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  1. #1
    Regional Rep Chris Hebden's Avatar
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    Why run without a brake servo?

    Whats the benefits of running a car without a brake servo during?

    Cheers Chris

  2. #2
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    Re: Why run without a brake servo?

    Quote Originally Posted by Chris Hebden View Post
    Whats the benefits of running a car without a brake servo during?

    Cheers Chris
    Depends what you are doing, you can use a pedal box with a bios, did this in my Anglia for a while.

  3. #3
    Non-member markey b's Avatar
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    Re: Why run without a brake servo?

    good for building up leg muscles!

    wouldn't want to on a car with a single master cyl running all 4, pedal box as stated above wont need a servo

    to try it out, turn off ya engine and try and brake whilst in neutral, not the easiest thing to do

  4. #4
    Motech Tony Walker's Avatar
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    Re: Why run without a brake servo?

    On the normal braking system it would be a massive step in the wrong direction. you'l struggle to apply pressure to the discs.

  5. #5
    Non-member SCHWARTZ's Avatar
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    Re: Why run without a brake servo?

    drive around with the brake servo pipe off then youll see.

  6. #6
    Committee, South East Regional Rep James5's Avatar
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    Re: Why run without a brake servo?

    Quote Originally Posted by SCHWARTZ View Post
    drive around with the brake servo pipe off then youll see.


  7. #7
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    Re: Why run without a brake servo?

    Ever driven an old car without a servo? A mini for example. It's a double foot job.

  8. #8
    Committee, Shop Manager, SE Regional Rep Bigfoot's Avatar
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    Re: Why run without a brake servo?

    Quote Originally Posted by Purple_rob View Post
    Ever driven an old car without a servo? A mini for example. It's a double foot job.
    Yes I have thank you, no problem braking as well some renault 19s dont have a brake servo

  9. #9
    Non-member tiff_lee's Avatar
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    Re: Why run without a brake servo?

    Quote Originally Posted by Purple_rob View Post
    Ever driven an old car without a servo? A mini for example. It's a double foot job.
    Mine was pretty good once I pumped the pedal a few times first...

  10. #10
    Non-member TNT ANDY's Avatar
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    Re: Why run without a brake servo?

    Quote Originally Posted by tiff_lee View Post
    Mine was pretty good once I pumped the pedal a few times first...
    Which begs the question - why not have one?

    Another member on here has done a monster build and has not included a servo for one reason or another. He has included a bias valve to trim from front to rear as well, I cannot think why he would opt for no servo.

  11. #11
    Non-member tiff_lee's Avatar
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    Re: Why run without a brake servo?

    Quote Originally Posted by TNT ANDY View Post
    Which begs the question - why not have one?

    Another member on here has done a monster build and has not included a servo for one reason or another. He has included a bias valve to trim from front to rear as well, I cannot think why he would opt for no servo.
    Well I was taking the p*** a little as I had to pump the brakes due to them being in a poor state (air in system) plus it was a non servo model 83 plate or some such but indeed it would beg the question why not have one and take what could be seen as a step backwards.

    One example I could think of using a pedal box was on an Escort RS Turbo whereby the servo was mounted on the left hand side of the engine requiring a bar to transfer the action from the brake pedal to the servo which wasn't the best design due to flex etc. The servo itself couldnt be moved inline with the brake pedal removing the need for the transfer bar as the servo would foul the inlet however it was possible to fit a pedal box instead.

  12. #12
    Committee, NW Regional Rep Alex's Avatar
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    Re: Why run without a brake servo?

    I was towed once in my R5 with the engine off (as it had blown ) and therefore had no servo assistance - it's a terrible idea to run without a servo on an R5 - I nearly hit the truck towing me several times!

    Sure, some cars don't have servos out the factory but they're generally designed NOT to have one to start with.....

  13. #13
    Regional Rep Chris Hebden's Avatar
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    Re: Why run without a brake servo?

    Quote Originally Posted by TNT ANDY View Post
    Which begs the question - why not have one?

    Another member on here has done a monster build and has not included a servo for one reason or another. He has included a bias valve to trim from front to rear as well, I cannot think why he would opt for no servo.
    This was kind of my point, i couldnt understand the reasoning behind anyone removing a servo. I know what a servo does to the brake pedal and i know how hard it is to break without a servo, so couldnt work out why in a competitive car a servo would be removed.

  14. #14
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    Re: Why run without a brake servo?

    Quote Originally Posted by Chris Hebden View Post
    This was kind of my point, i couldnt understand the reasoning behind anyone removing a servo. I know what a servo does to the brake pedal and i know how hard it is to break without a servo, so couldnt work out why in a competitive car a servo would be removed.
    They are removed and replaced with a pedal box & bios which gives you more control over how the car brakes and can be adjusted throughout the race.

  15. #15
    Regional Rep Chris Hebden's Avatar
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    Re: Why run without a brake servo?

    Quote Originally Posted by phase i 16 v turbo View Post
    They are removed and replaced with a pedal box & bios which gives you more control over how the car brakes and can be adjusted throughout the race.
    How did you find this over the standard vehicle set up?

  16. #16
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    Re: Why run without a brake servo?

    Quote Originally Posted by Chris Hebden View Post
    How did you find this over the standard vehicle set up?
    Fun! Easy to do rolling burns outs. Needs to be setup correctly though.

  17. #17
    Regional Rep Chris Hebden's Avatar
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    Re: Why run without a brake servo?

    What about the brake performance?

  18. #18
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    Re: Why run without a brake servo?

    i dont run servo brakes on mine, as my engine sits behind me
    also room in front engine bay was cramped once the fuel tank was in place, as regards to brake feel , they are responsive ,with very little pedal travel,once four pots are in place should be superb you feel more if that makes sense, but to get full lock up you do have to apply pressure!!

  19. #19
    Non-member SCHWARTZ's Avatar
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    Re: Why run without a brake servo?

    Quote Originally Posted by HAndy View Post
    i dont run servo brakes on mine, as my engine sits behind me
    also room in front engine bay was cramped once the fuel tank was in place, as regards to brake feel , they are responsive ,with very little pedal travel,once four pots are in place should be superb you feel more if that makes sense, but to get full lock up you do have to apply pressure!!
    are you using a pedal box then? Did you try/look into a remote servo at all?

  20. #20
    Non-member TNT ANDY's Avatar
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    Re: Why run without a brake servo?

    Quote Originally Posted by SCHWARTZ View Post
    are you using a pedal box then? Did you try/look into a remote servo at all?
    My thoughts exactly.

  21. #21
    Non-member TNT ANDY's Avatar
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    Re: Why run without a brake servo?

    I have driven 1 non assisted car in my time, and the brakes where terrible, I can only assume that non assisted brakes nowadays are not that bad then?


    However

    Are they as good as assisted?

    By that I mean:

    Are they as responsive?

    Are they as sharp?

    Are they as efficient?

    From my own experience the answer to all of the above is no, what are other peoples views?

  22. #22
    Non-member Adam 005's Avatar
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    Re: Why run without a brake servo?

    am i right in thinking lotus elise has no servo.F1 cars have on servo

  23. #23
    Non-member SCHWARTZ's Avatar
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    Re: Why run without a brake servo?

    but F1 card would use a pedal box so there fore not need a servo wouldnt they?

  24. #24
    Motech Tony Walker's Avatar
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    Re: Why run without a brake servo?

    Basically the 5's braking system is designed for use with a servo, so the size of the piston pushing the other pistons has been calculated by some very clever people to do its job WITH a servo, so to run a 5 without is nuts, and dangerous. Unless you have legs like an ape. Even then there is no benefit. Please if you do decide to do it, make sure you test it first and have no-one or thing in front of you lol. They will stop you, but you'll crap your pants.

  25. #25
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    Re: Why run without a brake servo?

    i run a tandem master cylinder 50/50 split using the same brake line layout as the clio maxi
    is there any real performance difference between a pedal box and a single tandem master cylinder and bias valve, apart from the extra room needed to fit , and the price, if its set up all right shouldnt be a problem,
    there is a top bloke called Mell who lives round the corner from me, and he has a reliant kitten running 4wd ford running gear and standard brakes ,with a proven 270 bhp atmo duratec engine and at the last raf marham track day ,was hitting 170 mph on the runway straight,before braking into the bends, he has no issues running without a servo and his reliant weighs in at around the 850-900kg mark so can't really see any problems with a non servo set up if fitted correctly. (think its been featured in retro cars and ppc just for reference if anybodys interested

    like i said earlier in the thread , with my engine sat behind me , running a 2.5-3m pipe to a servo unit was a no , and with limited space in the engine bay that was also a no,
    maybe Andrew Warren or Scoff might have fitted it in in there cars i dont know, if they have please let me know how well it works and how they plumbed it in
    if i had kept the engine in the front i would have kept the servo unit as mentioned above

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