Who'd want a hydroboost kit?

[Hammer Head]

Ok, since this poll (http://www.s10planet.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7737) I've come to the conclusion a lot of you would like way better brakes, more room under the hood for engine swaps & layin frame, &/or want a turbo/super charger set ups (because of possible vacuum problems.. also good w/ huge cams). The whole kit weighs about the same as a 2nd gen booster & pwr steering already on the truck & runs off the p/s pump instead of engine vacuum... So here's the poll.

[Hammer Head]

If you like to know some of the benefits & some details, here.. http://s10planet.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5892

[Mikz86TA]

Yeah...not sure about doing the truck right now...though the pics are enticing on how much room is saved. But in the TransAm it would probably be good since I have low vaccum with the cam in it and the power brakes suffer a little. Not to mention I took care of making room on the passenger side with a 1LE/non-AC air box and now the drivers side (which used to be a dream to work on compared to the pass. side) is the harder to fanagle around. Plus the added braided hoses look nice with all the rest =)

[rentedmule]

Looks like a really clean and effective setup. I'd definately be interested in doing it eventually but it'll be at least a year or 2, too much $$ dumped into the blower this year.

[04silveradomykk]

is the only reason for the hydroboost is because your cam doesn't allow for enough manifold vacuum for the booster?

[droopy89]

is the only reason for the hydroboost is because your cam doesn't allow for enough manifold vacuum for the booster?

same reason, but under our hoods, there isnt a whole lot of room to spare anyway, so more room is always good

[Mikz86TA]

Plus it is designed for more stopping power...for a heavier vehicle. Which translates to INSANE stopping power for our truck Hehehe

[Hammer Head]

Yea.. insane is right. I tried a panic stop to test it & my dime stopped on a dime & made change baby! haha.
Mykk~ it's used in your truck if it's a 1500HD, 2500 or 3500 because of the weight of the vehicle. Vacuum issues due to a huge cam are another reason for the upgrade. This makes the pedal a lot firmer & there's not that 2-3" of play before the brakes do their job, like w/ a vacuum booster. If you have bigger brakes on your truck, & I know you do w/ the silverado, this gives you much much more assist than the vacuum booster.

[87wildside]

there's not that 2-3" of play before the brakes do their job....so thats why they sell the adjustable push rod. That must be great when someone else drives it.

[Everfalling]

can someone write a how-to on the hydroboost?

[Hammer Head]

....so thats why they sell the adjustable push rod. That must be great when someone else drives it.

From what I understand, they make the adj rod for pedal height. It's not because of 2-3" less travel.. that's because the HB doesn't use air. It's hydraulic & as you know air compresses more than a liquid.


can someone write a how-to on the hydroboost?

I don't know anyone other than myself here that's done this conversion. I would like to say 1st off, IMO it is VERY unsafe to cut & weld the pedal rod. There are units out there that do not require this.

[87wildside]

Thats what I was talking about, should have said that.

[Hammer Head]

Here's the link on how to plumb it. http://s10planet.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7867
That link also has my linesets. I will sell complete kits (reman'd HB unit & a level 3 lineset) for $550 (this price includes s&h). All you need is to install it & fill the system w/ p/s fluid & you'll have the best braking experiance of your life! If I can get at least 2 kits sold I will drop the price to $530 (still including s&h). (If you buy 2 or more complete kits the price is $530 a kit)

[87wildside]

Guess I should start saving.

[white00s10]

good deal

this is a def buy

compare..

$2000.00+ for bigger rotors and calipers..

$600.00 for hydroboost that adds no weight.. Its a no freakin brainer

time to start saving... :p

[Hammer Head]

Hehe.. yea, I was thinkin this afternoon.. why'd I spend all the money for bigger brakes? But once I get those huge rotors on this truck should stop time when I put the brakes on. Oh, & just so you know it's less than $600.. ;)

[white00s10]

whoa i just read 550 with s&H included
thats a ****in steal

[Hammer Head]

Yea, it's right about there w/ the rear disc or dual-piston spindle & caliper conversions w/ drilled rotors & new pads all around.

[Everfalling]

I'll PM ya when I have the money saved up....

[Hammer Head]

Sounds good to me.

[Slaymanic]

I'm game on this you got any photos?

[Hammer Head]

Post #2 has the link to all the pix & most of the info.

[Everfalling]

quick question HH do you think the kit would fit a 96 camaro? if so PM me I might have a friend interested ....might even buy 2 cuz my x needs it too

[Hammer Head]

I haven't had the time or money to research a kit for the F bodies, yet.. I'm down to my last pennies. I know hydratech has some kits.. or at least they did. http://hydratechbraking.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=48 For a few bucks over their price for a kit w/ nothing but a booster my kit would be more cost effective (I include a lineset w/ each kit). My price is comming to $590 (including s&h) for 2nd gens & $605 for 1st gens. The reason it's a little more for 1st gens is because it requires a custom block off plate/ spacer for the firewall.

[Y NI Rider]

:hypnotize I just wondering hows the kit on a stock brake system? Can it handle the extra power without minor upgrades. LIke maybe better pads Idk or maybe its just fine. Thats a great Ideah oh wait kit my bad lol. Way cheeper than 2,000 that fur shur. Got a buddy interested in your kit....says why didnt they make one like that from the start lol. Baer is to damn pricy.

[Hammer Head]

I have it on my truck.. stock brakes all around except the booster is a hydroboost unit. Still stops strong & definately more room to change out your plugs... even more room to change plugs if you ditch your a/c.

[white00s10]

buuuump..


does this work on non ABS first gens?

[Hammer Head]

It works on non-ABS & ABS trucks, same as a vacuum booster does. I'm still working on the 1st gens, but the 2nd gens are taken care of already... so no worries there. 1st gens shouldn't be too far away & I'm sure if I got an order or two I'd problably get off my butt & finish up everything a little quicker. *wink wink, nudge nudge*

[Hammer Head]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVJOP1RdHC4 That's the clip I think of whenever I think wink wink nudge nudge.. sorry popped in my head.

[87wildside]

*wink wink, nudge nudge*
You tryin to tell me something?

Whenever I work on my truck without a f*cking audience and remember to get that measurement I will. Dumb Mother f*ckers want to watch me weld or ask me 5 million times whats that and make me forget things.

[Chrisvich]

What a dick!.......j/k was waiting to say that since you have the pic and title
ROFLMFAO

[87wildside]

I've been waiting for that.

[Hammer Head]

You tryin to tell me something?

.

Nah, I'm tryin to get a few people to finally order them up.. but by the time anyone does I won't be able to find enough cores & then everyone will have to wait. I'd be buying some now.. but what's the point? It'd be money that's tied up waiting on everyone else to come through. I say the measurement is 7".. & if it's 7" on a 1st gen & I add on the 1/4" spacer plate I know the unit I need. It will be a little long at +1/4".. so that'd be 7.25" after all's said & done.

[ThomasRA]

For the pressure hoses, would a factory set from an Astro work, or would they be too short?

What about from a Silverado?

For the return line, I'm guessing it could be cut, and have a T spliced in.

I just need the damn thing to work, looking good would just be more gravy on the cake.

Thanks

[Hammer Head]

Astros have remote resevoirs.. so those are out & Silverados use a return line on the pump itself.. maybe it'll work for you. I'm still selling linesets if you'd like a set. The kit has everything you'd need.. I just need time/funds to order it up & put it together for you (the kits are on a 'per order' basis & aren't 'stocked' by me). Good luck either way.

[Zephyr2oo5]

What about Those of us W/O Power steering, Or better yet those of us who dont have a brake booster either?

[Hammer Head]

Then your SOL w/out at least a p/s pump to run it. Not too hard to convert if you have the pump but w/out power brakes.. just swap the hydroboost unit in place & put the power brake master cylinder on (I think the rod is attached on manual brakes.. correct?).

Now, I went out to go get a HB unit for some R&D on the blazer.. yep, 1st gen testing is soon to come. I got out to the yard & wrenched away.. had all but one nut left to get off & the cotter pin to come out & the guys runnin they yard came & got me & told me to leave.. I said WTF? How about 10 more mins to finish this up? they got pissy, I talked to the mgr & to make a long story short.. I'm going back tomorrow, gettin the unit I started taking out & never plan on going back there again.. ever.

[Hammer Head]

I think I'd rather just help everyone w/ how to go about putting the system together & just make line sets. I could do a 'complete' kit if someone really wanted one. I'm not opposed to that. However it's all a lot of footwork for next to nothing for all that time to piece it together & that's why I feel it's better I just pass knowledge on. BTW, line sets aren't cheap to buy through Summit (if they even have them still) & the parts to make 'em aren't cheap either & need to be able to handle at least 2000psi (so not just plain old AN stuff.. but on the return side it's ok since there's a lot less pressure).

['94 Big Blaze]

Soo is this conversion really worth it ?

I mean i don't think i would have a problem with it. But i just want to make sure its going to be worth it in the long run.

[Hammer Head]

If you want better brakes, need room under the hood, &/or have a lack of engine vacuum (like a turbo application & such) the simple answer is 'yes'. It's not cheap but compared to the $800+ kits summit is selling my parts/methods will get you there between $500-700.. & it's not a hack job, either. haha.
If you just want it to be different .. IDK, that's up to you or whoever else is thinking about it. It's about the same price as upgrading to DP front brakes &/or rear disc (from a late model blazer).

BTW, I went back out to the yard this morning & took less than 10mins to finish off where I was pullin out the hydroboost from the astro.. seems like every astro there had a HB. It was pretty cool.

[Mikz86TA]

Astros are a PITA to work on!

[Hammer Head]

Yeah they are, so I pulled the dash out (in 2 tugs & a kick.. the windshield isn't quite the same) & had full access to the bolts.

[Mikz86TA]

So Jason, I found a AWD Astro out at the junkyard with a HB unit staring me in the face....'well hello there'.....LOL
Is that something I may want to snag or is it the wrong unit to use?
I was thinking of getting it if it will work in my truck without any mods. Id buy the rest of the kit from you when I get the funds.

[Hammer Head]

That's the unit you want for a 1st gen & a 2nd gen (kinda).. I'll explain. If you use a '93-earlier unit from an astro/safari (aka M body vans) the bracket will line up to the bolt holes in 1st & 2nd gen trucks. Now here's the difference.. on 2nd gen truck that unit's pedal rod eye isn't correct but the bracket is. So what needs to be done is keep the bracket & trade that HB unit in for a core on an '02 Silverado's HB unit (if it comes w/ the firewall mounting plate you'll need to chuck the plate & install the '93-down M body plate). Other than that it's all the same deal.. 1st gens require a block off plate behind the HB mounting plate to cover where the hole is for the manual brake master goes.. I will say this, get that unit if it's from a '93-down or at least grab the bracket. Then, get this unit.. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/03-06-TAHOE-YUKON-ESCALADE-OEM-HYDRAULIC-BRAKE-BOOSTER_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33566QQihZ004QQ itemZ140243856022QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW I bought my last unit from him (the one going in the blazer). Screaming hot deal! I haven't been able to find reman'd units for what this new unit is going for.

[Mikz86TA]

OK, let me get this straight.
I just need the Astro bracket. And I can buy that HB unit on e-bay.
Or I can get the Astros HB unit and bracket, keep the bracket and use it for a core swap at my local autoparts store for a Silvy 2002 unit.
So then the Silvy HB on the Astro bracket will bolt right up to my truck and the rod-eye is the correct one and length.

Sound right?

How much is the ready to go fittings and hoses from you?

[Hammer Head]

So then the Silvy HB on the Astro bracket will bolt right up to my truck and the rod-eye is the correct one and length.


Yes, so long as the astro's bracket is from a '93-earlier astro & the Silvy's HB is a late model. The eye needs to look kind of like a spade unlike the older models round eye.

[Hammer Head]

As far as how much the line sets cost I'd need to go through & see how much materials have gone up.. the price today isn't the same price a year ago or even 6 months.

[Mikz86TA]

OK. Just lemme know.

[Hellcat1]

Yes, so long as the astro's bracket is from a '93-earlier astro & the Silvy's HB is a late model. The eye needs to look kind of like a spade unlike the older models round eye.

I see what you mean on the eyes. The Astro unit has a round eye with a ID of 0.508 inch. The stock vacuum pod has the "spade" shapped connecter and an ID of 0.620 inch. The astro boster will not fit the peg on the stock 2nd gen brake pedel. Astro's are a PITA to work on, but then again so is removing a vacuum booster from a 2nd gen S-Series without pulling the dash out...

I have 2 Astro Hydroboosters (one for my '01 and one for the '85 blazer) that I found on eBay a while back and just purchased a newer unit off of eBay (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130235154490&ssPageName=ADME:X:AAQ:MOTORS:1123) for installing in my '01.

I also bought a pair of "block off" plates that mount between the HB and firewall that are 1/4" thick that I bought from Turbotime (which I can no longer find on the net). They are supposed to take up the slack in the actuator and cover the hole in the firewall above where the HB unit mounts that is left by the vacuum booster. After removing the vacuum booster from the '01 yesterday, I see that I may not need the plate for the '01 unless I need it to take up the slack in the actuator.

All I need now is the kit to hook up HB. With my Corvette 13" disks in the front and Camaro 12" disks in the rear, HB and 255/45R18 meats, I should be able to stop like a sports car.

[Hammer Head]

You won't need that block off plate on a 2nd gen & you don't need to 'take up any slack' either. In a 2nd gen the late-model silverado unit bolts right up using the '93-down astro mounting plate.

[Hellcat1]

So how do you get the "nut" off that holds the plate in place to swap them?:confused:

[Hammer Head]

Take a chisel & split it or if you're lucky enough to save it.. hold the unit in a vise, & use a big wrench/socket (don't remember the size but it's about 2") & twist it off. There's also a snap-ring that needs to come off before that nut even has hopes of comming off. Hope you've at least got a set of snap-ring pliers.

[Hellcat1]

Take a chisel & split it or if you're lucky enough to save it.. hold the unit in a vise, & use a big wrench/socket (don't remember the size but it's about 2") & twist it off. There's also a snap-ring that needs to come off before that nut even has hopes of comming off. Hope you've at least got a set of snap-ring pliers.

OK, I have one of the Silvy units that I bought new off of eBay and I already have the snap ring off. I used a long set of angled needle nose pliers in lue of of snap-ring pliers. The "nut" (which is esentially a circle with 4 flat sides machined off) is 1-7/8, but I can't seem to get a wrench onto it to get it loose. How would I get a socket down to it? The brake pedal connector is in the way, or does that come off somehow?

If I split the nut, then I will not have it to bolt the astro plate on (once I figure out how to get it off the astro unit)

[Hammer Head]

I had the same problems..
you can get a socket on the nut if the actuator rod is off. You can pull it off but every unit I've done that to just breaks the rod or the unit itself. There's a special way to do it but I'm not trained in the art of pulling it off.
I used an adjustible wrench , hammered out the studs on the plate to give me a little more room & then hammered the wrench to break the nut loose. Care has to be taken not to foul anything up.. hope you get lucky! BTW, reman'd units come w/ the nut.

[Hellcat1]

There is a hydroboost tool available from factory five racing (http://www.factoryfive.com/) for about $15. It is a fabricated "socket" that is 1/2" drive that works. I had it 2nd day air shipped via Fed-Ex for a total of $39.00.

I got mine yesterday and had the nuts off of my new and old units, plate swapped and the nut tightened back down on the new unit in under 5 min.

Just a word of caution, if you plan on using it more then a couple times, either don't use an impact gun, like I did, or reinforce the 1/2" drive hole on the back. Mine now looks like a 12 point star, but I'm not going to need it anymore I hope. It will end up taking up space in my tool box in the off chance that I ever need to replace the hydrobooster.

[Hammer Head]

Interesting.

[Hellcat1]

I mounted my Silvy HB unit today with the Astro plate and my S10 master cyl. It's clocked about 20 degrees to the right (twords the driver's side). Surly that's not right.

Are the Silvy master cyls ofset to compensate for that or is it something I'm just goign to have to deal with?

[Mikz86TA]

Hey Jason. Heres what I found today at the 'yard.

I found 2 Astros with AWD and HB. One has the engine cover, engine and all that crap removed. So this ones easier to access. Has 4 bolts on the inside of the firewall. Thats all I need right? Remove those 4 bolts and the entire assy comes off then remove the bracket from the HB part?

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t43/Mikz86TA/General/Hydroboost-AstroAWD2.jpg

I found a 96 C/K 2500 Crew with HB. Is that a doable unit for core? IDK what autoparts stores charge for a core. My or may not be worth buying this one and for just the core price.

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t43/Mikz86TA/General/Hydroboost-Truck96.jpg

I also found a 1986 Suburban Diesel (wasnt those nice...haha) with a HB unit. Didnt inspect it yet to see if they were the same on the different years.

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t43/Mikz86TA/General/Hydroboost-Truck87.jpg

[Hammer Head]

Sounds like it was off the indexing tab.. you sure you lined it up & it stayed in the slot like it should have? Silvys don't skew the master.. no GM booster did. The later model M vans used a plate the mounted to the firewall that angled the nose of the booster downward (or if you flipped it.. upward).

I mounted my Silvy HB unit today with the Astro plate and my S10 master cyl. It's clocked about 20 degrees to the right (twords the driver's side). Surly that's not right.

Are the Silvy master cyls ofset to compensate for that or is it something I'm just goign to have to deal with?



Yep, 4 nuts, 1 pin & 3 lines to remove it. Anything is pretty much acceptible as core (so long as it a HB as core for a HB). The M vans have a unique mounting plate. It's different from the fullsizes/silvys as the HBs can still be used as cores.. but get the late model silvy booster w/ the 'spade' end for the 2nd gens & get the early M van HBs for the 1st gens. Either way you'll still need to aquire the earlier style 'flat' mounting plate from an M van (astro/safari) for either conversion.

Hey Jason. Heres what I found today at the 'yard.

I found 2 Astros with AWD and HB. One has the engine cover, engine and all that crap removed. So this ones easier to access. Has 4 bolts on the inside of the firewall. Thats all I need right? Remove those 4 bolts and the entire assy comes off then remove the bracket from the HB part?

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t43/Mikz86TA/General/Hydroboost-AstroAWD2.jpg

I found a 96 C/K 2500 Crew with HB. Is that a doable unit for core? IDK what autoparts stores charge for a core. My or may not be worth buying this one and for just the core price.

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t43/Mikz86TA/General/Hydroboost-Truck96.jpg

I also found a 1986 Suburban Diesel (wasnt those nice...haha) with a HB unit. Didnt inspect it yet to see if they were the same on the different years.

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t43/Mikz86TA/General/Hydroboost-Truck87.jpg

[Mikz86TA]

So is that mounting plate off that Astro what I need to get started?

[Hammer Head]

So is that mounting plate off that Astro what I need to get started?

I can't really tell from that picture if the HB is horizontial or not.. the master looks like a late model (2nd gen) M van. The unit you'd be looking for would have come from a 1st gen M van (the boxey style.. like my 'love machine').

[Mikz86TA]

Ahh. Yeah both of these are the later rounded front end vans.
So Im not gonna need those parts I guess. Those early vans are hard to find....search continues =(

[Hellcat1]

I mounted my Silvy HB unit today with the Astro plate and my S10 master cyl. It's clocked about 20 degrees to the right (twords the driver's side). Surly that's not right.

Are the Silvy master cyls ofset to compensate for that or is it something I'm just goign to have to deal with?

I finally had a chance the other day to figure out my problem. I examined the Silvy plate and the Astro booster and noticed that the Silvy plate has 2 indexing teeth and the Astro booster has only one. I pulled the unit back out and pulled the plate of and indexed it off the other groove in the pump and it fixed my problem.
Why didn't I notice it the first time and save myself about 3 hours of hot sweaty work and knuckle busting under the dash???
BTW, does anybody have a spare brake light sensor retaining clip. I was putting mine back on and slipped. I heard it ricochet off of something under the dash and now I can't find it....:timebomb_

[Hammer Head]

I think I may have a spare clip somewhere. When I get some time to go back out to the other house I'll go look & see. I'll grab a pic to be sure it's the same one you need.

[Hellcat1]

Thanks bro, I appreciate it.