david walker
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| posted on 6/4/03 at 08:10 PM |
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Improving brakes
I'm running a fairly std brake set up - Sierra master cyl, Cortina fronts and std Escort rears. I'm not running a servo.
How have those of you who have actually got cars on the road improved your brakes? I'm not fitting a servo.
As I have got more used to the car and have started to push it a bit, I'm thinking the brakes could be better.
I know 4 pot Willwoods would be nice but can't really afford them. Princess calipers seem to be no longer available and on heavy side anyway.
Those of you that have changed pad material - has it helped? What would you suggest?
Thanks
Dave Walker, Race Engine Services - 07957 454659 or 01636 671277
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Jon Ison
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| posted on 6/4/03 at 08:44 PM |
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i did go for wilwoods and boy do they stop, if you can maybe find a second hand set they are worth looking out for, whilst not cheap i don't
think they where over the top either, cheapest supplier i found, "rally design".
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Rorty
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| posted on 7/4/03 at 02:01 AM |
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I use bike callipers on most of my cars. Depending on the model, thay can quite easily be adapted to bolt on. You'll probably have to add a
billet spacer between the calliper halves to accomodate the thicker car disc. There are loads of different pads available, including race only
compounds.
The big superbike 6 pot front callipers are fantastic, but they have really ungainly mounts on them. For these, I have copied the dimensions, and had
new inner halves milled to incorporate mounts that suit my applications. I also relocate the feed hole to the side of the calliper.
They're featherlight, and will definitely stop a Locost quick smart.
Cheers, Rorty.
"Faster than a speeding Pullet".
PLEASE DON'T U2U ME IF YOU WANT A QUICK RESPONSE. TRY EMAILING ME INSTEAD!
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Fast Westie
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| posted on 7/4/03 at 11:42 AM |
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David
What is the problem with the brakes? Are they fading? Do you not like the pedal feel? Are the rears locking befor the fronts?
I had no problems with my Westfie1d at Croix en Ternois race track which is very hard on the brakes, but I do have Mintex M1144 front pads. You
probably only need new front pads
The car in front is a Westfield
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Peteff
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| posted on 7/4/03 at 12:12 PM |
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Pad material
Try some different pads before you spend a fortune. Ebc greenstuff is popular or mintex do different compounds. Out and out race pads are not
recommended for road use though. They don't get up to temperature usless you really hammer them.
yours, Pete
yours, Pete
I went into the RSPCA office the other day. It was so small you could hardly swing a cat in there.
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Rob Lane
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| posted on 7/4/03 at 02:31 PM |
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Can you lock up the wheels?
I at first went down this route until I realised I could lock up quite easily but not get tyre grip.
I must admit after having been spoiled by years of servo assistance it takes a while to get used to non-assisted.
I changed to soft grippy tyres and the stopping power went up. The braking system is actually quite good but it definitely needs good grippy tyres to
improve it's feel.
Rob Lane
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david walker
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| posted on 7/4/03 at 07:47 PM |
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Thanks all for the replies.
Whilst I have covered a fair few miles now, I can't really get used to the "non-servo" feel. I find I'm applying a lot of
pedal pressure to really pull my speed down - I'm using Escort pedals but only shortened by about an inch. I'm not noticing any fade.
I can't lock either front or rears under moderate braking - it's not that tyres are soft either as wheelspin in low gears isn't too
difficult out of tight corners!
I'll try different pads first as the ones in are only cheapies from the local motor factors.
Thanks again for the input chaps, any more would certainly be welcome.
Dave Walker, Race Engine Services - 07957 454659 or 01636 671277
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Rorty
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| posted on 8/4/03 at 02:28 AM |
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What size of master cylinders are you using? If you change their size, or lengthen your pedal, you could achieve some gain, and better feel into the
bargain.
Cheers, Rorty.
"Faster than a speeding Pullet".
PLEASE DON'T U2U ME IF YOU WANT A QUICK RESPONSE. TRY EMAILING ME INSTEAD!
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