Hispec and PNM

[Rice crispy]

I've got hi spec on the front and PNM on the rear and need to replace the pads can someone confirm that they are golf ones

[MPx]

I believe so for the rears (I've got the same set up) but I don't know which series golf. You could ring Pete or John on 0151 630 6101 to confirm.

[Rambo]

I'm fairly sure the PNM rear upgrade used VW mk IV calipers

The front set up with PNM on the caliper is really just a Hi Spec caliper with the PNM logo on it (for 15" or 16" wheels, 275/283 mm disc)

[Graaf]

I'm fairly sure the PNM rear upgrade used VW mk IV calipers

The front set up with PNM on the caliper is really just a Hi Spec caliper with the PNM logo on it (for 15" or 16" wheels, 275/283 mm disc)

BUT a much better sales and after sales service.

[Rambo]

Agreed there Graaf

[Rice crispy]

Thanks rears are golf mk iv and fronts matched to some volvo ones (will ask my mechanic to confirm)

[Rice crispy]

Thanks guys front are from a volvo (I will check which model) I believe and rear are golf mk iv

[Rusty Wishbone]

Did you manage to identify the Volvo from which the front brake pads are taken? I need to replace mine as I think one side are either glazed or contaminated - the brakes pull a bit under heavy braking.

The Hi-Spec choice of pads is quite overwhelming (and pricy). My usage is primarily road use with occasional track days. I would normally go for Ferodo DS2500, but they are probably a bit excessive. Has anyone got any recommendations from this lot (prices excl VAT):
£46.51 EBC Green
£61.51 EBC Red
£75.00 EBC Yellow
£80.00 EBC Blue
£133.77 Ferodo DS2500
£145.39 Ferodo DS3000
£77.24 Mintex 1144
£101.10 Mintex 1155
£184.54 Mintex 1166

[Saltire]

FWIW, I’ve been using Mintex 1144 front on my S2 for the last four years (OEM calipers, Mintex discs), and have been very happy with the results. I have Mintex pads and discs at the rear too. I don’t track the car at all.

[Tuga2112]

Did you manage to identify the Volvo from which the front brake pads are taken? I need to replace mine as I think one side are either glazed or contaminated - the brakes pull a bit under heavy braking.

The Hi-Spec choice of pads is quite overwhelming (and pricy). My usage is primarily road use with occasional track days. I would normally go for Ferodo DS2500, but they are probably a bit excessive. Has anyone got any recommendations from this lot (prices excl VAT):
£46.51 EBC Green
£61.51 EBC Red
£75.00 EBC Yellow
£80.00 EBC Blue
£133.77 Ferodo DS2500
£145.39 Ferodo DS3000
£77.24 Mintex 1144
£101.10 Mintex 1155
£184.54 Mintex 1166

just a different perspective worth keeping in mind.

will you get 190% more enjoyment out of EBC blue compared to EBC green ?
does EBC blue last twice longer than EBC green ?

I Obviously dont really have a say in this discussion as im the cheapstake that wont invest in the brake upgrade.. but if the upgrade is as good as i been told repeatedly over the past 9 years..

I would guess the bottom end pads (which are already twice more expensive than the original stuff) will be perfectly fine for road use. and since you dont track often. you will probably only find out you don't like them only on the track (if you do)

[dapinky]

I can answer this question, AND as a bonus, offer some unsolicited opinion

The Callipers are Hi-Spec Billet-4 radial units, and they take a pad from a Volvo 240 series (and others) of a 1990's vintage.......

..... so, an EBC pad with the *143 pad number is the one you need...

Ultimax = DP1143
Greenstuff = DP2143
Redstuff = DP3143
Yellowstuff = DP 4143

However, in the UK there is a limited selection freely available, although Green and yellow seem easy to get, Ultimax are common as fleas, RedDtuff (ceramic) - which is my compound of choice from EBC, and comparable to the Ferodo DS2500 which I love (and Mintex 4144 that Jonathan loves) - are not so prevalent.

So, I did what I usually do, and fired up the Rockauto website to see what they could offer (this was back in January when I bought the project car and found it had Hi-Specs fitted at the front).

For a price of £17.82 I bought a set of Centric Posi-quiet Pro pads (although they list today at 8p more, due to either inflation, exchange rate or both!!!!).

I was buying lots of other stuff at the same time, so shipping wasn't an issue to me (I got a set of rear pads for about 6 or 7 quid at the same time).

Even the 'best' high-performance pads they list are only just over £22 a set.

There are so many to choose from that i started to go a bit loopy trying to establish which were the "best", and narrowed it down to a few, then simply asked a friend of mine who has raced cars worldwide for many years, and lives in USA, what he would buy, and so got the ones I did.

Even if you just got a set of pads, the shipping/VAT will be about £20, but it still seems like a bargain compared to Hi-Spec prices!

[Saltire]

Actually, Dave, I love the Ferodos too, but I can’t justify the cost for the mileage I do

[dapinky]

Jonathan,

As we all know, I like a bargain....... over 10 years ago there was a bloke on Ebay who was selling off the contents of his shop as he was retiring - amongst the stuff he had was a few sets of Ferodo pads, but not DS2500...... they were the predecessor version (which are actually slightly better, but not as environmentally friendly - according to Gareth who used to work in the R&D bit of Ferodo). He was advertising them at £5 a box.....

..... I still have 2 new sets on the shelf

[Saltire]

Good for you, Dave! I’m deeply envious.

Right place, right time . . .

[Rusty Wishbone]

Thank you to everyone who has replied, and a triple gold star once again to Dave!

I shall probably go with the Mintex 1144 as they are 'fast road', which is about right. The other 2 Mintex ones are really for track work/racing, so far as I can see. There just isn't enough difference between the Mintex 1144 and the Frodos to justify spending nearly double (and I'm not a skinflint). I was tempted by the EBC Yellows.

[BertBeck]

Ive got Hi Spec calipers on the front and Ive gotta get a new set of discs and pads (15 in wheels).
Ive found them on PNM but the calipers thyre from are branded PNM not Hi Spec but look exactly the same.

Are they the same?

https://www.pnmparts.co.uk/lotus-elan-m ... e-kit-9275

And are these discs and pads the right ones for Hi Spec?

https://www.pnmparts.co.uk/brake-pads-e ... =pnm%20j05
https://www.pnmparts.co.uk/elan-m100/el ... discs-0275

Cheers, Bert

[dapinky]

PNM simply sell Hi-Spec kits with their own name on them, so yes, the parts to list are what you will need......

...... with the singular proviso that the Hi-Specs you have fitted were supplied as the kit for the Elan, and not something that was bespoke built at some time in the past.

The pads for the Billet-4 callipers is the same as pads for the Volvo 140/240/242 etc........ I use Centric posi-quiet ceramic pads from Rockauto as they are much cheaper than buying ceramic pads in the UK from PNM...... but there are loads of 'standard' brake pads out there for the Volvo that will fit and be as good as the EBC ones from PNM...... but overall, if you are getting the discs from there anyway, then it isn't a bad idea to get the lot in one box.

[BertBeck]

Ok cool, and cheers

[roy666]

What does everyone do about galvanic corrosion?.. it attacks the pad pins and the bleed screws (both stainless steel..although i don't know what grade). I've had Hispec 4-pot calipers on the front for 10 years now (bought from PNM)..and the GC is biggest pain ever!.... removing the pad pins has always been a challenge.. and only luck has prevented seized bleed screws.

[dapinky]

The pins in mine were ridiculously stuck, but as the car had been standing for 7 years previous to me getting my hands on it, I'm not surprised.

All I have done is given them a clean once a year, and a smear of silicone grease when replacing them. The bleed nipples get removed and replaced at the same time.

Hopefully this will keep it all from seizing solid.

It's a shame that this issue is present on a system which is considered to be 'fit and forget' as realistically, a set of pads probably won't need changing for many years with the mileage that most cars do nowadays...... So by the time you notice things are stuck, it could be a bit of a PITA to fix!