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MG MGF Technical - Tracking a TF, What needs changing?

Hi all again,

I am trying to get my girlfriend involved in Trackdays in her TF (2003 - 135) as I do loads in my Elise or 7 but she won't drive either of them.

Really just wanted to know what needs chnaging on a regular basis if the car is tracked a fair bit. What wears out quick?

I have a spare set of wheels and will be upgrading the brakes (probably just pads and discs for now). My main concern in suspension components, TREs, wheels bearings etc. Anyone have any experience or knowledge to throw my way?

Many thanks in advance.

Dan

Jude Performance Services Ltd
D I Jude

Hi Dan,

There's nothing particularly prone to wear other than the obvious brakes and tyres. If you were to put slicks on an F then you'd get through the wheel bearings pretty quick, but then you wouldn't be eligible to join in the fun at http://www.mgs-on-track.com either!

Dave Livingstone

Completely agree with what Dave has said - if using road tyres (MSA Green book category 1A), then suspension and bearings tend not to be too badly taxed, so really the wear seems to be confined to tyres and brakes.

Dan, you didn't say which model TF? If a 160, the AP racing set up is superb, and doesn't really need any form of upgrading. If a 'lesser' model, then the AP set up is well worth considering, although you will need to budget for a replacement set of wheels (use TF160 11-spoke TF items) that clear the calipers.

You don't mention slicks - I am sure that you weren't planning to use them, but you can use track day tyres - which I am sure that you are already very familiar with. R888s are certainly a possibility, and if you retain standard 15" wheels (negates the AP racing brakes unfortunately) can be bought very cheaply in 195/50 R15 profiles that will suit the car perfectly... In fact, this is what I've been planning to use on my own regularly tracked F :o)

If any other questions, there are plenty of folks on here who take their MGs on track with alarming regularity who can provide hints and tips when ever needed :o)
Rob Bell

Thanks for the info guys.

Rob, its a 135 and it'll just be running on road tyres as there will be more than enough grip for her to get into trouble. :o)

I run R888s on my 7 and Elise and you're right about the 195/50/R15s. Shame about the 225/45/16s for the rear of the Liz. Not quite so cheap. Can certainly recommend them. In my opinion they are just as good as A048s and wear just as well but are 2/3rds of the price.

As I said its a 135 but wanna run 15" wheels (its running 16" 11-spokes on the road but wanna run 15s on track) so I'd just be looking at upgrading the pads and maybe the discs. I was thinking Mintex 1144s or maybe 1155s for the pads ( I can never justify the cost of Pagid pads). What are the options on discs, EBC, Tarox, etc.???

Many thanks.

Dan

D I Jude

Tom Randel is giving away a set of red-painted 15" wheels if you don't already have a set - see thread on the general section :o)

Thanks for the opinion on R888. Will have to invest in a set then! :o)

Regarding pads and discs, I use Mintex 1177s all round with Rover Sport grooved discs.

I was fortunate - I got a set of discs from MG Sport and Racing before they closed down, but I don't think that this route for these rotors still exists :o(

I personally don't like cross drilled discs, but would definitely recommend grooved. Tarox/ Black Diamond etc would be good options. And they're cheap (only 240mm diameter!)

Pads I'd go for Mintex every time. Depending on how hard the car will be used, I suspect that you'll find that the 1144s will be perfectly adequate. I didn't get on with 1166s (too narrow a temperature range), but 1177s are awesome, but eat discs. Just as well the discs are cheap!

Mintex pads are available for very reasonable prices from Brown and Gammons and Mike Satur.
Rob Bell

I too run Mintex pads all round - 1144s on the front with the AP calipers and 1177s on the rear, previously with the Sport and Racing grooved discs. As Rob says these are not available any more. So, on the last rear disc change I just had some plain cheap versions supplied by Techspeed. They seemed fine with the Mintex 1177s - I couldn't really tell the difference. Am going to need a cheaper alternative to the 304mm front discs though - the oem price is way too high.
Dave Livingstone

More excellent input guys. I reckon 1144s will be good enough. She won't exactly be last of the late brakers. I buy my pads direct from Mintex as I supply loads for the Elises and also a number of racecars.

Thanks for the info on discs. Think a set of Black Diamond grooved will do the job nicely. I'm not a fan of cross-drilled discs either as they always tend to crack around the holes.

I already have a spare set of 15s with brand new continental tyres on so we'll see how long it takes her to trash them. :o)


Thanks again for your help.

Dan@JPS
D I Jude

Hopefully she'll trash those Continentals pretty quickly ;o) They're not bad tyres, but there are plenty of road tyres that work far better - probably all the tyres you're familiar with on Elises, such as the Toyo T1R for example :o)

Hopefully see you at a track day some time :o)
Rob Bell

I would recommend BF Goodrich G-Force Profilers for road and track use. They are cheaper than Toyos, better grip in the wet and they wear loads better.

I think a set of these will be on after the Continentals.

Cheers Rob, yeah would be nice to meet you one day.

Dan
D I Jude

Dan, I've heard of the G-Force profilers used on Elises - they seem to be pretty good - but I've not heard of them being used on an MG?

If you do fit them, we'd welcome your feedback on them for a future tyre survey (the results of the last one can be found here: http://www.mgf.ultimatemg.com/group2/tyres/index.htm
Rob Bell

This thread was discussed between 17/06/2006 and 22/06/2006

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