hydroboost

Thinking of going hydroboost. But not sure what Im getting into. I can get a billet bracket for $100 shipped or make my own and a remaned hydroboost from a 95 astrovan for $200. I already have an extra master cylinder from my oldsmobile which has Part# 18016548 but not sure if it will work. I think the only other thing is a power steering pump to accomodate an extra line or run a T from my current powersteering pump. Do you think its worth it because I need new brakes and I dont know if they are reliable. I have no experience with them and dont know if it would be worth the trouble converting.

I found this thread of the conversion here.

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=269104

Ive never seen any issues with this setup, but I dont think its worth the work imo-unless its to just be different....
I dont recall the astro's being renowned for their brakes, again no problems ive ever seen....

Ive never seen any issues with this setup, but I dont think its worth the work imo-unless its to just be different....
I dont recall the astro's being renowned for their brakes, again no problems ive ever seen....

Im at a point whether I should get a hydroboost or 9" booster, MC, and proportioning valve.

The price difference is about the same. I already have a MC for the hydroboost I think and pretty much all the hoses and fittings already. I think it may be cheaper to get the hydroboost is why I ask.

2 things that are different.....

Cleans up the bay and if your car shuts off the reservoir allows for full pressure for a few pumps on the brake.

John

It depends on what your looking for.

if your looking for better stopping power your not gonna get it.

The power brake part only reduces the amount of foot pedal energy needed to stop the vehicle.

The actual stopping power of the vehicle is dictated by the brake system at the wheels.

I run a 98 mustang one and only went up and down the street but it works good.
I always had manual brakes and steering. I went this route because I switch over to power everything. I switch over to Rack and a type2 pump so I went with a hydroboost also..

2 things that are different.....

Cleans up the bay and if your car shuts off the reservoir allows for full pressure for a few pumps on the brake.

John

Ive seen some smaller nice booster/mc combos for about the price of the hydroboost and they look pretty clean to me. I was wondering if any real benefit for it. Im not running a huge cam so Im not too worried about vacuum. Just wondering about lack of braking power with smaller vacuum boosters. I was thinking not going any smaller than 9" or 8 " dual diaphram. I had an 11" before.

Ive seen some smaller nice booster/mc combos for about the price of the hydroboost and they look pretty clean to me. I was wondering if any real benefit for it. Im not running a huge cam so Im not too worried about vacuum. Just wondering about lack of braking power with smaller vacuum boosters. I was thinking not going any smaller than 9" or 8 " dual diaphram. I had an 11" before.

If that's the case then you shouldn't have issue with either one. VB/MC will probably bolt in easier but then again there's something to be said for new technology.
I've had many a brake booster go bad on me. I've yet to see or hear of a HB going bad.

John

If you get a good master cylinder you wont need it, it depends on what style of brake system you use.. Sure it's a little less effort, but like its said before doesnt make your car really stop any better just a tad bit easier...

Just dont start throwing parts at it,, I run a small bore master cylinder because my C5 brakes like alot of pressure not alot of volume...

But its cool if you do a Hydro booster, go on the LS1 boards did his for about $75, pulled it from an S10..

If that's the case then you shouldn't have issue with either one. VB/MC will probably bolt in easier but then again there's something to be said for new technology.
I've had many a brake booster go bad on me. I've yet to see or hear of a HB going bad.

John

Oh and High John..:devil:

If you get a good master cylinder you wont need it, it depends on what style of brake system you use.. Sure it's a little less effort, but like its said before doesnt make your car really stop any better just a tad bit easier...

Just dont start throwing parts at it,, I run a small bore master cylinder because my C5 brakes like alot of pressure not alot of volume...

But its cool if you do a Hydro booster, go on the LS1 boards did his for about $75, pulled it from an S10..

Im not throwing parts at anything because I dont have any parts to throw at it. I have an 11" booster which I want to replace because for one its old and I dont like how much space it takes up and its kind of an eye sore.

The question was simple. Should I get an 8" booster or will I have issues. Im running the compcams 268H with 114 lobe sep so Im thinking I should be ok with a stock booster but I have never run anything less than an 11" so I wasnt sure if I would have issues or should I go with the hydroboost for pretty much the same price.

I really never heard the reason why you wanted to switch to a Hydroboost setup. I think you said you had a cam but werent concerned about the vaccuum being an issue and I believe I didnt ask why, but was just saying that instead of buying stuff that may not work find out what M/C would better match your braking system ie, throwing parts at it.

Now Im just giving you advice since there is a few "not sures" in your posts, If you are concerned about the brakes and that cam using brakes (if thats what your asking) then I can tell you that cam isnt really that big and the lobe seperation you gave isnt really all the radical..In addition why not just try it as is? Then if you think you need additional help in stopping the car then buy a hydrobooster..ie throwing parts at it.

I found that running the proper brake master cylinder out weighed running a brake booster. I've ran a manual braking system for my car for a couple years now and its been great and the car stops on the dime, and I'm not running any proportioning valve at all...

I really never heard the reason why you wanted to switch to a Hydroboost setup. I think you said you had a cam but werent concerned about the vaccuum being an issue and I believe I didnt ask why, but was just saying that instead of buying stuff that may not work find out what M/C would better match your braking system ie, throwing parts at it.

Now Im just giving you advice since there is a few "not sures" in your posts, If you are concerned about the brakes and that cam using brakes (if thats what your asking) then I can tell you that cam isnt really that big and the lobe seperation you gave isnt really all the radical..In addition why not just try it as is? Then if you think you need additional help in stopping the car then buy a hydrobooster..ie throwing parts at it.

I found that running the proper brake master cylinder out weighed running a brake booster. I've ran a manual braking system for my car for a couple years now and its been great and the car stops on the dime, and I'm not running any proportioning valve at all...



I have always run power brakes so I really dont want manual.

Im sure I wont have a problem but I dont want the large 11" booster. My buddy is running a street charger supercharger and disc/drum setup and isnt having any problems with his power brakes and 11" booster. I was hoping to be able to run something that looks a bit cleaner than an 11" booster thats probably on its last legs and its pretty old now anyhow.

Actually the hydroboost idea was mainly because I was hoping to be able to run a cleaner engine bay by running around maybe a 9" booster. When I looked up the specs of that booster it says it needs a minimum of 14-16 hg of vacuum. The cam card on this cam claims it puts out around 16 hg at idle so its cutting close. I didnt know if it would be a good idea to run a smaller booster or just go to the hydroboost for the same price. There is also the concern if I ever want to run a boosted power adder also.

The original question actually was how reliable the hydroboost really was. I would actually prefer to run a vacuum booster for simplicity but I dont like the huge 11" booster I have.

Since this thread though I talked to my buddy with the supercharger and hes running a similar cam and 11" booster so Im thinking the 9" should be fine.

Thanks for everyones feedback.

Hello
I was thinking of running the same system ( hydroboost) but I haven't heard much on that system. I also like a cleaner bay, so currently I have only a WILWOOD m/c. I would like to go power but I'm twisted between hydroboost and a standard booster. So my question is whatever you decide to go with can you share the results with me. I really want to spend once if you know what I mean.
But the hydro looks better.
Thanks 66 NOVA SS

This thing bothered me so much I said hell with it and I may just need to get a new MC with my 11" booster. I know it worked last time I drove the car so I dont see why it wont work so Im just going to clean and paint it.

I would be open to suggestions on what MC to get with a disc/disc setup. Im not sure what MC to get since the booster has the big rod coming out of the front of it. I really dont want anything supernice in case I decide on something different later. I also dont know if I need a proportioning valve but I have a wildwood when I converted to disc/drum but ended up using a stock one. Im thinking of hooking it up.

Shaggy,

I'm on my Biz computer and my home computer is on the fritz but I have a link to how to set up a homemade HB if you're still inclined on my home comp so once I get it running I'll post the link!

John

Yeah I really like the idea of it but I would need all the parts first before I put in a hydroboost. I have alot of stuff laying around so I may have everything already just short of maybe a couple of fittings. It definately peaked my interest. Im going with the simple route for now just to have brakes.

http://www.geocities.com/casanoc/

Go about half way down the page. If you do it try and document if with photos and post it up on here!:yes:

John

That where I got the idea for the HB thats in my car now. I had a bracket made for the HB instaed of the using the oringnal one that came with it.. I only went up and done the street and it worked fine..