SteveSpitfire1500 Posted July 15, 2013 Share Posted July 15, 2013 Hi, I'm guess the first improvement I may make next time I have some money to spend is to upgrade the brakes with a servo, is this something somebody with basic mechanical skills can undertake or is it a complex job? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bodders1 Posted July 15, 2013 Share Posted July 15, 2013 Why is adding a servo to the brakes an "improvement"?It doesn't make the car stop any better, just means that you don't have to press the pedal as hard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thescrapman Posted July 15, 2013 Share Posted July 15, 2013 SteveAs long as the brakes are in good condition, a servo is not required.One could be used to mask an underlying problem and allow you to put off fixing it for longer.CheersColin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveSpitfire1500 Posted July 15, 2013 Author Share Posted July 15, 2013 I'm fine with the brakes as they are, just my partner won't drive the car because of how hard the pedal has to be pressed, having said that I guess with no ABS adding a servo may make the car easier to skid? It was just a thought as I'd read kits were available. My first car as a teenager was a '66 vauxhall viva, this was such a basic design I think it really taught me to understand how to drive a car as you could really 'feel everything working' ..... guess people who've only ever driven 'new cars' probably feel a bit intimidated by an older car? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Posted July 15, 2013 Share Posted July 15, 2013 Quality pads will give you a major improvement to the brakes.My car is fitted with mintex 1144 pads and is certainly not wanting in the brake department.I'm almost certain if your partner drove it for a little while they'd stop noticing.All manner of people have driven my car over the years,the only one who hates the brakes is my wife.......poor pampered darling ;DHaving said that she used to use it for work years ago its just lack of practice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrendanD Posted July 15, 2013 Share Posted July 15, 2013 less macho please on the forum.....my wife likes the servo, and to be honest when you've been in a London traffic jam for two hours getting home on a Sunday evening, so do I......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
69vitesse Posted July 15, 2013 Share Posted July 15, 2013 Agree 100% Brendan.In traffic, a servo makes the car much more pleasant to drive and a lot less stressful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Posted July 15, 2013 Share Posted July 15, 2013 BrendanD wrote:less macho please on the forum.....my wife likes the servo, and to be honest when you've been in a London traffic jam for two hours getting home on a Sunday evening, so do I.........Nothing macho about my response,I honestly don't find the brakes a challenge.My cars completed 3 round britains with different drivers and not one has ever mentioned the brakes other than the first time when we had a near miss in an emergency situation.the brakes locked up as we performed an emergency stop on the brow of a hill.All the weight was off the car and it skidded to a halt......this is a scaled down version of events,in reality it was a proper brown trouser moment.A servo would have made no difference to it.Alex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Paterson Posted July 15, 2013 Share Posted July 15, 2013 I've done a bit of work on my brakes recently. Larger diameter master cylinder, braided hoses on front (still to do rears when I have time) and it has given me the best, firmest pedal ever. The brakes are fabulous ... I have M1144 fitted too ... And very progressive. However they do now need a good firm foot pressure. I could see why some might want a servo. I don't feel the need but as long as the rest of the system is properly maintained go for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRooster Posted July 15, 2013 Share Posted July 15, 2013 Servo easier to drive but you will miss a bit of feel (actually quite bit) if your pushing on a tad. So for moping around then fit a servo, but for going for it, then no, depends how you drive, also depends on what brake set up you have, standard or modified.RR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrendanD Posted July 15, 2013 Share Posted July 15, 2013 Living in cental London 'pushing on a tad' is something I hardly remember :-/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GT6 M Posted July 15, 2013 Share Posted July 15, 2013 My self, forget it, too spongey a pedal, no feel, cramps an over crowded bulk head.almost impossible to get at heater hoses.and teks / took up space where me spanners go now frae my recent experiance, well to me anyhoo, with a dodgy peadal.Bung on a smaller MC, and fit a RPV. its transformed the brakes no end.Was going to go bigger MC, but that meant moer pressure and less power.Smaller MC = moer power for less effortand the RPV takes care of the longer peadl travelPlus, when bleeding brakes, ye just pump till air stops coming oot, as the RPV wont let fluid back flow.16£ E Bay, try iy first.its a win win win set up.M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nang Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 Marcus, RPV...Please explain to an ignorant Kiwi.ThanksTony. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 Residual Pressure Valve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin M Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 Hi Steve,I converted our Spit 1500 this spring to a Servo assisted brake. At the same time changing from EBC green stuff to Mintex 1144.Yes, pedal a bit spongy, as I changed to Silicone fluid as well.It transformed the brakes. I don´t want to miss this set up any more.Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveSpitfire1500 Posted July 16, 2013 Author Share Posted July 16, 2013 I guess given the amount of money I'll be coughing up this week I'll suck it and see, only driven the car 5-6 times, so will see how it goes, will bookmark this thread for next spring :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GT6 M Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 Well with a smaller MC, a RPV, the brake pedal needs about a 2lb shuv, or just a touch of brake,to get it to stop v v sharp.If going to RPV, then you will need 2, as ye got drums and discs.yan for fronts, yan for backsfronts 1.5 lb, rears 10lb as rears have got stiff springs in em to pulll shoes off.there got to be some bod,e else on here fitted em,whats their findings.!!!M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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