MG MGB and MGB GT Tech Talk
i have got a pair of mgb calipers and need to replace someones mg midget calipers.
will the mgb calipers fit on the midget, as ths would make life alot easier because a new set of midget calipers is around £120 i think.
thanks , david
looks like nobody knows.
you've got the car, the calipers, so try it to see.
There is an "upgrade" for Spridget brakes that uses MGB calipers and Spitfire rotors... Its not just a simple bolt-on, I'm afraid... see the "Modern Midget" series in Classic Motorsport for details.
I was trying to find the article in Classic Motorsports, but I have misplaced my issue number 120. It figures. As I recall from the article, it is not a direct bolt on, but it was done easily in the magazine.
Hopefully someone here will have that issue laying around, and let you know. Sorry I couldn't be more help.
This was something that was first allowed on SCCA F-production Spridgets, now allowed on all Spridgets racing in the SCCA. I've probably installed a half dozen of these kits, it can be a bit tricky due to no two rotors or spindle castings seem to be exactly the same. You first have to have a adapter that goes from the Spridet hub to the spitfire rotor to make it work, these are sold by Winners Circle, a popular Spridget racing goodies parts place, <http://www.spridget.com>, then you need a set of Spitfire rotors ( I recommend Brembos ) than a set of MGB claipers. No two installtions are the same, and you really need the use of a mill and lathe to install this kit on a Spridget, many times the cailper mounting ears have to thinned on the mill to center the caliper over the rotor, sometimes one of the two mounting holes has well has to be slightly changed, then there a few places on the rotor and shock arm that have to have some massaging for clearence, also I only used these kits on race car where we were using heim joints for outer tie rod ends not the big bulky factory outer tie rods, so I have no idea if that would be a clearence issue as well I higly recommend you have the use of a mill and lathe for installing one of these kits, and really unless you are seriously racing one of these cars I don't really see the need for it anyway in my opinion, the stock brakes can be made to be better with better pads and air ductings.
I did the MGB kit on the Classic Motorsports Midget and Hap's got it described pretty well. Bottom line is if you're trying to save money, rebuild your stock calipers. If you want more brakes, it's okay, but a lot of work. We used stock tie rod ends, which gave us wheel clearance problems, too. We solved it after trying several sets of 14" wheels...
--Carl
mgb65 Wrote:
Hey, when I wrote the story, one of the first things I said was:
"We found that even simple upgrades are not so simple..."
But you're right, sometimes we make things easier than they are...
--Carl
Carl, I have got to say that you do great work. I must have read the articles five times. I would love to have the equipment to do the work you guys did on that Midget.
Keep up the great work.
Ron,
Glad you read the article five times. I think we had the brakes on and off five times!
--Cal
carlheideman Wrote: