Wheels vs. Brakes

I have a 1975 Mini 1000 which currently has the stock 10" steel rims/hubcaps on it. In the very near future, I would like to buy a set of minilite rims (10x5's or 10x6's) as I am in desperate need of tires and the steel rims are in bad shape anyway.

I would like to eventually convert the front to disk brakes, so in anyone's opinion, would it be better to use 10" wheels and try to find a disk setup that will fit or should I step up to 12" rims and use 8.4" disks?

Does anyone have a suggestion for a good place to buy rims at a decent price?

[Swondpooping]

Welcome to this group, and maybe in the future to the club. I definitely identify with your moniker "rookie owner" I bought into mine and learned a lot in the first month. I'm sure you will get lots of info and help here. Look forward to meeting you soon and maybe seeing your car make into next years calendar.

I went the other direction from 13's to 12's and I don't have any basis for comparison on the brakes, but I love my 12's with the big brakes. Good luck

Karynne

[DaveB]

there are a lot of places to get mini lites and look alikes. you can find them on ebay cheap sometimes, and mws has some good deals. you might just show up at a club meeting and bug a few of the folks to see who has a set in the garage that they are "going to use" but still continue to sit there.

as to the 10's vs. 12's- first, do you have discs at all yet? if you got some already sitting there, it's cheaper to just go with them. if you are buying, it's probably easier to get the 8.4's, but when you step up from the 12's to the 13's you'll have to modify some body work as the wheels are so big for our little cars. if you don't mind trying to come up with the 1000+ for cooper s set up, then do the 10's as they are the tires that the car came with, and little wheels on these little cars look COOL!

good luck! come to the white elephant next month and ask some of us (meaning more than me) in person.

[dufra1]

I don't have any disc's yet - so I'm still plotting out my strategy.

What type of body modifications would be needed for 12" wheels? Is it major surgery, or just some minor tweeking? Someone told me that lower profile tires would solve that issue if I did go with 12's, but I think that it was from a less than reputable source.

[James T]

dufra1,
Welcome to the WIDE world of classic mini modification! From wheels and brakes to paint and engine upgrades......the fun is just starting! The mod to the body for installing 12" or 13" wheels, is a simple trim of the forward opening of the wheel well. However! If you trim the opening and later decide to switch back to a more "classic" look......the reverse process is much more difficult. Cooper S 7.5" discs will cover all your mini driving need (on sale at Haritage for just over $1000), wether it's day to day driving in traffic or on the autocross track. Your 1000cc engine will also feel a bit more gutless with larger wheels. It lowers your final drive ratio to the road. It will have lower engine RPM's at speed but will take longer to get there and throw off your speedometer as well. In my openion 10x5 or 10x6(flares needed for the 6's) and Cooper S 7.5 discs are the way to go. Unless you have a hot engine and want to go all out with big flairs.
Just my 2 cents

[Ozie]

I did this converson last year and can tell you it is worth the cost / effort. The twin leading brakes weren't bad just the disc ones are that much better. First of all do it right which ever method you take. Be prepared to replace little things like brakelines and ball joints that you will find worn or bad allong the way. There are a few ways to go so do your research and comit. Here are some places to read up.

http://www.ime.org.uk/ime/b/brake_discs.html

http://joltfreak.tripod.com/id1.html

http://www.minispares.com/Article.aspx?aid=118

http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewto...ht=disc+brakes

These let you use bigger / cheaper 8.4" brakes with 10" wheels
http://www.minispeed.co.uk/classic/i...ct&id=wheel01s

good luck and have fun
Oz

[Cheleker]

Caution about fitting any 10" wheel that claim to fit "over" 8.4" Mini brakes. I have yet to see any that really fit over the brakes. The one's I've seen are built with such a ridiculous offset that they sit outside of the caliper! Not the best for Mini handling. If you like the looks, fine. Just don't be dissapointed in the poor handling.

[dufra1]

Wow - there's a lot to consider, but I guess I'll stick with 10" wheels and then add some 7.5" Cooper S discs eventually. I think it does look cooler with the 10" wheels, but I think I want to go wide with 10x6's. I like the look of the flares. Are spacers needed for the wider tires?

I'm sure I'll have lots of other questions in the future, since I am a rookie and my plan is to eventually completely teardown/rebuild the car.

[DaveB]

make sure you make some of the meetings, and take a look at the differing styles of flares too! they make a big difference depending on which ones you get. james thompson had 10 x 6 on his last sedan, and flares were a must.

[BIGSHOT]

dufra1, if you don't mind using good pre-owned (but lightly used) wheels, I have a set of 10X6 "Minilight" wheels I'll sell. They're in great shape and have very good Yoko A008s mounted. The tires have a lot of miles left on 'em. Here's what they looked like when they were on my truck.



Alloy wheels and performance tires for $600. That's a firm price and I'll bring them to the White Elephant if you want to take a look. Or e-mail me through my profile.

Dan

[Cheleker]

(And that's what Dan looked like when HE was on his truck. He's taller now that the body and paint work have been done. Wallet is lighter.)

[BIGSHOT]

And getting taller all the time.

I'm sure I'm going to end up playing in the NBA.

Dan

[DaveB]

you'll need some of that pro sports type salary to help pay for this mini addiction that we all suffer.

[Bosch1300]

you may need spacer for 10x6 to clear rear shocks, especially when using after market shocks