New Recruit

[IANPENNELL]

Hi everyone,  I am a new member.  Really pleased to have come across this Club.  I have just bought a kit car (Locost 7) last weekend so still pretty new to all of this.  I have taken her out for a few drives over the weekend.  The car goes really well but the brakes dont seem to be good enough for the performance of the car.  Does anyone have any suggestions?  Thanks

['The Gaffer']

Hello Ian and a warm welcome to our club

Are you from or around Bristol? if so we look forward to seeing you and your car on a club event or run out. Please feel free to post some pics.

As far as brakes go, maybe a locost builder can help?

[Bulldog Bri]

Hiya and welcome to the club...

I'm wondering if it was the Locost that was on Ebay the other week, a blue one 1300cc crossflowed.

[YellaBelly]

Hi and welcome

Where abouts are you located?

JB

[Martin Higgs]

 Buy an Anchor

But seriously welcome to the club I have the same issue as I do not have  a servo I never feel like the brakes are up to the job is this common on many Kit Cars ?

[Richard]

Welcome welcome !

Try Hairy's brake pedal.


Do come along to a few meets / runs, helps the enjoyment of your new toy !

[David H]

hairy's brake pedal almost left me speechless. no servo.

Welcome by the way.

I have had the whole brake thing and have gone through several bits of kit on my Westfield. There is a lot to consider but its important to remember that they will NOT feel like an normal everyday car's brakes. Servos often ruin the feeling of a very light car's brakes and there is no real need for one. However, they should stop you firmly and safely at least. Whats the current set up?

You can improve things with better pads, discs or better bleeding or change the master cylinder etc, it all depends on what the 'problem' is...... too much travel? too spongy? no bite? pull to one side?

['Mendip Wurzel']

I agree with all that David H said.... I had the same olde problem with my kitcar and put some Mintex 1144 performance type pads in mine this winter which helped. I also changed the very old break fluid, which will deteriorate with age. EBC Greenstuff or Yellowstuff is another popular performance break pad. Beyond that it can get expensive with things like 4 pot calipers etc. You also need to get the breaking balanced between the front and rear breaks (bias). 

[IANPENNELL]

Thanks for all your comments. I am getting used to the brakes now. I may try new pads. Photos to follow shortly. I live near winterbourne if anyone wants to go for a drive one evening?

Also, does anyone know of any track days coming up apart from castle coombe?

Thanks

Ian

[Daley Down Under]

Ian,

Try Motorsport Events (www.motorsport-events.co.uk) - they run airfield days at Colerne, Abingdon, Hullavington and Keevil.  Surfaces at Colerne and Abingdon are excellent and the events are well run by friendly people.  Tash Moore sorts out bookings.  They also use Combe and Pembrey

[PhilW]

We need to know, what's your current set up, callipers, MC single or dual, i would say 1144s ( the warmer they get the better they work )- i wouldn't bother with Green stuff as i think they a crap, but it's down to personal preference(i had them in my TVR and they kept fading), there is also the argument that standard pads should be ggod enough due to the lack of weight in a kit compared to an Escort etc but i don't agree with that.

[dave_bence]

Hello and welcome Ian