Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

John
Does that mean with standard S4 callipers , it should be Old Spitfire pads?

Thanks
Terry

Terry, There are a lot of Federal S4's driving around with the original set up (mine included) with no issues. Certainly, play with pads until you find what works best for you, but I wouldn't feel the need to change the master cylinder. I am planning to try Ferodo DS2500 on the front as I have heard from others that they really bite. Do change all brake, clutch and oil lines to braided stainless. Dan

Dan
Thanks Dan. I am beginning to come round to thinking its all in the pads!

I changed my Ginetta from 0.625 to 0.7 master cylinder for a better pedal feel! Only difference was drums on the back.

Terry

terryp wrote:I changed my Ginetta from 0.625 to 0.7 master cylinder for a better pedal feel!

Larger m/c bore = shorter pedal travel and lower pressure for the same pedal force.
If I can row in on this, I got rid of my servo, changed from a single-circuit m/c to a tandem one of the same bore, replaced rubber brale lines with steel-braided Aeroquip lines an put Greenstuff pads on the front. The only thing I notices was it took a bit more pedal pressure at low speeds but I've had no complaints once up to normal road speed. Brake feel, pedal travel, pedal force are all fine. It isn't the same as on a modern car with assisted everything but neither is anything else on an Elan. That's why we drive them!!

Hi Terry,
well i think i am the one who got you started on this subject with my e-mail.
I've been sitting in the back row following the banter.
I just need to throw in my pennyworth now
I would not fit braided hoses because when you need to do some work on a caliper. You cannot put a brake hose clamp on a braided hose without causing damage. I like to use a clamp, which means no lose of fluid and very little bleding after
Alan B

Well Alan I have always fitted braided hoses on everything, in the early days you could only get them from a couple of suppliers. Its good to change fluid regularly
Looks like I am going standard Master/Callipers with some antique (But New) asbestos pads! ....and aeroquip hoses!!

Thanks to all

Terry
PS I think I got a bit confused (as I was a +2 man)and assumed that all S4's originally had a Servo!

Hi Terry

I too have a S4se witch had a troublesome servo.
First I changed to a 5/8? master cylinder with braided hoses and Mintex 1144 pads. Result = a little bit longer pedal travel but not a problem, but I found the pedal force to high for my liking.

Last winter I changed to a kit from [url]mio-engineering.dk[/url] with Wilwood calipers, pads, +2 discs, braided hoses and custom made brackets. They fit straight on with no modification.
Now the pedal force is like my modern car and there is plenty of stopping power, mush more than before.

I keept the 5/8? master cylinder but there is plenty of power so I could go back to the 0.7? mc.
The caliper just fits inside a Minilite rim.
There are several different pad compounds, I chose ?E? witch is a trac-day/rally compound, but their ?SP10? road compound would probably do just fine.

Terry,
I have a 1968 S4 standard Elan with bolt on wheels and no brake booster. Pretty sure booster only fitted to SE and Sprint models. My brakes are single circuit, with .7 inch master cylinder. All components new or overhauled with braided brake lines. Got sick of the original pads making a mess of my nice clean, yellow painted Minilites (original 60's version), so went for these:
http://www.bendix.com.au/content/general-ct-1
Found them to stop well with little or no black dust.
http://www.fusionautomotive.com/product ... 8-gct.html
Regards,
Colin.

WOW Jannik and Thanks Colin
I have just bought my first part for the car from eBay! New old stock original front brake pads from 1973!

Thanks to all , now I just have to wait for the car. Its coming to Le Havre on the 24th December

Picture is on board the boat!

Cheers
Terry

hi Terry,
i see there must be a stowaway in the container or a webcam to check it's progress in real time it seems to be giving a piggyback .
A little off subject but does the car have webbers or stromberg carbs
Alan B

Alan
Strombergs - so we will be tuning and catching the drips every week!

Terry

I've heard of pop-up headlights but that is ridiculous!

Back to topic: I removed the servo from my S2 back in the late '70s. I used the same pads and standard master cylinder. A slight lack of 'bite' at low speeds but otherwise a far better 'feel'.

Hi Terry
you have also this solution
caterham caliper and vented disk .

A+
Serge

If you need to work on your brakes (removing the brake lines from the calipers) simply get a two by four and push the brake pedal down until it can be pushed no further then wedge it against the seat. I use a small piece of wood across the base of the seat too avoid damage too the material. Proceed with your work, when done, remove the wood that was keeping the pedal down.

I know it doesn't make sense.........

I'm just trying to figure out when you'd remove the brake line from the caliper . . . before you push down on the pedal, or after . . .

Thanks, Mike!