Guys,

My GD3 needs rotors, so I figured I might as well do the Mini Cooper brake upgrade. Before I order the parts, I figured I would check with you guys to make sure I am not overlooking anything.

I am ordering:
280mm rotors for a 09 Mini
wheel stud centric spacers/shims
calipers, brackets and pads for a 97 Type R Integra

I'm planning to use the stock MC (at least to start).

Other than possible caliper to wheel interference (I'm using Mini R81 wheels) is there anything else I need to be aware of.

Will stock GD3 brake lines work?

Am I gonna need to shim the rotors to be properly centered in the calipers?

Am I overlooking anything?

Thoughts?

-Bill

 

The stock brake lines will work. I did not need spacers to center the rotor. Was centered on it's own.

Research using TSX brake pads instead of the Integra pads. I went with them after reading that people found they match up to the mini cooper rotor better.

In case you aren't aware, you will need to trim the dust shield for the larger rotor. Otherwise, it's a bolt on operation.

 

Thanks for the response and the TSX brake pad recommendation.

Are there options for rear discs? It looks like Scarebird doesn't offer the caliper adapter brackets for the GD3 anymore.

Thanks again

- Bill

 

FastBrakes is the other option. The owner, Brian, is a good communicator. I'd reach out to him and see if he has the brackets in stock or when he's doing the next run. He also offers complete kits. FastBrakes also has an adapter that allows you to use your factory parking brake cables.

For rotors, you can get them from FastBrakes or you can source them yourself. I know of three options, but there's probably more.

1. Integra calipers and Integra rotors
2. RSX calipers with EP3 Si rotors
3. Fastbrakes kit with redrilled 11" rotors

I went with the RSX calipers and EP3 rotor which is 10.3". I felt that was a decent match for the Mini front rotors.

 

Thanks! Saved me ordering the wrong pads.

Also thanks for the Fastbrakes reccomendion!

I wasn't aware that they offered anything but full kits.

I appreciate the insight.

- Bill

 

I'm assuming you installed the bigger master cylinder with the full disc setup.

What's your impression of the your setup?

And is the parking brake worth a damn? Because I have always figured it would be downgraded with the rear discs compared with the drum parking brake.

- Bill

 

Yes, we installed the Accord 1" MC. It works well. I'm not sure it's functionally much better than just really good pads and rotors, but it sure looks a whole lot better! It's also obvious that the rear is actually doing something now based on the pads actually wearing. At almost 200k miles our stock rear shoes still had a ton of life left. I really don't think the factory drums do anything other than work as a parking brake.

As for the parking brake, yes it works. It's pretty much mandatory where we live because we're in the mountains and always parking on a hill. It does require pulling up harder on the parking brake handle, but it works.

 

Thanks. I think I'm going to hold off on the rear disk swap for the time being. I appreciate the advice!

- Bill