So, I just heard about the product made by LHT called a Brake Master Cylinder Brace.

http://lhtperformance.net/documents/154.html

I was wondering how many of you guys may be using it? How do you like it if so?

It sounds like something I'd really like. I've never been really impressed with the brake feel of the S2k. I've driven about 8 or 10 S2k's, 3 of them on the track, and have always found the brake pedal feel to be sort of mushy compared with some other cars on the track. I've read about guys saying the pedal is "rock hard" and other things, but I've never really felt that way. I've driver other cars where I could describe the pedal that way, and that I felt like the exact amount of pedal force I used translated in the same proportional amount of braking, but not so much the S. I've tried to improve it by using the right pads, fluid, bleeding properly, etc.

If one of the reasons for this is indeed the movement of the BMC as seen in the youtube videos, then this product seems like something I'd really like. Those who've purchased it seem to be very happy, but I haven't seen it discussed much on the forum.

Here's some youtube vids and a thread from the past.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmdyCM8KnTo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ucpo4YpEr54

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSo-ErM7W0Y

https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/861...ylinder-brace/

https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/861...#entry20555731

Comments?

 

This is on my list. Id be curious to get some feedback as well. I never realized there was this kind of force and movement as a result. If so, this seems like quite a worthy mod for the track.

 

I love it. My brakes feel awesome. Combined with my ST-40 kit, the brake pedal is right under your foot, you feel it instantaneously. There's no more dead travel before feeling the brakes and pedal under your foot. The ST40 kit was such a huge improvement over stock OEM calipers so I didn't think this would do much, but I immediately noticed the difference after the install.

I haven't used this with with OEM calipers since the BBK upgrade came first.

I also have the ingals engine torque damper too - that was also another improvement in "feel".

I've also had solid steering rack bushings installed too.

None of these have any tangible benefits, but from an enjoyment factor communicating feel and knowing what the car is doing, these have been great.

 

I hope LHT Performance knows that the indicator in that video is moving 0.021 inches or 0.53mm NOT 0.21 inches or "6mm" as stated in the video. I also don't believe there is absolutely no deflection after brace is installed. It would be useful to see an unbias third party test.

I used to sell master cylinder braces for Imprezas (GC) and my tests showed it decreased deflection from 0.041" to 0.021". Granted mine seemingly didn't have as solid of a connection point. There was a very slight feeling of improvement under medium to hard braking but I believe a lot of it has to do with the owner trying to justify the purchase in his mind, IMHO.

I think pad choice can have a lot more improvement to brake feel than a master cylinder brace.

 

I have a LHT brace and it made a big difference in feel. Brakes feel much more solid now. Since its cheap, I think it is a worthwhile mod.

 

It looks like they are using a dial indicator that reads in hundredths, not thousandths. The indicator face says 0-.25" and the scale is 0-25. Also explains why their "after" video shows "zero" deflection. But it does look like it's improving from .21" to maybe <.01". An independent test would definitely be nice to see though! Also agree pad choice makes a huge difference. I used to swap carbotechs in and then bleed the brakes until I was blue in the face because the pedal was so much softer than OEM pads that I thought something must be wrong.

 

I've used quite a few of these before and the .0005" is the smallest graduation/tick marks and 0-.25" is the total travel of the indicator (it will do more than one revolution). See this link for a similar one.

The setup they are using is actually a dial bore gage.

 

I've used quite a few of these before and the .0005" is the smallest graduation/tick marks and 0-.25" is the total travel of the indicator (it will do more than one revolution). See this link for a similar one.

The setup they are using is actually a dial bore gage.
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Thanks for the explanation, looks like I misinterpreted it. I guess I was trying to give them the benefit of the doubt. If we are really talking about preventing 0.021" of movement, I can't see where this part would be worthwhile.

 

Most of the sloppiness and inconsistency is in the OEM caliper in my opinion. Pad and fluid choice has a lot to do with it as well. Some pads have very flexible backing plates, and some fluid is definitely more compressible or absorbs moisture much faster than others.

 

I have one of the original versions. You will notice a difference in braking as soon as you install it. It's a great piece for the cost