Vixen alloy front hubs anyone?

[Moto]

Having almost finished looking into wheel / tyre weights (previous post) I'm now looking at differences between cast & alloy front hubs. A couple of questions for anyone who's already been down this route :

1) Sourcing of alloy units - where from and are they unique to Vixen's or will Triumph ones fit.
2) Weight saving - one source states 1.8kg vs 4.7kg where as another states a 1kg saving with alloy
3) Any feedback on whether the difference when driving is worthwhile

Moto

[tyracious]

According to the cross reference:
Stub axle TR4-6
`D' Washer TR4-6
Castle or slotted nut TR4-6
Split pin TR4-6
Wheel bearings (and seals) Herald, Spitfire mk 3/4, TR2-6
Grease Caps Herald, Spitfire, Vitesse, TR2-6
Caliper mounting plate (n/s) TR2-6
Wheel hub (o/s) TR2-6
Wheel studs for above (std) TR4-6, TR250

All these are available as an up-rate alloy hub kit or individually from Moss in the U.S.

https://mossmotors.com/uprated-aluminum-hub-stub-a...

And of course, most likely from the usual suspects in the UK.

http://www.racetorations.co.uk/triumphs-c56/tr3-c4...

Wow - expensive.

Reducing unsprung mass is a matter of a bit here and a bit there - much lighter calipers (Wilwood), non-vented drilled (correctly) and slotted discs and of course the biggy - wheel weight.
Heck - seen folks use a ball end mill and take out a tiny bit off the center/top of the bolt heads.

Hopefully someone has been down this route and can offer actual authoritative insight on what's involved and results achieved per the OP.

Edited by tyracious on Monday 21st June 21:36

[anonymous-user]

I’ve just left it at Datsun ali drums, the various kits for the front are fine but I’d prefer stronger redesigned front uprights as well if I was spending any kind of money.

Someone had a prototype front swivel hub at Burleigh a couple of years ago which looked good but I haven’t seen it in production yet.

[tyracious]

V6 Pushfit said:

I’ve just left it at Datsun ali drums

For the rear - one presumes.

Here's something I found:
"The machining that need to be done on the 240Z drums is really quite minor lathe job and should be done cheap at any machine shop willing to do a short time job. It's a matter of enlarging the center hole slightly to fit onto the TR hub then removing some material from the back edge of the drum to clear the TR backing plate."

Others say to trim the backing plate rather than the drum.

NOS evidently no longer exists for the 240Z Aluminum Rear Brake Drum so it's aftermarket recreations.

But I know nothing.
What was you experience fitting Datsun Aluminum brake drums?
Suppliers?
Any machining?

Apologies - understand this thread is about the front end - just super curious.

[anonymous-user]

A set of 240Z ali finned drums is anything from £20 to £60 off eBay I got mine from the US so postage was on top. Offer them up and you’ll see what needs to be removed but it’s not much, it’s the edge that needs trimming a few mil and the rebate widening plus 4 holes and the centre enlarging - just mark them up and give to a machine shop. I’ve done the Vixen and Tuscan like this and they work perfectly. I spent probably £140 for 2 cars worth.

Don’t know how the backing plate could be modded - I would think it’s nigh on impossible!

Edit: they’ve gone up a bit since I did mine a year ago, but still well worth it !

[anonymous-user]

These look like they would clean up well and he’ll take offers:


https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Datsun-240z-Drum-Brakes...

[tyracious]

Done.
New 240Z Centric aluminum drums "purchased years ago".
After search - seems Centric is a long time established, reputable brand here in the colonies.
eBay - $250
Not OEM but figure it's worth a shot at that price + no polishing up to unveil possible cracks or chipped fins.
We'll see.

Thanks for the tip !!!!

Edited by tyracious on Tuesday 22 June 23:39

Edited by tyracious on Wednesday 23 June 00:27

Edited by tyracious on Wednesday 23 June 02:49

[anonymous-user]

tyracious said:

Done.
New 240Z Centric aluminum drums "purchased years ago".
After search - seems Centric is a long time established, reputable brand here in the colonies.
eBay - $250
Not OEM but figure it's worth a shot at that price + no polishing up to unveil possible cracks or chipped fins.
We'll see.

Thanks for the tip !!!!

Edited by tyracious on Tuesday 22 June 23:39

Edited by tyracious on Wednesday 23 June 00:27

Edited by tyracious on Wednesday 23 June 02:49

Nice! I noticed the rebate size on mine was different between pairs of drums. On those it looks like its big already so you may be just into taking about 3mm off the edge.

Let us know how you get on !

[TVRHTV]

Canley Classics do Alloy Front Hubs and Trunnionless Front Suspension Kits for Triumph Herald, Spitfire and GT6, there should be something there to suit a Vixen.

[timelord]

Doubt the trunnion-less kit would work on a TVR with the uprights being opposite handed from the Triumph originals

[Mr Plow]

I found these whilst searching the other day from Classic driving developments. Are these worth looking at?

https://www.classicdrivingdevelopment.co.uk/catego...

[tyracious]

Mr Plow said:

Are these worth looking at?

https://www.classicdrivingdevelopment.co.uk/catego...

The propaganda sure looks enticing and the price reasonable.
Sexy stuff.
Does the longer upgraded stub axle have any implications for our fitment?
1 kilo is a significant unsprung weight reduction.

[GadgeS3C]

tyracious said:

Mr Plow said:

Are these worth looking at?

https://www.classicdrivingdevelopment.co.uk/catego...

The propaganda sure looks enticing and the price reasonable.
Sexy stuff.
Does the longer upgraded stub axle have any implications for our fitment?
1 kilo is a significant unsprung weight reduction.

Not sure if they fit on a Vixen but they are a cracking bit of kit on an M. Highly recommended.

[anonymous-user]

Are there any beards who could confirm if they’ll fit?

[taimar76]

You could always pick up the phone to them .

[Dollyman1850]

From about 9.30 mins in..

Heavy cast iron 2 pot brakes, Big iron discs, 9 inch cast drums and drum brakes. cast iron engine.
mind you the front hubs are alloy


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dW2GlgfY-wI

Edited by Dollyman1850 on Wednesday 30th June 23:48