Same/same I didn't change the master cylinders, I used the power brake ones. I did try a manual brake master cylinder on the Malibu once (the power brake one died of old age) but it didn't make a difference. I also started racing at Music City Raceway with the Regal (then big block chevy powered) and would run 7.00's and Music City has hardley any shutdown area which is down hill with a cliff (yes I said cliff) if you run off the end of the track and I changed it over to a Grand National power brake system (the one with the electric motor, not the hydro boost) and it really whoa's the car up. This is really the way to go if you don't have vaccum but there not cheap. I paid $500 for mine at the Buick nationals but I'm sure you can buy them second hand for much less. I really like this set-up as you can stall the car up alot farther as well.
Ok - I got the scoop on the "SR" master cylinder: looks like it was used on S/T power brake systems from 1983-1995. Part Number is 18009879. Appears to be a QTU (Quick Take Up) style, 24.0 mm bore with 36.0 mm QTU bore diameter. The S/T used a 3.5:1 pedal ratio for power brake applications. There also was a manual S/T brake system that used a 6.29:1 pedal ratio with a 24.0 x 31.8 master cylinder P/N 18008353, BC Code PW. So, based on all this discussion, I think what I am going to is (a) pull the booster (b) use either my existing (cast iron) master or this S truck master cylinder (c) change my pedal ratio and (d) add the appliedracing hat shaped bracket... ....and see what happens! Thanks for all the input - :TU: K
So I've been keeping an eye on this thread as well. Like Keith and many others I don't have enough vacuum for power brakes. For the life of me I can't figure out where or how that bracket mounts. Can someone enlighten me. Also a question for Keith, I was wondering what year is your Malibu/Chevelle?
I have avacuum canister on my car and the brakes are so-so. They will bring the car to a stop but it requires a lot of pedal pressure. Not getting a whole lot of assist. I haven't tried a panic stop or from a speed higher than 25-30 mph so don/t know how they would react.
