No more “BRAKE DANCING”

itmdave

itmdave

Forum Member
No more “BRAKE DANCING”

I need help working out my power brakes I am running the original disk/drum components without the power booster I have good braking but a very stiff peddle. Because of the cam and the Webber carburetors I only get 9 in hg of vacuum and from what I understand I need a min of 16 in hg at idle. A vacuum canister did not work. I have the original Firebird 11” booster (single diaphragm I think) that I will use. It looks like my only option is a vacuum pump. Does anybody use a pump and what results did you get? Are there any recommendations on aftermarket brands or should I try to locate an old GM pump from the 80’s. I would appreciate any help thanks. :headscrat
 
itmdave said:
I need help working out my power brakes I am running the original disk/drum components without the power booster I have good braking but a very stiff peddle. Because of the cam and the Webber carburetors I only get 9 in hg of vacuum and from what I understand I need a min of 16 in hg at idle. A vacuum canister did not work. I have the original Firebird 11” booster (single diaphragm I think) that I will use. It looks like my only option is a vacuum pump. Does anybody use a pump and what results did you get? Are there any recommendations on aftermarket brands or should I try to locate an old GM pump from the 80’s. I would appreciate any help thanks. :headscrat
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Why not switch to a large bore manual brake master cylinder..? Instead of using the power one pedal should get softer.
 
Considered adapting a hydroboost set up that runs off the power steering pump? I think some old Chevy trucks had hydroboost as a place to maybe look for one in junk yards that might be adaptable to your engine easily. 96+ Mustang GTs, not sure about V6's all have hydroboost too, I believe.
 
4 cam tbird said:
Considered adapting a hydroboost set up that runs off the power steering pump? I think some old Chevy trucks had hydroboost as a place to maybe look for one in junk yards that might be adaptable to your engine easily. 96+ Mustang GTs, not sure about V6's all have hydroboost too, I believe.
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How does a hydroboost hook up to the power steering pump? Extra belts, hoses?
 
itmdave said:
How does a hydroboost hook up to the power steering pump? Extra belts, hoses?
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the pressure hose goes to the hydro boost, then a pressure hose goes from the hydro boost to the steering gear/rack, a return hose goes from the hydro boost back to the reservoir, and the return hose goes from the gear/rack back the reservoir as well, factory reservoirs have 2 return ports, but swap guys seem to have little issues with teeing the return hoses together and to a single port

oh, and the common hydro booster the GM guys use in swaps is the one from an Astro minivan
 
dave89iroc said:
the pressure hose goes to the hydro boost, then a pressure hose goes from the hydro boost to the steering gear/rack, a return hose goes from the hydro boost back to the reservoir, and the return hose goes from the gear/rack back the reservoir as well, factory reservoirs have 2 return ports, but swap guys seem to have little issues with teeing the return hoses together and to a single port

oh, and the common hydro booster the GM guys use in swaps is the one from an Astro minivan
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First thanks for the reply! :thumbsup: So then I take it that the hydro boost unit can be remotely located as far away from the power steering pump as the high pressure hoses are long? Also is it used in addition to the existing vacuum or does it completely replace the vacuum from the manifold? If not any idea of how much more vacuum (in. hg) the hydro booster will give me? Anybody? Thanks for your help.
 
hydroboost unit goes directly between the pedal and the master cylinder. Its just like a Vaccum power brake booster but smaller and hydrualicly powered vs vacum powered.

I put a conversion setup on a customers oldsmobile f85 a few weeks ago. I loved it he loved it and the brakes had a nice toss you threw the windshield athority about them.


itmdave said:
First thanks for the reply! :thumbsup: So then I take it that the hydro boost unit can be remotely located as far away from the power steering pump as the high pressure hoses are long? Also is it used in addition to the existing vacuum or does it completely replace the vacuum from the manifold? If not any idea of how much more vacuum (in. hg) the hydro booster will give me? Anybody? Thanks for your help.
Click to expand...
 
Chevy Cobalts use hydroboost, as do 96+ mustangs as it says above, I think some older awd chevy astro vans had it too .......

It is fairly easily adaptable, but if you are going to do it, get all the components from the SAME VEHICLE, as interchangeability isnt all that great at times, I.E, Hydroboot "unit", including resivoir/booster, pump, and most importantly, the lines. They can be very costly to have made.

EDIT: Aftermarket units are expensive as hell!!!!!!!

Rudy
 
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Sean said:
hydroboost unit goes directly between the pedal and the master cylinder. Its just like a Vaccum power brake booster but smaller and hydrualicly powered vs vacum powered.

I put a conversion setup on a customers oldsmobile f85 a few weeks ago. I loved it he loved it and the brakes had a nice toss you threw the windshield athority about them.
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Sounds even better it won’t detract as much from the engine. I hear the electric vacuum boosters can be noisy so I was hoping for another solution. Now I’ll just have to start calling the junk yards to find one. Thanks.
 
I put Hydroboost from an Astro Van on my 84 TransAm. Works great! The only thing I had to fab was the PS lines(not a big deal. You can get the ones you can put together yourself) and the rod that goes between the booster and the pedal.
 
Termin8orFox said:
Chevy Cobalts use hydroboost, as do 96+ mustangs as it says above, I think some older awd chevy astro vans had it too .......

It is fairly easily adaptable, but if you are going to do it, get all the components from the SAME VEHICLE, as interchangeability isnt all that great at times, I.E, Hydroboot "unit", including resivoir/booster, pump, and most importantly, the lines. They can be very costly to have made.

EDIT: Aftermarket units are expensive as hell!!!!!!!

Rudy
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Thanks more good info you guys are a great resource. :thumbsup:
 
TWOBEERS said:
I put Hydroboost from an Astro Van on my 84 TransAm. Works great! The only thing I had to fab was the PS lines(not a big deal. You can get the ones you can put together yourself) and the rod that goes between the booster and the pedal.
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Good to know I have 1979 bird
 
pick a part sells the hydroboost units for 15.00 pull your self but they go quick the s10 guys use them for tire clearance on the body drops
 
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