Mine is still in a box in the foyer of our house. The won't be running anytime soon, but I just curious to see how the install went and if you have any driving impressions. I think a lot of people ordered the kit, but I haven't seen any threads on the subject recently.

~Jay

 

I have installed my kit. It was a very easy install. Idid not have power brakes. The total time for the install was about 4 hours total. The system has way more power now and can easily lock the tires. I am having some problems with the initial pedal effort being a little stiff tehn going to real easy and getting to much brake. Paul has been working closely with me on this and I know it will get resolved. I have even tried another booster to no avail so it is not in the boost system. I just have not had much time recently to sort it all out. Great sytem. I did go drag racing last weekend and it was much easier to set the line lock and the brakes were always there.

 

I've been driving around with my Hydroboost for the last 2 months - n problems. I already had the steering column out when I installed mine, so only took me about 2-3 hours. It works great and definitely provides a much firmer brake pedal. You will have to get used to the brake feel all over again because it is much firmer and much more responsive than the stock brake assist.

 

I have not purchased a kit yet. I would like to hear more feedback from others before I purchase.

 

Who supplies the "kit"?

Dave

 

http://www.hydroboost.com/

Check to the left on the sponser Hydratech braking

 

I have hydroboost in both of my 1980 Vettes - SBC and BBC.
The system works as advertised.. it stops QUICKLY.


:cheers: :cool: :cheers:
:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

 

We can quote Gerry72 as saying:(from the top of page 4 of the Hydratech Group Purchase)

I wonder if Paul has a big smirk on his face everytime he ships one of those black bloxes? (Yes - I do!)
Finished my installation yesterday. The difference is incredible. You are just not going to believe how hydroboost transforms your car, especially if it is a manual brake car like mine. It's nothing like vacuum assist brakes. Everything is linear and there's as much power available to you as you could ever hope for.

The whole kit is very well engineered. This is the first major "bolt on" modification I've ever done where everything fit just like the directions said, had no surprises, and I didn't have to modify or fabricate anything to make it fit.

The car is resting for its recommended 24 hours to let the air settle out and I can't wait to drive it again tonight. I finally have brakes!

 

I have had mine for 3 or 4 years. I started with a unit from a 1/2 ton and thought if a 1/2 ton in great why not a 1 ton unit. It sure is powerful. I am also running a nascar style power steering pump with a little more pressure so the brakes are really strong.
I use to be embarrassed when someone test drove my vet with manual brakes. Not any more. I have to warn them about the power of the brakes. No one has ever felt more power brakes.
You can go the kit route or go to the wreckers and pick the unit up cheap. Both my systems came from the wreckers. The first cost me $20. and the second from a 94 one ton truck was $50 in new condition.
I totally recommend the system.

 

Why risk potential damage to your power steering system with a gunked up unit from a junkyard ? Even better question to ask, why risk the braking performance of your car on a potentially junk part ? Tnen you need to think about mounting, lines, leaks all that crap. I spend enough time spinning wrenches on the Corvette without having to do stuff over and over. Yeah those hydroboost.com kits are not the cheapest out there but they work, I have had mine on for about two years now and have had ZERO problems.


[Modified by dman535, 9:17 AM 5/11/2003]

 

Who says a junk yard hydraboost has to be gunked up? Both my units were great, the 94 looked brand new, as for adapting the unit to the corvette other then a slight linkage modification it bolted right in. LInes were not a big deal, the local hose shop built me the 3 lines from stainless for under $100. For $150 CDN I had a complete unit that never caused a problem or leaked.
Also when I did my conversion I never heard about the kit's . I kept plugging away on the forum about the power of the hydraboost and the easy installation and compactness for big blocks with tall valve cover. I also feilded all questions about the unit.
The kits didn't come out till later. For $300CDN I can buy new units if I chose to go that route but I don't. I believe there are lots on good cheap units out there with lots of miles left.The auto wrecker owner told me he gets very little call for the units since they are so reliable. He will sell me all I want for $50 CDN per unit, that is about $30 american.
If I bought the kit to save myself the hassel of 3 hoses and 1 rethreading of the linkage I would be up to $800 CDN.
Not a very good deal for me.
Not everyone needs to spend alot of money to get good braking.

 

:iagree:


Geo

 

Yes, the DIY methods are indeed a way to go for some enthusiasts - if you have the mechanical knowledge and fabrication expertise needed to install a system into your vehicle, then yes indeed some darned good results can be had. The installation of a wrecking yard supplied assist unit can unfortunately be an aggravating and traumatic experience for many general enthusiasts though. With over 50 different mounting plate variations, sometimes obtaining a compatible mounting plate can be a challenge, much less trying to remove the existing plate without the needed special tools. Over 30 different master cylinder pushrods create yet another compatibility issue with the master cylinder. Then you may have to try to modify a necked down brake pedal rod that is just too thin to thread in the needed area on many models. These are all of the usual mounting pitfalls that come into play during the average DIY experience.
Now that these mounting pitfalls have been overcome, the entire line issue now comes into play. What lengths do I need? How do I interface this thing in with my ps? Which port was the inlet, outlet? How come nobody makes a ¼ SAE to –6 adapter ? Did I get the hose shop to set the line angles the way that I specified? Hmmm – one hose is a bit too short!


I have been doing hydroboost conversions since 1986 – in the years I have been doing this, a substantial amount of the learning curve has included the agony of defeat. But in these 17 years, a tremendous amount of experience has also been accumulated regarding these systems. This experience goes into each and every assist unit that we produce! The internal control valve modifications, the mounting solutions, the exact fit linesets – all a testament to years of research and development. What the customer gets for the purchase price of our systems, is a comprehensive system guaranteed to install and work properly, or their money back in full – in writing. They also receive an absolute show quality system, with only the finest materials used. We most definitely provide a very high end, comprehensive system, with no costs spared in the name of profit margins. The customers that have purchased the systems have all been very pleased with their purchases, overall very impressed with the quality, and also the system installation, operational, and visual standpoints.

Here is a general cost analysis of what goes into our systems: (using averaged pricing)

C3 Vette Level III complete system:

(1) Brand new AC Delco supplied hydraulic brake assist unit $325 ($505 list price)
(1) Specially manufactured custom firewall mounting plate $40 (nominal)
(1) Specially manufactured pedal and M/C pushrods $20
(1) 6 foot section of Aeroquip TFE spec line $32
(2) Polished aluminum lineclamp / separators $22
(6) Various Aeroquip fittings / adapters $76
(1) 3’ of HD Gates PS return line w/ chromed “hosenut” $16
(8) Chromed Allenhead case bolts $8
(1) Specially made 90* low profile return line fitting $12
(1) Miscellaneous materials $10

Total: $561.00 vs $595 price

C3 Vette Level II complete system:

(1) Remanufactured hydraulic brake assist unit $225 (incl $50 core)
(1) Specially manufactured custom firewall mounting plate $40 (nominal)
(1) Specially manufactured pedal and M/C pushrods $20
(1) 6 foot section of Aeroquip TFE spec line $32
(2) Polished aluminum lineclamp / separators $22
(6) Various Aeroquip fittings / adapters $76
(1) 3’ of HD Gates PS return line w/ chromed “hosenut” $16
(8) Chromed Allenhead case bolts $8
(1) Specially made 90* low profile return line fitting $12
(1) Miscellaneous materials $10

Total: $461.00 vs $495 price


Yes – indeed we get our materials and supplies at a better pricing, but only enough to make approximately just over a $100 per kit. This includes all the proprietary trick mods performed to the systems, complete labors and costs to produce the systems, and all of the cumulative experience accumulated over the years, all for approximately what you would spend on an averaged basis to install the systems.


The DIY costs will come in cheaper, we figure something along these lines:

C3 Vette – Do It Yourself complete system:

(1) Salvage yard hydraulic brake assist unit $75 (national average)
(1) Custom made hydraulic high pressure lineset $125 (approx average)
(1) Miscellaneous materials $25 (approx average)


Total: $225.00
+ your time: $ ??? (insert figure)
+used parts gamble: $ ??? (insert figure)


Whether you perform the swap on a DIY basis, or using one of our systems, one thing is for sure – better braking awaits! The question is ultimately whether you would prefer a show quality “turnkey” system, or DIY. We have received many a call from a “DIYer” that has given up trying to do it himself, but hasn’t given up on wanting better brakes, and have sold them a system to hear back “I should have just gone with your system in the first place!”

http://www.hydroboost.com





[Modified by Hydratech Braking, 12:19 AM 5/12/2003]