Rear brake upgrade. Not for usual reason.
Discussion
I have a nice set of Brembo calipers and 325mm discs (from Focus RS) on the front of my Griff. With careful choice (read trial and error 
) of pads in front and back the setup is quite well balanced and works very well for what I do with the car.
The only snag is the handbrake. Whatever I try, I can't get the efficiency (as measured by MOT standard) above 16% - so it only ever just passes and while doing that the lever has to be pulled so hard it is beginning to distort the centre console cover.
I dismantled a standard caliper to see how it worked, and while I can see how it works when it is new, I am not convinced the mechanism won't wear out in only a few months.
So what options are there? I have seen these: http://www.hispecbrake.co.uk/calipers/SVA%20Ultral... but while the idea is nice, I doubt I will be using this particular supplier for several reasons.
Who else makes something suitable? Preferably using something from an automotive parts bin so that I'm not ties to a single small company for spares.
) of pads in front and back the setup is quite well balanced and works very well for what I do with the car.The only snag is the handbrake. Whatever I try, I can't get the efficiency (as measured by MOT standard) above 16% - so it only ever just passes and while doing that the lever has to be pulled so hard it is beginning to distort the centre console cover.
I dismantled a standard caliper to see how it worked, and while I can see how it works when it is new, I am not convinced the mechanism won't wear out in only a few months.
So what options are there? I have seen these: http://www.hispecbrake.co.uk/calipers/SVA%20Ultral... but while the idea is nice, I doubt I will be using this particular supplier for several reasons.
Who else makes something suitable? Preferably using something from an automotive parts bin so that I'm not ties to a single small company for spares.
If you're making up your own kit, the rear calipers on Elises & some later Esprits are Brembo single piston sliding calipers with a handbrake mech. They were used on the rear of the Esprit with 320mmx32mm discs and smaller diameter and thinner discs on the Elise. With the 32mm thick esprit discs, pads were thinner but available from EBC etc so that shouldn't be a problem.
I think i still have two new sets of these calipers. If you're interested in a set, PM me and I'll take a look in my loft and take some photos. One set is still destined for my Grif, the others were for my Excel but that project just isn't going to happen unless days become 48 hours long! :-(
I've also got a pair of Focus RS discs and new AP Racing TVR branded 4 pot calipers from T350 / later TVR's ready for the front!
I've also got a pair of Focus RS discs and new AP Racing TVR branded 4 pot calipers from T350 / later TVR's ready for the front!
Could you post the pics up here?...I too am looking for alternative rear anchors that are a little less Low Spec and have built-in cable handbrake (that works).
I have asked on the forums before for any potential donors, but this is the first time the Lotus option has been mentioned.
I have asked on the forums before for any potential donors, but this is the first time the Lotus option has been mentioned.
How does spacing the calipers help the handbrake work better? (which is the whole point of my researching this upgrade) Maybe a change of leverage point helps - this is making me think a bit about modifiying the handbrake mechanism - the brakes are fit for the purpose of actually stopping the car as far as I am concerned.
I found out that Peugeot rear calipers have cable handbrake facility, but also seem to suffer from the same issue as the TVR ones... Not a lot of help.
So this makes me think about the same scheme as found on Ultimas. An extra handbrake only caliper.
I found out that Peugeot rear calipers have cable handbrake facility, but also seem to suffer from the same issue as the TVR ones... Not a lot of help.
So this makes me think about the same scheme as found on Ultimas. An extra handbrake only caliper.
Why can't we discus the technical merits / failings of the brakes in question instead of the charade surrounding the OP's predicament without some assuming such might be defending a company and some of their products?
Two topics tiptoeing around some peoples sensibilities. How big boyish.
Lady
Two topics tiptoeing around some peoples sensibilities. How big boyish.
Lady
Don't know if the Peugeot calipers mentioned are the same as the ones fitted on various Renaults like the Laguna etc but, if so, my experience is the handbrake operates ok but the mechanism is prone to seizing in the caliper, which is not supposed to be serviceable. Probably not the best option.
TBH, I've never had particular problems with my Chim handbrake provided the handle is give a firm pull (did bend the carrier once
)
TBH, I've never had particular problems with my Chim handbrake provided the handle is give a firm pull (did bend the carrier once
) Dnb, In my case i am looking for an alternative for the same reason BliarOut was, in that I have AP 4 pots up front which have pushed the brake balance too far forward and i have had to adapt my driving style to compensate, as I am no longer able to trail brake as i did before thru.
My first and obvious chase is a brake bias valve to balance out, but that kinda defeat the whole object of fitting bigger brakes in the first place as it would reduce the efficiancy of the front to tbalance the rears, whereas what i should be doing is raising the game on the rear.
(Lady, please wind your neck in regarding Low spec s
te brakes please before this thread degrades into more handbags at dawn, this thread has naff all to do with them, as the OP expressed as desire NOT to use them!)
My first and obvious chase is a brake bias valve to balance out, but that kinda defeat the whole object of fitting bigger brakes in the first place as it would reduce the efficiancy of the front to tbalance the rears, whereas what i should be doing is raising the game on the rear.
(Lady, please wind your neck in regarding Low spec s
te brakes please before this thread degrades into more handbags at dawn, this thread has naff all to do with them, as the OP expressed as desire NOT to use them!)Edited by Bluebottle on Wednesday 29th September 12:15
BliarOut said:
I run 300mm rear rotors with standard calipers spaced out. Works very well.
Same for me and the handbrake works fine. I assume you've all been around Griffs long enough to know that the trick is to slacken the cable adjustment not tighten it? Doing this gives you more lever movement and also more leverage. Years ago some workshops mistakenly thought that the handbrake wasn't working so they tightened the cable such that you could only get 2 x clicks on the ratchet. But, on the contrary, if you slacken it so you can get 3 or 4 clicks it works fine. If maintaining the handbrake mechanism is too difficult then consider:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2090733.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2090733.htm
Ladyg I am not interested in anything you have to say unless you can help answer the question I originally asked. I doubt you can, so further inflammatory input from you will not be required and may result in me getting uncharacteristicly angry.
The rest of you - thanks so far. I have a near vertical handbrake lever as it is. Chances are my original calipers are well past their use by date - they are about the only original bit of car left.
The rest of you - thanks so far. I have a near vertical handbrake lever as it is. Chances are my original calipers are well past their use by date - they are about the only original bit of car left.
Bluebottle said:
(Lady, please wind your neck in regarding Low spec s
te brakes please before this thread degrades into more handbags at dawn, this thread has naff all to do with them)I have seen these: http://www.hispecbrake.co.uk/calipers/SVA%20Ultral... but while the idea is nice, I doubt I will be using this particular supplier for several reasons.
Seems the OP is asking info of a similar product, so, still wondering if it's a nice idea what the failings were of the product from this seemingly blackballed company. Why is it such a sensitive issue for some? Or is it just the inability to discus the technicalities without the handbag bashing? Men eh.
Lady
dnb said:
Ladyg I am not interested in anything you have to say unless you can help answer the question I originally asked. I doubt you can, so further inflammatory input from you will not be required and may result in me getting uncharacteristicly angry.
Pardon me for speaking 
The standard caliper works fine providing the cable is not old and stretched, is routed and mounted correctly and the caliper is in good condition. I have no problem with my handbrake, which brings the cable taught on the first two clicks, drags on the third and locks solid on the fourth with very good efficiency (I forget the reading at MOT). From time to time I check the cable adjuster as they have a habit of slackening back which I believe happens with the original fit (Orion I believe). Suggest you might start with new cables and calipers if you believe yours are worn. The rear calipers on mine could be original as I've no history to say otherwise, though the discs, pads and cables were renewed around 10000 miles previous and work pretty much as they should.
Lady
I suspect when The Blade started this topic when he did was purely coincidental to the one regarding YG's topic "Lady" and knowing him well i believe that to be the case not that it matters 
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