Brake upgrades

General Elite, Eclat and Excel discussions.

Moderator: Board Moderators

Post Reply
User avatar
Sirclip
Senior Poster
Posts: 281
Joined: Mon Apr 07, 2014 09:18
Model: Excel Celebration
Colour: Marque Lotus
Year: 1991
Location: Wiltshire

Brake upgrades

Post by Sirclip »

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!

User avatar
Hawaiis0
Senior Poster
Posts: 4130
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

Post by Hawaiis0 »

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
Nothing is fool proof. Fools are clever!

User avatar
Sirclip
Senior Poster
Posts: 281
Joined: Mon Apr 07, 2014 09:18
Model: Excel Celebration
Colour: Marque Lotus
Year: 1991
Location: Wiltshire

Re: Brake upgrades

Post by Sirclip »

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?

User avatar
Hawaiis0
Senior Poster
Posts: 4130
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

Post by Hawaiis0 »

286 was enough.

I will consider the 300's when I wear these out as I might have more power by then :wink:
Nothing is fool proof. Fools are clever!

Post Reply