1970 Chevelle Hydratech system

[JuStBlAzIN]

Hi All- Looking to upgrade my brakes and saw the lead time is nearly 3 months from hydratech. Figure it was worth asking here.

Does anyone have a complete Hydratech hydroboost system for a 1970 chevelle they want to part ways with?

[dhutton]

Have you considered using the Bosch iBooster? Much cleaner and no waiting. Andrew has some info in his 70 GTO build thread.

Don

[JuStBlAzIN]

I started to look at the ibooster, not many cars using them, and the cost is still the same. My cam has 2hg of vacuum, so i need to look at an alternative. If not i will get a LEEDS vacuum pump to hold me over.

[dontlifttoshift]

Add up _all_ of the costs and I think you will find the iBooster more attractive.

[dhutton]

I hate Hydraboost systems. They can be so temperamental in my experience. All those damn hoses. Support is almost nonexistent. The iBooster is plug and play.

[JuStBlAzIN]

I hate Hydraboost systems. They can be so temperamental in my experience. All those damn hoses. Support is almost nonexistent. The iBooster is plug and play.

have you done the ibooster? How do you like the pedal feel?

[dhutton]

have you done the ibooster? How do you like the pedal feel?

I have one in process. Andrew is likely your best recommendation unless Donny has done some.

Post 602:
https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/...er#post1386395

[dontlifttoshift]

I have two done but no road miles on them yet. Snow and salt have us on a test drive hold at the moment.

Here is the deal with hydroboost. It got to the point where I wouldn't do them without redoing the entire power steering system. New pump, new hoses, new reservoir to get everything perfect and still end up with a compromise somewhere. Either running more power steering assist than I really wanted or ending up with minor pump noise no matter how much money I spent on a pump or reservoirs. I have never liked they way they felt either......even in my duramax at the OE level the pedal feel is just meh. I swore them off a few years back.

With the availability of the iBooster there really isn't any reason to run a hydroboost at all. From an installation point of view, it is much simpler than a hydroboost and should be maintenance free for the life of the car. The cost is actually less than a Hydratech unit when you add the MC and a prop valve and bunch less when you add hoses. This is comparing to CPPs website for a turnkey solution. If you are handy everything can be sourced for a swap with a used unit as well.

[JuStBlAzIN]

I have two done but no road miles on them yet. Snow and salt have us on a test drive hold at the moment.

Here is the deal with hydroboost. It got to the point where I wouldn't do them without redoing the entire power steering system. New pump, new hoses, new reservoir to get everything perfect and still end up with a compromise somewhere. Either running more power steering assist than I really wanted or ending up with minor pump noise no matter how much money I spent on a pump or reservoirs. I have never liked they way they felt either......even in my duramax at the OE level the pedal feel is just meh. I swore them off a few years back.

With the availability of the iBooster there really isn't any reason to run a hydroboost at all. From an installation point of view, it is much simpler than a hydroboost and should be maintenance free for the life of the car. The cost is actually less than a Hydratech unit when you add the MC and a prop valve and bunch less when you add hoses. This is comparing to CPPs website for a turnkey solution. If you are handy everything can be sourced for a swap with a used unit as well.

Going to look into CPP. I was pricing the ibooster with a wilwood master and prop valve and ordering the parts from https://www.retrofitinnovations.com/...y/booster-kits

I am leaning on the ibooster, only because it just looks cleaner. I too am not a fan of my tahoe that has hydraboost.

[dhutton]

Buy a takeoff on eBay. Add an adapter from BBT fab and harness from CPP for a lot less money…

[JuStBlAzIN]

Buy a takeoff on eBay. Add an adapter from BBT fab and harness from CPP for a lot less money…

What is BBT? post a link?

[dhutton]

https://www.intekotto.com/shop-all-p...er/c/167746023

https://www.ebay.com/itm/38769304808...Bk9SR57x_IKOZQ

https://www.ebay.com/itm/26701236468...Bk9SR57x_IKOZQ

- - - Updated - - -

I used the Gen 1 Model S iBooster

[dontlifttoshift]

BBT is the partner company of Intekotto that machines adapters for the iBooster. I see retrofitinnovations is selling some of their parts as well. There are a lot of ways to do it. Tulays is another source for the wiring harness.

Decide how involved you want to be in the conversion and act accordingly.

[JuStBlAzIN]

Thank you @dhutton and @dontlifttoshift I am going to read a bit more into them. I think i am 99.99% sold.

I still have rear drums, so i will need to run an inline residual pressure valve. As i do not plan on changing the actual brakes anytime soon. This all started because my new engine produces only 2hg of vacuum.

[dhutton]

Some good reading here:
https://www.evcreate.com/installing-the-ibooster/

[JuStBlAzIN]

Some good reading here:
https://www.evcreate.com/installing-the-ibooster/

Great write up. I am going to gather the parts and give this a go.

[JuStBlAzIN]

I have two done but no road miles on them yet. Snow and salt have us on a test drive hold at the moment.

Here is the deal with hydroboost. It got to the point where I wouldn't do them without redoing the entire power steering system. New pump, new hoses, new reservoir to get everything perfect and still end up with a compromise somewhere. Either running more power steering assist than I really wanted or ending up with minor pump noise no matter how much money I spent on a pump or reservoirs. I have never liked they way they felt either......even in my duramax at the OE level the pedal feel is just meh. I swore them off a few years back.

With the availability of the iBooster there really isn't any reason to run a hydroboost at all. From an installation point of view, it is much simpler than a hydroboost and should be maintenance free for the life of the car. The cost is actually less than a Hydratech unit when you add the MC and a prop valve and bunch less when you add hoses. This is comparing to CPPs website for a turnkey solution. If you are handy everything can be sourced for a swap with a used unit as well.

Did you get around to testing the units on the road?

[Hotwire]

Not to derail the ibooster talk but you can easily put hydroboost on your car, units are as close as your local pull a part.

I've been running HB off an 05 Yukon in my 64 for over 8 years now. Only problem was a hose started to leak, went to the nearest parts store and grabbed a new one. I do have a set of an fittings and hose to replace the factory lines, just haven't taken my car down to make the change.

[dontlifttoshift]

Did you get around to testing the units on the road?

Yeah and I am pretty close to using iBoosters exclusively at this point.

I should note that my CPP experience wasn't great but the 16-20 Tesla Model S iBoosters that I have been using have all worked out really well.

[JuStBlAzIN]

Yeah and I am pretty close to using iBoosters exclusively at this point.

I should note that my CPP experience wasn't great but the 16-20 Tesla Model S iBoosters that I have been using have all worked out really well.

I am close to calling retrofit innovations for a complete setup. $$$ but easier to pay than to try to figure out how to piece it together for my 70 chevelle.