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Bugeye brake upgrade?

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Steve P.

Steve P.

Jedi Hopeful
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Looking forward to Spring when I'll get to pull the Bugeye
project out of storage. Most mechanical work is done with
only the brakes left. I have already installed disc brakes
from a later Midget, but I'd like to do better than this.
Has anyone added power assist to a Spridget for a
reasonable price? I'd sure be interested in the details.
 
Why? Mine's heavier than yours by perhaps 25% and I feel that the pedal effort is fairly minimal. The comparison being my '85 BMW, which is power assisted, but not so much as to be soft. On the other hand, my girlfriend's 2001 or 02 VW Beetle is so soft that it's difficult for me to control the braking (if you just touch it, the brakes come on rather suddenly). I personally prefer the firmer feel with maximum effect coming gradually than the rather soft, less linear response of a strong power assist.

However, if that's what you're interested in, I think that Victoria British used to offer an inline servo for use with british cars. Late model B's have power assisted brakes, but the mounting of the MC is reversed. I wouldn't recommend trying to adapt it.
 
One upgrade over the stock Spridget disc brakes would be to use MGB calipers. They use a larger brake pad which increases the swept area. Adapters are widely available from some of the sellers of competition parts. Might require alloy wheels for clearance though.
 
In addition to the MGB calipers, Spitfire rotors are used. There are some clearance issues but it is mitigated by grinding of the caliper and a spacer between the hub and rotor. Take a look at https://spritemania.com/ArticleV.cfm?DisplayID=91 for the tech. article. I agree with others that this is really not needed unless there have been significant performance upgrades to the car, IMHO.
Chris
 
I should add that my engine is about 80% of a full-bore race engine (although I don't run it as hard) and I do autocross it with DOT legal race tires. Without much effort, I can lock'em all up (although the fronts generally go first). Spridgets have relatively big brakes for their size. It's MGB's that are undersized.
 
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