Overview of brake spesifications over the years

[Kghaas]

Hi
I have a Lotus 7 S4 where I have swapped the Xflow with a Duratec.
I now want to upgrade the brakes to match.

I have no issues with braking now, but I need to upgrade brakes to pass tech inspections.

My question is: is there any overview of the different Caterham models and brake size/brake components?

I am interested in the brake setup on cars with Duratec engine or engines producing from 160bhp and up.

Any information if there is a bolt-on option to my Spitfire brakes is also very interesting.

Tahnks

[rene7]

Hi
I've read your post on your S4 on the Lotus 7 - S4 thread on here, Regarding the brake specs, current caterhams use similar front discs to your S4 !!
Rear discs on Current Caterhams use Sierra discs/calipers, these can be fitted to your S4 quite easily, if you google you'll see plenty of threads on this subject [Early Mk1 &2 Ford Escorts use the SAME brake kit to fit to the rear axle], I converted my S4 to these discs, it was fairly easy provided you're OK wielding spanners, there are complete rear brake kits on Ebay to do this conversion - cost is about £300, after fitting you'll also need to swop the master cylinder for a new .75" bore cylinder.
FWIW the only improvement IMO after the swop is the unsprung weight saving of 1.5kg/side, the standard S4 rear drums are plenty good enough provided they are working correctly.
SO my S4 has a 160bhp zetec fitted - are the upgraded brakes good enough? - they are stunning - but even when oriiginally fitted with the rear drums they were also stunning,
One other aspect you may like is that [they the rear discs] look better if you have alloys fitted to your S4 something like original revolutions show the discs off well,
I wrote all about the conversion on the Lotus 7 - S4 thread some pictures too - hope this helps
Rene

[Kghaas]

Thanks for that thorough answer.
My initial question was a bit unclear. What i need is the documentation of what size brakes was used on similar cars as mine.
I already have rear disk brakes. Up front only upgrade is mintex pads

[rene7]

kghaas
you'll need to be driving your S4 really hard on the road to get any brake fade [you may get fade on a track day but i'm sure you would already have fitted the mintex 1144 front pads if track days are your thing - they ain't mine far Too many Alpha males trying to prove they are the STIG or even Lewis H ]

[Kghaas]

I have no issues with brake fading or other issues.Brakes are really good so I don't need new brakes.
What I need is a document showing the brake specification for a Caterham with 160bhp or above.

A copy of a spec sheet, TUV sertificate, Singel Vehicle approval or other document showing the disk size. Preferably other details as well.
The document will be used as an attachment for a SVA approval.

Sorry for being unclear..

[sfaulds]

I doubt you'll find anything suitably official with the brake size listed, however the current standard front brakes on anything up to 620R is a solid disc, only slightly larger than you currently have.

[rene7]

KGHAAS
All the specs/sizes/power outputs etc are/were in the current Caterham build manual - At least they were in the manual the wife got with her 2010 car,
It's also online as a pdf file so you ought to be able to print off what you need - though I can't find the web address for it at the mo.
Hope this helps

[Kghaas]

Thanks.
Will have look through the different build manuals