Master Europa front/rear disc brake conversion articles

[Grumblebuns]

The current discussion on disc brake conversions reminded me that having a one stop shopping location for disc brake conversion articles may be useful for people contemplating fabricating their own brakes. The list is probably not complete so if any of you have articles stashed away over the years, please add it to the list.

From the Golden Gate Lotus Club website:
1. http://gglotus.org/ggtech/europa-discbrks/europa-discbrks.htm  (author-Jerry Rude with comment: http://www.lotuseuropa.org/LotusForum/index.php?topic=2430.0)

2. http://gglotus.org/ggtech/europa-rbrakes/rear-brakes.htm (author-Nick Goldberg, probably not very helpful as there is no drawing of the brackets)


From Lotus Europa Central website:
1. Rear disc conversion using Geo rotors, Wilwood calipers and motorcycle drum shoes
(author-Dave Madigan, no text but four photos and cross sectional dwg of wheel/hub)
http://lotus-europa.com/manuals/misc/brakes/geo/TCSdisc1.jpg
http://lotus-europa.com/manuals/misc/brakes/geo/TCSdisc2.jpg
http://lotus-europa.com/manuals/misc/brakes/geo/TCSdisc3.jpg
http://lotus-europa.com/manuals/misc/brakes/geo/TCSdisc4.jpg
Caliper/wheel/hub cross section

2. http://lotus-europa.com/manuals/misc/brakes/brakes1.html (author Ken Kaplan- requires a custom bracket, contact info for fabricator is included)

From the Yahoo Europa mail list:
1. https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/lotuseuropa/files/tcs%20miata%20conversion/ (author- oldarmyarchitect

2. europa caliper2.dwg (author- oldarmyarchitect, in acad format, need right program to open)

3. 1971 S2 Lotus Europa.pdf Conversion of S2 rear drums to Miata disc brakes (author-Doug Alexander)

Individual owner websites:

1. http://www.martley.plus.com/lotusland2016/europa/16europa12.html (owner-our own Brian M, AKA EuropaTC the parts required probably won't be helpful to the US/Can owners)
2. https://www.prevanders.net/europa/rearbrakes.html (owner- Dave Anderson)
3. https://www.dropbox.com/s/ri79mynor2exyq7/Brake%20Conversion%20Instructions.pdf?dl=0 (author-Dave Lindemann, link to my dropbox account. Again requires a custom bracket from Dave L to complete)

Lotus Europa.org
1. http://www.lotuseuropa.org/LotusForum/index.php?topic=1699.0 (author- Brian M, AKA Europa TC
2.http://www.lotuseuropa.org/LotusForum/index.php?topic=451.0 (author- Brian M)


Joe, if this is not in the correct section, please move it at your discretion

[Bainford]

Cheers Joji. I really appreciate your effort on this. In the next couple of years I will be doing a brake upgrade, and I have been keeping an eye on all of the brake system talk lately with keen interest. This will make research down the road so much easier. 

[Certified Lotus]

My weekend reading. Thanks Joji!

[Grumblebuns]

There is one more article from Lotus Europa Central that I want to include. John Zender's article "•Wilwood Front Brake Conversion Kit from John Zender" goes to a dead link. I contacted John Z and and his explanation was that he updated his business website to a new format several years ago and he will add the Europa stuff when time allows.

In a few weeks, I'll tackle the compilation of all the brake master cylinder conversions articles out there. 

[Richard H]

Since this is the master list of braking information thought I'd add the Excel spreadsheet I did some years back covering standard and alternative brake hardware with calculations under varying linear G-loads.  It's for MFDD (mean fully developed deceleration) ie it's not what will happen if you stamp on the brake pedal in a panic.  It's the situation where you've applied the brakes sensibly and the front suspension has compressed to react the load transfer.

Lots of stuff to read on the spreadsheet.  It's mostly self explanatory but you do have to actually read it  .  The little red triangles in the top right of some of the data cells give some advice on what to enter for a bespoke design, float the cursor over the triangle and all will be revealed.

I've also included the data from the brake donor for the Europa, the Triumph Vitesse 1600, it reveals that the rear brakes would lock long before the fronts, now, remind me of the OMG characteristic this car was famous for?

I'm putting it here partly because the Yahoo files section where it's been available for some years is in flux and it may or may not be available in future.  Thanks to the vagueries of computers, passwords and Yahoo/BT, I've not been able to access my area for some years now.

Anyway, if you have questions, please ask

[magno_grail]

Here are a couple of pictures of the front vented disc and dual master cylinder. The pedal rod is moved back and forth on the threaded rod to change the balance. The cylinders use Wilwood internals.
Now that I have CNC machines I will be remaking most of this. So much easier than hand milling.
Note these Wilwood calipers fit the BWA rims but not the Lotus 13".

[Chuck Nukem]

What kind of machines do you have? I picked up a Kitamura mycenter 4 that I have been restoring. It is just about ready to make chips!

[Clifton]

I like the bolt on dual master cylinders. Maybe I'm missing something but on Wilwoods and Tiltons, the center has a bearing for misalignment. I see you have them on the master rods but not the threaded rod in between them. If one cylinder has a smaller bore and the center pivot is offset to use the smaller bore more. It will have more travel on that master and need the threaded rod between the two cylinders will angle toward that cylinder. I don't see how it can accommodate the angle without a bearing there.

[magno_grail]

Look at the first picture. The nut that runs on the threaded rod has a vertical hole in it. A yoke attaches to the nut to allow it to turn with the shaft. This one is aluminum but I will make a stainless nut to replace it when I finish the cover plates.
I have a VF-1 and Methods Jr. I had to rebuild the VF-1. The Methods just works.

[edgefinder]

magno_grail, you showed a picture of AP rear calipers with e brake and I can't find them. I did find them on the www and it looks like what I would want so keep me in mind if you were to buy a batch at a better price.
I also wanted to apologize for what I said about Hass machines in another post. I'm being punished for it right now while i'm trying to read German schematics for my Deckel Maho to get through safety interlocks and get hydraulics to latch.
I've been using Smartcam V11 for 20 years, its old and simple but does 3D and has a post for Haas machines. I have an extra disc if you ever want to try it.

[magno_grail]

The link at the top of this thread shows the pictures of the caliper/bracket/E-brake. I am using Wilwood Forged Dyna-lite calipers, not AP.
I doubt that I will be buying more. The only other Europa that I have is a '70 and I am thinking of making it electric. It had a Drake (half a cast iron Chevy V8 lump) motor and 914 gearbox when I got it. Thought about putting in a Saab twin cam slant 4 (very similar to the Type 62 motor) but decided I only need one good Europa.
It does not bother me if someone does not like the Haas or me making parts that are already available elsewhere.
I draw mainly with AutoCAD2000 and CAM with Gibbs. I mostly prototype parts for the old British bikes (BSA and Triumph). The shop that makes them uses Gibbs and has Haas machines so it is convenient to use the same. And, yes, you can do 3D with the old AutoCAD.