Front Suspension & Disk Brake Kits

[aseriesspares]

I am sure this has probably been asked a fair few times, but i am interested to see what people are using on their Spridgets.
We are currently in the process of upgrading our Midget, Double wishbone suspension and larger disks will be the end result, we are currently in the process of aligning the front wishbones.

I have seen some kits available but wondered what you kids in the states were using!

What has been your experience with different kits etc

 

[drooartz]

For a street Sprite (Bugeye) I've been perfectly happy with a well-rebuilt stock disc brake setup on the front with the later backing plates in the rear. EBC Greenstuff pads and stainless braided hoses. I ran this setup on my last Bugeye (80-90hp 1275) and it seemed well up to the task -- this was a street car, though. My current Bugeye build will be similar.

Not sure what Nial is using on his race Spridget, it may be more developed.

 

[aeronca65t]

Vintage/historic racing here in the US requires us to keep essentially a standard setup on a Spridget, with the lever arm shock acting as the upper arm, the normal lower arm and original brake size. We can change spring rate, camber, brake pad material....that sort of stuff.

There is some adjustments allowed to this however: many Bugeyes that race are running with the newer disk brakes and some folks will add tube shocks to back-up the existing lever arm units.
I have seen at least one Spridget with the full ~Peter May (UK)~ front racing suspension on his Sprite. Technically, this isn't legal but the guy isn't that fast so not one tends to complain about it.

To be honest, there's a little more freedom here in vintage racing in the eastern USA. The folks out on the west coast are more strict and cars tend to be even more stock.

My race-Spridget is basically standard in the front end.
I'm also just using the original disk brakes. In fact, I don't really like the racing pads and am just using the higher-performance street pads.

We also have our separate SCCA racing Spidgets here, but they are not considered "vintage" and allowed much more radical modifications such as adjustable A-arms, coil-overs, etc.
Rules for these non-vintage Spridgets are part of the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) General Competition Rules (GCR) here in the US.

~Here Is A~ legal SCCA Spridget (below). This would never be allowed in our vintage events.

 

[aseriesspares]

Vintage/historic racing here in the US requires us to keep essentially a standard setup on a Spridget, with the lever arm shock acting as the upper arm, the normal lower arm and original brake size. We can change spring rate, camber, brake pad material....that sort of stuff.

There is some adjustments allowed to this however: many Bugeyes that race are running with the newer disk brakes and some folks will add tube shocks to back-up the existing lever arm units.
I have seen at least one Spridget with the full ~Peter May (UK)~ front racing suspension on his Sprite. Technically, this isn't legal but the guy isn't that fast so not one tends to complain about it.

To be honest, there's a little more freedom here in vintage racing in the eastern USA. The folks out on the west coast are more strict and cars tend to be even more stock.

My race-Spridget is basically standard in the front end.
I'm also just using the original disk brakes. In fact, I don't really like the racing pads and am just using the higher-performance street pads.

We also have our separate SCCA racing Spidgets here, but they are not considered "vintage" and allowed much more radical modifications such as adjustable A-arms, coil-overs, etc.
Rules for these non-vintage Spridgets are part of the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) General Competition Rules (GCR) here in the US.

Here's a legal SCCA Spridget (below). This would never be allowed in our vintage events.

Thank you very much for the reply. Its really interesting to see the racing other countries offer. We predominantly follow the Classic Mini racing over here as we sponsor one of their longest running series, but the Spridget is a car i absolutely love so we are building our own using some upgrade kits we have used on other vehicles. Spridget-wise, there are several challenges that the cars compete in but their aren't great numbers in the main series. They have put all of the classes together and formed a good competitive grid of around 20-25 vehicles.

It is nice that the regs keep the cars upgraded but fairly original as it keeps the costs manageable, has this helped get bigger grid sizes? What are the parts like to get hold of in the states? Sorry for all of the questions

As we are not competing with the Spridget, and using it for promotion and track day fun, i decided i would see what can be gotten from the 1500 Triumph engine, The build of this is just about to start, i am quite excited about it, having had many fast A-Series builds in our shop, it will be interesting to see how the 1500 compares, having hopefully remedied most of issues / horror stories i have heard about the 1500, we should be OK