Hydroboost

[hurddawg]

Well been studying brake parts recently...What I currently have is a disc brake conversion from Matt's Classic Bowties, which is from "The right stuff" I originally intended on using this on my car, but since the C4 modifications came along, I probably won't use the bulk of the system.

What that system included was a 7" dual diaphram brake booster & 1" MC. I intend to change the MC & proportioning valve to correspond to the year C4 brakes I receive from Chevynut. However instead of using a vacuum unit, I have been toying with the idea of using a hydroboost.

On another forum, 56-210sedan mentioned AC Delco 178-585 would work in a trifive, which happens to be a ~96 Astro Van unit. Hoping 56-210sedan could help, but does this "work" as in bolt on or "work" as far needs some modification.

On the other hand, Hydroboost does look a little long once you have the MC on there...Anyone with photos of an installed unit? I guess my assumption is the the C4 master cylinder would bolt on to the hydroboost unit as well...

[Maddog]

The 1" bore master will work just fine with the C4 brakes. As far as the hydroboost, you have to use a firewall adaptor to make it fit. I think Cnut made some. With the hydroboost do not use smaller then a 1" bore

[chevynut]

Yes I sell the hydroboost adapters. I have two styles available, see this thread:

http://www.trifivechevys.com/showthread.php/1986-FS-Hydroboost-mounting-adapters

[56-210Sedan]

Well been studying brake parts recently...What I currently have is a disc brake conversion from Matt's Classic Bowties, which is from "The right stuff" I originally intended on using this on my car, but since the C4 modifications came along, I probably won't use the bulk of the system.

What that system included was a 7" dual diaphram brake booster & 1" MC. I intend to change the MC & proportioning valve to correspond to the year C4 brakes I receive from Chevynut. However instead of using a vacuum unit, I have been toying with the idea of using a hydroboost.

On another forum, 56-210sedan mentioned AC Delco 178-585 would work in a trifive, which happens to be a ~96 Astro Van unit. Hoping 56-210sedan could help, but does this "work" as in bolt on or "work" as far needs some modification.

On the other hand, Hydroboost does look a little long once you have the MC on there...Anyone with photos of an installed unit? I guess my assumption is the the C4 master cylinder would bolt on to the hydroboost unit as well...

no matter if you use the AC Delco of another system you will need the adapter plate. One thing to remember is that part is going to be getting harder to find as time goes on, i sold mine at a swap meet and never did use it on the car mainly because i needed funds to do some other things. I think personally i would still use the system, one thing i would like to recommend and by no means do you have to purchase from this individual but contact Hydra-Tech and talk to Jim this gentlemen is a wealth of knowledge and a good person to talk to on these systems http://www.hydratechbraking.com/Chevy_55-64_Fullsize.html tell him what you are doing for your build.

[chevynut]

You can buy a complete Hydroboost setup for about $500-550, but it's a lot cheaper to buy a rebuilt or new Hydroboost, get an adapter, make your own lines, and adapt the rod to the pedal. I think you can do it for under $250.

[56-210Sedan]

I just did a real fast google and this one came up i know you do better price wise but this was the first one that came up http://www.ebay.com/itm/ACDelco-178-585-New-Power-Brake-Booster-/251054188699?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item3a73fee89b

[56-210Sedan]

http://www.amazon.com/ACDelco-178-585-Booster-Kit/dp/B000C9J0JQ

[chevynut]

I recall that I paid about $100-110 for my hydroboost - brand new - on eBay. There are also a lot of them in salvage yards on various vehicles ans I'll bet they almost never wear out. I'm not sure how important it is what vehicle it's off of. My Silverado has one because it's a turbo diesel. Supercharged cars like Mustangs also used them. I don't understand why Astro vans used them because I don't think they were turbocharged.

http://bangshift.com/blog/tech-how-to-swap-a-junkyard-hyrdoboost-on-your-classic-gm-muscle-car-or-truck.html

http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/ccrp_1105_chevy_astro_van_hydroboost_salvage/

https://www.google.com/search?q=astro+van+hydroboost&client=firefox-a&hs=UVR&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=fflb&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=nWICUp6_BensyQHW4YGYAg&ved=0CFYQsAQ&biw=1280&bih=856

http://www.4btswaps.com/forum/showthread.php?12420-Hydroboost-set-ups

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=523502

[hurddawg]

Thanks for the information everyone. I found them on ebay rebuilt for $80 shipped from a 93 GMC. I found a new unit for a Astro for $220 + shipping online. Will any of these work with Chevynut's adapter? They all look very similar.

[chevynut]

Yes, I believe they will all work with the adapters I sell. I'm pretty sure they all have the same size mounting threads. Rebuilt is probably as good as new.

[hurddawg]

Yes, I believe they will all work with the adapters I sell. I'm pretty sure they all have the same size mounting threads. Rebuilt is probably as good as new.

Great! I may end up going to the pick n pull and see if I can snag one for cheap. I guess they can leak powersteering fluid sometime, some guy named pirate jack makes a kit that contains seals for $30 some dollars. Probably the cheapest way to go....

I'll order one of those adapters from ya when once I get sorted.

[56-210Sedan]

Yes, I believe they will all work with the adapters I sell. I'm pretty sure they all have the same size mounting threads. Rebuilt is probably as good as new.

I agree with Chevynut as well, you should be fine using his adapter. Wilwood has some smaller reservoirs and i think Hydra tech has some as well, i know that i like the wilwood one mostly since they offer a black one :D i am not in to chrome or polished everything in engine bays :eek:.

[Rick_L]

Far as I know, all the hydroboost units have the same back end at the firewall mount. So the same adapter works on all. Where they differ installation wise is the configuration of the pushrod that connects to the brake pedal.

There are several (4 I think) piston sizes used in hydroboost units. All use a similar main housing. One way to tell the difference is the color of the accumulator housing. I know that there's gold, blue, purple, and ? At one time I found a chart of all this by googling, but I didn't mark it or print it, and apparently the site is was on doesn't exist any more. But I do know that the gold unit is what came on a Chevy Astro van, and it matches up better for vehicle weight than most others, since they are most common on HD pickups. I have a gold one and a purple one. The purple one has one of the largest pistons available and was for a 1 ton Ford truck (came with a huge 1-1/4" bore master cylinder too).

I think I paid $65 + shipping for a new Astro van unit with a gold accumulator. I paid less than that for the big Ford unit. (Both from Ebay.) I machined my own mounting bracket and modified the pushrod. The unit will accept most GM master cylinders but may need some pushrod trimming. My mounting bracket required a custom wrench to tighten the nut that holds mounting bracket to the main housing. The reason I did that is that my mount is 3/4" thick but has no visible fasteners, but the nut only works with a thinner plate, so I had to make a recess for the nut. Which required the custom wrench.

The hydroboost unit is long, longer than most vacuum boosters, but it's not big in diameter, so it clears valve covers, even tall BBC ones.

[56-210Sedan]

I know that there's gold, blue, purple, and ?

I believe it is silver that is the fourth color

[5Clint7]

I found this info on Hydraboost units. It gives the specifications and the accumulator color and applications.

http://www.trifivechevys.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=2216&d=1376160433
http://www.trifivechevys.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=2215&d=1376160430
http://www.trifivechevys.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=2214&d=1376160426
http://www.trifivechevys.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=2213&d=1376160422

[56-210Sedan]

Good job Clint, that is good and helpful information :cool:

[Rick_L]

Clint, that's good info.

[hurddawg]

Great Information! Thank you. Great info for the site :)

[hurddawg]

Just picked up a hydroboost from a pull a part for $27 (with tax & core charge included). It came with the master cylinder, reservoir and 1 complete hose (booster to steering box), the other side I cut off (P/S pump to booster), but kept the fitting. The yard was having a labor day sale and everything was 50% off. The units are surprisingly larger than I had envisioned! With some cleaning its not bad considering the price. Time well spent!!

[56-210Sedan]

Good deal, what did you pull it off from?

[hurddawg]

Astro Van. I believe it was a 95, and has a gold accumulator. Not much space under those hoods!!

For the master cylinder I am thinking of buying a 1 1/8" CPP MCPV-1 since it has an integrated proportioning valve. Had read some guys on a Camaro & Nova forum using this M/C on astro hydroboost units with good results. I particularly like the integrated prop valve....not so much on the CPP logo though.

But I'm also considering this...it is about $130 more or so than the CPP.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/WILWOOD-POLISHED-TANDEM-MASTER-CYLINDER-1-1-8-W-COMBINATION-PROPORTIONING-VALVE-/271258165019?pt=Race_Car_Parts&hash=item3f283f1f1b&vxp=mtr