mille-schwarzfahrer Posted November 6, 2003 Share Posted November 6, 2003 ...another weight saving item: 9" rear brake drums on the english axle - 4,1 kg per piece! I have been researching for Nissan Z240 (Brembo), Triumph TR3/4/5 and even Lada drums (finned and alloy!). The diameter would have been perfect, the shoe width fine, but the offset wrong. Does anybody have heared of a alloy replacement for the cast iron pot? Since the brake performance with some proper brake shoe material and a brake bias bar seems fine, with finns even improved, I would bet that the complete assembly is much lighter than a disc brake kit. And it would retain the original brake system... Ideas??? Ciao, F. XXX Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R2D2 Posted November 7, 2003 Share Posted November 7, 2003 I think that you could fit an 8" drum from an 1100cc Escort and this would save a bit of weight and I am sure that they would still give good balance with the right slave cylinder. There is a company in the UK that custom manufactures Aluminium drums with cast iron inserts but they don't have patterns for 8" or 9" units. It may be worthwhile to get quotes but the minimum order would probably br 10 sets. I would certainly be interested. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mille-schwarzfahrer Posted November 7, 2003 Author Share Posted November 7, 2003 Hi Chris, thx for your reply. I am not sure if I really want to spec down to 8". My initial thought was to get the max. performance out of the drums I have. Hi-spec brake shoes, improved cooling and much (?) less weight than a disc brake set up. The easier and cheaper way would be most probably to stay with 9", but go the TRIUMPH route and change the whole brake assembly. I may have a chance to get hold of some used TR parts and see wether we can make it fit. At least worth to have a look... Some teaser images and info: http://www.carbotecheurope.com/discndrum.htm If not, we still can try to organize a bulk order for a direkt 9" replacement in alloy with cooling fins. I believe there must be some more chaps out there with an eye for lighter parts with better performance... Who else is interested? Cheers, Friedhelm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deanteam Posted November 7, 2003 Share Posted November 7, 2003 Friedhelm, Have you followed the threads, and Low Flying articles on low weight live axles and brakes fitted to 'edmunds' car? There can be some large weight savings if you are willing to put in the money. I recently fitted an alloy diff housing, which I combined with adding an LSD and reinforcing the axle, but still reduced weight by 1.5kgs. If you want to see a disc brake set-up on a live axle go to Hockenheim Sat 8th and ask for Matthew, he is 'racing' his Twin Cam in the 'Fun" race. Geoff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baby Bucket Posted November 7, 2003 Share Posted November 7, 2003 Deanteam, Sorry to hyjack the thread but was the alloy diff housing for an Ital axle - if so, where did you purchase it. Thanks Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Riches Posted November 8, 2003 Share Posted November 8, 2003 Some of the earlier Alfa Romeo and Lancia cars had alloy finned drums, would any of the be of the size your'e looking for? just a thought. Nigel. 1982. 5 speed, clamshells. B.R.G / Ali. The True Colours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Locust Posted November 8, 2003 Share Posted November 8, 2003 These used to be supplied for Minis as an aftermarket upgrade. The trade name was 'Minifin' I think. Try tracking down through Mini specialists?? Ian Green and Silver Roadsport 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bare Posted November 8, 2003 Share Posted November 8, 2003 Given the cost and 'availability' of useable Finned Ali drums .. would not a conversion to Rear disks be simpler ? Saves some weight as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mille-schwarzfahrer Posted November 9, 2003 Author Share Posted November 9, 2003 Geoff, I 've been in Hockenheim yesterday and spoken to Matthew. Good information and a very nice car (TwinCam!), indeed. I'll mail you offline to get a pic of your rear axle, modified by Roger, if available. Nigel, anny more information on Alfa or Lancia alloy drums? I'll check out this route as well. Chris, do you have contact to the custom manufacturer making alloy drums? I'll keep you informed if there is a posibility to convert to alloy drums. Bare, even if a disc brake conversion might be lighter (??) than cast iron drums, I still bet the alloy version will top the disc set-up. Anyone to confirm this?? Re.: Bulk buy - not much interest yet. Are live axles with drum brakes out of fashion?? No original LOTUS SEVEN S3 or S4 with Ford axles out there anymore?? Happy searching, cheers, Friedhelm 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deanteam Posted November 10, 2003 Share Posted November 10, 2003 Babybucket, sorry the axle is a Ford. Friedhelm, I will have to take photos, probably next weekend. Highly recommend Rogers work, he uses a tube rather than a blade to strengthen the axle, maybe not as light as the 'edmunds' solution but much less fabrication. The diff housing can be sourced from Burton, Tony Thompson..? I think the alu drums were called Alufin, I had a pair on a Mini (some years ago now). I have also searched for this type of drum but no success under Alufin, but maybe Chris has the info for contact to the specialised supplier. I could be interested if a solution is identified. The advantage of the disc brake set-up is much less fade when you drive on track for some time. If you have self adjustment on the drum brake, after track sessions as the brakes cool they lock on ( as the brakes self adjust as the drums get hot and expand) and it takes some time before the shoes are worn down to free the brake. Edited by - deanteam on 10 Nov 2003 08:14:01 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R2D2 Posted November 10, 2003 Share Posted November 10, 2003 These guys make the drums but the smallest off the shelf are 10". http://www.uk-classic-cars.com/dirinc/click.phpURL=http://www.brakedrum.co.uk/&id=1081&catid=160&catn=Brakes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mille-schwarzfahrer Posted November 10, 2003 Author Share Posted November 10, 2003 Thx Chris, cool website, nice products! Worth to give 'em a ring. They might be able to manufacture us a few copies of the iron drum. Let's see, I'll check out... About four sets would be already in the queue. Who else? Ciao, Friedhelm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mille-schwarzfahrer Posted November 28, 2003 Author Share Posted November 28, 2003 ...have had contact to: http://www.brakedrum.co.uk They are able to manufacture a copy of a english axle (or Ital/Atlas, if you want) brake drum in alloy. The advantages are better heat transformation, much less fading, and a weight saving af about 1 kg per drum in comparison to the original iron item. They are all hand made with a cast iron friction ring. The price will be approx.: 250,- Pounds + VAT + shipping per drum! A discount of 10% will be offered, if we are able to bulk order 10 sets. Sounds rather expensive in relation to a disc brake conversion... Still anybody interested?? So long, Friedhelm 1969 S3 TC Hillclimb Special Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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