Dual Circuit Brakes

The standard system consists of a single circuit m/cyl of 0.7" bore with servo assistance. I replaced the m/cyl with a 0.75" one several years ago and thus had a slightly higher pedal pressure with less travel. The servo is located in the engine bay & brake pipes convey fluid from the front to rear servo & then back again for the front brakes.

The plan is to replace the single circuit m/cyl with a tandem m/cyl at 0.7" bore. To remove the servo assistance and replace the front pads with Greenstuff pads in the hope that this alleviates the lack of servo assistance. If pedal pressures are unacceptable then to install two servo units as per the US spec Europa Specials.


Proposed Dual Circuit M/Cylinder

The OEM m/cyl as used on the Export Spec Europa is now very difficult to source and appears to be only available via specialists at appropriately high prices. (£180 seems to be the current going rate). However there are more affordable options available if you are prepared to do some modifications and as such I purchased a tandem m/cyl intended for the Triumph Spitfire 1500, part GMC226 for approximately £75.

This has the same bore and flange pattern as the existing single circuit m/cyl although the actuating rod will need to be swapped over for the Lotus one.

However this will not be a straightforward installation. Firstly the reservoir is a push-fit & sloping wedge-shaped item because the m/cyl is mounted at an angle on the Triumph bulkhead. This isn't a big deal because the Europa needs a remote system anyway whatever cylinder is used.


Underside view of the removed area beneath Radiator

The second problem is that the brake pipes exit on the LHS of the cylinder and on a RHD car this means the secondary outlet is heading into bodywork.

On a LHD car this isn't an issue as they exit towards the wheel arch where there will be plenty of room, but with RHD I found that the secondary circuit pipe was a very tight fit against the fibreglass moulding underneath the radiator.

I decided to modify the bodywork underneath the radiator to give more access for the front brake pipe outlet. Although not essential, this will make installation and maintenance easier in the future and there will be no significant impact on the radiator mounting or front boot space.

So a small cut-out was made as shown in the 2nd photo, using a combination of dremel & hacksaw blades from either above or below. A repair section was moulded by the simple process of making a cardboard template, lining this with tin-foil & then laying up 2/3 layers of matting. I removed this from the mould in a plastic state which allowed me to offer it up to the hole & trim where necessary using a pair of scissors - much easier than when the resin has full hardened !

Then it's simply bonded into place as shown in the photographs, finished off with surface tissue, left overnight & then given a coat of matt black paint to tidy it up. It's not the world's neatest job but it looks on a par with the rest of the boot interior and is certainly fit for purpose.


Underside view with new GRP in place

Click on the button to follow the installation




This website was designed in the dark ages when people only accessed this new internet thing with computers. You'll probably struggle with an iPhone.

Europa Menu

For some reason I just can't stop tinkering with this car. I will probably keep fixing it until it's broken....

These projects aren't in date order, just as they came into mind.