Manual brakes vs. Power brakes? Aghhh....

[AU6pack]

Hi again,

I am wondering what the practical difference is between power boosted brakes and non boosted brakes are? I am running the bendix booster in my 70 Challenger and am having a hell of a time finding a place for the fluid reservoir for the hydrolic clutch.

The booster is out and only place it will fit fouls on the hood bracket    Mounting it anywhere else will wither be impractical to fill or stand out too much.

While its out I'm thinking maybe ditch the power one and go for a manual unit where space wont be an issue.

Any plus or minus with each and any recommendations of what will work best with minimum mods? I would like a bolt in replacement if possible.

I'm doing plenty of upgrades and do want stopping power.

Thanks.

[72bluNblu]

Power brakes don't improve your stopping power, they just make it easier on your foot. Pedal effort is the only thing that is different, the actual brakes are the same, so is the stopping distance. Honestly, I prefer manual brakes. My challenger has power brakes, but my duster has manual brakes and the manual brakes have a much better pedal feel. Both cars have 11.75" disks. The duster had to stay manual because of the cam in its 340, but I'm glad I kept them. Heck I may even convert my challenger.

[ChallengerHK]

My car came with manual and I've never looked back. My father drove a 72 Newport with power, and the brakes were very over-boosted, very touchy.

[AU6pack]

Thanks guys. I think that's the way I'll go - manual.

Any tips on brands? Vendors?

[Chryco Psycho]

Add me to the count , both my Charger & Chall have non power disc brakes , the other option is using hydro boost which is much smaller & uses pressure from the power steering to boost which is far better as many performance engine do not make enough vacuum to run the brakes effectively .

[CUDA JAS]

Thanks guys. I think that's the way I'll go - manual.

Any tips on brands? Vendors?

I think doctor diff sells a nice kit using a newer MC.

I also have non-power brakes on my cuda.

Jason

[ToxicWolf]

I like the hydro boost idea and may give a try one of these days.

[ChallengerHK]

I've been contemplating that too. I've driven a hydroboost vehicle and it had a nice feel.

[AU6pack]

I like the hydro boost idea and may give a try one of these days.

With a $1100.00 price tag and pretty ugly looks, i think i will just do the standard manual wilwood unit for now. The published weight is 30 lbs compared to 6 lbs for the plain jane Wilwood unit.

Thanks for the responses guys.

[ToxicWolf]

With a $1100.00 price tag and pretty ugly looks, i think i will just do the standard manual wilwood unit for now. The published weight is 30 lbs compared to 6 lbs for the plain jane Wilwood unit.

Thanks for the responses guys.

  It is kind of ugly.

[brads70]

With a $1100.00 price tag and pretty ugly looks, i think i will just do the standard manual wilwood unit for now. The published weight is 30 lbs compared to 6 lbs for the plain jane Wilwood unit.

Thanks for the responses guys.

$1100 ?   I've got $50 bucks into mine so far, and just need to finish the mounting plate and buy/make the lines to connect it all up?

[cordodge]

hey brad, i am assuming you got one from an astro van do you know what year vans to get them from?  thx bruce

[brads70]

hey brad, i am assuming you got one from an astro van do you know what year vans to get them from?  thx bruce

Yes it's from an Astro van, not sure what year though? In the 90's somewhere? Pretty common.
Here is the required line info courtesy of Barry

 

[brads70]

If it helps...Here is some info for dimensions for making the mounting plate I found on the net. Others have said it's better to use the bell crank( under the dash) from the power booster set up other wise they are too sensitive? A member here (John) set me up with one. Also it's suggested to use a 1 1/8" master cylinder. (GM uses a
1 1/4" )I just haven't got off my butt to finish this up yet. That and I'm getting used to manual brakes. 




This mounting is not the best, makes the brakes too sensitive I'm told?

[dodj]

Don't know if I could bring myself to put parts off a CHEVY ASTRO VAN    on my Challenger. Just sayin'