Compatible brake boosters

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Apr 16, 2005 | 12:21 PM

70 LS1

Thread Starter

Melting Slicks

Joined: May 2001

Posts: 2,812

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From: Gig Harbor Wa

Compatible brake boosters

I am interested in doing a power brake conversion. What boosters from other cars will work with little modification? Not Hydraboost.

thanks

Apr 16, 2005 | 03:08 PM

dman535

Burning Brakes

Joined: Mar 2001

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From: Nashville TN

Why are you against doing a hydroboost ?

Apr 17, 2005 | 02:56 AM

70 LS1

Thread Starter

Melting Slicks

Joined: May 2001

Posts: 2,812

Likes: 4

From: Gig Harbor Wa

Quote:

Originally Posted by dman535

Why are you against doing a hydroboost ?

I don't have power steering and don't want to install the pump.

Apr 17, 2005 | 09:14 AM

markdtn

Le Mans Master

Joined: Aug 2003

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From: Chattanooga TN

From looking at Hollanders there is no other direct interchange than a Vette. There are 4 different flavors of booster: 68-76, 77, 78, 79-82 according to them. They will all bolt into any C3, you just have to use the corresponding master cylinder. I have a 79-82 setup in my 69. 68-76 were painted black, 77-82 were anodized originally but when I got mine from CarQuest it was just natural so I painted it. The only reason I have a later one is that somebody gave me a booster that was supposed to be good, it wasn't-but by the time I figured it out the system was already bled.

Why use something different? It is pretty easy to just buy a combo for a C3 and put it in.

Last edited by markdtn; Apr 17, 2005 at 02:52 PM.

Apr 17, 2005 | 10:44 AM

70 LS1

Thread Starter

Melting Slicks

Joined: May 2001

Posts: 2,812

Likes: 4

From: Gig Harbor Wa

Quote:

Originally Posted by markdtn

Why use something different? It is pretty easy to just buy a combo for a C3 and put it in.

Trying to save a little money. Seems everything that is for a Corvette is more expensive.

Apr 17, 2005 | 11:06 AM

PROSOUTH

Drifting

Joined: Feb 2002

Posts: 1,987

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From: Manchester, Dead Center in the Middle of TN 25 miles to Jack Daniels,10 miles to Geo Dickle, and .8 mile from the Liquor Store at I-24 Exit 114

St. Jude Donor '05

I haven't tried to do an install on a C-3, but we use a lot of S-10 Chevy boosters and MC's on street rods.

They are very small and the aluminum MC is lightweight. They are plentiful and in-expensive. I believe it might work. jim

Apr 17, 2005 | 12:16 PM

70 LS1

Thread Starter

Melting Slicks

Joined: May 2001

Posts: 2,812

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From: Gig Harbor Wa

I am going to use a C5 master cylinder. The C5 booster looks like it would fit, but the rod that attaches to the pedal looks way too long.

Apr 17, 2005 | 03:02 PM

markdtn

Le Mans Master

Joined: Aug 2003

Posts: 7,720

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From: Chattanooga TN

Quote:

Originally Posted by 70 LS1

Trying to save a little money. Seems everything that is for a Corvette is more expensive.

Late 70s/early 80s "B" bodies (Impala, Bonneville, etc) boosters are very similar in appearance but keep in mind you need a master cylinder for front and rear disc brakes. A drum brake m/c will not have enough volume for the rear discs. That pretty well limits you to Vettes and some Camaros/Firebirds until the mid/late 90s. A rebuilt booster/master cylinder combo for 79-82 is $100 from AutoZone with a $30 core. Booster itself is $84 and a new m/c is $90, used is $16. So rebuilt booster and new master is only $173. You can probably find a better deal on a used booster on Ebay. Good luck with it.