Right, I am finally ready to do this conversion but it is so long since I’ve done anything with the '5 I can’t remember what to do so please help.
I have 1.8 discs and pads and a pair of caliper brackets from a 1.8. I will be reusing the 1.6 calipers.
So do I remember correctly that you have to swap sides on the calipers and put them on upside down or am I making that up?!
Any tips would be appreciated.
Finally finished this mod. Not a long job, just too many other things to do. Well worth it.
I put EBC discs and green stuff pads on the front and normal discs and kevlar pads on the back.
Had that combo in 1.6 size and they were always strong on track, just suffered a bit of heat soak after a few laps. Hoping that the larger 1.8 items will disipate the heat better. We shall see !
Now done my first track day on them since the swap so I now know the real difference.
Much , much stronger braking and no fade. I was able to brake much later and it made me considerably quicker over all.
The 1.6 brakes used to get so hot they would glaze and I would have seriously poor performance for the first couple of laps of a new track session. That has been eliminated completely by the 1.8 larger brakes.
I can’t belive it has taken me so long to do this mod.
If you have a 1.6 and track it…do this mod, you won’t regret it.
Paul
Interesting reading as I’m after doing the same thing … Just got the car and my brakes are awful, so rather than refresh the 1.6 kit I’m intending to fit 1.8 stuff … easy enough to find the discs and pads (will probably take advantage of the EBC deal on MX5parts), however I’m really struggling to find the caliper brackets … any ideas where I can get these without paying a fortune?
Also, will this all fit under my 15" wheels?
Russell.
I’ve got this job to do as well. I’ve got the brackets (I got front brackets and calipers for £20!!) just gotta get the discs and pads, then just need a date for the next tech day [:D]
Am I right in saying that although I need the 1.8 brackets, discs and pads, the calipers from the 1.8 are fine (ie the 1.8 pads go in the 1.6 calipers?) Any difference to the 1.8 calipers?
My rear calipers are seized so I have to replace anyway, but 1.6 are cheaper & easier to find & I am on a budget!
Russell.
Yes, you reuse the 1.6 calipers (you leave them exactly where they are, no messy disconecting of brake lines or anything). The pads are actually carried by the brackets, hence the change.
You will also need a 1.8 fitting kit for each brake as well ( these include the anti-rattle springs and pad guides etc ) and are available from MX-5 parts for a few quid all round.
Seems to be adding up to quite a lot of money, £80 for the brake discs / pads, £80 for the 4 brackets, £30 for the fitting kits… and thats with me fitting it all myself! I’ve still got to get replacement rear calipers as well, as thats what started all this, so looking at around £300 once I’m done…although I might have a go at freeing up the brakes myself.
Question is… is it really that big a difference?
TBH I find the 1.6 standard brakes to be perfectly adequate for on road driving. standard discs and Mazda pads have seen me all round the Alpine passes and on some of the scary roads here in Australia, I wouldn’t bother unless you are going to track the car regularly.
Does anyone know if the 1.6 anti rattle shims are the same as the 1.8’s?