shopping list.

my 1144's are the best pads i have had, far far better than green shit

hi , i can recommend the performance friction carbon metallic pads 83 ( now 01 ) compound , i have these fitted on my sprint car and modifed road car . i have previously tried ebc green , pagid rs15 grey and mintex 1144 , all of which lacked inital bite when cold the pagid and mintex being good when warm ( disc temp paint very useful ) , also ftied the pfc 93 compound but found these very snatchy when cold and to powerful in the wet .the only real downful is get used to cleaning your wheels as they do create alot of brake dust , hope this is of some help to you

I've used 1144's on a variety of cars and can't fault them TBH. I've also used and would recommend highly Ferodo DS2500, possibly even better than the Mintex, but expensive.
I wouldn't fit Greenstuff pads to my lawnmower, I have tried them and think they are utterly shite.

going along with the grain - the development work I did at Lotus a few years back with pads for Elise showed the following results:-

green pads - not usable at all - completely useless for road and track use

red stuff pads - different league all together and are a very good pad for road and track(you'll not be surprised to hear that EBC are all ex Ferodo bods and this pad works very similar to the DS pad - hmm wonder where they got the mix for the red stuff pad from!!)

DS2500 - as red stuff, possibly have the edge on performance

If Carling made Mini engines
it would probably be like this one!

Yes I agree John, the red pads are ace, the only trouble i found is they needed Some heat to work well. So not Ideal at speed on the motorway when cold.

Best 1/4 mile 13.2 seconds @116 mph
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I use black stuff in my 4pots, i believe they work really well from cold or warm.

Manchester Minis

Matt - you're right it will also depend on caliper/pad size as well

John

If Carling made Mini engines
it would probably be like this one!

:( brought green stuff pads for my build why oh why didnt i consult the guru's first!!!

iv used the DS2500's and mintex pads in other cars there good when warm yes, nbut i want a pad that bites even when cold. Mr 5ports rock has basically siad what i expected the Performance frition pads to be like. anyone else tried them (looking for a broad view) i never drive my car hard enough on public roads to fade brakes, even the standard unipart pads, so i dont really care much for silly high operating temps. tho from what i gather the carbon metalic pads can cope well in these situations too. any more views on the performance friction pads!? i dont mind brake dust so long as there good from cold.

turbo 16v k-series 11.9@118.9 :)

Denis O'Brien.

You want the moon on a stick!

There is always going to be a payoff between pads that work well cold and ones that work well hot. By the sounds of it with your vented setup ( is that right) you don't seem to have a overheating problem, so just decent road pads sound good to me. The standard ferodo pads we use in the hillclimber work well from cold and on a road mini I have never had a problem with them either.

http://www.twin-turbo.co.uk
http://www.hillclimbandsprint.co.uk/default.asp

A man without a project is like a like a woman without a shopping list.

If you want brakes that work straight from cold with no compromises then you won't beat standard pads from a decent supplier, so Unipart/Ferodo/Mintex.

i dont want the moon on a stick, i want road pad's that are good from cold, dont care to mcuh about hot as im not a hooligan, and i dont do trackdays. i just figured there may be a pad out there thats suitable for "sprints" and the like, where by its got a larger coeff of friction from cold than a normal road pad with some other tradeoff, like squeal, disk wear, dust etc. i am happy wiht the std unipart pads, but would like (as we all do i guess) something better

Edited by evolotion on 15th May, 2008.

turbo 16v k-series 11.9@118.9 :)

Denis O'Brien.

ive got black stuff in my 4 pots, ive had no probs from cold or even on a track day, second car ive run them on aswell

Hi,
Black stuff and EBC groove and spot disks, love 'em :)
Cheers,
Gavin )

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My Mini build diary

i have the same set up as you and have found the standard 4 pot pads to be very good from cold and have never cooked them yet.

main problem seems to be that the mini style master cylinder hasnt realy got enough dispacement to give a solid brake peddel so like you i have to give a quick dab before full application. mind you im using a single line cooper s mater cylinder, but have always been tempted to swap for a modern front rea spit mater cyl;inder but could never be bothered to change it.

always looking for them bigger bunches of bannanas

ive got a bias valve on my set up, it could aid the pedal feel for you