Gimme a brake

[grumpy9744]

;help I have a 64 with power brakes that I am thinking I would like to convert to manual with a dual master cylinder. Anyone out there done this ? Is there a kit that will bolt on? And will I regret this in terms of brake pedal pressure when Im done?

 

[stepinwolf]

Your decision to convert your Corvette to a duel master cylinder is a good idea, however be warned that removing the power brake booster is not.

If you think that the stopping power right now is not something to write home about , wait until you try and stop the car with non-powered four wheel drum brakes.

You will then know the real meaning of " Gimme a brake " .

My recommendation would be to leave the power booster in place ( have it rebuilt if necessary ), and purchase a replacement duel master cylinder from your local " Auto-Parts " store ( ask for a 67 model ) for only a few dollars.

Only then will you have a decent chance of getting some real stopping power.

Stepinwolf

 

[grumpy9744]

I see you have 2-63s and a 64 are they all origional or have you modified any of them.My 64 was purchased to go out and burn the tires off of it. It came with a tired 327 ,4:11,gears close ratio muncie. After 1 trip on the highway it now sports a 383, same gears but a tremac overdrive 5 speed. It stops ok I dont race it on a track ,ive had it to the strip, gone autocrossing got my butt kicked by all the c4 and c5s but it was the most fun Ive ever had for $30! Right now I need the clearance onthe drivers side for tall valve covers and they wont fit because of the brake booster- It dont work that well anyway in that the solid cam only gives me about 12 inches of vacuum. Now can you see why Im looking for manual brakes I can put the same lead foot from the gas on the brake!

 

[stepinwolf]

Now can you see why I'm looking for manual brakes I can put the same lead foot from the gas on the brake!

Grumpy, as a rule, safety mandates that we pay just as much ( if not more ) attention to our stopping power, as we do with the going power.

My roadster has vacuum power, but the engine in the coupe , like yourself does not have enough space for the booster. For this reason I decided to go with a " Hydra boost " power brake booster , that runs off the power steering pump. This will give you stopping power akin to the late model cars. Check out this link, because since I have used this on my first Corvette, the stopping power has improved so much, that I am planning on installing the same setup on all my cars.

Stepinwolf

http://www.hydratechbraking.com/products/c2vette/

 

[grumpy9744]

I do agree I need to be able to stop-and I am very careful about where and when I let it all hang out. Im 60 so Ive made a "few" mistakes in my life and I know there is a time to be stupid and when not to be. I appreciate the advice but this car does not have power steering. Your 65 would have disc brakes does it also have power brakes? And does it stop any better than your cars withot them.

 

[stepinwolf]

For starters, yes my car has disk's and power steering, so the addition of the " Hydra-Boost " was a no brainier.

As for your installation, it would be very easy for you to ad a power steering pump, ( even without the P/Steering ) in order to run the booster.

As for how my car stops, there is only one word and that is dangerously . You have NO IDEA what stopping is all about until you have used this type of booster. I have had to find a way to restrain the seat-back on the passenger seat when it's not occupied, because during any forceful stops, the seat-back will try to bury itself under the glove compartment door.

This type of booster is the ONLY booster that is guaranteed to lock up all four wheels on a drum brake vehicle.

You will find that the conversation to this type of booster, is much less expensive then a new set of dentures, not to mention the fiberglass on the front of your Corvette. Other then that I really don't have anything more to ad to my previous recommendations.

Stepinwolf