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Westfield 4Pot Caliper Brake System


westy21

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Having just built a 2Litre Zetec SE model l am for the first time in a decade or so experiencing a non Servo Assisted Braking system. When ordering the original kit from Westfield l specified their own upgrade optional of a 4 pot caliper system with the wider front track thinking (rightly or wrongly ?)that this would help offset the absence of the Servo. Having passed the IVA first time l am now learning the characteristics of the car includung the feel of the brakes. I have only done 200 miles to date but they do not have anything like the bite of a Servo system and feel somewhat progressive almost to the extent of wondering whether they will ever lock up with maximum pedal pressure applied. I have bled them a couple of times but with no material change. They are not spongy in that they dont need pumping to build up pressure but is this a normal characteristic of the system or is it just me?

Westy21

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Well, yes they will be different to a servo system. You should be able to lock the fronts up at least with Hi-Spec 4 pots (I assume thats what you have)

If so, if you used the pads which come with them, then yes they will be carp as they are EBC road pads :p . I tried to lock my Hi Specs with those pads and I couldn't so changed to Mintex pads and they are perfect. Get yer self some better pads :yes:

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Yep, as Sootie said, the pedal pressures on non-servo systems do feel a bit different if you're not used to it. That said, in a lightweight Westfield, with decent pads, Hi Specs & the standard Westfield MC, it certainly doesn't take legs of steel to lock the front wheels!

Whatever the calliper, when people do have issues it's surprising how poor pad choice often seems to be the problem. EBC don't seem to get much positive feedback on the Boardroom for Westfield use.

I ran my Hi Specs with the Mintex 1144's they came with, (from Cat Motorsport) for six or seven years with no issues, good feel, plenty of stopping power and good pedal pressures.

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1144's are only really necessary if you use the car on track, they do squeal quite a bit. If you are road only then try Pagid or other decent road pads.

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They work well on the road too, use the anti squeal pads or frequent use of Copper slip, or better still a proper calliper grease and they're fine!

(Pagids are good too, but depending on version, can be significantly dearer than the Mintex!)

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They work well on the road too, use the anti squeal pads or frequent use of Copper slip, or better still a proper calliper grease and they're fine!

(Pagids are good too, but depending on version, can be significantly dearer than the Mintex!)

Is that the sticky plastic strips that come with the pads?

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Mine didn't, but you can get them from Hi Spec. A fiver or so IIRC.

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The pistons have chewed through my sticky pads and they are starting to squeal again.

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Ah, sorry, I know the ones you mean, no the ones I meant are more of a shim.

I've also had much more success with Ceratec brake grease (from the likes of Mintex, Pagid etc) rather than Copperslip and it's equivalents. It seems to stay effective for much longer.

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Do Westfield use Hi-Spec as a supplier. I relate to the Hi-Spec 4pot calipers being referred to but are these the same as the Westfield Version which have the Westfield name printed on the outer surface where the name of Hi-Spec would be typically printed ?

Westy21

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The Westfield calipers I have are Hi-spec and even came in a Hi-spec box - can someone post a link to the relevant Mintex 1144 to fit them - mine came with the EBC Std Rd Pads. I'm still to hit the road but already suffering from upgrade-itis.

Jon H

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Yes the Westfield badged lightweight four pot front callipers are Hi Spec Ultralights, they take an Elise pad. The lightweight rears with hand brake mechanism are also from Hi Spec. (Hi Spec sell them with and without Hi Spec markings as well as doing branded versions for companies like Westfield.)

Westfield also do a more expensive AP four pot front caliper. These are marked "Westfield AP Racing", they also need the matched AP master cylinder.

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