STOPPING!!!! BETTER BRAKE PADS?
Discussion
The consequence of too many track days has seen my front brake pads detiorate considerably. (on a 111s)
I have had look at the 'Elises.co.uk' website, but does anyone else have any recommendations for brake pads to use for track days other than the standard Lotus ones that show an improvement over the original.
Any other suggestions for brake upgrades in general?
Would also like to know if anyone has had sight or knowledge of the Exige S2.
Cheers
PC
I have had look at the 'Elises.co.uk' website, but does anyone else have any recommendations for brake pads to use for track days other than the standard Lotus ones that show an improvement over the original.
Any other suggestions for brake upgrades in general?
Would also like to know if anyone has had sight or knowledge of the Exige S2.
Cheers
PC
Regarding the brake pads - the best of the bunch by a long way are the Pagid pads. The jury is out between the RS-14 (black) or the RS4-2 (blue), but both are amazing.
The RS-14 is exactly the same as the Lotus Motorsport pads.
Downside is they can rattle (fixed with pad buffers) and they will squeal. This is a small price to pay for the performance.
HTH
Chris
The RS-14 is exactly the same as the Lotus Motorsport pads.
Downside is they can rattle (fixed with pad buffers) and they will squeal. This is a small price to pay for the performance.
HTH
Chris
Tried copper grease to stop the squeal?
Put a little on the back of the pad and it should eliminate brake squeal. I had a kit car with the same problem and copper grease solved it (should also eliminate the rattle a bit).
Warning don't get copper grease on the pad (obviosuly) but also not on your clothes as it NEVER comes out.
Put a little on the back of the pad and it should eliminate brake squeal. I had a kit car with the same problem and copper grease solved it (should also eliminate the rattle a bit).
Warning don't get copper grease on the pad (obviosuly) but also not on your clothes as it NEVER comes out.
Ahh copper grease on the brake pads at least it would stop them wearing out!!
I jest, thanks for the replies, I guessed Pagid may have made some, question is who supplies them at the lowest cost.
As for Lotus, the 2001 results make interesting reading, the loss is considerably, I only hope that they can rectify the production problems and have the resource to devote to any new versions of the S2 Elise.
Cheers
PC
I jest, thanks for the replies, I guessed Pagid may have made some, question is who supplies them at the lowest cost.
As for Lotus, the 2001 results make interesting reading, the loss is considerably, I only hope that they can rectify the production problems and have the resource to devote to any new versions of the S2 Elise.
Cheers
PC
Can the Pagid brake pads be fitted to the 'aluminium' brake discs of the early Elises? Would they improve braking in normal driving conditions or just at the track?
I have a 97 Elise with the metal matrix compound discs. The brakes perform well once they warm up, and so aren't too bad for track days, but I'm dreading an emergency stop on the motorway when the brakes are likely to be cold and wet. They also squeal quite a bit already some I'm pretty used to the noise.
I have a 97 Elise with the metal matrix compound discs. The brakes perform well once they warm up, and so aren't too bad for track days, but I'm dreading an emergency stop on the motorway when the brakes are likely to be cold and wet. They also squeal quite a bit already some I'm pretty used to the noise.
I'm lucky enough to have MMC brakes discs from the early Elise (mine's a 98). These compound discs have proved very capable on the track and hold up well under stress. But they only come on once they're warmed up, which means they're pretty sqeaky around town.
I'm been advised it's not worth fitting any new discs or pads while I have the MMC discs. So for those Elise owners considering replacing your brakes, check if you have the MMC discs first! (They are the nice shiney discs found on 97-98 Elises, and they don't rust).
I'm been advised it's not worth fitting any new discs or pads while I have the MMC discs. So for those Elise owners considering replacing your brakes, check if you have the MMC discs first! (They are the nice shiney discs found on 97-98 Elises, and they don't rust).
NEVER fit anything other than Lotus pads to the MMCs. They use special pads and anything else will trash the disc. An expensive mistake!
The Pagids do work amazingly well with iron discs though. I have completely cured the rattle by bending the plate that locates the pads. The squeal, well you just have to live with that! I always use some copper grease when putting pads in, but it only helps a little.
If you _must_ fit Greenstuff (hmmmm...), then ensure you get the V4 ones. The previous incarnation lasted about the length of your drive and trashed your disc at the same time!
ChrisJ
The Pagids do work amazingly well with iron discs though. I have completely cured the rattle by bending the plate that locates the pads. The squeal, well you just have to live with that! I always use some copper grease when putting pads in, but it only helps a little.
If you _must_ fit Greenstuff (hmmmm...), then ensure you get the V4 ones. The previous incarnation lasted about the length of your drive and trashed your disc at the same time!
ChrisJ
Chris
I asked about the Pagids and were told that the V4 Greenstuffs were better, there certainly seems to be more bite and feel, although I have only ever driven a friends Exige to compare brake retardation and feel.
The discs will need replacing at the next service anyway. This leads me onto the next question, are the Lotus (drilled) discs better than anything else on the aftermarket, the 111S discs are not MMC however.
PC
I asked about the Pagids and were told that the V4 Greenstuffs were better, there certainly seems to be more bite and feel, although I have only ever driven a friends Exige to compare brake retardation and feel.
The discs will need replacing at the next service anyway. This leads me onto the next question, are the Lotus (drilled) discs better than anything else on the aftermarket, the 111S discs are not MMC however.
PC
dragstar said:
Exige S2? Is that in the offing? It didn't seem very likely to me.
oh i dont know....
must have be a pre production protoypes we've been getting...... pretty damn good, cant wait to see it when its finished
Theres a couple of these prototypes we've managed to secure in the PH classifieds (little scoop for you Ted
)dattoman said:
Try some Ferodo DS2500.
They are proving to be popular and seem to be outperforming Greenstuff in every car I've encountered so far.
On the Elise Ferodo's get far too grabby when they heat up. Start braking, get decent decelleration, pads heat up, friction index rises rapidly, sudden lockup...
Not a nice pad at all on the Elise IMHO. A bit like the Pagid RS15's which are also a bit 'too much' for a light car like the Elise when it comes to friction index (they are linear in their behaviour though..)
Personally I'm running SBS ProTrack pads. Work well, very linear. But like Pagid RS14's or RS4-2's they can squeel/screech at low speeds and pedal pressures. (basically a track/race pad)
For purely road use the V4 (or now V5?) Greenstuffs work fine. They do not like track use though. Mine worked OK, but when I replaced them they were obviously cracked and damaged by the heat.
Mintex-C 1144's are also pretty decent, but can cause brake fluid overheating on the track as they seem to be conducting a lot more heat to the calipher.
Bye, Arno.
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