westy21 Posted August 25, 2012 Share Posted August 25, 2012 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rednop1 Posted August 25, 2012 Share Posted August 25, 2012 what master cylinder you running Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westy21 Posted August 25, 2012 Author Share Posted August 25, 2012 The master cylinder is the standard unit supplied by Westfield in their SE Kit . West21 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SootySport Posted August 25, 2012 Share Posted August 25, 2012 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 . 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman Posted August 25, 2012 Share Posted August 25, 2012 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SootySport Posted August 25, 2012 Share Posted August 25, 2012 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman Posted August 25, 2012 Share Posted August 25, 2012 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!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SootySport Posted August 25, 2012 Share Posted August 25, 2012 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? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman Posted August 25, 2012 Share Posted August 25, 2012 Mine didn't, but you can get them from Hi Spec. A fiver or so IIRC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SootySport Posted August 25, 2012 Share Posted August 25, 2012 The pistons have chewed through my sticky pads and they are starting to squeal again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman Posted August 25, 2012 Share Posted August 25, 2012 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SootySport Posted August 25, 2012 Share Posted August 25, 2012 I'll give the grease a go then, Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westy21 Posted August 25, 2012 Author Share Posted August 25, 2012 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonjh1964 Posted August 25, 2012 Share Posted August 25, 2012 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman Posted August 25, 2012 Share Posted August 25, 2012 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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