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MG MGF Technical - Trophy discs and calipers

I am thinking of upgrading my MGF to Trophy discs and calipers. Can anyone tell me if these will fit under the 16" Abingdon MGF wheels as I have been told that a spacer is required.
The only other alternative obviously being to use 16" Trophy wheels but I would rather keep my Abingdon ones if possible.
Thank you
Steve Owen

Steve, I am sorry to say that the AP racing brakes do not fit behind your 16" wheels. I've tried it, and it is a no-no. The profile of the inside of the wheel prohibits it - the caliper interferes with the spokes - and sadly, a spacer won't do the trick.

The spacer trick only works with the 16" multi-spokes.

Only option is to change to a different wheel style - sorry about that.
Rob Bell

Hi Rob,
Very many thanks for such a prompt response.

Disappointed yes - but at least I now feel that I have good honest reliable information and know exactly where I stand.

Many thanks again
Steve
Steve Owen

Steve

Does this mean you have a set of Trophy disks and calipers going cheap????!!!!!.....
Kevin

Are you upgrading from standard discs and pads, Steve? If so, just sticking on a set of standard-sized EBC grooved'n'drilled discs and putting on some better pads* will lead to a dramatic increase in stopping ability. Having done this, I don't think I'd want much more stopping power, as I'd just be locking the wheels!

HTH
Jamie

* I've got, and really like, EBC greenstuff, and am told Mintex 1144 to 1177 pads work well too. Rob Bell swears by 1177s, IIRC.
J Wakeham

kevin

Steve could be looking for a cheap set of wheels to use with his disks.
JohnP

You're right Jamie - I'm delighted with the 1177s on my car, used in combination with standard sized Roversport/ MG Sport and Racing grooved discs front and rear :o)
Rob Bell

Steve,

Where are you in Norfolk, I live on the Norfolk/Suffolk border and would like to meet some fellow owners, especially if they have also been seduced by the darkside.

I would definately recomend wot Rob says above, sell your Trophy disks/calipers - they would look great under my Trophy alloys............
Kevin s

Rob,

Been meaning to ask this for ages!
I've heard it suggested that 1177s are only *really* good when heated up a bit, a la trackday, and therefore something like 1144s or Greenstuff might actually be more effective for road use. Any thoughts?

Like I said, though - I honestly think that I'd be locking my wheels all the time if I had more braking power than I already have. The first time I had to stand on the brakes a bit hard after the upgrade I locked all four immediately (cadence!cadence!) in the dry at about 50mph.

Jamie
J Wakeham

Jamie, in my experience, the 1177s are absolutely brilliant from cold - infact far better than the 1166s, which really do need a little heat in them to get them working.

The 1177s have a broad operating termperature too - so yes, they are ideal for track work too - but to say that tracks is all they are good for is an error.

Having said that, 1144s seem excellent as well, and I don't think that you'd have problems with these as road pads. Not tried 1155s, but I'd avoid 1166s for road use.
Rob Bell

Kevin - I live near to Downham Market in Norfolk - but sorry to cheap brake kit for you - try eBay !

Jamie - thanks for the advice - I am presently using EBC Greenstuff but on Std discs. Interesting to hear your experience of their discs also - may try them thanks.

Rob - very interested to hear what you say about the Mintex pads. The range sounds very similar to the EBC range - Greenstuff are a good all rounder especially if a little track day work is required - the next ones up are Redstuff and I have found these far too hard for the road - need lots of heat in them before working well whilst the next grade up again being the Yellowstuff pads work very well from cold and have an extended top end working temp range. (There are 2 grades of Yellowstuff - both sold as for race use - it is the softer of the two that I have / am using).

Thanks to all
Steve
Steve Owen

I found EBC green stuff to be rather fragile for track day use Steve - the pads were cracking up badly, and the rears wore out in next to no time.

I gather that EBC have recently changed their pad formulation, but wether they really are up for some hard track use, I am not sure.

Don't EBC say that their pads are fast road, and not really suited for track?
Rob Bell

Nothing new IMO.
They are still standard blck, or Greenstuff, Redstuff and Yellowstuff.
Same range where to use.
http://www.powerstop.co.uk/brakepads.htm
May be the price changed.
Dieter K.

Hmm. Are Fs 'light' race cars, or does that mean Lizzies and caterhams?

I changed my discs and pads at the same time, Steve, so can't say how much of the improvement is due to the discs. Perhaps you'd not notice any difference (until you got to the sort of temperatures where the cooling effect became pronounced, which I suspect is only going to happen on a track). Or are different discs 'grippier' than one another?

Might try some 1177s next time, then, Rob - although I'd hope that'll be a while from now!

Jamie
J Wakeham

The frictional coefficient of all iron based discs are near enough identical - however, not all discs are equal, when you factor in design features such as cooling (venting, cross drilling etc), and grooving.

Get a disc too hot, and the pads will fade (start to work at temperatures beyond their thermal range - dramatic reductions of coefficient of friction) - so venting and shear physical size are 'good things' as these features increase surface area for cooling. Not sure about cross-drilling - it can weaken the disc...

Grooves are a good feature as it clears dust from the friction contact surfaces, and even better, clears superheated gas at the interface between pad and disc.

A bit more on this topic here: http://www.mgf.ultimatemg.com/group2/brakes/index.htm
Rob Bell

This thread was discussed between 29/09/2004 and 05/10/2004

MG MGF Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGF Technical BBS is active now.