compensator or not?

[PeteG40]

I'm doing a conversion and have a compensator of an old g that i scrapped. Is it worth putting it on and using g40 spec rear brake cylinders? or shall i use my normal cylinders and ditch it?

[hayesey]

I wouldn't bother with it.  If you are making new brake pipes then it'll also make that job easier.

[Nick_S]

Just get some new normal cylinders from GSF, cheap enough.

[hayesey]

another thing, if the car is lowered then the compensator wouldn't be working properly anyway.  You are supposed to adjust them but I've no idea how.  On mine I have the bigger cylinders and a manual bias valve inside but I guess you wont want that on yours!  I needed to do something on mine to be able to get the rear brakes doing more of a job than standard to try to balance them with the 4-pots on the front.

[Tav]

What's the difference in cylinders?

I was thinking of junking the compensator and just sticking my inline bias valve in to tame the rear if needs be.  Could prob. do with over braking the rear with disks then trimming it back with the bias valve, not sure if the backs will keep up with the 256's with only drums.

[PeteG40]

the g40s are bigger internal diameter - therefor need more fluid to move same distance i think - hence compensator!

[samg40]

Thats a good point Mr Hayes I've always wondered how you adjust the compensator.

[hayesey]

yeah gt/g40 cylinders are bigger and then have the compensator valve to reduce the pressure that goes to them, so I guess with the car at standard height they should work basically the same as the smaller cylinders with no valve.  Then as th rear gets lower (i.e. heavier - more fuel or luggage) the pressure is increased meaning the cylinders are pressing harder.  Yes just use the bigger cylinders and a bias valve, exactly what I've done.

[PeteG40]

you adjust it by undoing and moving the nubbin on the axle

tbh i might fit it

1. as then its split lines front/back (easier to replace if i round them back)
2. bigger cylinders = more power to the back

reasons not to
they leak sometimes
they need adjusting