Hydraboost Brakes
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
Re: Hydraboost Brakes (flynhi)
Hydraboost brakes are hydraulic assisted power brakes. The unit bolts right in place of the vacuum booster can. The hydraboost unit uses the power steering system to supply hydraulic pressure to provide assist.
The unit is plumbed in series with the power steering gear (or in case of the Corvette, in series with the control valve). The unit was developed to be used with diesel engines (which can't provide engine vacuum). Also early emission systems caused the engine to run so poorly that there wasn't a consistant supply of vacuum. It also was used to provide better braking to meet federal standards. You still find the hydraboost unit on a lot of pickup trucks.
The reason some of the C3 people are interested in the unit is that it is much more compact than the vacuum booster. Therefore, you can pick up clearance to big block valve covers, etc.
The unit is plumbed in series with the power steering gear (or in case of the Corvette, in series with the control valve). The unit was developed to be used with diesel engines (which can't provide engine vacuum). Also early emission systems caused the engine to run so poorly that there wasn't a consistant supply of vacuum. It also was used to provide better braking to meet federal standards. You still find the hydraboost unit on a lot of pickup trucks.
The reason some of the C3 people are interested in the unit is that it is much more compact than the vacuum booster. Therefore, you can pick up clearance to big block valve covers, etc.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Re: Hydraboost Brakes (flynhi)
My last unit came off a 94 one ton dually truck. If it can stop a 10,000 lb loaded truck think what it can do to a 3500 lb corvette. The unit is cheap used $50 CDN complete, super compact and easy to install. It looks like it was made for the older corvettes.
I can match breaking power with anyone on this forum. Might not stop as quick but for shear lockup power it is unbeatable.
I can match breaking power with anyone on this forum. Might not stop as quick but for shear lockup power it is unbeatable.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Re: Hydraboost Brakes (flynhi)
So, if I have good vacuum for my vacuum booster, there is no advantage to making a change?
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I run a stud girdle on my bigblock so I need tall valve covers. I would not have room with a normal brake booster to fit the tall covers. Even the new 7 or 8 inch dual diaghram boosters would not fit plus the cost of a vacuum brake booster could not begin to compare to this $50 solution. Also a vacuum unit does not have the power of the hydraboost. It is mainly used for large diesel trucks or work vans so it is designed to stop alot more weight then your car
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I run a stud girdle on my bigblock so I need tall valve covers. I would not have room with a normal brake booster to fit the tall covers. Even the new 7 or 8 inch dual diaghram boosters would not fit plus the cost of a vacuum brake booster could not begin to compare to this $50 solution. Also a vacuum unit does not have the power of the hydraboost. It is mainly used for large diesel trucks or work vans so it is designed to stop alot more weight then your car
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 2,581
Likes: 14
From: Tolar Texas
Re: Hydraboost Brakes (norvalwilhelm)
My brakes work good but I would still like to do this conversion. When it comes to GO or STOP, the more the merrier!
Besides, power brake vacuum boosters are NOT exactly the most attractive thing under the hood either.
Besides, power brake vacuum boosters are NOT exactly the most attractive thing under the hood either.
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Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Re: Hydraboost Brakes (flynhi)
I don't have a part number. I do have a source. Country Choice, a wrecking yard near here but definitely out for most people. These units are the same . I bought 2 a 83 half ton van and a 94 one ton and both look identical but the internal piston bore is bigger on the one ton. These units are like $800 new, $300 rebuilt and in the wreckers $50 here more like $100 in the lower states. I asked the owner why so cheap and he said you are my only customer for them. They never go bad and I will never be able to sell them. He could have charged me more but he is honest.
These units beat a vacuum system in power, compactness and price. My manual brakes were a constant source of embarrassement when I let others test drive my car and I do loan it out for test drives. Now I don't have to worry about anyone thinking my brakes are weak.
If you have a wild cam, tall valve covers or just need the extra space these units are the answer.
These units beat a vacuum system in power, compactness and price. My manual brakes were a constant source of embarrassement when I let others test drive my car and I do loan it out for test drives. Now I don't have to worry about anyone thinking my brakes are weak.
If you have a wild cam, tall valve covers or just need the extra space these units are the answer.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 10,258
Likes: 1
From: Calif.
Re: Hydraboost Brakes (flynhi)
This is an intersting topic to me since I'm seriously considering ditching vacuum power brakes in favor of manuals.
How is this system plumbed? And, more importantly, a conversion to manual steering would be out of the question if using a hydraboost system, yes?
How is this system plumbed? And, more importantly, a conversion to manual steering would be out of the question if using a hydraboost system, yes?
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Re: Hydraboost Brakes (Gordonm)
I have a few pictures but not for posting on the forum. I could send it directly to you.
This is a little hard to see because everything is black
This is a little hard to see because everything is black
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
Re: Hydraboost Brakes (The Dude)
To THE DUDE,
There isn't any reason why you couldn't just plumb a power steering hose back to the hydraboost unit and then back to the power steering pump. You don't need the power gear or control valve. But you do need a hydraulic power source.
There is a high pressure power steering hose that goes to the booster. Normally there is another high pressure hose that goes to the gear (or control valve). There is a low pressure hose from the booster to the pump reservoir. There is another low pressure return hose from the gear to the pump reservoir. Some reservoirs for hydraboost vehicles actually have two brazed pipes for the two low pressure returns. Other systems just tee the two low pressure hoses together.
If you don't have a power steering gear, where you had a high pressure hose to the gear, you now just need a low pressure hose back to the reservoir. There will still be a second low pressure hose that can be "tee'd" into the first low pressure line.
[Modified by Jim Shea, 5:38 PM 6/13/2002]
There isn't any reason why you couldn't just plumb a power steering hose back to the hydraboost unit and then back to the power steering pump. You don't need the power gear or control valve. But you do need a hydraulic power source.
There is a high pressure power steering hose that goes to the booster. Normally there is another high pressure hose that goes to the gear (or control valve). There is a low pressure hose from the booster to the pump reservoir. There is another low pressure return hose from the gear to the pump reservoir. Some reservoirs for hydraboost vehicles actually have two brazed pipes for the two low pressure returns. Other systems just tee the two low pressure hoses together.
If you don't have a power steering gear, where you had a high pressure hose to the gear, you now just need a low pressure hose back to the reservoir. There will still be a second low pressure hose that can be "tee'd" into the first low pressure line.
[Modified by Jim Shea, 5:38 PM 6/13/2002]
