I am making my own floor-mounted pedal box, and am wondering whether to use a single (combination) master cylinder or twin master cylinders with a bias bar for the brakes.

Is there any real advantage on a road car to having twin master cylinders? I have sierra drum rear and cortina front calipers so braking isn't going to be great anyway!

Cheers

I got the twin bias’s bar jobby and to be honest I would never ever get another. Just a total caper to adjust and rather crude contraption. I'd much prefer a normal dual master cylinder with a bias valve for the rear instead. Also alot cheaper in the end.

You might just get away with no bias adjustment seeing your using drums at the back anyway. If I were you I'll just wait till you try it out and if it locks at the back just install the valve. I think you can get better pads for the front, green pads comes to mind but the brakes will be fine for such a light car.



[Edited on 2/12/07 by Mr Whippy]

Thanks for that Mr Whippy it's kind of what I was thinking, the bias bars look a bit fiddly although I must admit I've only seen pictures.

I'm using an Escort non servo master cylinder with Cortina discs at the front and Escort drums at the rear. It's fine for road use. I think you'd be suprised how good the set up is in a car as light as a Locost.

David

If you intend to keep the drums, use single master cylinder, the dual setup has no advantage and more possibility on problems and a possible sva fail if not done right, ie locking the adjusting mechanism and making sure balance is right.

A balance bar system is just a temptation to twiddle -- potentially very dangerous for road use.

For track use it is a diffeent mater they are far from crude and give very fine adjustment of front to rear balance.

quote:

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Originally posted by Werner Van Loock
If you intend to keep the drums, use single master cylinder, the dual setup has no advantage and more possibility on problems and a possible sva fail if not done right, ie locking the adjusting mechanism and making sure balance is right.

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Single in this case is actuality a dual circuit cylinder, i.e. standard fitments. Dual in this case is referring to two separate cylinders. Both are dual circuit.

Dan

I find the bias bar setup very fiddly to install but easy to adjust (you can get a dash adjuster which makes it even easier)

Having said all that, I will be going for a compensator valve next time.

In either case it is vital to do your calculations before buying the brakes - I ended up a little overbraked on the front despite winding the bias bar to the rear.