Hydroboost install complete with pics
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 21
From: Columbus MN
Hydroboost install complete with pics
I finally got to take my '80 out for a spin with a Hydroboost hydraulic brake booster yesterday. I like the feel of HB brakes SO much more than a stock vacuum booster. Total cost of the project was about $300.
I've got to give credit to our son, Matt. He put a HB booster on his friend's Camaro and applied what he learned to my car, especially for connectors, hoses, and routing the lines. The end result looks great!! See for yourself:
Here is the installed booster and MC from the left:
and from the right:
Here are a couple of pics showing how the lines route over the Steeroids u-joints:
Keeping the lines high and tight-left keeps them as far from the headers as possible too:
Matt is a CNC machinist. He annodized the custom aluminum mounting plate and engraved the top edge. Nice tough:
I've got to give credit to our son, Matt. He put a HB booster on his friend's Camaro and applied what he learned to my car, especially for connectors, hoses, and routing the lines. The end result looks great!! See for yourself:
Here is the installed booster and MC from the left:
and from the right:
Here are a couple of pics showing how the lines route over the Steeroids u-joints:
Keeping the lines high and tight-left keeps them as far from the headers as possible too:
Matt is a CNC machinist. He annodized the custom aluminum mounting plate and engraved the top edge. Nice tough:
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,682
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
Very nice and neat job. 
I really like the hose routing. I also like that you used stainless rather than rubber for the return line. I did the latter and plan to go back and redo it. Works fine but I like the look better with all stainless.
I really like the hose routing. I also like that you used stainless rather than rubber for the return line. I did the latter and plan to go back and redo it. Works fine but I like the look better with all stainless.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,333
Likes: 786
From: Redondo Beach, California
When you use a hydroboost, does the MC end up in the same place it was when connected to the vacuum canister? In other words, will the MC brake lines exactly match up to the holes in the MC just as if it was still with the vacuum booster?
Thanks
Thanks
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 21
From: Columbus MN
I made no changes to the MC or brake lines whatsoever. I didn't measure, but I think the HB and vacuum boosters are the same depth. I will measure tomorrow to let you know for sure.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Looks very nicely put together. This is one of the things I have been wanting to do to my vette for a while. I like the cost of your project. Is the hydraboost a junkyard unit or any details would be appreciated?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 21
From: Columbus MN
Yes, Matt machined the mounting plate. The mounting plate is the most important part of the conversion because that is what maintains the functional length of the rod from the pedal to the booster.
The Hydroboost is a $50 junkyard unit from a late-90's 3/4 ton Chevy pickup. Yes, Matt did an excellent job with the whole setup. He spent a lot of time measuring for the plate, mocking up the hoses, choosing and shopping for the right connectors, etc. That is his signature.
Eddie, let me know when you're ready to convert.
Eddie, let me know when you're ready to convert.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,841
Likes: 3
From: Halifax, NS, Canada
Hydroboost gives a whole new meaning to braking on a C3. It is one of the most inexpensive enhancements you can make. And like Eagle says: you will STOP and darn quick and easy!
C3 Hydroboost
C3 Hydroboost
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,173
Likes: 1
From: Liberty Missouri
I’m not sure I understand…..I’ll agree your mounting plate looks nice, but I cant see how it works any better than others. I’m not trying to be negative here, but there are lots of people who will want to try the conversion and the thickness of the plate would only affect the position of the adjustment nut on the clevis. Or am I missing something?
Not the best picture, but the plate on mine is only 1/8” thick.
Not the best picture, but the plate on mine is only 1/8” thick.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,841
Likes: 3
From: Halifax, NS, Canada
I’m not sure I understand…..I’ll agree your mounting plate looks nice, but I cant see how it works any better than others. I’m not trying to be negative here, but there are lots of people who will want to try the conversion and the thickness of the plate would only affect the position of the adjustment nut on the clevis. Or am I missing something?
Not the best picture, but the plate on mine is only 1/8” thick.
Not the best picture, but the plate on mine is only 1/8” thick.
Mounting plate thickness can be compensated on the clevis position. The mounting plate does look nice indeed.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 21
From: Columbus MN
My Hydroboost unit was missing something - an adjustment nut. The Hydroboost unit I got from the salvage yard (the last one they had) has a fixed length clevis. It was easy to make the plate the thickness needed for the HB clevis length to be the same as the vacuum booster.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,173
Likes: 1
From: Liberty Missouri
My Hydroboost unit was missing something - an adjustment nut. The Hydroboost unit I got from the salvage yard (the last one they had) has a fixed length clevis. It was easy to make the plate the thickness needed for the HB clevis length to be the same as the vacuum booster.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,841
Likes: 3
From: Halifax, NS, Canada
My Hydroboost unit was missing something - an adjustment nut. The Hydroboost unit I got from the salvage yard (the last one they had) has a fixed length clevis. It was easy to make the plate the thickness needed for the HB clevis length to be the same as the vacuum booster.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 110
Likes: 10
Hose routing
I’m not sure I understand…..I’ll agree your mounting plate looks nice, but I cant see how it works any better than others. I’m not trying to be negative here, but there are lots of people who will want to try the conversion and the thickness of the plate would only affect the position of the adjustment nut on the clevis. Or am I missing something?
Not the best picture, but the plate on mine is only 1/8” thick.
Not the best picture, but the plate on mine is only 1/8” thick.
