Power brake upgrade
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 799
Likes: 26
From: Lexington Park Maryland
Power brake upgrade
I have a 73 convertible with a transplanted 1969 396. I recently helped a friend buy a 1973 coupe with 61K original miles. It has AC, power brake and a telescopic tilt steering wheel. I would like to duplicate the power brake on my convertible. What part is different on the coupe brake system I can get to install the power brake set up on mine? I am thinking the rod from the cockpit to the booster. Any help is greatly appreciated. COVIB project.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 971
Likes: 45
From: Middlesex NJ
- If you have really tall valve covers on a big block they can interfere with the factory brake booster.
- power master cylinder has a different bore size 1 1/8" for power 1" bore for manual (cant use a manual master on a power booster)
- the brake pedal switch actuator bracket is different
- the hole in the firewall for the clevis rod is lower and wider
- the master cylinder lines to distribution block are different
- the upper booster mounting studs need holes drilled.
- get a booster to firewall gasket to use as a template for drilling the upper booster stud holes
- get a matched booster and master cylinder combo for your year so the booster push rod is correct
- vacuum hard line, hose, filter (if used) and intake/carb fitting for the vacuum line to the booster
Last edited by mysixtynine; May 7, 2020 at 10:30 AM.
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,174
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From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
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its pretty easy and there are lots of how to threads on here, I wrote one myself similar to MYSIXTYNINE. The brake mount has the egg shape hole already in it in it, the fiberglass is just covering it. I cut it out using a sawsall blade as a hand saw. To make my install very easy I took out he front seat and the steering column. The 2 top bolts are the hardest to get too, especially to replace, the top left one usually doesnt get replaced.
I've had issues with buying boosters and master cylinders seperate, so I suggest buying them as a unit. The last one I bought was from Tuffstuff and I like the quality. Corvette Stainless steel brakes http://www.cssbinc.com/brake-boosters-corvette.aspx has great stuff too. Complete kits or parts. I just rebuilt my lip calipers into o ring calipers very easily
I've had issues with buying boosters and master cylinders seperate, so I suggest buying them as a unit. The last one I bought was from Tuffstuff and I like the quality. Corvette Stainless steel brakes http://www.cssbinc.com/brake-boosters-corvette.aspx has great stuff too. Complete kits or parts. I just rebuilt my lip calipers into o ring calipers very easily
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,174
Likes: 9,300
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
heres the write up I did. Pretty similar, different pics
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...onversion.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...onversion.html
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,216
Likes: 643
From: Orange County Ca
Not to bust your *****, but Corvette '66-'69 was 427. 454 for '70+.
427's are some of the most storied for the C3's, so if you really have a '69 Corvette engine, you may have lucked out.
As mentioned above, some tall valve covers may not clear the booster. Stock covers have plenty of room.
427's are some of the most storied for the C3's, so if you really have a '69 Corvette engine, you may have lucked out.
As mentioned above, some tall valve covers may not clear the booster. Stock covers have plenty of room.
Last edited by Sayfoo; May 8, 2020 at 10:00 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
Be aware that changing from manual brakes to power brakes WILL NOT increase braking capability. It will only reduce pedal effort to get that braking capability.
Power brakes make it easier (for the driver) to get the same level of braking that with a non-power system. If you want BETTER braking, you will have to modify the actual brake components.
Power brakes make it easier (for the driver) to get the same level of braking that with a non-power system. If you want BETTER braking, you will have to modify the actual brake components.
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,174
Likes: 9,300
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
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2016 C3 of Year Finalist
my manual brakes just slowed me down. Didnt matter what I did. I had a hard firm pedal, i just couldnt push the pedal hard enough to lock them up. POwer brakes are just that....POWER!!!!!
Now that doesnt say the PO didnt have the wrong master cylinder in there, he may have. I just upgraded and never looked back
Now that doesnt say the PO didnt have the wrong master cylinder in there, he may have. I just upgraded and never looked back
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
The braking system is the same, whether Power brakes or Manual brakes. So the stopping power is NO DIFFERENT. It's merely less pedal effort. I've had both types and I prefer power brakes. But if you want BETTER braking capability, adding power brakes is NOT the way to go.
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Pro
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 706
Likes: 294
From: New Jersey
my manual brakes just slowed me down. Didnt matter what I did. I had a hard firm pedal, i just couldnt push the pedal hard enough to lock them up. POwer brakes are just that....POWER!!!!!
Now that doesnt say the PO didnt have the wrong master cylinder in there, he may have. I just upgraded and never looked back
Now that doesnt say the PO didnt have the wrong master cylinder in there, he may have. I just upgraded and never looked back
Pro
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 706
Likes: 294
From: New Jersey
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,174
Likes: 9,300
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
nope, never touched them. just the power brake upgrade. Gotta love it when you can actually stop when some dumb kid looking at his phone pulls out in front of you. The only time I wanted to upgrade the pads was after my first track event lasst spring. I had new organics on then and at the track they were great, but the next day after they cooled it was like stepping on a brick. I just put some Hawks ceramics on after I did the Oring upgrade this week. Once its on the road again I'll be able to talk about ceramic pads
Last edited by Rescue Rogers; May 9, 2020 at 07:01 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
If one is used to braking with manual brakes and then drives the same car with power brakes, the initial tendency is to use the same amount of force when braking. And, of course, when that happens you will have used TOO MUCH force. This disparity has nothing to do with the capabilities of the braking system.They have not changed. The only thing that changed is our human perception.
Last edited by 7T1vette; May 10, 2020 at 11:34 PM.