Rover Metro

[Erlend Kristiansen]

I've heard some rumours that the engine and disc-brakes from the first versions of the Rover Metro fits on a Mini. Is this true? And how old/new should the Rover Metro be then? I'm looking for a cheap (but safe) conversion to disc-brakes for my Mini.

You can see some pictures of my Mini that I recently took: https://naf.as/mini

 

[slewi]

I am looking at doing the same thing, I had a chat with somebody else who has already done this and he had no problems, I dont believe it can be that simple though.

One thing is you will have to go to 12" wheels.
Also I think a servo will be called for so possibly some issues there.
I am looking for a fairly recent Metro this should make it in better condition.

 

[aeronca65t]

Many years ago (here in the U.S.) I converted an 850 Mini to Austin 1300 front disk brakes (and 12" wheels). It was not easy and I wasn't happy with the job (eventually, converted back to drum brakes). Not sure if a "Rover Metro" is similar to an Austin 1300, though.

 

[slewi]

The Rover Metro strated out as the Mini Metro in the UK, it was supposed to be the replacement for the mini but it wasnt well received.
Used loads of mini bits, I think the first ones were minis with a different body.
Dont know if it made it to the US.
In the UK it is a good source for 1300 engines brakes etc
I hadnt thought about the Austin 1300 probably because we dont have many scrap examples in the UK, they have all rusted away, the one that are around are in use by enthusiasts

 

[aeronca65t]

Found info on Metro disc brakes/Mini conversion on this site:

https://www.ime.org.uk/

Here’s some of the info from site:
When fitting Metro disc assemblies, it is important to make sure that you use the correct parts...

Metro bits to use:
- Discs
- Calipers

Mini parts to use:
- Hubs
- CV's
- Drive shafts (the metro ones are longer!)
- Swivel (ball-) joints.
- Steering arms (the metro ones give bad handling due to incorrect Arkaman angles (see under 'A')

The wheel mounting lugs also need cutting off.
If the Mini has disks on it already and you just want 4pot callipers just swap the callipers over on to the mini hubs and mini disks. You also need a set of Metro-mini conversion hoses BTW. If you want vented disks then you need a pair of vented discs with the Metro drive flange (with the wheel placement bits milled off) the vented/non-vented callipers are different BTW.

If you are going to put 12" wheels on your mini then I suggest you use mini disk hubs (Cooper S, 1275GT and Late minis disks hubs are the same) As Metro hubs require a little more work to fit on a mini as you would need to fit neg bottom arms and modified mini steering arms to fit them on to a mini.
So To convert to 8.4inch disks you need... Late mini hubs and CV's 8.4" disks.... You can fit vented at this point if you fit callipers from a
metro that had Vented disks on it and the drive flange modified as above. Callipers from either a mini or a metro (need conversion hoses if fitting metro) If you have the Brake master cylinder that looks similar to the clutch one then you will need it change it as it doesn't have enough capacity.