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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Race brake pads

Can anyone recommend which pads i should fit for my first race after 10 or so years of sprints?

standard discs and callipers, good fluid, 6" alloys with sticky tyres.

I have on the shelf DS11 pads, 171's and 1144's. which would be best?

thanks
d cusworth

I could say DS11 and tell us how you get on, then I'd know whether my original set are worth keeping!
Never used 171s, and 1144s are a bit soft for my liking, I use 1155s from Magic midget. Car spec, race duration and your driving style all need to be factored in too.
David Smith

David - in ansewer to your questions,

road going modified
20 mins or (11 mins and a red flag)
I do not have a driving style yet! maybe backwards into the gravel on lap 2
d cusworth

I would agree with David, the 1155s are the most popular, I get mine from Peter May but Magic Midget or even Questmead should be able to help. The 171s are also good and the DS11s are a bit 'Old Skool' now and whilst very good in their day, I think they have limitations campared with the 1155s.
For fast road and even occasional Track Day use, the 1144s are superb, but for a race meeting, I think they would have their limitations too.
Don't forget to 'bed in' correctly.

Mark.
M T Boldry

I started on 1144's for the first season then went to 1155's - much better.
John Collinson

I think i will give the 'old skool' (as they say in Essex) DS11's a go as i think the others are more suitable for sprints and would go off if i am lucky enough to last past the third lap!
d cusworth

Mintex 1144 is the direct modern day equivalent of the old M171 compound and is only suitable for 'fast road' or sprint/hillclimb use. It is not really even suitable for track day use.

Ferodo DS11 is an old race pad and IMO doesn't really stack up against modern compounds since it just will not bite from cold but requires the temps to be up around 250C.

Personally we use Mintex 1177 since this will bite from around 100C and gives excellent fade resistance with a good pedal 'feel' (it's the equivalent to the old M200 compound developed for the BTCC Series in the late '80's - despite this it works well in a light car).

Other alternatives to look at are the Pagid RS14 or RS15 compounds, or the Hawk HT10 or Blue 9012 compounds.
Deborah Evans

I found M171 struggled to hack on a fast road car and could fade the material (Mintex told me this was impossible for road use!).

I've used Hawk pads for a while now and have been very impressed with the initial grab and bite. One brake dyno I haven't seen any different between Hawk and the modern Mintex compounds.

When you say 'good' brake fluid what do you mean?
Daniel Thirteen-Twelve

in my case Castrol SRF, but I'll let Danny answer....
David Smith

as far as i remember it's called "ate racing blue"

I am aware its not as good as SRF et al,but seems to be less hygroscopic. also in 2 colours blue and amber. I think blue is much more sporty, don't you?
d cusworth

Racing brake fluids are usually MORE hygroscopic than road fluids. This doesn't matter as they are more likely to be changed monthly (racely..) than annually or not at all.

What DOT is it and what is the dry boiling point (wet as well if you don't plan on changing it monthly)?
Daniel Thirteen-Twelve

I meant less than typical race fluids

280c dry
198c wet
DOT 4

d cusworth

That is good but I bet the price isn't.
Daniel Thirteen-Twelve

£20 per litre.. + discount
d cusworth

That's similar to the Castrol 'Response' that we use (draining and refilling at the start of the season):

Dry Boiling Point 280ºC

Wet Boiling Point ca 190ºC

Super Dot 4.

We've had absolutely no braking problems using this, and at £13.35 per litre it's way cheaper than SRF (£42.25) and less hygroscopic than AP551 or AP600.
Deborah Evans

but mine is a lovely blue colour.
d cusworth

I was using ATE Blue when I had total brake failure and wrote off Max's last Midget at Zandvoort back in '04; don't think it was the fluid's fault but haven't used it since. SRF is available much cheaper than list on the bay of E...
David Smith

er, thanks for that David - I think! (another thing to worry about!)
d cusworth

Hi Danny

Lift off early for corners, and let the engine and poor aerodynamics slow you down. Try to anticipate other drivers, so there's no need for emergency braking. Don't accelerate hard when you know you'll be breaking for the next bend...

... in this way you can keep your pads/disks and fluid nice and cool.

It worked well for Honda over 2 or more seasons.

A
Anthony Cutler

I also found that 1144's were not up to track days, but have had no problems with 1155's at all, road or track days (bit heavier car (Minor), and was until recently on Midget front discs).

This year am using AP Racing DOT 5.1 - sensible price and good spec.

Richard
Richard Wale

Anthony - always good advise! ( even though it contradicts long term mg racer David Coulthard- no not that one!)

I think the gravel traps which are usualy on my "racing" line will do a good enough job in slowing my progress!
d cusworth

Ive always used halfords dot 5.1 for abs systems, never a problem (much cheaper too) and 1155s are just fine!!!

Cheers

Mark
Mark Turner

This thread was discussed between 15/04/2009 and 21/04/2009

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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