why no boosters?

[absintheisfun]

My knowledge of brakes is...well...none.

In planning out my car, I was leaning towards wilwood, but after looking at several builds on this site and others, I noticed that many people chose not to go with a brake booster.

Does the absense of a booster imply that there are no power brakes? If so, why would you do this?

There is a master cylinder that I've seen advertized somewhere (i don't remember the name or place) that is an electric booster/master cylinder/proportioning valve all in one. It looks pretty slick, but it is not very cheap.

Another alternative is the hydtroboost system from CPP.

But ultimately, I'm just curious why so many people go without the booster (other than the fact that its big and ugly...)

[Tom Welch]

Some cars use a 4 wheel disc brake master cylinder from c3 corvettes that is a manual brake master. Some builders choose to hide the booster inside the car. A well thought out and built manual system is supposed to be very good and no need for the vacuum assist, this helps when runing a long duration cam since the engine produces very little vacuum at idle.

[Chad-1stGen]

The most common reason I've heard of is that these race inspired manual systems give better pedal feel and feedback for precision/threshold breaking.

[Jim Nilsen]

Better pedal feel and the fact that you always have brakes even if the engine fails. You also have less weight and easier packaging,roll cages and other braces can make no room for them.

[ProdigyCustoms]

Well, with Wilwood the reason you are not seing power brake boosters is the new 7/8" manual specific master. This set up has got some rave reviews. Many like the feeling of this set up which is somewhere between a power brake and non powqer brake feel. Kind of a firm power brake as mentioned above.

If you want power brakes, we have plenty of power brake Wilwood configurations. We have Total Car Brake Packages with a power brake option that includes a 7" stainless dual diaframe booster, or Hydroboost, and your choice of masters, and any size Wilwood kits you want.

[6'9"Witha69]

I prefer the manual setup I have. I had power before and converted before I ever heard or there was Hydroboost. Now, I still love it, I feel that I am in more control. That, and it makes people wonder how you stop so well without a booster.

[slowcamaro]

I have got to at some point get that big ugly booster off my firewall...I removed the AC/heater box and am spoiled by all the room on the passenger side.

[1FstChevy]

Personally I plan on going with hydroboost which is what I'm trying to arrange now... I've heard and read rave reviews saying that its even superior to the manual setups that many folks switch to.

[absintheisfun]

There is a master cylinder that I've seen advertized somewhere (i don't remember the name or place) that is an electric booster/master cylinder/proportioning valve all in one. It looks pretty slick, but it is not very cheap.

Okay...I found this its abspowerbrakes see link
its an electric set up
http://www.abspowerbrake.com/electrichppage.html

[6'9"Witha69]

I am switching to a new Wilwood manual MC this week. I will let you know how much better (hopefully) it is.

[parsonsj]

I run manual brakes with dual masters and a balance bar. I don't even notice that my brakes take more effort. I'm not actually sure they do.

jp

[silver69camaro]

I run manual brakes with dual masters and a balance bar. I don't even notice that my brakes take more effort. I'm not actually sure they do.

jp

I run the same setup. Brake feel and feedback is superb. As said above, if set up properly, your braking performance can be as good (or better) than a power system. Heck, I personally know of some cars that stop better than a new Vette.

[barno68]

For those of you that are running the Wilwood manual MC, is it part number 260-9439? I have seen the same part number listed for both 7/8" and 1" bore, would either work fine for a manual setup?

Brent

[ProdigyCustoms]

Yes that is the number, and it comes with the rod. Call us if you need one, I have it on the shelf.

four zero seven 832 1752

[6'9"Witha69]

That is it. Awesome piece!

BTW I would recommend the 7/8" over 1" for manual.

[barno68]

Thanks-
Frank, I want to check with you about a bunch of parts, just am waiting to get the body back from paint to see what I want to start with first in piecing the Camaro back together. I am definately leaning toward the manual MC as it will free up some room to mount my ECU on the drivers side.

Brent

[ProdigyCustoms]

For those doing power brakes, We have this polished Stainless 7" Dual diaphram booster (doubler booster) with a Corvette style master cylinder, prop valve / distrbution block for $280 and free shipping. Chrome master and polished prop valve and bracket are just a $20 option.

These little boosters pack a big punch. And they clear big valve covers, and clean up the engine compartment in general.

We also have killer deals on stock 11" Cad plated booster / master combos if you prefer.

Here is one of these set ups with the 7" stainless booster we are installing on a 57 Chevy we are finishing in the shop tonight. This one has the chrome master and polished prop valve and bracket.

[BRIAN]

Pedal ratio is the key to the manual set up. Also that dual set up with a bias bar is very different from running a single tandem style manual master.

The dual boosters also put out a lot more than the singles. There is a formula on one of the sites.


Try CNC Brakes I think they make an adapter that will bolt a bias bar dual set up to a GM style master pattern.

[BRIAN]

Also don't forget tha the Wilwood calipers take less pressure than stock GM single piston calipers. The GM calipers are single piston that require pressure just to move them where the Wilwood have pistons on either side taking about zero pressure loss to get them to apply pressure. I am talking about the pressure to actually get the caliper to move not the pressure in the system.

[buns]

For those doing power brakes, We have this polished Stainless 7" Dual diaphram booster (doubler booster) with a Corvette style master cylinder, prop valve / distrbution block for $280 and free shipping. Chrome master and polished prop valve and bracket are just a $20 option.

Frank, that polished booster is superb. Any chance I can find one to fit my '66 Corvette? I have a rebuilt original, but it has no "bling",as you can see in the picture below.




(p.s.)..... sorry to hi-jack this thread.