• Hey Guest!
    British Car Forum has been supporting enthusiasts for over 25 years by providing a great place to share our love for British cars. You can support our efforts by upgrading your membership for less than the dues of most car clubs. There are some perks with a member upgrade!

    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Upgraded members don't see this banner, nor will you see the Google ads that appear on the site.)
Tips
Tips

Wedge TR7 Brakes

Aeroweld3033

Member
Offline
Im sure this has come up plenty of times in the past but does anyone have any decent braking upgrade ideas for TR7's, maybe without buying larger rims cause i do love my stock ones! . . Thank you all for the time
 
You can use TR8 brakes on the TR7 with steel rims BUT you will have to install a spacer between the rim and the hub. Outside of that you will have to go to a minilite or panasport style for any 4 piston calipers and that includes the Austin Princess 4-pots too. The TR8 alloy will work with the Princess calipers but none of the others because of the veins on the inside/backside casting from the hub to the rim area.
 
If your brakes are in proper working order, the limiting factor on stopping distance will be your tires. The best brake upgrade will be getting your stock brakes in proper working order. Smooth true rotors and drums along with good brake pads will go a long way. That being said, the TR7 brakes are barely adequate. Any track time will reveal that they do not do a good job of dissipating heat build up. Not a problem for spirited street driving or even autocrossing. A TR8 brake upgrade will help only because the TR8 parts are slightly larger, have more mass, and can absorb more heat before there is a problem. Going to a vented rotor setup with aluminum calipers would be the ultimate solution as far as being able to vent off excessive heat. A bolt on kit will run you $800 or more and will require 15 inch wheels and tires. For most drivers, this upgrade is not needed and falls under the category of car bling. The biggest issue I see on wedge brakes is lack of driving. Car sits, rotors rust, owner gets in and goes for a ride, slams on the brakes, and rust particle embed in the pad material. The rust particles cause a lack of friction between the pads and rotors. This will happen no matter what brake system you have. If the car sits, you need to pull the front wheels and sand down the rotors before you go for a ride.
 
alright thanks guys for the all the help, my brakes are in fine order but just was never really happy with them
 
Aeroweld3033 said:
alright thanks guys for the all the help, my brakes are in fine order but just was never really happy with them

What aspect of the brakes have been making you unhappy? Fade? Too much pressure needed? Front/rear balance?
 
too much pressure needed for my liking. although most of the brake system is new and everything seems safe and sound so i suppose its just the fact of the drums and teenie tiny front calipers
 
Back
Top