User Tag List

+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 14 of 14

Thread: Biased Pedal Box Feel

  1. #1
    Tyre Kicker

    Join Date
    Jan 2021
    Location
    Ashford, Kent
    Posts
    8
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Biased Pedal Box Feel

    Hi, new to this site - as of today.
    I have always fancied installing a biased pedal box to my MK1 Escort for several reasons, not only performance but to rid the engine bay of the servo and create cleaner looking space. From those who have fitted one I would like to know what it like to live with everyday on a daily run around car? Is the peddle too hard, not enough feel, would I be better off leaving the servo in place, is as not just looking for performance? I would be very grateful for you experiences and views.

  2. #2
    TURBOSPORT SPONSOR Turbosport Subscriber
    Turbosport Moderator
    Turbosport Administrator
    Graham's Avatar
    My Race Car
    My 1st Project
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Ely, Cambs
    Age
    56
    Posts
    25,110
    Thanks
    310
    Thanked 2,476 Times in 2,250 Posts

    Re: Biased Pedal Box Feel

    its very much a personal preference, plenty of people drive cars on the road with a bias box and no servo, sure the pedal is heavier, but also firmer, give more feel.

    problem is what i think is perfectly ok you may not, i could certainly live with my race car brakes on the road, whether you could or not is another matter.

    you could try driving your car with the servo disconnected, that will give a similar ( but heavier) pedal to a bias box

  3. #3
    Racer Decade Plus User jimmy2006's Avatar

    My 1st Project
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    essex
    Posts
    1,986
    Thanks
    51
    Thanked 90 Times in 89 Posts

    Re: Biased Pedal Box Feel

    i run with a external servo in the back of the dash on my car just the front brakes and it stops fine i did run with no servo but not that good at low speed in traffic on the road
    sideways is the best way to turn a corner

  4. #4
    Tyre Kicker

    Join Date
    Jan 2021
    Location
    Ashford, Kent
    Posts
    8
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Re: Biased Pedal Box Feel

    Thanks for suggestion I will try that for starters

  5. #5
    Tyre Kicker

    Join Date
    Jan 2021
    Location
    Ashford, Kent
    Posts
    8
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Re: Biased Pedal Box Feel

    I hadn't thought of external server under the dash, many thanks I will research that

  6. #6
    World Champion Decade Plus User meXEco's Avatar

    My 1st Project
    My 2nd Project
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    TRURO
    Age
    52
    Posts
    5,250
    Thanks
    246
    Thanked 155 Times in 148 Posts

    Re: Biased Pedal Box Feel

    I had a bias box-and to me the pedal felt horrible-stiff with no feel whatsoever. I'm not sure if it was set up correctly or not but i didnt like it and got rid. Personally if you just need a cleaner bay-i'd run a remote servo on the standard brake set up-it will be loads cheaper and you'll still have a nice feel to the pedal. My old man ran a remote servo on his Anglia-fitted on trans tunnel behind a centre console-worked a treat.


    '68 1100 Deluxe-bog stock soon to be a twincam rep.


  7. #7
    World Champion Decade Plus User meXEco's Avatar

    My 1st Project
    My 2nd Project
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    TRURO
    Age
    52
    Posts
    5,250
    Thanks
    246
    Thanked 155 Times in 148 Posts

    Re: Biased Pedal Box Feel

    Pics half way down this old for sale ad.

    http://www.turbosport.co.uk/showthread.php?t=977293


    '68 1100 Deluxe-bog stock soon to be a twincam rep.


  8. #8
    World Champion Decade Plus User meXEco's Avatar

    My 1st Project
    My 2nd Project
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    TRURO
    Age
    52
    Posts
    5,250
    Thanks
    246
    Thanked 155 Times in 148 Posts

    Re: Biased Pedal Box Feel

    Also you're not getting any added 'performance' from fitting a bias box-your brakes are only as good as the discs/calipers/pads. If your brakes are working just fine as they are-fit a remote servo and leave the rest.


    '68 1100 Deluxe-bog stock soon to be a twincam rep.


  9. #9
    Tyre Kicker

    Join Date
    Jul 2020
    Location
    Austria, Vienna
    Posts
    28
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked 6 Times in 3 Posts

    Re: Biased Pedal Box Feel

    Hi,

    I converted to a bias pedal box a few months ago and I have the problem with nearly no travel of the pedal and poor breaking power.
    Therefor I have read very much about this and I found out that my cylinders are obviously too big for the feeling I expect for street usage.
    At the moment i'm using 0.625 for the front caliper (Type16) and 0.750 for the rear (standard small drums).

    But I think that it is possible to get a smooth feeling in the pedal box by changing the master-cylinders.

    In an other thread there was a suggestion to take 0.500 for front and 0.625 for rear to get more travel in the pedal.
    0.625/0.700 are more often suggested, but I think this is a combination for sportive usage.

    All in all, it's a bit difficult to find out the propper configuration but it's not impossible.
    But I'm afraid that there will be much "try & error" necessary to get the breaking-system working according your expectations except you are a math-genius or you know one.

    best regards
    Karl

  10. #10
    Racer Decade Plus User

    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Camberley, Surrey
    Posts
    3,237
    Thanks
    5
    Thanked 353 Times in 339 Posts

    Re: Biased Pedal Box Feel

    @ Karl - I would guess the rear is the problem with your set-up - 0.75 cyl is pushing a lot of fluid against fairly small dia slaves resulting in short pedal and wooden feeling. Going smaller master should help but it will be fit / try / replace until it feels how you are happy with!

    For the OP don't forget if you have a dual circuit master on your extg. servo, you'll need two separate independent servos to achieve the same feel. Single circuit = single servo.

  11. #11
    Tyre Kicker

    Join Date
    Jul 2020
    Location
    Austria, Vienna
    Posts
    28
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked 6 Times in 3 Posts

    Re: Biased Pedal Box Feel

    thx katana

    I'm also pretty sure that the rear is the problem.
    A friend of me is driving an Escort MK1 on Rallys.
    But he mixed up the cylinders, so is driving now 0.750 front (M16's) and 0.625 rear (bigger drums) and the pedal feels ok (only a bit soft for rallying).
    As only my rear cylinder is bigger than his, this was my indicator that the rear is the problem in my car.
    All in all I would guess that 0.625 rear will be the best for a smooth pedal on relaxing street usage.
    For the front I'm not sure ... but as you said: fit / try / replace until it's perfect. Much work, but worth.

    Sorry @ant saunders , I didn't want to take over your thread. Just swapping ideas as I'm in the same situation like you, only a few steps ahead.

    best regards
    Karl

  12. #12
    Tyre Kicker

    Join Date
    Jan 2021
    Location
    Ashford, Kent
    Posts
    8
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Re: Biased Pedal Box Feel

    Many thanks for photos and advice - seems like a good option

  13. #13
    Tyre Kicker

    Join Date
    Jan 2021
    Location
    Ashford, Kent
    Posts
    8
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Re: Biased Pedal Box Feel

    Cheers, lots of research to do - do you know who stocks the bets range of Masters or a biased pedal box you can purchase and choose the masters separately?

  14. #14
    Racer Decade Plus User jimmy2006's Avatar

    My 1st Project
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    essex
    Posts
    1,986
    Thanks
    51
    Thanked 90 Times in 89 Posts

    Re: Biased Pedal Box Feel

    i would go for gartrac up the road to you
    sideways is the best way to turn a corner

+ Reply to Thread

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts