Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Hi

To all those owners who've fitted the plus 2 front braking system to their 2 seaters- which pads are you using- have some of you ferreted out very early asbestos type MK1 GT6 pads and if so what do you think of them compared to more modern offerings?

Regards

John

I fitted "standard" road pads; they do the job, with 175 road tyres.

The basic laws of Physics apply, even to an Elan.

Asbestos pads? Would you use a slide-rule when you have access to a Mac?

Edit:
I probably would look for some lighter calipers, on reflection. Those iron-age ones are very heavy metal... Man.

John,

May I suggest that you search the archives as this subject has been fairly well covered in the not too distant past.
For what it's worth I've gone through various phases.

1. Remove brake servo from S4SE to provide space for relocated radiator.
Result to much pedal pressure to achieve braking.

2. Fit expensive better pads.
Result still too much pedal effort required

3. Fit +2 front brakes
Result pedal pressure reduced but braking disappointing

4. Buy Willmore 4 Pot calipers & slotted disks
Result after many miles of driving the +2 brakes have eventually bedded in &
are working pretty well. Leave Willmore brakes in their box.

5. Follow discussion on LotusElan.net & decide to buy some pads recommended in the
discussion when I return to "the Island"

Don't ask me for the recommended spec' as I'll also have to trawl through the archive when I'm ready to go ahead.

Cheers
John

Hi John,
I fitted the plus two set up a couple of years ago and I am currently using "green stuff" pads. They have had plenty of time to bed in now, but sadly I have to say I am disappointed in their performance and brake pedal still requires a lot of effort. I too would like to find a good compound, not too bothered if the pads don't last long, just want the braking performance to be better. Bought the "green stuff" after reading about them, wont be buying them again.
Regards George...

George,

do your homework & trawl the archives on just this subject.
You'll find that opinions on braking, brakes & brake pads vary from black to white.
How the brakes are or how you want them to be is very subjective.
My memories from many years ago when I was driving a Mk14 Elite was superb, light touch pin point braking; sadly not the case with my Elan.
Unfortunately time plays tricks with the memory & stepping out of a modern car into a 70's Elan seems to show a distinct difference in braking effort.
Once again this has often been disputed on here.
I think that there is a low pedal pressure solution for the Elan when using +2 front brakes when good pads are fitted, however it may be necessary to reinstate a servo into the system.
If I don't achieve that ballet dancer brake pedal with the +2 brakes they will come off & be replaced with the 4 pots that are waiting in their cardboard box.
In your case it may be just a case of trying a couple of sets of the previously recommended pads.
By the way I was told by an Elan specialist that the "green stuff" is no good.
Again possible food for dispute on here.

In any case, good luck; you'll find the solution & when you do don't forget to post it.
Cheers
John

I have heard good things about these Ferodo DS2500 pads for standard elan brakes. I am planning to buy a set in the next few weeks, then I can give a more accurate POV comparing them to standard Ferodo FDB811s. Dan

http://www.topbrakes.com/carSeriesDetai ... o%20DS2500

collins_dan wrote:I have heard good things about these Ferodo DS2500 pads for standard elan brakes. I am planning to buy a set in the next few weeks, then I can give a more accurate POV comparing them to standard Ferodo FDB811s. Dan

http://www.topbrakes.com/carSeriesDetai ... o%20DS2500

Hi Dan,

thanks, I'm sure those are the pads that were being recommended in those earlier posts.
I'll probably give them a try before putting those posh 4 pots on my car.
However it seems the pads I got with those can also be very much improved on!
Alchemy

Cheers
John

Hi

Thanks to all who've replied.

I think the answer to getting a confidence inspiring system prbably lies in ferreting out some old stock asbestos type pads- I'm currently trying the GT6 specialists for these. I do have supposedly non servo spec pads in the system but I think on reflection that these are actually new pads and are in fact asbestos free. The very first elan I had, a S4, came without a servo as std. Memory can fool one but I don't recall ever noticing the brakes, and I drove harder in those days so they probably were up to the job. I too tried EBC green type but wasn't particularly impressed- I believe their "Blackstuff" pads are softer compound so they might be a better idea. As for Ferodo 2500- don't you need a mortgage for these?

Regards


John

I am using EBC green on the front and black on the rear of my S2 Elan with the original calipers and it works great. I think with the big 16P calipers you would need a brake assist servo, just like a +2 used because that's the brake system one would have. Not sure if playing around with various pads would change it all that much. I guess it would be nice to hear from a +2 driver that has removed the servo assist (servos on a Federal car) and has the original calipers/master cylinder what they could relate as to pedal pressure/stopping power. I had a Lotus Cortina (well several !) that had a problem with it's servo and I bypassed it for a while. It was virtually impossible to lock up the brakes and even though it worked OK with a reduced bore size master cylinder (.75" original and replaced with a .70 bore) it was only right again with a rebuilt servo and back to the original master cylinder.

Not a +2 but on my S3 I removed the servo, installed a tandem master cylinder (same bore as original) and EBC GreenStuff pads on the front. Tokk a small bit of getting used to or maybe just bedding in but I find the brakes fine when braking from any roadspeed but very slow - then they take a bit of a push. In normal driving I'm very happy with them. Of course modern cars with servo assist brake with a feather applied to the pedal but I don't find the Elan's braking effort excessive.