Anybody running hydroboost?
 

If so where did you buy it? Do you like it? Would you recommend it?

Just run bigger motor so ya have more vacuum!

The issues with hydra boost is that you loose a lot of pedal 'feel', and pedal granularity. In a lot of cases it 'over boosts' too.

There's a cost association with using one too, not to mention additional troubleshooting overhead, cost, and increased potential of failures. (more moving parts)

The only reason to use a hydra boost is if you have no other choice, like with boost. That's why the Buick GNs got them.

You're far from no other choice, and a dual 9" booster is your best bet. Don't throw stuff on there 'just because'. A dual 9" works to almost 9-10" of vacuum, and I suspect you will be well above that.

My daughter's 442 has like 12-13" at best, and the assist from a dual 9" is almost too much. It's like a Caddy from the early 70s, will throw you through the windshield if you're not expecting it.

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There is a thread in this section about aftermarket cruise control. Take a look at that. One of the posters has several pics of a 67 GTO with hydroboost installed and he seems to really like it. Don't know what the rest of his braking system consists of. I have worked on many hydroboost systems. In general, they are used on trucks and heavy cars that require lots of boost or diesels that don't run a vacuum pump. Agree they provide little pedal feedback and provide tremendous boost pressures. When I worked on Ford cop cars with the system, we had numerous situations where we had to replace rotors because the cops would sit in the median after a little pursuit and kind of massage the brake pedal while they were waiting to jump out on the road again. The system put out so much pressure they would bend and sometimes crack the rotors from sitting still and putting heavy foot pressure on the pedal. On a 4-wheel drum brake system, I would think the self-energizing action of the shoes would make for a very touchy brake pedal combined with the super boost provided. Disc/drum would probably work better. Concerning Buick Grand National brakes: I am pretty sure all years came with the GM PowerMaster brake booster. That was a sort of self-contained electric hydroboost that used an electric pump and not power steering pump pressure. Sort of like an integral ABS system. They had all kinds of service problems and some GN's were converted to true hydroboost like the OP is asking about.

I am that guy, and I will state that the "feel" is way more better than the car ever had with the factory vacuum boost. Never run out of brakes any more. No dangerous reactions, ever at very high speed applications either.

I have 78 Firebird disks up front (11" I believe) and the stock drums in rear. Have a set of Eldorado disks for the rear and Scarebird brackets sitting on the shelf. NOT needed!

Car finally has brakes like it SHOULD have been equipped with to handle the speeds it was capable of. I don't ever have that "oh s#it" feeling anymore.

Like having a monkey in the trunk with an anchor on a chain, IF NEEDED.

I would never go back, but I saved all the parts and made no modifications that couldn't be reversed in a heartbeat.

Charles

Ford added Hydraboost on the Mustangs in 1996 and never went back. Millions and millions of cars built with the systems since 1996 and in the last 20 years I was at Ford (39.7 total) I never really heard of vast numbers of Mustangs involved in Hydraboost recalls, ever. So I agree with Old Goat 67. If you panic, and slam on the brake, yes, you can lock them up, If you drive the vehicle like Jacki Stewart (drive the vehicle like a Limo Driver) the brakes work and work.
Our 781 HP (281 cid) 1996 Mustang (Boosted) had 1st gen Hydraboost on it and it did not take long to get used to the system.

Tom V.

I have hydroboost on mine and pedal feel is perfect. I run the OEM 69 disc's up front and have the S10 Blazer rear disc conversion, the parts of which I picked up in the local Pull-A-Part. The hydroboost unit itself and the correct firewall mount came from http://www.custompowerbrake.com/ The M/C is a 4 wheel disc Corvette part.
Based on my experience, I feel hydroboost is well worth the effort.
http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...5&d=1482595905

I love finned valve covers I have a similar set for my 467.

Here is a picture of my install.
I have $165 in the whole thing. $100 for a rebuilt 83 Chevy 2500 series P.U. unit and two hoses @ $35 each.

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...1&d=1514992018

My 79 1 ton pickup has it factory. 38 years old and I've never had to touch it. Stops that 5300 lbs. truck effortlessly.

Installed it on my fathers 69 GTO, with it's stock disc/rear drum setup still in place. No need anymore to upgrade the brakes to anything bigger, it's stops on a dime. He loves it and won't be going back.

Simple bolt on with the right bracket, and used his original master cylinder. I do longer custom made hoses though so I can run them inside the fender. They come out low under the battery and over to the box and pump so everything is clean and out of site.

Is anyone familiar with Vintage Speed Reaper Inc. (Tallon Hydraulics). Received the name from Wilwood technical line when looking into my brake upgrades. They forward people interested in hydraboost systems, and the Wilwood brake booster is usually used by Vintage on their hydraboost units. Thanks.

Best brakes EVER
 

This is my first reply , long time pontiac fan and owner , call Paul at hydratech brakes , what a great guy , He was the the first guy in my life to promissory His product would work . And did EXACTLY as promised. . Care be taken my 70 TA almost put me threw the windshield. On first application of pedal . WOW ! Never again brake woes

We changed mine over a year ago, I should of changed it 48 years ago.

Has anyone changed to hydroboost with a 4 wheel drum set up and retained the 4 wheel drums? I would be interested in hearing how that came out. My Catalina has 8 lugs and I want to keep them. But it has a single master cylinder that can't be upgraded without changing the booster anyway. That's because on those ancient power brake systems, the master cylinder piston is integral to the booster. This all changed in 63. So a hydroboost and a dual master cylinder upgrade would be a cool compact deal if it worked well with all drum brakes. Has anybody tried this?

Here is an interesting thread on the subject!
 

:Ithink: DEJA VU?
http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...ght=hydroboost

Old 12-23-2016, 09:28 PM
64speed 64speed is offline
Ultimate Warrior

Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Westminster S.C.
Posts: 1,865

Anybody run hydrob:eek:st?
If so how does it work? Do you like it? Does it clutter your engine bay with hoses? I'm running a 9 inch booster right now and my brake feel is not how I would like it to be.


:focus:

Lol:jumping:

He never stops

Sorry I cant remember what I posted two years ago back when the car was running and driving and I was having trouble with the brakes on it

No need for an apology. It's all good. The search feature never works that well for most of us anyway.

I honestly didn’t remember I asked if that’s why I didn’t search