Manual brake master cylinder for my '79 Trans Am.

[F-Body International]

I'd like to get a recommendation for a manual brake setup on my '79 Trans Am. I've been looking around online and find that many on here recommend or use the Wilwood 7/8" or 15/16". My car currently has 2nd gen front disc brakes and I'm going about installing rear 4th gen F-Body brakes on my 10 bolt. In the future, I would like to install either 4th gen or C5 front brakes.

What's the recommended route for my setup that will be close to a daily driver? I might see some track time in the future but for now it'll just be about getting out and cruising a clean install.

Pic of my car...
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/01/IMG_20111018_114846-1.jpg (http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/jonathonar89/media/IMG_20111018_114846.jpg.html)

[F-Body International]

I searched on the forum a bit more and found the answers/experiences here. Thanks PT members.

[malibudave]

What did you decide to go with?

[andrewb70]

There are a lot of inexpensive options for GM for a 15/16" bore MC. I used a 77 malibu MC for years on my GTO.

For my Cougar, I wanted some bling, so I got the Baer Remaster.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPG5GndnA2M

Andrew

[F-Body International]

That's a nice master cylinder Andrew! I've been looking at the master cylinders and have been unsure about the route I'm taking with it. I like the factory GM look that the 77-82 Corvette master has but I don't see anything smaller than the 1" bore. The vette master cylinder seems to be the piece than many use in manual or power assisted systems.

I also have my hydroboost setup but I have some issues with the install. Manual brakes also appears a hair less expensive than finishing up the hydroboost. I'm at a coin flip between the two systems right now.

[F-Body International]

What did you decide to go with?

Haven't made a final decision yet. I see a lot of different experience with the manual systems but I still don't know what the best setup is for what I'm looking to do. Just a daily driver with good brake system and clean install.

I have a hydroboost setup but there is some issues going on and I realize it's not such an easy install after all.

[Skip Fix]

I think there is a manual S-10 MC that is 15/16 and has the more modern plastic reservoirs.

[chpr1972]

I have a Wilwood 7/8 on my 66 Lemans conv. I do not know why but it takes a lot of petal pressure to stop the car and it dos not feel like the brakes are completely working. I have yet to lock them up. My sons S10 Crew Cab with abs stops a whole lot quicker.

[MCB Matt]

If you can get the Hydroboost to work, you will NOT regret it! Especially for a daily driver, in town traffic, ect. You are on the brakes a lot and manual would get old. It has its place, mainly for pedal feel, but again, it doesn't sound like that is the the the car will be used.

There are complete Hydroboost kits available, I sell the Hydratech brand. I have never had a customer regret running them, compared to even a vacuum booster, these put out much more pressure. Manual brakes are not "easy" to stop by any means. You will also have a longer pedal stroke with a manual
Setup as the bore is smaller, which means it moves less fluid, you make up for this by pushing further..

Let me know if I can help.
Matt

Matt

[F-Body International]

Thanks for the reply Matt. I just looked up your facebook page...good stuff. I'm still up in the air between the systems as I've seen some claim to daily drive manual brakes on the forum. The hydroboost is looking more appealing do it having a more factory look. My main goal is a high performance system that still looks somewhat factory appearing.

I got some more info from [email protected] and that cleared up some questions I had in a big way. Due to me having a mix/match of brakes right now, I have difference in master cylinder choices for a manual setup.

[Later-A-body]

It's easy for someone to say manual brakes aren't "easy" to stop. It is a true statement if you didn't have the correct matching components working together. Any brake system that isn't set up properly won't work well regardless of how much money you spent. Manual sytem's work extremely well when correctly built. I had a hydroboost on my car for years. It worked too well. That was the issue. It's too overboosted. You need some modulation, and some cars will never get rid of the wining noise that these systems are known for, not to mention how expensive they are. I removed mine, and replaced it with a manual system. In addition, I removed 45 pound off the firewall. Speak to Tobin at KORE, or Ron Sutton, both are members of this forum. They can properly guide you in the right direction on how to set up a proper manual brake system.

[F-Body International]

Been a few months since I posted on this thread but I think I'm getting narrowed down to using the Custom Works hub kit to utilize 4th gen F-Body calipers. I called up Kore3 but they don't offer a bracket for that brake caliper...I really like the look of their hub kit though. Right now I have 4th gen F-Body rear brakes mounted up using BRP Hot Rods adapter plates and a stock configuration 5 braided stainless flex line set from Kore3 waiting to be installed.

I spoke with Dave Schultz from manualbrakes.com and he was pretty much recommending 7/8"-15/16" like mentioned before. After searching around the forum for a bit, I also found that CPP makes a Corvette style 15/16" master cylinder. Only ebay and one other site I could find offers this master cylinder. I will be talking to a few more people to get advice and make a finalized decision on it this week but any more input is welcome up until I order.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-CPP-MASTER-CYLINDER-15-16-BORE-CORVETTE-STYLE-/380584877050?hash=item589ca05bfa:g:hogAAMXQs6FRKQM U&vxp=mtr
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/04/CPP20corvette20master20cylinder_zps3dgr0-1.jpg (http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/jonathonar89/media/CPP%20corvette%20master%20cylinder_zps3dgr0f7s.jpg .html)

Any special spots for sourcing a manual push rod for my '79 Firebird? Good pricing is always great for reference.

I'm also leaning towards the Wilwood proportioning valve for distribution. Any feedback on these units?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wilwood-260-13190-Adjustable-Brake-Proportioning-Valve-with-Mounting-Kit-/400876356087?hash=item5d5617c1f7:g:GBUAAOSwT6pV3N-z&vxp=mtr
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2016/04/Wilwood20proportioning20valve_zpsfypwtcv-1.jpg (http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/jonathonar89/media/Wilwood%20proportioning%20valve_zpsfypwtcvm.jpg.ht ml)

Thank you for those who have responded thus far!

[Mach1_Ron]

I can tell you from My Experience. I had the Stock Power assisted brakes on my Mach to begin with. Once I put a Big Cam in the car and don't get a lot of Vacuum, I switched to Manual setup. Wilwood Calipers all around and a Wilwood Master. Brakes worked OK, but I could never get them to Stop REALLY Fast or Ever Lock up. I was doing some work on the suspension and was installing ALL new Brake Lines front and rear. Time to get rid of the 40 year old lines. Figured they were my issue. NOPE. A friend of mine noticed my Brake Pedal set kinda low and there was no adjustment for it. I got on the phone to Wilwood and after talking with a fellow who sounded like he knew what he was talking about, I ordered their Adjustable, correct, MC Push Rod. I verified I had the correct Manual Pedal Ration - mine is 6:1. And then once I got the Correct Push Rod installed and the Pedal adjusted to the same height as the clutch pedal, my Brakes Work like a New Car. After driving it some and getting the Front to Rear Proportioned correctly, it will indeed Lock up the Brakes if I need it to (first time in the 30 years I've owned it). And BTW, I have the adjustable proportioning valve you show above. So with ALL my rambling, I guess I mean to say... If you have ALL the correct stuff for what you are trying to do...Manual Brakes will work Great.

[Zspoiler]

i kept my power brakes on my 1979 Z-28 RS Pro-touring car.I went with Bear Brakes 13" front and 12" rear PBR`s. I used an 1979-81 Trans Am /Firebird proportioning valve,and a 1982 Corvette master cylinder.Its works just fine my car is supercharged.I heard of people when they have low vacum engines that they use those vacuum reservoirs. And there is also a Cadillac system with a pulley driven vacuum pump. And what ever type of brakes you use. I would call the Manufacturer and get their advice.Good luck on you build.