Single circuit brakes LHD S4 master cyl options (No Servo)

[holywood3645]

Master Cylinder started to leak.

I read through a bunch of posts on this Some are pretty old, as of today what is the best available option for a single circuit LHD car with standard S4 setup, and no servo?



Thanks
James

[holywood3645]

Anyone?

[Mazzini]

I was lucky enough to find a new old stock MC on eBay, I didn't know how old it was so I sent it to Classic Car Automotive in Cheshire - they overhauled it for ?80, it was worth it just for the peace of mind.

[Galwaylotus]

Why not install a tandem master cylinder and have a secondary brake system other than the handbrake?!

[holywood3645]

What duel MC would I use? Any Part Numbers or links? I have plenty of room as it's a LHD car.
Thanks
James

[collins_dan]

James, I seem to remember that your S4 is Canadian, not US. What did it come with? My federal S4 has the dual circuit set up with plastic container in top and no servo. MC leaked, so I rebuilt. Very easy and cheap, and happy with the stopping power. Actually, I will be trying out some new Ferodo DS2500 to see if they provide even a little more stopping power. Dan

[gearbox]

I was toying around with using a new Tilton 600 Pedal assembly I have kicking around the garage for ages. Not sure of fitment yet, but it would give me tamdem masters to balance the front and rears and resolve my space issue with my size 11 feet. I'll be using the Wilwood 4 puck calipers in front and I generally like to set up the rear brakes to lock before the fronts which probably will not happen with the stock set up. Just a thought. Allan

[holywood3645]

Yes Dan, its a Canadian "Non Federal" spec' car. Which was basically the British car in LHD. Single circuit brakes and orginally had a servo (now removed)
It would be very easy to put a dual circuit MC in the car. I rebuild all the clutch and brake cylinders, I should have just put new ones in when i was restoring it in 2012.

Galway, any suggestions on the M/C

James

[Galwaylotus]

There was another topic on this subject a couple of years ago when I replaced mine. I used an AP Racing part that, I believe, is spec'd for a Caterham. I'd try their website and check spares.

[collins_dan]

James, my only suggestion would be the original federal system, if available. Some other ideas in this post: elan-racing-f12/dual-circuit-brake-master-cylinder-t17529-30.html
Good Luck, Dan

[Jas]

Hi James

I think that the easiest solution would be to fit a Girling 5/8" master cylinder which is the one originally used for no servo brakes.
On my S4 I removed the servo together with the 0.7? mc, and fitted a 5/8? Girling master cylinder and Mintex 1144 brake pads bought from Tony Thomson. It gave a much better pedal feel but also required a bit more pressure.
You could also have a look at this thread:
http://www.lotuselan.net/forums/post181841.html#p181841

[blacklotus]

Hi, always interesting to read what others are having fun with. Just for my 2cents worth--many years ago a friend had a Plus 2 with servos that were leaking--big $ for kits etc and I told him of the fact that I had the same calipers as he did but on an S2 Elan, using .7 single master. My Elans brakes which were always "written about as excellent" were poor from high speeds, so I changed the front calipers. Outstanding ! I have 205/60 tires all around so lock up has never been an issue. My friend dumped the boosters and found a dual .7 master from a Vauxhall and resealed it and was VERY happy with the feel and effort. I do not know what the federal dual size is but going to a 5/8 single will of course give you more travel and less effort less volume. I have a dual 5/8 assembly on another Lotus with a balance bar---but short pedal arms due to floor height--significantly more effort ! my fault because of where i had to mount the assembly. In standard Elan mounting it would probably be nice---but tight due to clutch master.
for what its worth.
cheers

[gjz30075]

My Federal Sprint ('72) has two bore sizes in the mc: .70 and .650 (best I can tell from my bore gauge). It was sleeved by Stainless Steel Brakes and is proper for the mc.

Greg Z