Power brakes
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,519
Likes: 506
From: Bussey, IA
Power brakes
I grew up believing a lie. I was told that all cars with disc brakes had power brakes. Recently I learned that Corvettes had disc brakes without having power brakes. So, now here I am at a fork in the road for my project - 68 Coupe that will be getting a 327 with a 4 speed. I am at the point to get some brake lines, and the question comes standard or power brakes. Since I am not numbers correct, I am concerned about authenticity. Just want a good safe driver. Not a racer either but may have to put a Camaro or Stang in it's place. I am at a place where I can easily add a booster. So, are power brakes worth adding or not? BTW I have driven many vehicles in the past without power brakes. At 55 and looking at 60 before it is done is this a consideration also? TIA Andy
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
I have met lots of people who think disc brakes must be power, I have discs on my vw trike, not power.
It likely comes from the fact that disc brakes require more pedal force than drums so power brakes helps reduce the pressure one needs to apply,
Do you need power brakes or do you just want them, hum,
My project is a 454 69 it has power steering and power brakes, and I believe if it didn't have either I would add power brakes as it cant be that costly like converting to modern power steering, it boils down to how much and how will you use the car if you would really get a good bang for your buck...I plan to use my 69 as a car.
It likely comes from the fact that disc brakes require more pedal force than drums so power brakes helps reduce the pressure one needs to apply,
Do you need power brakes or do you just want them, hum,
My project is a 454 69 it has power steering and power brakes, and I believe if it didn't have either I would add power brakes as it cant be that costly like converting to modern power steering, it boils down to how much and how will you use the car if you would really get a good bang for your buck...I plan to use my 69 as a car.
Dr. Detroit
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,097
Likes: 4,027
From: New Braunfels Texas
My last two Vette's (66' and 69' Tri-Power) did not have power brakes.....I never missed it.
My 72' has it and that is great as it came with the car....but the added expense and area the booster takes up would be a deal breaker for me if building a car from scratch.
Jebby
My 72' has it and that is great as it came with the car....but the added expense and area the booster takes up would be a deal breaker for me if building a car from scratch.
Jebby
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,601
Likes: 7,047
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
I completely rebuilt the original calipers and master cylinder on my manual-brake project and they worked perfectly.
BUT............living in Louisiana.....I had to add a power booster to compensate for the idiots who were dialing/texting/etc-ering while "unknowingly?" running stop signs
It DID take 3 test drives to adjust the new booster so that the brakes weren't "grabby"/too sensitive during "normal stops".
Edit: My stock engine has 14 "lbs." of vacuum......the experienced members can tell you the MINIMUM vacuum need for a booster to operate correctly.
BUT............living in Louisiana.....I had to add a power booster to compensate for the idiots who were dialing/texting/etc-ering while "unknowingly?" running stop signs
It DID take 3 test drives to adjust the new booster so that the brakes weren't "grabby"/too sensitive during "normal stops".
Edit: My stock engine has 14 "lbs." of vacuum......the experienced members can tell you the MINIMUM vacuum need for a booster to operate correctly.
Last edited by doorgunner; Apr 9, 2016 at 12:32 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,729
Likes: 193
From: Scottsdale Arizona
I am restoring a 72 convertible and I am adding the options that I want I am adding power brakes, tilt tele wheel and power windows. I think it will be worth it. I had a 69 427 coupe with manual brakes and it just took some getting used to.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 19,445
Likes: 353
From: Athens GA
St. Jude Donor '12-'13, '15- '16-'17-'18-'19, '21
If you are considering adding power brakes, why not just add the hydro-boost setup. Takes up less space than the stock power booster.
It ties into your power steering pump so it does not need engine vacuum to run.
Many articles in the tech section area from guys who have done this.
You can buy a full setup from a vendor or fabricate your own from salvage yard or ebay sellers. Hydro-boost is used in a lot of GM cars and vans after the C3 was built. Astro vans are a common source of them that match up to our Vettes.
I have a setup ready to go into my project once I pull the body and get going on the frame.
Just another option to consider.
Bman
It ties into your power steering pump so it does not need engine vacuum to run.
Many articles in the tech section area from guys who have done this.
You can buy a full setup from a vendor or fabricate your own from salvage yard or ebay sellers. Hydro-boost is used in a lot of GM cars and vans after the C3 was built. Astro vans are a common source of them that match up to our Vettes.
I have a setup ready to go into my project once I pull the body and get going on the frame.
Just another option to consider.
Bman
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Andy-
Adding factory power brakes to your car is pretty simple.. All you need is the booster and master cylinder a brake line change from the master cylinder to the proportioning valve and a brake lamp activation switch bracket for the brake pedal... You have to modify the fiberglass in the firewall which is very easy, knock out two studs and drill two more holes..
I've done a few write ups on the forum that should help you... but for the money, I'd go with power ... IMHO...
Willcox
Adding factory power brakes to your car is pretty simple.. All you need is the booster and master cylinder a brake line change from the master cylinder to the proportioning valve and a brake lamp activation switch bracket for the brake pedal... You have to modify the fiberglass in the firewall which is very easy, knock out two studs and drill two more holes..
I've done a few write ups on the forum that should help you... but for the money, I'd go with power ... IMHO...
Willcox
Last edited by Willcox Corvette; Apr 9, 2016 at 10:57 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
There is NO difference in brake stopping power and fade capabilities between standard and power brakes. The ONLY differences are pedal effort and brake "feel" to the driver.
Many road racers prefer the "feel" of standard braking systems; but over a long race, brake work can be tiring. For normal city driving, it probably depends on what you are most used to....and who else might be driving the car. Power brakes with ABS would be ideal; but adding ABS to a C3 would be 'traumatic'.
Don't fret over this one. Install the braking system that will give you the best combination of comfort and confidence.
Many road racers prefer the "feel" of standard braking systems; but over a long race, brake work can be tiring. For normal city driving, it probably depends on what you are most used to....and who else might be driving the car. Power brakes with ABS would be ideal; but adding ABS to a C3 would be 'traumatic'.
Don't fret over this one. Install the braking system that will give you the best combination of comfort and confidence.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,406
Likes: 8,212
From: Napa Valley California
If you are looking to purchase a C3 in the near future, I would look at the overall quality of the car.
Whether or not it had power brakes should not be a deal breaker, because swapping from manual to power brakes is a simple and low cost modification.
If you use original type components to make the swap, the components should be easily obtainable in Germany.
I own a 73 big block coupe and the OEM power brakes work effortlessly.
The only thing you may consider, if you plan to highly modify the engine, is to insure that whatever camshaft you choose, that it will pull enough vacuum to operate the power brakes as the OEM type boosters are vacuum assist.
Keep us posted on your C3 search and send us the details and pictures of your purchase.
Happy hunting!
Whether or not it had power brakes should not be a deal breaker, because swapping from manual to power brakes is a simple and low cost modification.
If you use original type components to make the swap, the components should be easily obtainable in Germany.
I own a 73 big block coupe and the OEM power brakes work effortlessly.
The only thing you may consider, if you plan to highly modify the engine, is to insure that whatever camshaft you choose, that it will pull enough vacuum to operate the power brakes as the OEM type boosters are vacuum assist.
Keep us posted on your C3 search and send us the details and pictures of your purchase.
Happy hunting!
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 33
Likes: 6
From: California
FWIW, I am new to Corvettes and new to this forum. Being mostly a big luxury car guy like Caddys, Lincolns, etc., I was apprehensive when buying my 71 roadster last month because it was a base no option car. I personally like it and its no issue. I really enjoy the "connected" driving feel like I have with my old 77 Porsche 911S.
As mentioned by others, power brakes are better in the respect they require less pedal effort, however braking ability is the same. Fact: you will get easier braking from power brakes vs non power. I speculate some of the negativity towards non power brakes could be due to us comparing to modern cars we drive daily and then getting into our our old cars for a weekend drive. I own more than a few old cars that I rotate into my daily driving to keep them "well oiled". To me, it just takes a few blocks and I am dialed into the car I am driving.
I'm enjoying this forum, Lots of good tech advice!
As mentioned by others, power brakes are better in the respect they require less pedal effort, however braking ability is the same. Fact: you will get easier braking from power brakes vs non power. I speculate some of the negativity towards non power brakes could be due to us comparing to modern cars we drive daily and then getting into our our old cars for a weekend drive. I own more than a few old cars that I rotate into my daily driving to keep them "well oiled". To me, it just takes a few blocks and I am dialed into the car I am driving.
I'm enjoying this forum, Lots of good tech advice!
Pro
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 587
Likes: 49
From: Belgium
Brake stopping power is the same ALTHOUGH a very big difference :brake distance is NOT the same. You build brake pressure quicker with the power brakes. Therefore you ll have a shorter emergency braking distance.