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MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical - MGB V8 Rover Brakes

1978 MGB V8 Rover
We are about to upgrade front disc brakes. We are looking at drilled or slotted rotors. Does anyone know which is better? I assume it is fine to just replace existing 2-piston calipers with new. Does any one have an opiion on this? I see some talk about 4 piston. Is this necessary? Or perferred? Should we use semi-metal pads or the green (kevlar?) ones? Any info would help. We are replacing master cylinder also. Any input from anyone on this? We plan on getting most equipment from Victoria British. There are others to choose from but I do not have any information on one versus the other. Again, any input/info would be appreciated.
Doug

Doug,

If needed slotted. 4 pots increases brake torque slightly and improves pad stability and if you keep same piston area does not really change brake balance front to rear. Upgrades are for heat lose if you have pad fade, unless you wish to change balance.

Some semi metal pads may squeal more than others, green Kevlar can be hard on discs and not well suited for occasional track use, but suitable for road use.

Paul
Paul

Doug,

This is one of the best sites for general brake info
Link is to rotors

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

The Wilwood kits - should fit a 14in wheel but you would need to check - are available 4 pot Vented rotors standard size or + and same piston area or + (this will increase pedal travel) in road or race calipers, the vented will weigh more but calipers are lighter so balances out any unsprung weight issues.

Paul
Paul

Doug,

I don't know what you are currently using (full GT V8 setup?).
The pads from some Ford Transits are the same as B GT V8 pads. Both these pads will suit the standard B caliper and provide larger pad area. To get rid of the heat, I use cross-drilled Peugeot discs. You can also use drilled B discs. Depends on your setup.
Vented discs are very good, but require a larger investment. But Willwood kit maybe cheap in the US?
Pad choice: lots has been said about this. I use the cheapest pad I can find. They sometimes squeel a bit, but don't fade. I also have the current Lucas OE pads for the GT V8, and they are very good. The best that I have tried is the Greenstuff pad.

I don't know what your starting point is; what you currently have on your car.

Frank
Frank de Groot

Standard factory V8 calipers and pads are handed - there is an inner pad and an outer, they won't fit properly the other way round. If you get non-handed pads one may fit and the other not. Don't forget that if you increase the retardation at the front for a given fluid pressure and don't change things at the rear you will shift the brake balance towards the front. This means that when the front brakes are at their maximum effectiveness i.e. just before locking there is *less* retardation at the rear and hence *less* retardation overall.
Paul Hunt

As for all I know OE V8 pads are only handed in that one side has a little cut out. The pads I fit because both the pads have this little cut out. So I don't know how to see which side is the right. Therefore I assume that they are not handed anymore? Especially because they fit?

Frank
Frank de Groot

This thread was discussed between 29/01/2004 and 01/02/2004

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