Best brakes to fit on (or inside) standard wheels
Moderator: Board Moderators
-
- Verified Poster
- Posts: 17
- Joined: Tue Oct 06, 2020 21:08
Best brakes to fit on (or inside) standard wheels
I have a 1985 Excel. all my brakes need replacing.... the full system.
so before I go and replace like for like... what is the best upgrades to go for.
MOST IMPORTANTLY.... IM ON A BUDGET. (Turbo cheapskate here)
my callipers have been removed but 3 of the 4 bleed nipples didn't come out without a fight...which may have left 3 of the 4 rather useless.
so before I go and replace like for like... what is the best upgrades to go for.
MOST IMPORTANTLY.... IM ON A BUDGET. (Turbo cheapskate here)
my callipers have been removed but 3 of the 4 bleed nipples didn't come out without a fight...which may have left 3 of the 4 rather useless.
-
- Senior Poster
- Posts: 3720
- Joined: Tue Apr 04, 2006 21:28
- Model: Elite
- Colour: Monaco White
- Year: 1974
- Location: Nottingham
Re: Best brakes to fit on (or inside) standard wheels
You can pretty much lock up the wheels with the standard set-up with good pads and the rest of the system working properly. It depends on whether the car will see the track.
So.... a turbo 912 on it's way??
Pete
So.... a turbo 912 on it's way??
Pete
-
- Verified Poster
- Posts: 17
- Joined: Tue Oct 06, 2020 21:08
Re: Best brakes to fit on (or inside) standard wheels
it most certainly will be hitting the track.....
and yes it may too have a turbo
and yes it may too have a turbo
-
- Senior Poster
- Posts: 2196
- Joined: Tue Nov 01, 2005 20:01
- Model: SE x2 + Celebration x2
- Colour: Gold,blue and green
- Year: 1987
- Location: Norwich
Re: Best brakes to fit on (or inside) standard wheels
Apparently Mintex 1144 do really well, but best thing is ask Mike Taylor @ Lotusbits as he can probably advise whether they're up to race as well.
There's a setup that wasn't very expensive when I did it but may no be harder to source callipers at a reasonable cost.
viewtopic.php?p=46724#p46724
and
viewtopic.php?p=89045#p89045
theflyingjohn did a conversion with the same callipers and discs as mine but configured slightly differently so I think was less machining involved.
There's a setup that wasn't very expensive when I did it but may no be harder to source callipers at a reasonable cost.
viewtopic.php?p=46724#p46724
and
viewtopic.php?p=89045#p89045
theflyingjohn did a conversion with the same callipers and discs as mine but configured slightly differently so I think was less machining involved.
-
- Verified Poster
- Posts: 17
- Joined: Tue Oct 06, 2020 21:08
Re: Best brakes to fit on (or inside) standard wheels
Thank you i shall look into these options and see if they are still cost effective.AndyC wrote: ↑Mon Nov 23, 2020 20:15Apparently Mintex 1144 do really well, but best thing is ask Mike Taylor @ Lotusbits as he can probably advise whether they're up to race as well.
There's a setup that wasn't very expensive when I did it but may no be harder to source callipers at a reasonable cost.
viewtopic.php?p=46724#p46724
and
viewtopic.php?p=89045#p89045
theflyingjohn did a conversion with the same callipers and discs as mine but configured slightly differently so I think was less machining involved.
if my original callipers can be saved i shall try the Mintex 1144 option too.
-
- Senior Poster
- Posts: 3720
- Joined: Tue Apr 04, 2006 21:28
- Model: Elite
- Colour: Monaco White
- Year: 1974
- Location: Nottingham
Re: Best brakes to fit on (or inside) standard wheels
We need to see photos of your project! Sounds interesting. What flavour wedge is it? Where do plan on placing the turbo?fast_wedge wrote: ↑Mon Nov 23, 2020 19:37it most certainly will be hitting the track.....
and yes it may too have a turbo
Welcome to the forum by the way!
Pete
- Hawaiis0
- Senior Poster
- Posts: 4146
- Joined: Sun Jun 30, 2013 18:39
- Model: Excel SA (No 3); Elite 504
- Colour: BRG; Dirty White
- Year: 1986
- Location: West Oxfordshire
Re: Best brakes to fit on (or inside) standard wheels
PNM engineering do a tidy big brake 4 pot hi spec caliper with 285 mm dics from std 256mm. Cango 310 mm. Got them on my sa. Lotuesbits do a similar set up but is beefier and costs more
Nothing is fool proof. Fools are clever!
-
- Verified Poster
- Posts: 17
- Joined: Tue Oct 06, 2020 21:08
Re: Best brakes to fit on (or inside) standard wheels
well I have considered many places to put the turbo....turbo Spoiler...turbo wheels...turbo seats.Pete Boole wrote: ↑Mon Nov 23, 2020 23:18We need to see photos of your project! Sounds interesting. What flavour wedge is it? Where do plan on placing the turbo?fast_wedge wrote: ↑Mon Nov 23, 2020 19:37it most certainly will be hitting the track.....
and yes it may too have a turbo
Welcome to the forum by the way!
Pete
but apparently its most effective on the engine
Once I figure out how to work a computer ill get some photos up.
-
- Verified Poster
- Posts: 17
- Joined: Tue Oct 06, 2020 21:08
Re: Best brakes to fit on (or inside) standard wheels
I have seen some of these kit and they look fantastic... but they are all rather pricey- I should know better you get what you pay for. but I am working to a budget for now.
- Lotus-e-Clan
- Senior Poster
- Posts: 4457
- Joined: Thu Nov 30, 2006 13:25
- Model: Excel SE - EWP/Waterless!
- Colour: Not Blue or Green
- Year: 1989
- Location: Swaledale
Re: Best brakes to fit on (or inside) standard wheels
Welcome to the forum. Seems to be a flush of new members atm.fast_wedge wrote: ↑Tue Nov 24, 2020 07:38Pete Boole wrote: ↑Mon Nov 23, 2020 23:18We need to see photos of your project! Sounds interesting. What flavour wedge is it? Where do plan on placing the turbo?fast_wedge wrote: ↑Mon Nov 23, 2020 19:37it most certainly will be hitting the track.....
and yes it may too have a turbo
Welcome to the forum by the way!
Pete
well I have considered many places to put the turbo....turbo Spoiler...turbo wheels...turbo seats.
but apparently its most effective on the engine
Once I figure out how to work a computer ill get some photos up.
I can't recall anyone successfully fitting a turbo to an Excel. Space and heat issues. Lotus abandoned fitting the 910 engine for that reason.
I guess if it's for track use then you could mess about with the bulk head to create space but not sure there's much leeway...probably would melt the windscreen adhesive . It would be easier/better to fit a competition-proven n/a 2.5L LotusBits engine for the track , especially if you want throttle response, anyhow..but that's definitely not possible on a small budget!
Peter K
- DavidOliver
- Senior Poster
- Posts: 692
- Joined: Fri Nov 07, 2014 11:18
- Model: Excel
- Colour: Calypso Red
- Year: 1985
- Location: Malaga Spain
Re: Best brakes to fit on (or inside) standard wheels
For ordinary brake parts, including calipers, try Brakes International. Cheaper than renovating, ask for your discount.
For master/slave cylinders Land Rover are best value new bits.
Fitting a Turbo will give you more headaches than other power raising alternatives which are readily available.
Dave the cog.
For master/slave cylinders Land Rover are best value new bits.
Fitting a Turbo will give you more headaches than other power raising alternatives which are readily available.
Dave the cog.
-
- Verified Poster
- Posts: 17
- Joined: Tue Oct 06, 2020 21:08
Re: Best brakes to fit on (or inside) standard wheels
Fear not. The turbo is alaready fittedDavidOliver wrote: ↑Tue Nov 24, 2020 10:41Fitting a Turbo will give you more headaches than other power raising alternatives which are readily available.
Dave the cog.
- Lotus-e-Clan
- Senior Poster
- Posts: 4457
- Joined: Thu Nov 30, 2006 13:25
- Model: Excel SE - EWP/Waterless!
- Colour: Not Blue or Green
- Year: 1989
- Location: Swaledale
-
- Senior Poster
- Posts: 3720
- Joined: Tue Apr 04, 2006 21:28
- Model: Elite
- Colour: Monaco White
- Year: 1974
- Location: Nottingham
Re: Best brakes to fit on (or inside) standard wheels
Almost as bad as fitting a V8!!
What was the engine in originally?
Pete
What was the engine in originally?
Pete
- Lotus-e-Clan
- Senior Poster
- Posts: 4457
- Joined: Thu Nov 30, 2006 13:25
- Model: Excel SE - EWP/Waterless!
- Colour: Not Blue or Green
- Year: 1989
- Location: Swaledale