The Miata has a dual circuit master cylinder, as required by federal law in case of individual line failure.

 

...and it also has seatbelts, as has been required by DOT/NTSB since 1967.

I guess my point was its pretty hard to loose both circuits of a braking system. The only way I could see it happening is it something catastrophically failed at the master cylinder, and then you be fucked monkey. Manual transmission gives you a fighting chance, mechanical parking break as a backup will increase the odds.

 

Just before one of the first dates with my wife I was working on my 91 replacing a damaged wheel stud. In the process it began to rain and I smacked everything back together real quick. Later than night we leave the house and as I come to the t-junction at the end of my street I go for the brakes and the peddle went all the way to the floor as the caliper piston just moved out and pushed against thin air where it was sitting on my A-arm instead of on the rotor!!! I about crapped my pants as we rolled past the stop sign into the intersection, snapped on parking brake and stopped. Now every time I go anywhere near the suspension, my wife yells into the garage "make sure the calipers go back on".

 

I finally did the first test drive and everything worked great. No binding or interference issues! Now I just need to get the rears upgraded to match and some cash for a track day soon so I can test these babies out for real. They look real good in there too! I wish I did this two years ago.

 

Pics or ban, lol.

 

How hard was it making the brackets? I know you have access to some machinery most of the guys around here wouldn't, but are they fairly simple from a design stand-point?

 

I might make a few extra brackets if there is enough interest. Its not increadibly hard, just time consuming to macine the brackets at this time.

 

Sorry for the delay in picture upload. We just got back from the hospital with our first baby boy!
The picture doesn't show anything new, just the final installation on the car after the first test drive to confirm that there are no interference issues.

 

I have been driving for a few weeks now with the new Wilwood calipers on the 11” Mini rotors (no rear upgrades yet). Everything is working great! I love how the pedal feel has changed. The pedal is significantly firmer and it feels like I have more consistent control compared to the factory caliper on 1.8 rotors. It will be very interesting to see how it does on track with a little heat in the system along with track pads. I think it has a lot of potential for its intended goal!

I was worried that the Wilwood pads with no backing shims would be loud on the street, but I haven’t had as much as a squeak come from the brakes (on BP-10 pads). I wanted to upgrade the Master cylinder and booster to a 02 Sport Master/Booster, but am really happy with the way the pedal feels and don’t see any immediate need for more assistance at this time.

 

If you don't like the Wilwood pads Cobalts might be an option.

 

Damn near everyone makes pads for these calipers. Hawk, Cobalt, Carbotech, Porterfield, EBC, Ferodo, Performance Friction... hell I've even seen a Raybestos part number out there on the web for a 7112 caliper.

 

Oh I am sure there are much better street pads to use. $40 price tag had me sold since they would be used on my first attempt and if it didn't fit or works $40 hurts a lot less than other options.
As far as i understand the BP-10 is not a grippy pad at all at street temps, but even with a relatively low coefficient of friction the new Wilwood setup feels great.

 

Bumping this for updates.

Tried any other pads beyond the BP-10 yet? I've heard good things about the HP+ with the 7112. I also know you have been busy with other stuff

 

I have not had a track day yet and the $$$ does not seem to be avaliable for one any time soon, so all I have been using is BP-10 on the street and am very happy so far. I will admit that it doesn't have the highest initial bite, but works great and meets all my needs for the street. I will be getting DTC-60's for track so I am not looking for dual purpose pads.

I have heard good things about HP+ on the street, but I tried HP+ on my Jetta a few years ago and had the worst squeel ever, even worse than XP-8/10 on the street. I have just not been able to convince myself to try HP+ again. I have been running HPS on the street for 2 of the 3 Miatae in the family and am very happy so far. Too bad they do not make a HPS pad in 7112 size.

EO2K your 2000 has a ton more vacuum assist than my 91 (I think twice, don't quote me though. I remember something about it involving a double diaphram, but biger master diameter), if you care to know search Keith's threads on m.net, he had good write-up. The BP-10's should have a nice bite with more assist on the your car. Then again HP+ would have even stickier initial bite. It's all up to personal preferance I guess.

It's been nuts at work and newborn at the house so no car mods here lately. I did procure some additional 1" plate to make the prototype rear brackets and brackets to fit the 11" or 11.5" rotors to my wife's 97 with stock calipers. One day!!!

 

Bumping this!

Cudos to the OP for going through with this - any further updates? Considering this, though TBH the 949 Wilwood kit probably makes more sense for me.

 

Thanks for the cudos. I still have not made it to the track but have been very happy with street performance. No updates really. EO2K has been running a set of my brackets for a while too. He will probably be on track before me.

If you can fit the 11.75" kits under your wheels it is the best option out there. The biggest reason for my setup is to fit under factory 15" wheels.

 

Wow props for you for going against the grain and trying out this setup! How thick is the aluminum for your brackets?

 

The first brackets were made out of 3/4" stock, but I later stepped up to 1" stock. I have to machine some off the 1" stock to prevent interference with the rotor, 7/8" thick stock would be perfect, but I have not been able to find it nearly as cheap as 1".

 

I've noticed no clearance issues? But damn they are close to the spokes on the stock rims. Not an issue on both x8 and x9 6ULs though.

 

Great work! I'm thinking this brake upgrade makes far more monetary sense for me, as a college student with limited funds who happens to have mills and lathes available to him.

Are these the correct calipers? WIL-120-6806

How wide does the stock need to be? 5"?

This place seems to have decent prices.

Am I looking at about $350 total cost for the calipers, pads, and brackets?

Thanks for your time. Any updates, EO2K?