So I have an '05 S and just picked up a set of calipers off a R56. After reading a few threads on the other site about the conversion I noticed people are saying that the calipers from the old JCW kit are only the same as what's on a R56 S and are different between a cooper s and a justa. So now I'm starting to worry did I get the wrong calipers. So I looked up on RealOEM and the part numbers are the same for both cars. Does anybody know the truth here that could help me clarify this? Thanks, Steve
When you are looking at the realoem parts list, compare the part numbers for the brake carrier, not the caliper. You should see a difference between the justa and S. I believe the caliper part is identical but the mounting is different (carrier) because the rotor diameter is different between the two.
I'm not confused about the differences between the two entire brake setups. I understand that a R56 justa rotors and pads are different than a R56 MCS. I'm just wondering about the actual calipers. Are they different on a R56 justa cooper than a R56 MCS? According to RealOEM they are the same part numbers. I understand the carriers would be different due to different sized rotors. Same goes for the pads, maybe different material. But why change the actual caliper as well??
This is not correct. The R56 Justa brakes are not the same as standard R53 brakes. R56S brakes are the same as R53 JCW R56 Justa uses the same caliper as the R56S but a different mounting bracket to be able to use a smaller rotor.
You are correct, it is the same caliper from R56S to the R56 Justa, but they do have different carriers.
Thank you Professor. I emailed the guy I bought them from and he told me they came off a 2007 MCS so looks like I'm good. Thanks, Steve
Then you should be good. You WILL need some custom front brake lines to make it work... they need the R56 caliper end and the R53 car end... Or maybe 1st gen JCW lines (which I assume are the same, but not 100% positive). Dan at Grassroots Garage had some custom lines made up for me. But the 2nd Gen MCS brakes is a HUGE upgrade for 1st gen cars. I LOVE mine. Night and day difference. I ate Carbotech pads like skittles at the track and the Dragon with the OEM calipers and rotors. No problems since I swapped to the 2nd gen setup.
As far as brake lines, you'll just need a set of 2nd gen brake lines and slightly modify the mounting of said line on the body-side of the line. Very minor and very easy to do. Personally I got my lines from WayMotorWorks and they do their job just as they should.
You can get stainless brake lines that will match up perfectly at: autoxcooper.com $47.50 for front or rears! No affiliation, just used them to buy mine.
Yeah I already got a set of lines from Detroit Tuned. I just got a set of R56 lines. I was under the impression that the car side is the same between a R56 and a R53 just the caliper side is different. Am I wrong? If I am what is different on the car side?
I am running the Detroit Tuned lines for an R56 and had no issues mounting them to the car and caliper, no mods were needed.
I guess it varies between whose lines you get. The lines I got mimic factory lines and had four little triangles on the car side fitting, and it wouldn't fit into the factory tabs. You are correct, the caliper side of the lines are VERY different and are what warrant the lines in the first place. I love the r56/r53jcw brakes, just need some better pads, and ill be 100% satisfied.
Along the same lines.....I might be able to get my hands on a set of R56 JCW front caliper/rotors for cheap. Will these simply bolt up to my '04? Got some great threads, but I am still not certain these will bolt on w/o mods. I know the R56 calipers will work, just not sure about the JCW ones.
What are you running? I got a set of EBC reds. I was told that they work really great on the street and can hold up on the track (I'm only a beginner) for now, if I ever make it!!
Currently just on stock OEM pads. Want to go to the Bobcats though, but hard to justify $170 for just a front set right now. Once i whittle these down a little more ill make the jump.