Smaller bore master cylinder 400se?

[brummiewedge]

Brakes on my 400se are pretty crap, no match for anything modern really.
I want to know if anyone has tracked down a smaller bore master cylinder that is the same casting as the standard Girling fare?
If all the surfaces are bob on then this should improve matters, slightly more travel but a bit more feel to the standard 'wooden' pedal.
To start with what is it off?

[shpub]

You do not want a smaller bore unit as the travel will be very excessive, especially if you go to bigger callipers at a later date. The size is adequate but on the small size. The 520SE has a custom bigger master cylinder to go with its bigger brakes.

The wooden feel is more to do with the brake pads/disc than anything TBH with some pads giving better feel than others. Tarox and Ferodo DS2000/DS2500 are my personal favourites.

[rev-erend]

THey are rare are rocking horse do do but the Tarox pads are superb.

Tower view had some.. worth giving them a call

[adam quantrill]

Also boils down to how often you drive the car. I find the brakes go off after a few weeks if not used, and some healthy hard braking restores them.

[v8 racing]

If you have got a hard pedal but the brakes dont seem to work very well either when there hot or cold i would say it is down to the servo not working properly or not enough vacum in the engine to make it help, disconect the servo pipe and if its still the same then your on the right tracks,

[350zwelgje]

Brake feel improved, but not up to modern standards. Installed 300mm 4-pots, and didn't need to upgrade the standard servo or master cilinder. Paddle travel seemed bad on the old setup, and is ok to me now.
Agree with others, first check if nothing is wrong. One simple thing could be to flush the system as the fluid transfers force, but doesn't move physically. I upgraded to dot 5.1 from the 4 and problably the flushing (replace brake fluid at least every year as well) made the most of the improvement, besides now to be able to 'feel' when the front brakes are about to lock up. And just for the fun of it I like to lock all 4 wheels to just test that it is easy if I want to, like I like to test if the abs is still working on my company car....

Rob

[brummiewedge]

Ok then guys, I'm gonna groove the discs man, (can get done for £30.). Pull the calipers apart and clean up the pistons, and a new set of pads, oh and braided hoses. Failing that its big disc time.