Brakes - Rear brake bias adjustment

When altering the front brake set-up away from the standard installation, it invariably alters the amount of rear brake bias needed to re-balance the cars brake balance.

The problems start occurring when folk graft alternative brake set-ups onto the front of their Minis. Be this 7.5" discs onto a previously drum-braked model, or going from current standard disc set-ups to one of the 4-pot varieties. The question then is 'what bore size rear wheel-cylinders do I need?' Unfortunately this isn't straightforward. Actually, that's not strictly true - more on this later. The pressure developed in the lines determines brake effectiveness - aside from disc size, pad type, co-efficient of friction, etc. that is. Understanding this may assist in choosing which way you should go for your particular set-up.

The basic facts you need to remember when dealing with brake pressures is how they are affected by the components you use.

C-AJJ4008 ADJUSTABLE REAR ANTI-ROLL BAR FITTING INSTRUCTIONS

Jack rear of car up, and place securely on axle stands, positioned to allow maximum access to rear subframe/rear radius arms area. Remove rear exhaust hanger to exhaust clamp or un-hook rubber loop on late type cars. Using suitable saw, cut off centralising tab from bottom center of subframe rear cross member. Remove rear wheels and brake drums. Remove upper most and rear most brake back plate to radius arm nuts and bolts.

21A1091 - Fitting Instructions - Heavy Duty Adjustable Tie Rods

These rods have been produced to improve car stability when cornering and braking and to facilitate easy adjustment of caster angle. Manufactured from a high-grade material in a much bigger diameter they are less susceptible to bending than the standard items.

C-STR627 Tie Bar Bush kit for every use

IMPORTANT NOTE
The use of very stiff or hard tie rod bushes on both side of the subframe bracket is most definitely NOT recommended.

Use the hard poly bush (often marked Minispares) on the outside only and the soft rubber bush on the inner side. This is to prevent the tie rod end shearing off through over-stressing when tightening up the retaining nut to achieve the required seating of the retaining washer against the step on the tie...

Mini Production dates

We have tried to get together as complete list as possible to show all the models made from 1985 onwards, hopefully this will help identify those cars that have been modified over the years. If you have any information that you know is correct or anything that you think is not right please let us know.

Donington Park Race Report - We are the Champions

You always get the odd bad looser in motor racing and I don't let muppets spoil my day, LOL.

Historical Article - Nov 1991 - Richard Mansfield's Twini Mini

Our customers car is a 1962 Austin Mini, which originally cost £250.00 and now looks absolutely standard and truly immaculate. Only when you look inside do you realise it is a car with a difference. Richard has already restored two Coopers to a very high standard and his criterior on the Twini was to use as many secondhand production car parts as possible to keep the cost down.

Historical Article - Nov 1991 - Richard Mansfield's Twini Mini

Our customers car is a 1962 Austin Mini, which originally cost £250.00 and now looks absolutely standard and truly immaculate. Only when you look inside do you realise it is a car with a difference. Richard has already restored two Coopers to a very high standard and his criterior on the Twini was to use as many secondhand production car parts as possible to keep the cost down.

Historical Article - Nov 1992 - Little Red Booster - fastest road legal mini

In the November 1991 issue of Mini Tech News, we found ourselves with a half page to fill, and for no particular reason really, decided to throw a picture of our man Phil Oram’s recently departed Riley Elf racer...

Historical Article - Nov 1992 - Little Red Booster 2

A strange choice, you might think, for inclusion in Mini Tech News but, surprisingly the GTM has more Mini parts on it than the Elf! (because the Elf is nearly all space frame).

Historical Article - Nov 1992 - Little Red Booster 2

A strange choice, you might think, for inclusion in Mini Tech News but, surprisingly the GTM has more Mini parts on it than the Elf! (because the Elf is nearly all space frame).

Historical Article - October 1993 - Converting WET to DRY suspension

Converting WET to DRY suspension The following is a practical way of converting your wet suspension to dry, acknowledging the fact that with enough skill, enterprise and facilities...

Historical Article-August 1994- 8-Port Final Set Up

8-Port Final Set Up The final setting up of the Mini was accomplished over the Easter holiday and in April I played around with the different Konis and ended up with Koni sports as supplied new, set soft on the rear, with the Monte specials set fairly hard on the front to stop the tramping effect (throttle steer)....

Historical Article-August 1994- 8-Port Final Set Up

8-Port Final Set Up The final setting up of the Mini was accomplished over the Easter holiday and in April I played around with the different Konis and ended up with Koni sports as supplied new, set soft on the rear, with the Monte specials set fairly hard on the front to stop the tramping effect (throttle steer)....

Historical Article-February 1995-Cooper body shell

Cooper Body Shell The Heritage specialists fit a shell at the Classic Car show at the N.E.C. Only the latest type production bodyshells are available from Rover, who in their infinite wisdom have reduced the price from £1 ,700 to £950, which may help keep a few more cars on the road.

Historical Article-February 1995-Cooper body shell

Cooper Body Shell The Heritage specialists fit a shell at the Classic Car show at the N.E.C. Only the latest type production bodyshells are available from Rover, who in their infinite wisdom have reduced the price from £1 ,700 to £950, which may help keep a few more cars on the road.

Swiftune’s re-creation of the Longman 1275 GT

It was decided to build the 1978/79 British touring car championship winning Richard Longman 1275GT. The original car still exists remaining just as Richard stepped out of it in 79 and would be sacrilege to rebuild the car to modern...

Thank you IMM 2014

THANK YOU-IMM 2014—BEST International Mini Meet ever WITH A REBUILD FOR CHARITY

The mini spares team arrived on the Thursday 31st July at the Kent show ground and people were clambering over the posh marquee before all the superb displays and stock could properly be set up.

Also on display was Keith Dodd’s cut down Bronze Yellow Cooper S Mk3 Sprint