ls brakes on 73 nova

[craigs73]

hi guys did some searching and couldnt find what i was looking for.. so my question is im going to convert to ls brakes all the way around... the stock setup was power brake disc/disc setup.... what master and booster can i use? stock 73? also what about proportional valve thanks

[Apogee]

You have a '73 Nova with stock disc/disc? Interesting. If that's really the case, I was unaware of such a configuration from the factory as I thought they were only offered as either drum/drum or disc/drum from 1968-1974.

That said, you more than likely have a single-10.75" diaphragm booster and 1-1/8" bore master cylinder if it's like most other GM cars from that era, which will not work well with 98-02 LS1 calipers due to their smaller piston areas. We would typically suggest running a 15/16" to 1" bore disc/disc master cylinder in a vacuum assisted power brake applications with either LS1, C5, or C6 components. Since you're on the smaller side for the booster, the 15/16" would be the better choice however there are not as many options in that size relative to the 1" bore units and there's only a ~12% difference between the two.

If you actually have a disc/disc combination valve, then you can probably use that without any issues, but I'm thinking your car either isn't as stock as you think it is or you possibly mispoke regarding the factory disc/disc brakes. Regardless, plan on running either a disc/disc combination valve or an aftermarket adjustable proportioning valve.

HTH,
Tobin
KORE3

[craigs73]

Im sorry its disc/ drum factory dont know what i was thinking

also for an example what car could i take one off at the salvage yard for something cheap. do i mix and match my master/booster with 98-02 fbody master/booster

[craigs73]

Anyone?

[Apogee]

Many of our customers run the OE booster for the 68-74 X-body, a single-10.75" diaphragm booster with either a 15/16" or 1" bore master cylinder. IIRC, the Nova booster has a long pushrod and will require a master cylinder with a deep pushrod hole, much like the 1" bore 1968-1976 C3 Corvette manual disc/disc master cylinder. CPP sells an aftermarket reproduction of the C3 MC in both 15/16 and 1 inch bore versions with deep pushrod holes...and I think they include a spacer for use with short pushrod boosters as well.

If you're going to go through the effort of swapping boosters though, there are several documented installations of the 98-02 F-body booster and master cylinder on this and other forums, as well as the C5/C6 units. Both are dual-9" diaphragm boosters which have about 25% more effective gain than your OE booster and used 1" bore aluminum master cylinders. Most booster swaps involve either booster mounting brake and pushrod modifications and/or firewall mods. If you search out the past install/build threads and you'll see examples of both. DSE sells a bolt-in dual-9" unit with what appears to be either a G-body or 3rd-gen type, quick take-up master cylinder. Numerous other aftermarket suppliers offer a variety of options when it comes to boosters as well.

Tobin
KORE3

[craigs73]

ok so what would you go with if it was your car? also if you was on a budget...... sorry im just new to all this stuff

[Bad94]

As you know im running c5 front and ls1 rear. I run manual brakes with a 7/8 wilwood master cylinder. Im happy. I want to step up to baer 6 pistons front and rear with a dse booster set up but not this year.

[Apogee]

ok so what would you go with if it was your car? also if you was on a budget...... sorry im just new to all this stuff

On a tight budget, I would run the OE '73 Nova booster and a remanufactured 1968-1976 C3 Corvette 1" bore disc/disc master cylinder with an 11-turn infinitely adjustable proportioning valve in the rear circuit. You should be able to do that for less than $100 assuming your current booster is reusable, $150 to $175 if not.

Tobin
KORE3

[craigs73]

thanks tobin and dan........ what about hydroboost what do you guys think about that?

this is showing that 67-76 c3 ms is 1 1/8" bore
http://www.corvettesouth.com/corvett...d5ab90373b6b70

[ROEINONDUBS]

Tobin would I be selling my self short if I went with no booster on my 68 camaro that has c5 all the way around? Oh thanks for the brackets they fit perfect!!!

[Apogee]

thanks tobin and dan........ what about hydroboost what do you guys think about that?

this is showing that 67-76 c3 ms is 1 1/8" bore
http://www.corvettesouth.com/corvett...d5ab90373b6b70

Hydroboost is an excellent option if it's in the budget...more boost than you'll know what to do with.

The C3 master cylinder in the link you posted is for the power brake applications...1" bore units were used on the manual brake applications. Sorry I was clearer in my previous post regarding the distinction.

Tobin
KORE3

[craigs73]

another question what do i do for brake lines to the caliper? use the camaro lines or do i use nova lines with camaro banjo bolt? (rubber lines)

[Bad94]

another question what do i do for brake lines to the caliper? use the camaro lines or do i use nova lines with camaro banjo bolt? (rubber lines)

I have the stock nova ones.

[craigs73]

thanks dan...... what did you choose for drop spindles

[ROEINONDUBS]

Tobin has the lines

[Bad94]

thanks dan...... what did you choose for drop spindles

I have the ride tech spindles.

[craigs73]

can the stock hub be used with the ls swap?