Substitue dual brake MC for LHD Elan

[yvesmontreal]

A number of threads discuss this, but I cannot find a definite satisfying arrangement. As far as I can see, there are four types of dual brake master cylinders that can be fitted to an Elan:
- The original Girling dual MC, which is unavailable new
- The AP substitute made for Caterham/Westfield, +/- ?200
- The Datsun 1200 MC (.688)
- The Triumph Spitfire MC (.625 and .700)

The Datsun MC has bottom fittings, hard to get at, looks a bit too japanese to my eye, and its long term availability is questionable.

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The later Spitfire would be my first choice, but it comes with an angled reservoir that is inappropriate.

Has anybody used the Spitfire MC with an XJ6 reservoir?

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Or any other suggestions?

[Mazzini]

If it's of any use I have a spare Federal MC for an Elan, I'd be happy to send it to you.

Hope all is well

[nmauduit]

The later Spitfire would be my first choice, but it comes with an angled reservoir that is inappropriate.

Has anybody used the Spitfire MC with an XJ6 reservoir?

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Or any other suggestions?

you will have noted the port side is opposite from the original Girling - do the implied modifications (at least some plumbing) fit your requirements ?

[UAB807F]

I used the Spitfire m/cyl on my S3 but with a remote reservoir. 90deg elbows coming out of the m/cyl with rubber tubing up to the reservoir mounted on the inner wing. Makes topping up and bleeding much easier, I never liked working underneath the carburettors.

The XJ reservoir, assuming it will fit, would be a great option if you want to retain the original look to the engine bay, plus of course it's got a low fluid level alarm on there.

Brian

[sveris]

Do you mean: can the XJ6 reservoir be fitted to the Spitfire master cylinder? And, for which year(s) is that XJ6 reservoir used?

Steve in Ohio

[Galwaylotus]

This is with the AP Racing tandem m/c. The AP part number is: CP5615-3PRM100

[yvesmontreal]

Thanks for the replies.

I do not know for a fact that the XJ6 reservoir will fit the later Spitfire MC (GMC226 = .700) but it does look the part. If I choose to go this route, I have a local supplier that has the parts on hand. This would be the reservoir used on original XJ6-12-XJS up to 1988 I believe.

My car was built with a single MC, so I have to do some plumbing no matter what I select.

[Davidb]

Yves, I am in the same position. I bought a Spitfire m/c and my concern is that the outlets are on the wrong side for l/h drive cars and would mean modifying the fibreglass to accommodate the outlets.

[yvesmontreal]

On my car somebody cut a hole next to the master and covered it with chicken screen, probably with the intent of evacuating excess heat. Now this car ran in the early 80s with a long gone Formula B engine. So in my case the hacking is already done.

It may be possible to avoid cutting the body by using a banjo fitting just like the original dual master arrangement. But the Spitfire master would have to have a machined surface around the port.

[pharriso]

Why don't you just buy the dual master cylinder that Ted Taylor has for sale & recondition it? (http://www.taylormadeclassiccars.com/parts.html)

[yvesmontreal]

I had seen this MC for sale, but've been offered another one at an unbeatable price.

One of the advantages of the Spitfre MC, since the car did not start life with a dual MC, is first, that it is available in both sizes used on Elans -.625 and .700- and second, new is new.

Regarding size, years ago I installed a new Girling .700 dual MC on a 1964 S1 Elan, obviously wihtout servos. Pedal pressure was correct, but the car ended up with a bit too much braking on the back. I wonder if this may have something to do with the early front calipers that S1s were fitted with - weren't the pistons smaller on the 12P Herald/Spitfire MkII calipers than the later ones?

[rgh0]

All Elans are over-braked at the rear especially with modern tyres. The S1 / early S2 with the smaller front caliper pistons were worse than later S2 to sprints.

cheers
Rohan

[yvesmontreal]

I researched caliber piston sizes:
Front
Mk I II Spitfire/S1 S2 Elan: 42,8 mm (1 11/16)
Mk III IV 1500 Spitfire/S3 S4 Sprint Elan; 48 mm (1 57/64)
GT6/+2: 54 mm (2 1/8)
Rear
All Elan/+2: 34 mm (1 11/32)

I would assume fitting GT6 front calipers would be the simplest way to get a better balance?

[Wayne]

Hi,

We put the Datsun cylinder in my friends Elan 4 years ago. This was part of a complete brake system rebuild, calipers rebuilt, new hoses hard lines etc. We found several hard lines had rub, wear marks so we replaced them all. Making the lines going to the master cylinder with Metric threads on one end was not a big deal.
We tried the 3/4 bore but the pedal pressure was to high for my friend. We then installed a 11/16 bore unit, P/N MC39087, with the rod from the original lotus master and liked the results. We did change the brake masters residual pressure valve for the rear. They are set for for rear drum brakes and hold too much line pressure for disc brakes. The car is a daily driver in the Summer and the brakes have been fine.

[Mazzini]

I researched caliber piston sizes:
Front
Mk I II Spitfire/S1 S2 Elan: 42,8 mm (1 11/16)
Mk III IV 1500 Spitfire/S3 S4 Sprint Elan; 48 mm (1 57/64)
GT6/+2: 54 mm (2 1/8)
Rear
All Elan/+2: 34 mm (1 11/32)

I would assume fitting GT6 front calipers would be the simplest way to get a better balance?

Yes I fitted GT6/Plus 2 calipers to my S2 Elan, the stopping power is impressive, as is the increase in weight..