Calipers

[Paul Garvey]

As part of front suspension upgrade on my Mk2 Spitfire currently tackling the brakes - split a set of type 14's I've been given, blew out the pistons with compressed air and attacked them with a wirebrush on an electric drill.

Came up amazing and look like new.  The question is would they be OK as are or should I cadmium plate or paint?  I'd prefer to leave as is as they look that good but unsure if that's the best idea.  

Also as everything is new I'd appreciate thoughts on dot fluid v silicone - don't want dirty old Mintex 1144's and will look at something similar.

Many thanks,

Paul

[Deleted User]

Paint or plate them, keeps the rust off.
Do not go anywhere near silicone, I ran it for 3 years changed to Dot 5.1 never looked back.

I am running Ferrodo race pads, superb.

[Paul Garvey]

Many thanks - I'll go for dot5 & plate them. What serial/ref are the Ferodo pads?

Cheers

[CHRIS211083]

Hi guy's be careful with  dot 5.1 as it eats the rubber seals on older cars and should only be run with braided hoses as it will destroy the rubber ones. I would recommend Castrol responce dot 4 brake fluid. This is ok for standard brake lines and seals.

Chris.

[Paul Garvey]

Cheers Chris, much appreciated.

[uksnatcher]

Paul_Garvey wrote:

What serial/ref are the Ferodo pads?

Hi Paul...

http://www.ferodoracing.com/catalogue/detail_car_racing.php?cat=brake_pads&code=FCP809

For type 14 caliper (same pads fitted to Spitfire 1.3/1.5, Lotus Elan, Europa, Seven, Caterham 7, Volvo (rear) 240):

For reference: Mintex std,1144,1155 part no: MGB533

Ferodo DS part no: FCP809 H or R
You want DS2500 (H - fast road) or DS3000 (R - racing) compound

Bobbyspit has 3000 and loves them  8)

http://www.rallyshop.it/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=49_53_829_853&products_id=11981
http://www.cambridgemotorsport.com/shop_product.cfm/product_id/9851
http://www.cambridgemotorsport.com/shop_product.cfm/product_id/9853

Other quality pads inc:
HAWK part no: HB118
http://www.cambridgemotorsport.com/shop_product.cfm/product_id/9825
PAGID part no: MGB533 or 3102
http://www.merlinmotorsport.co.uk/BRAKE-PADS-PAGID/c468_469/p578/PAGID-FAST-ROAD-MGB533/product_info.html
http://www.driftworks.com/shop/car-parts/brakes/brake-pads/pagid-brake-pads/pagid-rs14-front-brake-pads-for-triumph-spitfire-1300-tc-70-14-4mm-thick-disc-girling-caliper.html ....eek... :(

PS dont forget decent tyres, otherwise you will be leaving black lines everywere...  

Gaz

[Paul Garvey]

Thanks Gaz - brilliant. Yep I've a set of Yokohamas.

[uksnatcher]

Paul_Garvey wrote:

Thanks Gaz - brilliant. Yep I've a set of Yokohamas.

185 Yoko A539 I hope (pray) not ditch finders

If so.....wise choice Paul..(dance)

I have 185 Toyo Proxies with 15" rims with 4 pot calipers (std DOT 4 fluid) and vented Citroen Saxo discs with 1144's...awsome brakes and grip but yes they are dirty pads...forever cleaning the wheels  :o

I used Hammerite matt gold brush painted on the wire brushed calipers BTW... no need for fancy stuff :)

[heraldcoupe]

2402 wrote:

Hi guy's be careful with  dot 5.1 as it eats the rubber seals on older cars  

What's the background to this, it's not something I've heard previously? Dot 4 and Dot 5.1 are both borate ester based, they should be theoretically compatible, miscible as well as benign towards the seals.
Do you know which rubber compounds are attacked by Dot 5.1?

Cheers,
Bill.

[Deleted User]

I do have braided hoses, but they still have rubber within the metal brade!
Never had a problem with any rubber seals failing.

Correct me if I am wrong.

Dot 5 is Silicone?

5.1 has a higher boiling temp?

Rob

[aar0sc]

I believe (and don't quote me on this) that 5.1 is racing fluid for a reason - it's very, very hydroscopic, and requires yearly changing. DOT 4 should be used in just about all cars; 3 if your car is old enough to be allergic to 4. Silicone should be avoided; or if you do use it change it yearly/every other year; as the water will sit in low points of the system and rust it. Also it has a nasty habit of gelling up...  ??)

[andy thompson]

3122 wrote:

I believe (and don't quote me on this) that 5.1 is racing fluid for a reason - it's very, very hydroscopic, and requires yearly changing. DOT 4 should be used in just about all cars; 3 if your car is old enough to be allergic to 4. Silicone should be avoided; or if you do use it change it yearly/every other year; as the water will sit in low points of the system and rust it. Also it has a nasty habit of gelling up...  ??)

Agree with this - 5.1 is Racing Fluid - completely over the top for a road car - I use DOT 4 on the track with no issues - I have use DOT5.1 but its way expensive and very hygroscopic. Unless you have very marginal brakes in a competition car (ie have to use standard brakes on a heavy historic car) or are endurance racing it isn't really required.

DOT 5 is silicone. It gives a spongey pedal and can affect seals - nasty stuff and any water in the lines will just sink to the lowest point and boil or rust things out. Wouldn't touch it with a barge pole.

http://www.motorcycleproject.com/motorcycle/text/cows-brakefluid.html

The key it seems is to use good DOT4 and change it every 2 years

[Deleted User]

I have used 5.1 ever since getting rid of the silicone (which I found ok apart from the spongy feeling pedal) since changing to 5.1 and new pads (ferodo racing pads from Max at Totally triumph £60) brake pedal is SOLID, and brakes are superb. As Gaz said I now need sticky tyres as the front can lock up (but very predictable)

[andy thompson]

bobyspit wrote:

I have used 5.1 ever since getting rid of the silicone (which I found ok apart from the spongy feeling pedal) since changing to 5.1 and new pads (ferodo racing pads from Max at Totally triumph �60) brake pedal is SOLID, and brakes are superb. As Gaz said I now need sticky tyres as the front can lock up (but very predictable)

Ferodo DS2500 and 3000's are both superb pads although I think you may be changing discs pretty frequently with the DS3000.

[junkuser]

Do those race pads give good bite when cold, as in normal commuting use or do they have to be hot to perform well?

[andy thompson]

I have found them fine from cold but you may want to ask Nick Jones or other people without servos -

[Deleted User]

Oh yes the bite is very good, even from cold. I don't have a servo but fully braded all round. Great pads.

Andy, Discs are cheaper than the pads ;D Its worth it, I have a spare set of discs anyway so don't mind.
Looking forward to testing these to the max in europe on those passes ;)