Hydroboost conversion?

Discussion in 'The whoa and the sway.' started by Bygblok, Jul 21, 2019.

  1. Bygblok

    Bygblok Well-Known Member

    has anyone done a budget hydroboost brake conversion on one of these a-bodies? Just curious what you used and how it turned out. Looking at using Astro van parts to start with.
     
  2. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    Hydroboost is for diesels.:D Is your engine vacuum that low? I think I'd rather use an electric vacuum pump if I had to. Much easier.
     
  3. 455monte

    455monte Well-Known Member

    I put it on my 67.
    Best thing i ever did.
    Car has rear drums and stock 1970 style front discs.
    After Hydraboost it stops so much better!
    My setup came off a 1981 olds big car that was originally diesel.
    I used the pump lines and booster from it.
    I had to modify the pushrod to work with my model and also cut the brackets off the back od the factory 67 booster and uaed them as adapters to bolt hydroboost to firewall so rod would line up correctly with the power hole in brake pedal
     
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  4. cluxford

    cluxford Well-Known Member

    I have a Hydratech on my 68 Camaro. That car is 100% modified. Everything. All metal, all running gear, all interior, all electrics, and of everything I did the Hydroboost was by far and away the best mod. I plan to do the same to the Buick but that will be part of a bigger plan.
     
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  5. Bygblok

    Bygblok Well-Known Member

    all my later gm trucks have hydroboost........ and are gassers. Its a better way to do brakes based on a system that's already available on the car. Cleans up some firewall access room too. I like it.
     
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  6. Bygblok

    Bygblok Well-Known Member

    never thought about the old's diesel setups. Man, that's like a blast from the past!! lol Good idea though, thanks!
     
  7. B-rock

    B-rock Well-Known Member

    Im going this route as well. Check out the chevelle crowd. Tons of info including the astrovan conversion. It is a superior way to setup your brakes.
     
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  8. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    Oh, I'm sure it's way more effective than vacuum. Not sure what's involved. Fortunately, my motor makes enough vacuum for the brakes, they work great.
     
  9. Donuts & Peelouts

    Donuts & Peelouts Life's 2 Short. Live like it.

    Anybody got picture?
     
  10. BillA

    BillA Well-Known Member

    I just did one a few weeks ago on my '64 Skylark. The LS crate motor I swapped in 2 years ago only has about 13" vacuum. Not enough for the vacuum booster. I bought a remanufactured Astro Van hydro boost from Rockauto. Brakes are now awesome.
     
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  11. Bygblok

    Bygblok Well-Known Member

    by chance did you take pictures of the bracket you used or anything Bill? Also, are you disc/disc? What MC did you use? The Astro booster was what I intended to play with. Thanks man!
     
  12. BillA

    BillA Well-Known Member

    Here are a few pics. I didn't take any pics during the hydro boost install. The bracket is the same bracket that held the vacuum booster, which was purchased from Stainless Steel Brakes (SSBC) about 10 years ago as part of their 4 wheel disc conversion kit. About a year ago I changed the front rotors and calipers over to a set of Wildwood 12" rotors and 4 piston calipers. The master cylinder is a '78 'Vette unit that I also purchased from Rock Auto. It's identical to the one that came with the SSBC kit but I figured I get a new one when I converted over to hydro boost. Rock Auto ships the hydro boost unit bare, meaning you need to provide the pushrod and the spring/centering bushing/retaining clip that fits into the bore of the hydro boost unit. I highly recommend salvaging an Astro unit from the junkyard to obtain these parts. I purchased them from Talon Hydraulics but I think they have since shut down. The pushrod I made from a piece of 3/8" cold rolled steel that I purchased from a home center.

    IMG_3484.jpg IMG_3485.jpg IMG_3486.jpg IMG_3487.jpg IMG_3488.jpg
     
  13. hgiljr

    hgiljr Well-Known Member

    Did you ever get to do this conversion? I am looking to upgrade to the hydroboost as I install a rebuilt engine. I already have the MC, 4 wheel disc brakes, 11" booster pump installed. So upgrade the to the hydroboost would be ideal as I know my vacuum will be low. I see several mentions of different model pumps to use, but it would be great if we could get a list of parts used not to reinvent the wheel. Thanks
     
  14. BQUICK

    BQUICK Gold Level Contributor

    I wonder why GM ditched hydroboost and went back to vacuum boost on the late 90s trucks after using it on them in late 80s early 90s?
     
  15. BillA

    BillA Well-Known Member

    Maybe when they switched over to LS based engines it was easier to incorporate a belt driven vacuum pump for those engines that would have used a hydro boost. Today, with electric steering, there is no source of hydraulic pressure.
     
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  16. gsgnnut

    gsgnnut Well-Known Member

    Hydroboost is a definite improvement over vacuum, but unless you race the car its really not needed if your engine makes enough vacuum. GM used them in some of the earlier GN's but in 86 "the power disaster" (electro mechanical system) was introduced on the turbo cars and although it worked amazing when it worked, it was prone to unpredictable failures, it was problematic, required regular fluid changes and it was costly to fix even for DIYers. Except for the purist owners, Most 86/87 GN's are converted to vac or hydroboost.
     
  17. sailbrd

    sailbrd Well-Known Member

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  18. 1972Mach1

    1972Mach1 Just some M.M.O.G. guy.....

    They still use hydroboost on trucks.......
     
  19. gsgnnut

    gsgnnut Well-Known Member

    My 2002 silverado hd has hydro boost. Great system
     
  20. Dan Gerber

    Dan Gerber Founders Club Member

    It sound like everyone here is referencing OEM hydraulic boosters. What about the aftermarket "hydroboost" units produced by CPP, and sold by Original Parts Group (among other restoration parts retailers)? Sounds like the easiest way to go for us less mechanically skilled Buick owners/restorers?

    Here's what I'm referring to:


    http://www.classicperform.com/Store2/Hydraulic-Brake-Assist-Systems.htm
     

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