2tired

I have a '67 L79 that was built with non-power/manual brakes. I drove it only a few miles before beginning the restoration, so I can't say if I will be happy without power assist. With all other things being equal, is there a noticeable improvement in braking when adding a booster? Any loss in value making them power?

Bluestripe67

My understanding of the difference is only the amount of pressure you need to exert on the pedal. My '67 with manual brakes stops as it should. Since PB were an option, it might attract one buyer over another, but not a money maker. If you want quicker stops you may need to spend money on different pads, possibly different calipers and rotors. Dennis

Nowhere Man

having only driven non power brake mid years I find them great. I have no problem locking up the tires at will with little to no effort.

R66

Do you want the brakes to perform and act as they do on most new cars - one toe pressure to stop? If you want to apply minimal pressure to stop, the vacuum assist is what you want. However, be aware that without the ABS system, it will be very easy to put the car in a slide when the brakes are locked up.
I have two cars almost as old as I am and neither have power brakes. I am accustom to manual brakes (one 4 wheel disc and one 4 wheel drum) and like to be able to feel the brakes work. They both take more pedal pressure applied to lock them up than either of my power brake vehicles. You have to drive it a while, learn how it reacts before you can determine if it is suited to your taste. An empty parking lot or abandon road to do some panic stops is recommended.

2tired

Thanks, R66. Because I own a restoration shop, I drive more than my share of old cars with marginal brakes. We often do brake upgrades and disc conversions to 50's big cars and 60's muscle cars. If there is no downside to going with a booster, that's what I prefer. It sounds like there is not a night and day difference in performance. I feel the vacuum will be adequate enough to accommodate a booster. .

Nowhere Man

then you're not done restoring the car!

R66

Looks like you have your answer with your prior experience and fleet of cars. I think it is a personal preference. I added a booster to a 67 Camaro with drums and hated it. Any more than one toe locked them up. My wife loved it.
Ron

Tampa Jerry

As others have said, the performance is the same. The peddle pressure with the booster is lighter. I added boosters to my 66 and 68 L-79 coupes. On the 66 I used stainless steel lines. They can be a pain to seat. I ordered and used the lines, booster etc. for a 67. If you don't want to add the adapters, replace the lines with 67 lines. Give a look at In-Line Tubing. I am happy with both conversions. Jerry

Black_Magic

If you’re going NCRS this won’t apply.

My ’66 came with power brakes – I removed and went with Wilwood – (MC – rotors – calipers) love the feel. Also, less engine clutter and you can add pressure switch for brake lights 😊 😊

Skip Fix

A lot has to do with pedal ratio also. Most power brake cars use a lower ratio pedal than manual so you do still have some feel. A dual diaphragm booster can give even more assist. The 79-81 Trans Am factory 9' dual diaphragm booster uses an even lower ratio than the 11" single diaphragm booster used on all second gen Camaros an Firebirds since 1970.
My daughter's Kia Soul you can breath on the pedal and it stops! My wife's 2021 Silverado takes a lot less effort than my 2015 Silverado same engine but the 2021 even has 4 piston fixed calipers.

playzwithcars

I like the pedal feel of the non-powered 4 wheel disk brake Corvettes. Stopping power is real good is everything is up to snuff. Power brakes in that era they are either on or off and are too touchy. To each their own.
I'd get your car together with it all restored, try it out and if you don't like it, you can always add the booster later.

dplotkin

So do I.
Power brakes and steering on a C2 is tantamount to wearing two condoms. Unnecessary removal of road and wheel feel. I understand the power steering when the car is used more than average but I still hate it, especially the rinky-dink spool valve power ram setup. Already have that on my Impala and I am unimpressed.

Disk brakes have no servo-action and require more pedal effort than drums, but this is only evident on heavy cars and why disks were almost always vacuum assisted. The lightweight C2 is perfect for non assisted disks. The pedal action is firm and progressive, completely predictable and easy to control close to lockup. Once you have one you will never want power brakes.

Besides, who needs that big silly tea kettle bolted to the bulkhead? It's not particularly sporty looking....

Dan

mittens

my 66 is my first non power brake car. (I am 40). While it does take more pedal, you have all the braking power the tires and rotors/pads have still just more imput.