s99sdp Posted February 5, 2019 Report Share Posted February 5, 2019 Has anyone upgraded the front brakes on a Mk 3 Spitfire to discs? Is it possible and and if so, any pointers on costs and parts would be appreciated. SP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted February 5, 2019 Report Share Posted February 5, 2019 All spitfires had discs at the front. Does yours have drums?! Or do you mean rears? Or fit bigger discs/calipers at the front? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s99sdp Posted February 7, 2019 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2019 Hi Clive. I know its wrong to compare them to modern day cars but I was wondering if anything could be done to help give more confidence to the braking. I was assuming there may be a bigger disc /caliper kit? SP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougbgt6 Posted February 7, 2019 Report Share Posted February 7, 2019 SP, GT6 front disks are bigger and an option. Mintex brake pads, expensive but well worth it, the difference is astonishing. A servo doesn't make braking better, but much more like a modern, I wouldn't be without mine. Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted February 8, 2019 Report Share Posted February 8, 2019 A spitfire with brakes in good condition should stop you very well indeed. As Doug mentions, brake pad choice is important. Modern friction material has a lower coefficient of friction (not so "grippy") so such pads are not great on out cars. The Mintex 1144 (1144 being the important bit) are as close as you will get to the original spec brake material, and are very god indeed. Part number is MGB533 1144 If the callipers are all in good fettle with the pistons moving freely, they will be fine. If the brake discs look at all "iffy" then replace, they are cheap and no need for anything special. Check the brake master master cylinder. It should have stamped on the side the bore, it should be 5/8 or 0.65. If it has been replaced with a different bore (0.70 or worse 0.75) then that will make the brakes feel very wooden/lifeless At the rear a check that the brakes are all working correctly, and adjusted (disconnect the handbrake cable, adjust the brakes, then reconnect the cable) Lastly, if that is all OK, it may be that the change for a modern car with a big servo is too much of a surprise. Then you may want to consider adding a servo to assist your right leg. "Just" fitting a big brake kit will not change the effort required to stop the car, it will just stop faster and do it with less danger of brake fade coming down Stelvio pass.....especially if vented. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave.vitesse Posted February 8, 2019 Report Share Posted February 8, 2019 I agree with Doug and Clive. From by point of view the brakes work well on the Spit as it's quite a light car. You will find bigger disc/calipers will require great effort on the pedal and may require a servo. Sounds as if the brakes may require an overhaul and a change of pad type. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted February 8, 2019 Report Share Posted February 8, 2019 SP, Here's another to say that your brakes may need renovating. Another related problem with classics is that the tyres become too old before they wear out, through low mileage. TYres hould not be used if they are more than six or seven years old - they get hard and lose their grip, as the rubber ages. It's true of humans, why not tyres?! John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougbgt6 Posted February 8, 2019 Report Share Posted February 8, 2019 1 hour ago, JohnD said: TYres hould not be used if they are more than six or seven years old - they get hard and lose their grip, as the rubber ages. It's true of humans, why not tyres?! Fully agree with that, but when does this getting hard start with me? db Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted February 8, 2019 Report Share Posted February 8, 2019 3 minutes ago, dougbgt6 said: Fully agree with that, but when does this getting hard start with me? db I noticed that, and decided there must be something in the Northern Water that is very different to what we get. Maybe they add more than just fluoride? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rogerguzzi Posted February 8, 2019 Report Share Posted February 8, 2019 1 hour ago, JohnD said: SP, Here's another to say that your brakes may need renovating. Another related problem with classics is that the tyres become too old before they wear out, through low mileage. TYres hould not be used if they are more than six or seven years old - they get hard and lose their grip, as the rubber ages. It's true of humans, why not tyres?! John Hello All I did some work on an MGB recently (for our lady group leader it was her 1st car!) The tyres were 3 digit date code(**9) which made them 20 years old!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But they would have passed an MOT no problem? I fitted a set of Falkens and a cheaper one for a spare as recommended by Clive and others about £270 the lot Now I know when she puts the brakes on in a hurry they will stop her(or I could have fitted nice shiny bumpers like some do?) Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted February 8, 2019 Report Share Posted February 8, 2019 Hard, as in difficult to bend. Arthritis, or a certain resistance to persuasion, compared to tread that will skid on knobbly tarmac. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted February 8, 2019 Report Share Posted February 8, 2019 "Ding Dong" (in a Leslie Phillips voice) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted February 8, 2019 Report Share Posted February 8, 2019 2 hours ago, JohnD said: Hard, as in difficult to bend. It usually is, speaking from personal experience. I don't remember the rubber ever wearing out, either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thescrapman Posted February 11, 2019 Report Share Posted February 11, 2019 When I recommissioned my Herald estate I fitted. A set of new pads and discs from a spares car. I reckon the pads would have worked better if made from cardboard. The brake s were horrific! A set of pads and discs from a canley classics and stopping was restored. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gully Posted February 11, 2019 Report Share Posted February 11, 2019 Had to carry out an emergency stop in the GT6 weekend before last when a car decided to turn right across my lane without looking - nothing wrong with the standard set up if it's in good fettle! Gully Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s99sdp Posted April 11, 2019 Author Report Share Posted April 11, 2019 Thanks for all the comments, I'd forgotten I'd posted this question (I didn't flick the 'notify me of replies' switch), please accept my apologies. We'd already replaced the pads and the car is sitting on brand new tyres so a couple of your suggestions are already covered. We bled the brakes again at the weekend and tightened everything up properly but I still fell the brakes could be a little better. Its more than safe to drive so I think I'll complete the other interior work Ive started on and return to the brakes in a couple of weeks. New discs wont hurt at all and refurbishing the callipers at the same time is only going to benefit me. I'm not a mechanic at all so all these bits that I push myself to do are a bit of a challenge as I panic a little that I'm creating myself the perfect death trap although I haven't it quite yet. SP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted April 11, 2019 Report Share Posted April 11, 2019 The standard brakes wont feel like a modern cos they need more effort but then should still be pretty effective. As mentioned above I found the pads used makes a big difference.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now