Brake upgrades!!!

[Bonez305]

So we are in the middle of doing the firewall and started thinking about brake options.
I know once we get all the small areas welded and start working on the body work on the firewall I'd like to add a good master cylinder, so I have a few questions. Been looking at a kit from UPR with a strange master cylinder for $190.
G-Body Manual Brake Kit Strange Master Cylinder

1 - Anyone familiar with this Master Cylinder?
2 - Can I add a big bore unit and upgrade brakes as I go?
3 - What are the benefits of Manual Brakes, other than the space saving?

[Bonez305]

So no one's ever used this strange master cylinder? Wanted to weigh my options as this one is a bit more affordable than a wilwood setup.

[Pedigry]

I run wilwood manual master cylinder. Manual brakes are a bit like manual steering, certainly not for everyone. They can have the same capability as power assist but the setup is definelty more difficult. Having the correct leverage ratio on the brake pedal, the correct size rotors and calipers, bore size, etc. is crucial to overall performance. If your going to go manual, take some time and do some research to make sure you are getting the specs correct. But when they are setup correctly, they are awesome and most would argue they have better feedback than power assisted brakes.

[Bonez305]

I run wilwood manual master cylinder. Manual brakes are a bit like manual steering, certainly not for everyone. They can have the same capability as power assist but the setup is definelty more difficult. Having the correct leverage ratio on the brake pedal, the correct size rotors and calipers, bore size, etc. is crucial to overall performance. If your going to go manual, take some time and do some research to make sure you are getting the specs correct. But when they are setup correctly, they are awesome and most would argue they have better feedback than power assisted brakes.

Thanks. Was waiting on some feedback. Was just wondering about the Strange Master Cylinder since it was a bit more "affordable".

[toddz69]

Thanks. Was waiting on some feedback. Was just wondering about the Strange Master Cylinder since it was a bit more "affordable".

The Strange master cylinder is a master cylinder that was used on Chrysler vehicles for many, many years. Many builders used them over the years as they were one of the first factory master cylinders that had an aluminum body and plastic reservoir. I've used a variant of them in one form or another on my Bronco (not exactly a pro-touring rig, I know, I know...) for decades. Wilwood also sold a variant of this master cylinder for many years (1 1/16" bore). Not sure if they still do or not. They were sold by many different vendors under various names. The Strange kit offers them in either 1 1/16" or 1 1/8" bores, which might be too big a bore for a manual kit on your car. As others have noted here, most manual brake setups in pro-touring cars run either a 7/8" or 15/16" bore master cylinder. To get to that bore with the Strange/Chrysler style master cylinder, you'll have to find one used in some of the late '90s smaller Chrysler cars.

I like that style of master cylinder - I hate to have to get out a tiny allen wrench to remove the cover from the popular Wilwood masters. I like the versions with a white/translucent reservoir where you can also see the fluid level at a glance.

Todd Z.

[TheJDMan]

Like most I'm running a Wilwood MC 7/8" bore in a manual configuration with C6 Z06 calipers. This setup is simple and lower cost, engine operation, or lack of, has no effect on brakes, better pedal feel, less maintenance. I know of no one using the Strange MC.