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Do I need a brake servo?
CaptainWow - 11/10/12 at 09:59 AM

Hi people,

I have a twin master cylinder pedal box with a balance bar, cortina front brakes and an english rear axle with drums fitted to my Locost chassis. Do I need a servo?

I have driven cars without in the past and it wasn't so bad, but does anyone have any personal experience of a similar setup and recommendations?

Cheers.

adithorp - 11/10/12 at 10:09 AM

No, you don't.

I've not seen any twin master, cylinder balance bar set-up that had one. I'm not sure how it could be done; Would it be possible with a remote servo?

mookaloid - 11/10/12 at 10:17 AM

Servo's on 7 type cars are only for girls

No you don't need one

Dick Axtell - 11/10/12 at 10:32 AM

quote:
Originally posted by adithorp
No, you don't. I've not seen any twin master, cylinder balance bar set-up that had one. I'm not sure how it could be done; Would it be possible with a remote servo?


Twin mcyl set-ups, (i.e. with mcyls mounted in parallel, binocular fashion), would require a remote servo in both circuits, for full servo effect. Tandem mcyls can be servo-assisted more easily; just check out the old Sierra donor installation.

However, I have seen on another modified vehicle, (not a 7 type) which also had dual circuit braking, where the remote servo was fitted to the front brake circuit only. This was an example of an after-market fitment. Not recommended.

[Edited on 11/10/12 by Dick Axtell]

designer - 11/10/12 at 10:48 AM

No light car needs a servo.

CaptainWow - 11/10/12 at 11:04 AM

quote:
Originally posted by mookaloid
Servo's on 7 type cars are only for girls


Well, Looks like I won't be fitting one them

Incidentally, SVC list this dual servo:

http://www.s-v-c.co.uk/product/dual-remote-servo/

Cool, well that makes making the brake pipes a little easier.

Cheers.

[Edited on 11/10/12 by CaptainWow]

splitrivet - 11/10/12 at 11:53 AM

Servo would do you more harm than good if you think about it, lightweight car, less brake feel, wet road , all wheels lock = under a truck.
Cheers,
Bob

FazerBob - 11/10/12 at 01:57 PM

quote:
Originally posted by CaptainWow
Hi people,

I have a twin master cylinder pedal box with a balance bar, cortina front brakes and an english rear axle with drums fitted to my Locost chassis. Do I need a servo?

I have driven cars without in the past and it wasn't so bad, but does anyone have any personal experience of a similar setup and recommendations?

Cheers.


I don't have a servo on the RH 7 or the Elise. Both work fine without one. Just get a pad set up that you like the feel of, that also gives you confidence when braking.

I am using standard disks with EBC Green stuff pads on the Robin Hood. Whilst on the Elise I have EBC Ultimax disks with EBC Red stuff pads. Both set ups feel great under braking, even when they're cold.

I did try the Ultimax disks with Ultimax pads, but they just didn't work right for me.

CaptainWow - 11/10/12 at 02:07 PM

Cool, I will fettle my pad, disc and shoe choices when I get the thing on the road, thanks for the advice guys. Will make my build a little easier

Cheers.

Duttonbuilder72 - 23/5/14 at 06:09 PM

I built my car from scratch, Rover V8, polo pedals, Shogun servo and master cylinder, granada mk2 front uprights and calipers with vented discs, 2.8 capri axle with xr3i front calipers on the axle and vented discs- calipers were modified to accept cortina handbrake cable working with avenger ratchet handbrake which has both hydraulic cylinder in the feed to rear calipers and handbrake cable connection, the pedals are mounted pendulum style, they have the same travel as in a polo (1984 model) and as such don't travel very far, the servo and master cylinder are mounted pointing rearward so I've a hump in the dash to permit this and instruments mounted in the cetre of the dash, needless to say the barking is immense, a reasonable amount of force is required upon the pedal, it's far from mega light as in most modern cars, I can easilly lock up at 50 mph if I try, I find the huge braking power in reserve makes driving it very relaxing, it's certainly comparable with my daily driver golf GT Tdi 130 with aftermarket grooved and vented discs, Having driven polo's without servo's in my teens I would advise any locost builder to fit them however I do feel sierra/cortina master cyl/servo certainly do lack feel, The shogun set up cost £25 including delivery from the nations favourite auction site :-)

loggyboy - 24/5/14 at 07:28 AM

Welcome. Just one thing, its worth noting the date of the original post as this is a 2 year old thread.