Metro Turbo Brakes

[rich.h44]

Would anyone know if metro turbo front calipers fit on a herald? There's a local guy selling some cheap there the 4 pot ones

[Nick Jones]

I don't know for sure but never heard of it before so I suspect the answer is no.  It is possible to fit 4 pots from the Austin Princess (if you can find any) but questionable whether it really improves things much (and they are heavy).

 

The disc brakes on a Herald are actually pretty good.  I think originally most Heralds had Girling type 12 from the factory but the type 14 as used on the later Spitfires are a direct swap.  If the calipers and discs are in good shape and you have decent pads fitted they'll be absolutely fine for road use unless you have lots of power and drive like a hooligan.

 

If you really need more stop:

i) Mintex 1144 pads with standard brakes.

ii) either Hi-Spec 4 pots with GT6 brake disc or just the complete front vertical link/hub/disc/caliper from a GT6 or Vitesse 2L (which also gives you bigger wheel bearings)

iii). Either of above with Capri 2.8 vented discs (Hi-Spec calipers can be ordered wider for vented discs, Type 16 calipers can be spaced for vented discs.

 

FWIW my (heavier) Vitesse with approx 120bhp runs standard brakes apart from Ferodo DS2500 pads and that has survived several spirited sessions in the Alps/Pyrenes plus a flying lap of the Nordschlief - though I think we'd have needed vented discs for a second lap!

 

My previous Herald 1200 had the type 14 calipers fitted which were fine up until I tuned up the 1500 that was in it, at which point fade started to become an issue if I was pressing on.  At that point I fitted Vitesse 2L brakes front and rear and they were truly excellent on it - possibly decent pads would have done the job - I didn't know about such things then.

 

Cheers

 

Nick

[rich.h44]

Great stuff thank for the info, didn't know they did ds2500 for the herald! I used to have some on my old car used both daily and on tracks and couldn't fault them they were coupled with brembo disks and dot5 fluid and braided lines!

I will have to have a look and see what callipers I have as my car has thrown a few surprises and had some good upgrades already! Is there any notable difference in type 12 and14?

Also interested in the rear upgrade as I'm about to do a full refurb on the rear brakes!