Brakes, Hydroboost and Vacuum Ques
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,412
Likes: 3
Brakes, Hydroboost and Vacuum Ques
How can I be certain that my brake booster is failing? And if it is, are there any high performance bolt in vacuum operated brake boosters available?
I spent the past hour reading old threads on hydroboost. This seems to be pretty popular. But I have a few questions, first are there any threads that outline the mods necessary? I found threads that talked about it a lot, but no write ups. My main concern: do the hard brake lines going to the MC need to be replaced? Bent?
Also, I've read that hydroboost is only good for a few quick pumps in trucks. Has anyone ever had that happen in a Corvette with hydroboost?
I spent the past hour reading old threads on hydroboost. This seems to be pretty popular. But I have a few questions, first are there any threads that outline the mods necessary? I found threads that talked about it a lot, but no write ups. My main concern: do the hard brake lines going to the MC need to be replaced? Bent?
Also, I've read that hydroboost is only good for a few quick pumps in trucks. Has anyone ever had that happen in a Corvette with hydroboost?
NCM Grand Opening Veteran
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,979
Likes: 384
From: South of giving a damn
St. Jude Donor '11, '17
Half the hardlines will work. The line that goes to the front of the MC is long enough to make it to the new HB location, but the rear line isn't (at least on my 79) Had to build a new rear line.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,128
Likes: 21
From: North Alabama
Originally Posted by ratflinger
Half the hardlines will work. The line that goes to the front of the MC is long enough to make it to the new HB location, but the rear line isn't (at least on my 79) Had to build a new rear line.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,412
Likes: 3
Originally Posted by Jclgodale3
Line from the MC to the HB? Which line would this be?
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Originally Posted by torqvette
How can I be certain that my brake booster is failing? And if it is, are there any high performance bolt in vacuum operated brake boosters available?
I spent the past hour reading old threads on hydroboost. This seems to be pretty popular. But I have a few questions, first are there any threads that outline the mods necessary? I found threads that talked about it a lot, but no write ups. My main concern: do the hard brake lines going to the MC need to be replaced? Bent?
Also, I've read that hydroboost is only good for a few quick pumps in trucks. Has anyone ever had that happen in a Corvette with hydroboost?
I spent the past hour reading old threads on hydroboost. This seems to be pretty popular. But I have a few questions, first are there any threads that outline the mods necessary? I found threads that talked about it a lot, but no write ups. My main concern: do the hard brake lines going to the MC need to be replaced? Bent?
Also, I've read that hydroboost is only good for a few quick pumps in trucks. Has anyone ever had that happen in a Corvette with hydroboost?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,412
Likes: 3
Originally Posted by I'm Batman
The archives should have several very complete write-ups. You have to go into the advanced search to access archived posts. I should have a few of those threads bookmarked, I'll look tomorrow evening to see what I have.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,412
Likes: 3
Has anyone successfully used a C4 power brake booster or something similar for enhanced performance?
Also, do you guys think that 7 inches of vacuum is enough to rely on a brake booster? Should I consider a resevoir if I decide to stick with vacuum?
Also, do you guys think that 7 inches of vacuum is enough to rely on a brake booster? Should I consider a resevoir if I decide to stick with vacuum?
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Boca Raton Florida
I just read all the HB threads I could find in here the other day and got a HB coming. Seems pretty straight forward to install with a few mods. You need new hyd lines from the ps pump to the HB, HB to PS, HB to PS pump. Fab extention line for rear brake line, maybe fab a mount plate depending on the one you get and modify the brake pedal rod.
thats what I have figured out from reading anyways, will see when I get my hands on it.
Oh, to tell if youe existing booster is dieing, yoou will have to push the pedal pretty hard to get it to stop. and it should hold a vacuum is you do a pull down test on it, if not, its bad.
thats what I have figured out from reading anyways, will see when I get my hands on it.
Oh, to tell if youe existing booster is dieing, yoou will have to push the pedal pretty hard to get it to stop. and it should hold a vacuum is you do a pull down test on it, if not, its bad.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,426
Likes: 1
From: VetteMOD
St. Jude Donor '05-'07
Not sure you will have any problems with the brake line lengths. If you already have a vacuum booster, it's about 6 inches long (from the mount). So is the Hydroboost.
The Hydroboost unit has a nitrogen accumulator on it so that your brakes will work a few times if you were to lose hydraulic pressure. There are a few different versions of the Hyroboost so make sure you buy the correct one. You will have to make an adapter plate, attach your clevis to the push rod and make new lines. There is a company, Hydratech that can sell you a complete bolt in kit. I think VBP sells this.
The only "boost" for the vacuum system is an auxiliary vacuum pump. I think these are available from SSBC for about $300. The pump they use is a Gast pump used in ambulances, I think you can buy it for $150 and you will have to add a pressure switch. The other option is a vacuum assist pump from an early 80's Cavalier or GM car with a 1.8L engine.
The Hydroboost unit has a nitrogen accumulator on it so that your brakes will work a few times if you were to lose hydraulic pressure. There are a few different versions of the Hyroboost so make sure you buy the correct one. You will have to make an adapter plate, attach your clevis to the push rod and make new lines. There is a company, Hydratech that can sell you a complete bolt in kit. I think VBP sells this.
The only "boost" for the vacuum system is an auxiliary vacuum pump. I think these are available from SSBC for about $300. The pump they use is a Gast pump used in ambulances, I think you can buy it for $150 and you will have to add a pressure switch. The other option is a vacuum assist pump from an early 80's Cavalier or GM car with a 1.8L engine.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,128
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From: North Alabama
Originally Posted by torqvette
He didn't say that any lines go from the MC to the HB. He meant that the front MC line was long enough to reach the MC in its new location (due to the HB).
