Hydroboost Brake Upgade: Looking for Comments
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,738
Likes: 53
From: Bogart GA
Hydroboost Brake Upgade: Looking for Comments
Have engine out of car and am considering swapping over to he hydroboost system. The brakes have been upgraded to Wilwood but other than that the system is stock. What are the advantages and disadvantages over the traditional vacuum assist can? I run a stock power steering setup which of course leaks, I have a new valve to install but eventually may consider going to a steeroids type system.
Will this wear out me rebuilt master cylinder quicker? If i run out/low of power steering fluid or the belt breaks to me pump, will the breaks still work?
Thanks.
Will this wear out me rebuilt master cylinder quicker? If i run out/low of power steering fluid or the belt breaks to me pump, will the breaks still work?
Thanks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,116
Likes: 156
From: Mid West
Cruise-In III Veteran
I don't care for the system. Had it on a previous vehicle (was installed by GM when car was new), and it didn't provide much feed back because of the hydraulics and if the belt broke (which occured once to me) the brake pedal went extremely stiff and I lost most of the breaking capability. It doesn't increase your braking capacity, just adds more boost so you have a lighter pedal.
If your stock system is working fine and you don't have a low vacuum condition, I wouldn't switch. JMHO
If your stock system is working fine and you don't have a low vacuum condition, I wouldn't switch. JMHO
Last edited by Jason Staley; Nov 4, 2014 at 11:42 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
One of the best upgrades I have made, comes with an emergency charge cylinder if I am not mistaken to enable you to stop if the belt breaks and you also can stand on the unpowered brakes to get to a stop.
The power steering pump is cheap if you buy a re-manufactured one and nothing has worn out in the 7 years since I have had them. The hydroboost system is great as you will find out the first time you use them
The power steering pump is cheap if you buy a re-manufactured one and nothing has worn out in the 7 years since I have had them. The hydroboost system is great as you will find out the first time you use them
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10,956
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From: California
One of the best upgrades I have made, comes with an emergency charge cylinder if I am not mistaken to enable you to stop if the belt breaks and you also can stand on the unpowered brakes to get to a stop.
The power steering pump is cheap if you buy a re-manufactured one and nothing has worn out in the 7 years since I have had them. The hydroboost system is great as you will find out the first time you use them
The power steering pump is cheap if you buy a re-manufactured one and nothing has worn out in the 7 years since I have had them. The hydroboost system is great as you will find out the first time you use them
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,455
Likes: 977
From: RI, Now Franklin/Nashville TN
As noted above, hydroboost will do nothing to increase the braking performance of the brake system-it will provide more power brake assist which makes the pedal feel much lighter-power assist on steroids.. If you prefer a more assisted brake pedal, than the system is for you…
I have driven cars with hydroboost and like Jason above, I do not care for the system. I prefer a firm hard brake pedal with linear assist since it provides better pedal feedback…just me.
I have driven cars with hydroboost and like Jason above, I do not care for the system. I prefer a firm hard brake pedal with linear assist since it provides better pedal feedback…just me.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,455
Likes: 977
From: RI, Now Franklin/Nashville TN
That would seem to me the perfect application of hydroboost. I can see it on my car with the stock brake s system (which is pretty awesome even today) with braided SS hoses and upgraded performance pads...
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10,956
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From: California
ok... a little more detail from me....
manual.... very linear peddle but much more foot pressure needed
Vacuum.... more mushy, easy foot pressure, but with a mushy feel... and you need car vacuum
HydroBoost.... very linear like with manual, very easy foot pressure like vacuum, and zero mush.
Hrdroboost is the best in all categories.
one of the top 5 mods for a C3
we have 5 vettes... C4, C5, C5 Guldstarnd, C6 ZO6...
And the C3 Hydroboost has the #1 best feel of them all... Danny is actually going to go HydroBoost on his C5 427 Guldstarnd... its that much better.
And we are now starting a 67 Mustang 427 750hp track car... 2500lbs... it will have a HydroBoost.
manual.... very linear peddle but much more foot pressure needed
Vacuum.... more mushy, easy foot pressure, but with a mushy feel... and you need car vacuum
HydroBoost.... very linear like with manual, very easy foot pressure like vacuum, and zero mush.
Hrdroboost is the best in all categories.
one of the top 5 mods for a C3
we have 5 vettes... C4, C5, C5 Guldstarnd, C6 ZO6...
And the C3 Hydroboost has the #1 best feel of them all... Danny is actually going to go HydroBoost on his C5 427 Guldstarnd... its that much better.
And we are now starting a 67 Mustang 427 750hp track car... 2500lbs... it will have a HydroBoost.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 878
Likes: 55
From: Deep South Denmark
I've been wondering about the emergency canister. Is it a closed system that somehow gets re-charged when the pump starts running again or is it a one time deal?
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10,956
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From: California
canister will hold about 3 full brake pushes after pump goes out... more than the vacuum unit does if motor stalls. and as soon as the pump turns again instant brakes.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,455
Likes: 977
From: RI, Now Franklin/Nashville TN
ok... a little more detail from me....
manual.... very linear peddle but much more foot pressure needed
Vacuum.... more mushy, easy foot pressure, but with a mushy feel... and you need car vacuum
HydroBoost.... very linear like with manual, very easy foot pressure like vacuum, and zero mush.
Hrdroboost is the best in all categories.
one of the top 5 mods for a C3
we have 5 vettes... C4, C5, C5 Guldstarnd, C6 ZO6...
And the C3 Hydroboost has the #1 best feel of them all... Danny is actually going to go HydroBoost on his C5 427 Guldstarnd... its that much better.
And we are now starting a 67 Mustang 427 750hp track car... 2500lbs... it will have a HydroBoost.
manual.... very linear peddle but much more foot pressure needed
Vacuum.... more mushy, easy foot pressure, but with a mushy feel... and you need car vacuum
HydroBoost.... very linear like with manual, very easy foot pressure like vacuum, and zero mush.
Hrdroboost is the best in all categories.
one of the top 5 mods for a C3
we have 5 vettes... C4, C5, C5 Guldstarnd, C6 ZO6...
And the C3 Hydroboost has the #1 best feel of them all... Danny is actually going to go HydroBoost on his C5 427 Guldstarnd... its that much better.
And we are now starting a 67 Mustang 427 750hp track car... 2500lbs... it will have a HydroBoost.
The difference between the C6Z06 and C5 brakes is night and day...
Last edited by jb78L-82; Nov 4, 2014 at 02:44 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,037
Likes: 14
From: Mobile Alabama
I like my hydro boost. I am using a Astro Van unit with Jeep steering. It may not be for everyone, some find it too sensitive. Because the hydro can generate more line pressure than a vacuum boost, I would use braided flex lines.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,738
Likes: 53
From: Bogart GA
I have hard and braided lines every but that short span in the rear between the hard line frame and braided line trailing arm interface. I replaced my stock canister some years back with an aftermarket unit. I never really liked the feel. Seemed to almost not be working, it is a small improvement above no vacuum at all.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,037
Likes: 14
From: Mobile Alabama
I have hard and braided lines every but that short span in the rear between the hard line frame and braided line trailing arm interface. I replaced my stock canister some years back with an aftermarket unit. I never really liked the feel. Seemed to almost not be working, it is a small improvement above no vacuum at all.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
I have installed a couple of HyrdaTech hydroboost systems in a couple of resto-mod C2 Corvettes. And I can say from being the one who felt the brakes before and after...the Hydra Tech systems made all the difference in braking. MAJOR IMPROVEMENT.
http://www.hydratechbraking.com/
DUB
http://www.hydratechbraking.com/
DUB
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,455
Likes: 977
From: RI, Now Franklin/Nashville TN
I just drove yesterday a 2014 2.0l ecoboost 240 HP rental car Ford fusion and compared to ALL my cars including the 10 Z06 and 78 L-82 when I first stepped on the brake in the Fusion, holy crap-too much brake boost--head through the windshield feel. Car felt like it had Le Mans brakes but in reality-NO! I don't like cars with over boosted brakes-no feel and too much assist. You don't want brakes that will upset the balance of the chassis on first application. MUCH prefer a harder, firmer, linear brake pedal..especially if you drive hard or race…
I think that if I had a spare $500 to spend on my C3, I can think of many other things that I would spend the $500 on besides hydroboost when you have terrific stock brakes that come on a C3...
I think that if I had a spare $500 to spend on my C3, I can think of many other things that I would spend the $500 on besides hydroboost when you have terrific stock brakes that come on a C3...
Last edited by jb78L-82; Nov 5, 2014 at 12:43 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,738
Likes: 53
From: Bogart GA
I just drove yesterday a 2014 2.0l ecoboost 240 HP rental car Ford fusion and compared to ALL my cars including the 10 Z06 and 78 L-82 when I first stepped on the brake in the Fusion, holy crap-too much brake boost--head through the windshield feel. Car felt like it had Le Mans brakes but in reality-NO! I don't like cars with over boosted brakes-no feel and too much assist. You don't want brakes that will upset the balance of the chassis on first application. MUCH prefer a harder, firmer, linear brake pedal..especially if you drive hard or race…
I think that if I had a spare $500 to spend on my C3, I can think of many other things that I would spend the $500 on besides hydroboost when you have terrific stock brakes that come on a C3...
I think that if I had a spare $500 to spend on my C3, I can think of many other things that I would spend the $500 on besides hydroboost when you have terrific stock brakes that come on a C3...
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
DUB
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,037
Likes: 14
From: Mobile Alabama
The choice of brake pad can aid in softening the 'grip' when the pedal is applied. The 63 SWC that has this Hydra tech system is fine...very manageable ( resto-mod with all newer era brakes etc)....the 67 that I installed this Hydratech system in needs the pads to be changed due to it will stop and leave your teeth on the front bumper. BUT...that is expected due to the 67 had only a Willwood master cylinder and were manual brakes (no vacuum booster)
DUB
DUB
The pad you choose can make a difference. You wouldn't want to turn the hydraulic pressure down because you wouldn't have enough pressure in the reservoir for stops if/when the engine stopped or lost hydraulic pressure. The master cylinder could be changed to allow a longer stroke but would also make the pedal easier to push.....inverse is also true.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,738
Likes: 53
From: Bogart GA
The pad you choose can make a difference. You wouldn't want to turn the hydraulic pressure down because you wouldn't have enough pressure in the reservoir for stops if/when the engine stopped or lost hydraulic pressure. The master cylinder could be changed to allow a longer stroke but would also make the pedal easier to push.....inverse is also true.