7 replies to this topic

[miniman.matt]

i noticed both in magazines and on this site that there are alot of minis wich are obviously quick due to thier engine specs but dont have a brake servo. I have never driven a mini without a servo unit and wondered how much difference it makes? I know that if i was running a big power engine i would want as much stopping power as possible.

[pikey7]

servos don't change the braking power. they change the braking "feel". The volume inside the master cylinder changes the performance.

The servo is just a matter of what suits you.

[Jammy]

As Pikey says, it just means you need to put less effort into the braking! You won't, however be able to brake any later into a corner. One thing they may help with though is left foot braking. Because the brake pedal will bite higher up it will be easier to tap the accelerator. Saying that I have a servo and my brakes haven't bled quite enough to allow me to do this!

Alot of people also say you loose the 'feel' of what the brakes are doing.

[Purple Tom]

I have no servo and love it. My old Cooper had a servo and I didn't like it. For a start you had to take the bloody thing off if you even wanted to look at the flywheel housing, and I didn't like the feel of it.

Ok with no servo assistance you have to press the pedal harder, but it certainly gives you more modulation without a servo, in my opinion anyway.

[Guess-Works.com]

Servo's are for townie cars

[pikey7]

I have a servo for mine, and I will fit it to start with. If I don't get on with it, it'll be chucked for a KAD setup with twin master cylinders. I'm still trying to figure out a neat way to get a limiting valve in the rear system for fine tuning (beings i'm changing the weight distribution) and keep it MOT legal.

[Jammy]

OT: Pikey, have you found an adjustable rear bias that suits the mini? I was reading a thread on 16VMC and they were saying with most out on the market you can't turn them down enough?

I did try to remove my late type servo last time I was changing engines, but you have to remove the pedal box, and I didn't feel like taking apart my custom dash to do so!

[pikey7]

I havent even got the body finished yet!

I was just hoping to add a limiting valve in the rear system to "turn it down", but if that doesn't work..... I also just posted in tech to see if the FAM can be made adjustable.