hydroboost vs power brakes

[1973 Houston]

been going back and forth weather im going to buy a hydro boost system or the power brakes from one of the various venders.... what do you guys think?
TIA
Ryan

 

[PlaneDrvr99]

I am putting hydroboost on my 76. I have the original discs in the front and drums in the rear. Plan on running somewhere between a 35-37 inch tire. (Frame off rebuild.)

From all the reading on this site that I have done, seems like most people swear by the hydroboost. I have even seen where its been labeled as one of the best upgrades ever for the EB.

 

[garberz]

I have a 76', it had the factory vacuum boost, I switched to hydro boost, there's no comparison between the two. The hydro boost works 10x better.

 

[GYShah]

just switched from vacuum assist to hydroboost
night and day difference
much closer to braking like a modern car

 

[70_Steve]

After having manual, vacuum assist, and now hydroboost, there is no question.

Hydroboost!

 

[Heus33]

Whats your current setup? Lift, tires, brakes, MC?

Hydroboost will give you a greater clamping force but sometimes a well adjusted stock or boosted setup might be a better choice.

 

[stock1970]

not to highjack but a guy in ocbr had hydro, his engine died going down a hill and he said his hydro brakes went to the floor.. Dont know if this is what happens with hydro boost brakes or if he double pumped them on the way down loosing all his remaining pressure..

 

[Heus33]

not to highjack but a guy in ocbr had hydro, his engine died going down a hill and he said his hydro brakes went to the floor.. Dont know if this is what happens with hydro boost brakes or if he double pumped them on the way down loosing all his remaining pressure..

If your hyrdo fails you should still have manual brakes, no?

 

[stock1970]

I dont know.. the guy just said it died and he had no brakes.. rolled down and a tree stopped him..

 

[garberz]

If your hyrdo fails you should still have manual brakes, no?

Yes, just like manual brakes, just like vacuum brakes. There's still a direct linkage operating the MC. That guy must of had a brake fluid issue. The accumulator stores pressure in the hydro boost for at least on more pedal stomp if the motor dies, after that you have manual brakes. Just like grandpa used to have.

 

[JWMcCrary]

I dont know.. the guy just said it died and he had no brakes.. rolled down and a tree stopped him..

I had that exact same thing happen, not supposed to work that way but it did, I can't explain it, brakes worked fine before and after with nothing done to them. Ive tested it with the engine off since and have good pedal and brakes hold no problem, but, that one instance went to floor and down the hill we went backwards. I pressed the park brake and it gradually came to a stop. Have a witness, Nyles was riding with with me.

 

[stock1970]

sounds like a recall is in order.. lol... I remember the guy saying they went to the floor.. guess i will be sticking with old school power brakes..

 

[garberz]

I had that exact same thing happen, not supposed to work that way but it did, I can't explain it, brakes worked fine before and after with nothing done to them. Ive tested it with the engine off since and have good pedal and brakes hold no problem, but, that one instance went to floor and down the hill we went backwards. I pressed the park brake and it gradually came to a stop. Have a witness, Nyles was riding with with me.

Interesting, I wonder what the exact issue was?

 

[rustbucket]

I had that exact same thing happen, not supposed to work that way but it did, I can't explain it, brakes worked fine before and after with nothing done to them. Ive tested it with the engine off since and have good pedal and brakes hold no problem, but, that one instance went to floor and down the hill we went backwards. I pressed the park brake and it gradually came to a stop. Have a witness, Nyles was riding with with me.

Nobody from Mississippi is considered a credible witness.;D

 

[NYLES]

Nobody from Mississippi is considered a credible witness.;D

Dont push ya luck there Rustbucket!....ya never know whos watchin! lmao!

 

[1973 Houston]

yeah, as of now i just have the factory lift and 31 inch tires, but i plan on lifting it so i can put 33 inch. with front disk brakes, sounds like hydro is the way to go. i cant stand these manual brakes

 

[360 4V]

I have found hydroboost boosters on Summit for $140 and the master cylinder for $40. I understand that I should use a Saginaw dual-return power steering box. This sounds simple. What am I missing.

 

[1973 Houston]

I have found hydroboost boosters on Summit for $140 and the master cylinder for $40. I understand that I should use a Saginaw dual-return power steering box. This sounds simple. What am I missing.

Thats The same thing that i was thinking seams like its really easy, and somewhat inexpensive

 

[70_Steve]

sounds like a recall is in order.. lol... I remember the guy saying they went to the floor.. guess i will be sticking with old school power brakes..

With Old School (vacuum assist) power brakes, I guarantee you you'll loose your brakes when the engine stalls. That's one of the reason's I decided to go to hydroboost. I got put in a real bad situation when my carbed engine stalled while trying to go up a very steep hill, and I just happened to notice another guy about 10 yards behind me. I would not have been able to stop before hitting him, so I cut the wheel and a tree stopped me! I've had EFI since before the hydroboost, so I have not had to do that test again.

 

[NYLES]

I have found hydroboost boosters on Summit for $140 and the master cylinder for $40. I understand that I should use a Saginaw dual-return power steering box. This sounds simple. What am I missing.

i got mine from a junkyard for 40$ then about 60$ in lines, master was 30$, I could put you through the winshield ask skiddy!