What power brake booster works

I don't know of a universal one. I never heard of another mentioned. I thought it was unique to the Pantera.

Stock Booster
Uhhh, the stock Bendix Italia booster is probably the most 'common' booster in our cars.

Lincoln Booster w/ Mustang Master Cylinder
(source: http://www.realbig.com/pipermail/detomaso/2006-January/067892.html)
John Taphorn and Dave Bell in Texas both use an '88 Lincoln Continental booster mated to an aluminum master cylinder from an '86 Mustang SVO. The larger mc piston bore is 1-1/8" and John reports that it makes a firmer/harder pedal, which you may not prefer. The mc-to-booster rod between the two is adjustable and there are no clearance issues at all. Cost was about $200 total.

The only installation difficulty Dave reported was that the Lincoln booster bolts on with four studs vs three for a stock Pantera booster. Four new holes had to be drilled through the pedal box, and the old holes filled (he used JB weld
then filed it smooth). Dave also removed the
factory mc hard lines and installed braided stainless lines from the master cylinder to the T-junction front and rear. This setup allows him to fine tune the adjustment rod (which requires pulling the mc away from the booster) without opening and rebleeding the hydraulic lines.

Master Cylinder References
I'm including the following becuase it's related and useful information, even though it doesn't address the original question.

Corvette Master Cylinder
(source: http://www.realbig.com/pipermail/detomaso/2005-March/053790.html)
The late 60s / early 70s Corvette master has two big bowls and bolts right on to the stock booster. Cost is approx $100.

Mustang SVO Master Cylinder
(source: http://pantera.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/1510042044/m/4450072864/p/4)

CNC Dual Master Cylinder setup
http://www.cncbrakes.com/cncbrakes.com-asp//sra.asp?grp...series=240&subseries
#243 comes with a Pantera bolt pattern to mount to the stock booster.

But Garth, are the boosters vacuum assist or are they true power brakes?? I don't like the idea od having to rely on engine vacuum.

quote:

are the boosters vacuum assist or are they true power brakes?

Forgive my ignorance, but I don't understand the distinction. I don't think I've ever seen a car with power brakes that didn't have a vacuum booster. Even my friend's Puegeot Turbo Diesel used a vacuum pump to power the brake booster.

I don't like the fact that we lose our braking ability if the engine dies, but haven't yet seen a Pantera in person that's had the vacuum booster removed. Anyone out there have one and want to describe what you did and how well it works?

quote:

Originally posted by DeTom:
But Garth, are the boosters vacuum assist or are they true power brakes?? I don't like the idea od having to rely on engine vacuum.

What kinda' power brakes you talkin' DT, nuclear powered?
Vacuum booster is safer. No radiation.

Some vehicles do have hydraulic boost and is fairly compact (no vac diaphragm), with a small residual pressure resiviour for one or two applications with dead engine. Runs off a PS pump.

Yep, I was talking same as what PTA is talking. Runs off your PS pump. "But DeTom, Panteras ain't got no power steering!!" Well I was thinking of doing that the same time. PS/PB, for the oldcodger in all of us. I meant you got AC, why not PS/PB??? Cruise sontrol, maybe even power drivers seat??? Who knows? NAAAA! No power driver seat, ain't enough room for it to help. But the other stuff, why not???

quote:

Originally posted by DeTom:
Yep, I was talking same as what PTA is talking. Runs off your PS pump. "But DeTom, Panteras ain't got no power steering!!" Well I was thinking of doing that the same time. PS/PB, for the oldcodger in all of us. I meant you got AC, why not PS/PB??? Cruise sontrol, maybe even power drivers seat??? Who knows? NAAAA! No power driver seat, ain't enough room for it to help. But the other stuff, why not???

What? You don't have power seats? I do. Power lumbar support, power mirrors, self-dimming compass mirror, talking back-up alert!

Comom DT, you livin' in the dark ages or what?
Get with it man!

quote:

Comom DT, you livin' in the dark ages or what?

Speaking of that, I was wondering how much that infra red imaging system that Caddalac made costs at the parts counter. Is it one of those things that if you have to ask, you can't afford it?? I always wanted one of those, only make it so you can use it without headlights.
Do you remember what I am talking about?? It was about five years ago it was offered as an option on caddies.

H guys,
Garth, here is a picture of my M/C with JFZ brakes. If I leave plenty of room, I'm okay but no sudden stops, it won't happen. Looking to correct this. New owner you see.

Don't I need one of these? Sorry if I'm missing something here! : )

DT, what infrared Cadillac system?

RC, that is the vacuum booster for the power brakes.

Using the Pantera unit is the simplest way to go but as you have read people have used others.

Doug, Cadillac offered a forward looking infra red radar that enhanced night vision well beyond the headlights. I think it was like a $7,000 dollar option so I don't imagine they sold a whole bunch of them. What it did was pick up infra red radiation, from like dear or people hundreds of yards further than what your headlights could see and projected the image on the heads up display. Only they had to tie it into the headlights so old coots like me wouldn't forget to turn them on. Because in effect it was a night vision amplification system that would make it look like it was daylight outside by projecting it on the windshield. A green colored daylight, but pretty clear image. I was thinking if you had this, and an laser jammer as well as a good radar detector, well you could drive like a bat at night and the cops would never know what just zoomed on by. You would become, dare I say it, INVISIBLE!!!

Yep RC, that is the vacuum booster I am bitchin about. That big old ugly can keeps you from relocating your master cylinder forward because if you go too far with it it interfears with closing the hood. It looks big and antiquated. That is what I told the insurance lady was my nuclear reactor and she bought it. I soon changed insurance companies because I thought that if Bozos like her were working there, if something ever happened to the car, I would surely get ripped off. But then again, they were only charging me seventy bucks a year, so it wasn't all bad. Anyway, I know you can buy that big old canister thingie at the vendors, and that is the easiest way to go, but I am thinking I want to look into if there is someway to modernize it with a hydralic pump that runs off the accesory belt instead of relying on engine vacuum.

Hydroboost is what GM calls their system. Likely Ford has something similar if you want to stay blue.

There are plenty out there, used on GM 6.2 and 6.5 2 and 4wd trucks from '82 to '98, and likely beyond.

I've owned quite a few, I prefer the feel to vacuum cans, the hydro system comes on more linearly, decent feedback and still plenty of power assist.

a quick google nets:
http://www.superchevy.com/technical/chassis/brakes/0601sc_hydro/

http://www.angryamerica.com/chevelles/hydroboost.html

Thanks PDA, this is exactly what I was thinking of.

I'm looking into a Electric High-Power Master Cylinder.It comes either 8" or 10" long. Suppose to be the smallest system with the highest pressure.Requires no vacuum or belt driven pumps. Don't know the costs but if it works, I'll let you know!! Randy #2472