Lotus Europa Wilwood Rear Disc Brake Upgrade Kit

[ProntoPhil]

Certified Lotus; I will verify with Michael that the rear disc brake conversion kit for the Europa does fit the original equipment (steel or alloy) 13" lotus wheels. I do know that he makes several front kits of the Elan and the Europa that fit the stock 13" steel wheels (also fit the alloy Europa wheels) and then other kits for larger diameter wheels as well.  I will be sure and let you know, check out his site.

[Pfreen]

I am on board if they fit inside standard lotus alloy rims.

[ProntoPhil]

Yes, they will fit inside the Lotus Europa stock alloy wheels - I have the same wheels.  Also just had my wheels refinished. 

[andy harwood]

That looks great! A very good job.

[BDA]

That wheel looks great! I remember a discussion about what color they were originally with no consensus. You're look original. What color did you have them painted in case somebody else has the same question?

[ProntoPhil]

BDA, I did check with the Lotus Europa Group on facebook and I got one more buyer for the rear disc brake conversion kit.  Also, I will check on the color name (etc) for my wheels and post it.  I also painted my rocker panels the same color - did not want to go back with the metal flake silver.  They are off of my car right now but I will post a pic of those as well as soon as I mount them back on the car.

[BDA]

I recommend that you join the lotuseuropa group on yahoo (https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/lotuseuropa/info). It is a great resource because it's been around for a long time and has a very active community.

[jbcollier]

If they will fit inside 13" wheels then I am interested.  Couple of questions though:

- Will this work with the stock size master cylinder?  0.70" on mine.

- Will it maintain close to the same brake balance?

The last one concerns me as it has been previously stated that the Elan kit also fits on the Europa.  Dimensionally, yes, but the Europa brakes have smaller pistons as the Europa has quite a bit less weight at the front as compared to an Elan.

[ProntoPhil]

A brake bias or proportioning valve might be a good addition to the install.  Phil

[ProntoPhil]

jbcollier; yes the kits will work with the stock .70 master cylinder, and I " think" you can still nix the vacuum boosters.  I'll check with Dave Bean in CA, those guys will know  . . .

[EuropaTC]

The last one concerns me as it has been previously stated that the Elan kit also fits on the Europa.  Dimensionally, yes, but the Europa brakes have smaller pistons as the Europa has quite a bit less weight at the front as compared to an Elan.

Yep, the weight distributions are different but the 2 seat Elan uses the same calipers and disc diameters as the Europa.  The Elan+2 is the one using larger front calipers/discs from the GT6 range.   Having said that, the brake balance calculation with the 2 seat Elan shows that standard form it can lock the rear brakes before the fronts and it's actually better with the GT6 calipers.

So I think you're right to ask about the brake balance, you can't automatically assume what is correct for one car is the same for both.   For those who are concerned about brake pedal travel, I would have thought fitting 4-pots all round is going to increase travel with the 0.7 m/cylinder so that might be worth following up as well.

Brian

[Pfreen]

So, if we have five buyers, how does the group proceed?

[ProntoPhil]

I am checking with Michael on this, will let everyone know.

[ProntoPhil]

MIO Engineering
Wilwood Brake kits for Lotus Europa (S1 through Twincam)

OK, here is a recap of the front Wilwood disc brake upgrade kit and the rear Wilwood disc brake conversion kits for the Lotus Europa from MIO in Denmark.

FRONT:
The front upgrade kit being is a Wilwood Dynalite 4-piston caliper with 1.75” (or 44mm) diameter pistons.  The kit comes with a 9” diameter rotors, all brackets, hardware, stainless steel brake lines, and pads.

 
Front Brake Kit
2 X 4 pot Forged Alloy Calipers with Stainless Pistons
1 X Brake Pads standard compound with a friction coefficient of 0.4
2 X Alloy Brackets Black Anodized
2 X Steel Braided hoses to fit original brake tube
4 X Bolts to fit Calipers to Brackets
2 X Ventilated Discs with floating Alloy Center that fit original hub

REAR:
The rear conversion kit being developed will come with Wilwood Powerlite calipers (made in the UK under license from Wilwood).  The calipers are also a 4-piston unit with 1” dia. pistons and a parking brake mechanism.  That kit also comes with all brackets, hardware, rotors, pads and stainless steel brake lines.

Both sets work with the 0.70 master cylinders or larger.  I am using the 0.75 master cylinders from Dave Bean.

The front upgrade kit is 720.00 Euros or approximately $850.00 USD.
The rear kit price is to follow.

These Brake Kits have been developed so that a do it yourselfer can install the kits.  If you can change disc and pads and bleed the system, then you can fit the kits as easy as that.  The Kits contains everything you need except brake fluid.

[jbcollier]

I think the next step is how we proceed to actually purchase the two kits.