hydro boost on track

[77ta]

How are these systems for use on trackdays ?
Safe, performance. Consistant.?
I have setup fron Vanco power brakes and the system I got from them on my Grand National was a huge improvement over the factory system so I am looking at a system for my 77 Trans am.

[formula]

I have hydratech's hydroboost on my 78 and I will reserve my opinion until after we get a better feel for your plans for your car. So--questions!!

1: do you have the rest of your brake system planned out? if so, what's the plan there?

2: when you say track days, do you mean auto-x or road race? because IMO the brake expectations are very different.

3: since you already have one on your GN, is there anything you don't like about it on there? Or anything you do especially like?

[Hydratech®]

I agree that auto cross versus road race is a completely different world, though this technology can be applied to both with the right combination of parts.

Here is a post with vids and feedback regarding the hydraulic brake assist:

http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?t=1885

(suggest you right click on the vids in the above post and "save as" to your PC desktop for best playback)

QUOTE: "The hydroboost is awesome! Worked flawlessly. I had more brake than I could use. The one time I felt the brakes lock up I was able to quickly back out of it and recover. I think the pedal feel is excellent."

Here is the CPP SuperNova in action:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wvof...ayer_embedded#!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpUy9...ayer_embedded#!


More on this build here: http://www.classicperform.com/Projec...rojectNova.htm


You can also dial out some of the hit if desired to suit your track conditions and personal tastes:

http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?t=29580

Let's also point out that the '96 and newer Cobra's have these systems and can hold their own quite well on the track.

The introduction of a small trans cooler (used to cool the PS system) and some Royal Purple Max Ez or Redline synthetic PS fluid is also good insurance to keep the PS system happy during "abusive sessions".

[77ta]

The car is autocross only right now mainly due to lack of good brakes. Current is factory booster and master original calipers and lines . I do have 1le 12 inch front disk and factory disk brakes out back. I may put wilwood calipers on it and braided hoses when I change the booster along with an adjustable proportioning valve. I would like to shoot for a open track event in 2012.

[PARKERRS]

I have Paul's unit on my car. It's done multiple track sessions as well as auto-x days for three years now. I wouldn't be without it, good pedal feel, good pedal period, no fade from booster, I recommend it to a lot of people.

As stated above for track days, install a "transmission" cooler as a power steering cooler. It has greater flow capacity as well as volume capacity. Synthetic fluid is also a must for track days as stated in Paul's post. I've burnt up a steering pump learning this lesson, so save yourself the expensive lesson of 2 pumps and do this before long track sessions come into your plan. A pump built for track days is also recommended. Companies will port the relief valve and a few other things to help bring temps down while on track. 20-30 minutes between 4-6K "will" build a lot of heat in the system.

The hydraboost unit is fantastic, but it will not prevent things such as brake fade from heat in the rotors or pads. This is a natural occurance in track time, only experimentation with different pad materials and rotors will minimize this.

[Hydratech®]

Tommy has hit his points right on. The addition of the Heidt's PS101 valve can also help tune PS pump output for varying situations: http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?t=29580

http://www.heidts.com/steering_kits_components.html

http://www.classicperform.com/tech_a...PropValve1.pdf

You can also have the PS system run cooler by backing down the flow rates by removing the high pressure output fitting out of the PS pump and roughly gauging the GPM by comparing against drill bit sizes, somewhat like carb jet sizes: .125” aka 1/8” usually equates to about 2.0 GPM, .140” aka 9/64” is right about 2.4 GPM. If you have any larger sizing in the central fluid flow orifice, you are flowing way more than needed which builds heat. http://www.krcpower.com/flowvalves.html has it right, in that you can buy individual output fittings to tune / tailor the flow rates.

Here are some alternate output fittings:

http://detroitspeed.com/1967-1969%20...trng-vlve.html (hit the information tab)

http://www.purechoicemotorsports.com...rod/prd333.htm

http://www.purechoicemotorsports.com...rod/prd334.htm

The installation of some brake cooling air ducts (to help cool the brakes at the wheels) is also a great move when running high speed tracks that have many areas requiring hard, heavy, repetitious braking - the cooler you can keep the brakes under these circumstances, the harder you can pound on them without overheating.

[77ta]

Gee thanks a ton for the information. I'll spend some time reading those links.
The only complaint I have either my Grand National system is the pump seems to whine a little more. I have been told this is normal.

[Hydratech®]

The Grand National used a reverse rotation mini PS pump that runs off of the backside of the serp belt, and is known for running a bit noisy. The original factory plastic reservoir design also left a lot to be desired from a capacity and engineering standpoint. When it is only running a steering gear bolted to the frame, it isn't all too noticeable. When it is run with a hydraulic brake assist system, the frequency (noise) this pump is known for can intrude into the passenger compartment of a quiet running vehicle as you now have a PS system component bolted to the firewall (which acts as a sounding board). The installation of this excellent remote reservoir in place of the stock plastic unit is recommended to quell PS fluid aeration which contributes to a noisy run time experience:

http://www.pscmotorsports.com/Gen-IV...th-Filter.html

The overall design is excellent, though the key is the built in filter that has an excellent side effect of doing a great job of straining any aeration out of the PS fluid before feeding it back to the pump (which promotes better overall operations).

The Royal Purple Max EZ PS fluid is also the best we have ever worked with, providing smooth and quiet PS system operations:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/RPO-01326/

If you do not want to transfuse your existing PS fluid, the addition of this additive has also helped in many cases:

http://www.lubegard.com/~/C-198/LUBE...uid+Protectant

Well worth the pursuit and expense.

If it is fine when it is cold, but gets noisier when hot, the installation of a fluid cooler can also help in some cases.