I'm seriously considering a brake upgrade as I find brakes really don't give me much confidence. The main issue is lack of 'positivity'. I'm not planning to take it on track as it's only a road car, but I'm primarily looking for a better pedal feel. I currently have Mintex 1144 pads which have helped massively in terms of increasing 'retardation' for less brake pedal pressure.
I know that some of you good people have fitted caliper and disc-size upgrades from PNM and Lotusbits and it would be great to hear comments, both positive and negative for anyone running these upgrades. I don't want to reinvent the wheel (no pun) so want something that's proven and available off the shelf.
Please PM me if there's any comments that you'd rather not share openly. Thanks!
Brake upgrades
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- Hawaiis0
- Senior Poster
- Posts: 4161
- Joined: Sun Jun 30, 2013 18:39
- Model: Excel SA (No 3); Elite 504
- Colour: BRG; Dirty White
- Year: 1986
- Location: West Oxfordshire
Re: Brake upgrades
I have the PNM set up.
OEM is 256 mm
It uses Hi-Spec brand 4 pot billet calipers on 286mm discs as entry with scope to go to 300 and 310 discs if needed. Pad change is simple twin pin affair.
Disc thickness is similar to OEM at 21mm (IIRC)
This is overall a very nice and affordable kit and good value.
The LB set up is considerably dearer, but much meatier. 6 Pot Hi Specs with 26mm thick discs (again from memory). It is more a rally/race/power orientated set up.
You get what you pay for and the extra cost is balanced out in performance.
There are alternative homemade swaps people have done so options galore.
edit 1 - I have auto so don't get engine breaking assist immediately
OEM is 256 mm
It uses Hi-Spec brand 4 pot billet calipers on 286mm discs as entry with scope to go to 300 and 310 discs if needed. Pad change is simple twin pin affair.
Disc thickness is similar to OEM at 21mm (IIRC)
This is overall a very nice and affordable kit and good value.
The LB set up is considerably dearer, but much meatier. 6 Pot Hi Specs with 26mm thick discs (again from memory). It is more a rally/race/power orientated set up.
You get what you pay for and the extra cost is balanced out in performance.
There are alternative homemade swaps people have done so options galore.
edit 1 - I have auto so don't get engine breaking assist immediately
Nothing is fool proof. Fools are clever!
- Sirclip
- Senior Poster
- Posts: 283
- Joined: Mon Apr 07, 2014 09:18
- Model: Excel Celebration
- Colour: Marque Lotus
- Year: 1991
- Location: Wiltshire
Re: Brake upgrades
Thanks for the info Stu,
Was the improvement in braking significant?
Would you recommend going for the the bigger 300mm discs or are the 286mm good enough?
Was the improvement in braking significant?
Would you recommend going for the the bigger 300mm discs or are the 286mm good enough?
- Hawaiis0
- Senior Poster
- Posts: 4161
- Joined: Sun Jun 30, 2013 18:39
- Model: Excel SA (No 3); Elite 504
- Colour: BRG; Dirty White
- Year: 1986
- Location: West Oxfordshire
Re: Brake upgrades
286 was enough.
I will consider the 300's when I wear these out as I might have more power by then
I will consider the 300's when I wear these out as I might have more power by then
Nothing is fool proof. Fools are clever!