Master cylinder upgrade?
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,940
Likes: 43
From: shavertown Pa.
I would imagine you could replace it with one from a later model but you might have to cut and move brake lines to fit.
If you have yours off take it to a parts store and look at the later model replacements and see if the lines are the same size, as long as everything measures up it will work.
If you have yours off take it to a parts store and look at the later model replacements and see if the lines are the same size, as long as everything measures up it will work.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,394
Likes: 2,741
There's no way to actually check the compatibility "hydraulically" until it's fitted and tested. You need to understand that a purchase and mount of something you're not happy with or doesn't work likely isn't "returnable"!
Have you tried to locate a rebuilt/re-manufactured or maybe even a new for it?
Pro
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 613
Likes: 3
The only mc that are available are those made in china and pricey almost $200.00
GM ones are difficult to find and even more expensive nos.
Haven't upgraded mine since it's not a track car, did buy the centric, didn't install it yet though, turned out the brake booster was faulty, got mine from eckler's pricey yeah but works fine for over a year now.
GM ones are difficult to find and even more expensive nos.
Haven't upgraded mine since it's not a track car, did buy the centric, didn't install it yet though, turned out the brake booster was faulty, got mine from eckler's pricey yeah but works fine for over a year now.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,700
Likes: 1,667
From: moraga ca
I replaced my master cylinder on my 84 a few months ago. My parts guy searched throughout the US and found a Bendix (made in USA) unit in Detroit at an auto supply house and had it shipped out here. It cost about $250, but it is new, works as good as new and hopefully I won't have to worry about it for the another 30 years.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
I bought a new GM master cylinder. I thought it was interesting that the original was aluminum but the replacement was cast iron. The original was made by PBR in Australia. The replacement was also PBR.
Last edited by Cliff Harris; Jul 30, 2013 at 03:39 AM. Reason: Added replacement was PBR.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 849
Likes: 1
From: Shelbyville IN
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 9,700
Likes: 3,469
From: Akron Ohio
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C5 of the Year Winner - Modified
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
If you are willing to put new fittings on the end of your lines, go with a '93-2002 4th gen Camaro master cylinder. It will bolt in place, but needs different sized fitting. They are super easy to come by and are much cheaper than the C4 stuff. Also, the bore is slightly larger which will give you a better pedal in my opinion. I put a used one in my race car several years ago and have not had any issues.
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
Pro
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 683
Likes: 4
From: Laurens SC
If you are willing to put new fittings on the end of your lines, go with a '93-2002 4th gen Camaro master cylinder. It will bolt in place, but needs different sized fitting. They are super easy to come by and are much cheaper than the C4 stuff. Also, the bore is slightly larger which will give you a better pedal in my opinion. I put a used one in my race car several years ago and have not had any issues.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,952
Likes: 239
From: Venice Cali.
I just put one of these on my 85
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...:CPSOB:US:1123
http://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/198..._cylinder.html
They raised the price on the one I bought($97) but I was brousing and found an 82 dollar one.
But it looks like it is seeping just a touch from the cup seals. and they forgot the low fluid light connector but said they will send me one. Other than that it doesn't really leak FYI
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...:CPSOB:US:1123
http://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/198..._cylinder.html
They raised the price on the one I bought($97) but I was brousing and found an 82 dollar one.
But it looks like it is seeping just a touch from the cup seals. and they forgot the low fluid light connector but said they will send me one. Other than that it doesn't really leak FYI
Last edited by xrav22; Jul 29, 2013 at 09:35 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
That's not a low fluid light connector. It is a brake balance switch. It turns on the BRAKE light on the center cluster if the front or rear brake circuits have a problem (meaning no or low pressure).
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
From: Townsend TN
If you are willing to put new fittings on the end of your lines, go with a '93-2002 4th gen Camaro master cylinder. It will bolt in place, but needs different sized fitting. They are super easy to come by and are much cheaper than the C4 stuff. Also, the bore is slightly larger which will give you a better pedal in my opinion. I put a used one in my race car several years ago and have not had any issues.
Thanks!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 9,700
Likes: 3,469
From: Akron Ohio
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C5 of the Year Winner - Modified
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
You can kinda see in these two pictures from when I was putting the engine in. If you want better ones I can go out to the garage tomorrow.
