Hydro booster

[rrob]

Does anyone know of or has anyone installed a hydraulic brake booster setup (as opposed to vacuum assist)?

[BananaDan]

Bill440RT put one on his 69.  I'm sure he'll be around soon.

[1970Moparmann]

Yes.  Simply the best modification I did on my 68.   Next best mod was the 5 speed.

Go to 1970Moparmann 68 Charger restoration for pictures.   I'm pretty sure I put a handful of pictures of the Hydroboost.

[rrob]

I was wondering if there is a later model junkyard part swap that would fit my 69, I know that astro van hydro boosters fit right in to an early Chevelle but I done't know if Mopar has something compatable.

[Rolling_Thunder]

you wont find anything that'll "bolt in" --- you can use the astro hydroboost but you'll need to get a mounting plate for your mopar - companies out there make aluminum ones - I just mounted mine up and am pleased with the result - only PITA is the hose routing but overall it really isnt that bad.

[bill440rt]

Bill440RT put one on his 69.  I'm sure he'll be around soon.

Yep. I installed one on my '69, combined with a Wilwood 4-disc setup. Couldn't be happier in braking performance. Check out page 7 of my '69 thread here, it shows the installation:

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,64641.150.html

I got it complete thru RMS (Reilly MotorSports). Talk to Bill there, he was very helpful. The kit is made by Hydrotech. Everything you need to install it is right in the kit. I think I had to enlarge 2 of the mounting holes one size larger in the firewall is all. Routing the hoses (included) was a cinch. You cut them to fit & also included are nice compression fittings. Hardest part was bleeding the air from the system (BOTH braking & steering system), but once that was complete it was great. I also had to replace my brake light switch with a universal repro that has the threaded barrel to get more adjustment out of it, but my old one turned out to be bad anyway.

The only thing I've noticed is that my PS pump gets a little hot now, but I haven't driven the car very much although I plan to put some miles on it this year. It may or may not need a cooler, although unless you are road racing the car they say a PS cooler is not necessary. The secondary little canister is nitrogen filled as a power reserve in case of PS system failure. In the case of PS failure, once the canister loses it's reserve you will then have manual brakes.

All in all it was super-easy to install, braking performance is awesome, & it was a very high quality kit. Highly recommended.

[Rolling_Thunder]

I am planning on installing a P/S cooler on my set up just in case i ever need it - I figure with all the things I am doing to it I may as well install a cooler...   

[rrob]

Thanks everyone for the replies! Now I will start searching for a setup

[rrob]

you wont find anything that'll "bolt in" --- you can use the astro hydroboost but you'll need to get a mounting plate for your mopar - companies out there make aluminum ones - I just mounted mine up and am pleased with the result - only PITA is the hose routing but overall it really isnt that bad.

Hi rolling thunder, do you remember where you got your adapter plate? Does the plate look like it would be hard to fabricate? I like making stuff whenever possible. Cheers.   Rob

[xpbprox]

I just came across this setup today

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkBPqlECC40

[Rolling_Thunder]

you wont find anything that'll "bolt in" --- you can use the astro hydroboost but you'll need to get a mounting plate for your mopar - companies out there make aluminum ones - I just mounted mine up and am pleased with the result - only PITA is the hose routing but overall it really isnt that bad.

Hi rolling thunder, do you remember where you got your adapter plate? Does the plate look like it would be hard to fabricate? I like making stuff whenever possible. Cheers.   Rob

Shouldnt be that hard to fabricate -    here is the link to what I purchased -  if I had a mill I would have made one but sometimes it's not worth the trouble...     the plates now come without the "Woodie" on it...    they are just solid

http://www.talonhydraulics.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=40_32_28&products_id=124&zenid=rj4q3f3hs0unt98qem2g230nh7

[rrob]

Excellent info, thanks guys!

[redmist]

Does anyone know what Hydroboost unit these kits are using?? I would think a person could build a kit for much less after getting an adapter plate from one of the above vendors. I can order a HP Line kit from Polyperformence for much less then what is listed as an add on from Hydrotech. The Master Cylinder can be sourced from a junkyard or parts shop.

Anyone know what the hydroboost units are off of??

[bill440rt]

The Hydratech hydroboost units are an ALL-NEW unit. They are not taken off anything or rebuilt units.
And they also come with new lines, and all necessary hardware.

http://hydratechbraking.com/hydroboost_faq_old/

[six-tee-nine]

I know XV Motorsports also sells the Hydrateck kit.

I was planning to buy from them.

[Rolling_Thunder]

Does anyone know what Hydroboost unit these kits are using?? I would think a person could build a kit for much less after getting an adapter plate from one of the above vendors. I can order a HP Line kit from Polyperformence for much less then what is listed as an add on from Hydrotech. The Master Cylinder can be sourced from a junkyard or parts shop.

Anyone know what the hydroboost units are off of??

Being the cheap ass that I am that is what I'm doing...       I purchased a hydroboost off of Ebay for something like ~$75.00 - pulled it apart and checked everything - looked beautiful. I then purchased the mounting plate for like ~$90. Added a master cylinder off of ebay for ~$45 and then some banjo fittings ~$25...      All I need to do now is finish the lines which I figure will cost about ~$120

So altogether that is approx $350     a lot cheaper than the kit...      downside is that it is a rebuilt hydroboost unit and doesnt have a blingy master cylinder... 

[rrob]

I totally agree with Rolling Thunder, being a cheap ass also, I'm going to build my own setup and will probably fab my own mounting plate as well.

[MSRacing89]

Tallon Hydraulics are the original builders of these aftermarket systems.  Hydratech branched off from them.  The Tallon system I have on my car cost $825 with a Wilwood M/C.  It will cost at least that much from Hydratech with no M/C.

[xpbprox]

Tallon Hydraulics are the original builders of these aftermarket systems.  Hydratech branched off from them.  The Tallon system I have on my car cost $825 with a Wilwood M/C.  It will cost at least that much from Hydratech with no M/C.

regarding the issue of Tallon vs Hydratech, check out this thread

http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?t=30035

ad decide for yourself

[Rolling_Thunder]

Honestly - my opinion is that Hydratech is trying to do a little too much ---     I had a pleasant experience with Talon (not a censored word here...    what kind of lame ass forum censors peoples' names because they have a competing company as a sponsor)   Am I saying that Hydratech is a bad system ?  nope...     But Talon is cheaper and honestly what do I care if I have to measure for a pushrod ?         Great - Hydratech does that research for you...    but honestly to me it is not worth the added cost...    that's the difference between someone who builds a car and someone who bolts one together...       

I also love how hydratech says it deburs and taps their BRAND NEW hydroboost units...      really?  if they are so conscious about the finish appearance why don't they offer a powder coating service so you can custom order a color to match your wishes ?

Also, that whole rubber grommet retaining pushrod thing...     being dangerous....        Isnt everyone who is running a manual brake set up on this page using that same design ? let alone all the GMs and Fords that use that design...     anyone ever have an issue with that? I know I havent in any of the cars i've built...       

Kinda seems that Hydratech does make a more "finished" product - but you pay for it...     

       

[xpbprox]

Honestly - my opinion is that Hydratech is trying to do a little too much ---     I had a pleasant experience with Talon (not a censored word here...    what kind of lame ass forum censors peoples' names because they have a competing company as a sponsor)   Am I saying that Hydratech is a bad system ?  nope...     But Talon is cheaper and honestly what do I care if I have to measure for a pushrod ?         Great - Hydratech does that research for you...    but honestly to me it is not worth the added cost...    that's the difference between someone who builds a car and someone who bolts one together...       

I also love how hydratech says it deburs and taps their BRAND NEW hydroboost units...      really?  if they are so conscious about the finish appearance why don't they offer a powder coating service so you can custom order a color to match your wishes ?

Also, that whole rubber grommet retaining pushrod thing...     being dangerous....        Isnt everyone who is running a manual brake set up on this page using that same design ? let alone all the GMs and Fords that use that design...     anyone ever have an issue with that? I know I havent in any of the cars i've built...       

Kinda seems that Hydratech does make a more "finished" product - but you pay for it...     

       

Hydratech is very expensive, I've actually come to the decision of making one for my self and ordering the mounting plate from Tallon and getting a hydro booster off of a diesel truck from either Ebay or the junkyard. I figure i save my self a couple hundred bucks and learn a thing or two about hydro boosters

[Rolling_Thunder]

Yeah -  I did the same thing....   i'm 24 years old and don't have a ton of disposable income like some of the people at Lat-G...       

I just don't like how the admin over there shunned the name of a company on a forum...      they should post both sides if anything - not side with one of their supporters over someone who doesnt contribute money to the site     

[Yeahmate]

I ended up going for Tallon product, and no regrets there. I took a measurement off the booster for the mounting plate and came up with 2'' from the lower mounting bolt to the center of the booster push rod, but never gave consideration for the linkage set up on the pedal. I contact Tallon after I found a fitment problem, and they sent out a new mounting plate and removal/fitment tool at no cost to me. 

[bill440rt]

Actually...
The Hydratech units come with an adjustable push rod.
After reading the thread on the other forum, there is a post from a forum administrator stating there is a pending lawsuit against Tallon: "Because of threatened lawsuit, the brand name ****** will no longer be allowed to used in our community. It's now a censored word."

I have no experience with Tallon products, so I can't comment on them. But I can say I am very pleased with the fit, finish, quality, & performance of the Hydratech system. And I'm not exactly rolling in dough, either. If it wasn't for my insurance claim with my crappy SSBC fiasco, and with some budgeting on my part, my car might still have manual brakes.

Do some research, & choose/fabricate the system that works best for you.
A wise man once told me, "It's ONLY your brakes!"

[jb666]

Actually...
The Hydratech units come with an adjustable push rod.
After reading the thread on the other forum, there is a post from a forum administrator stating there is a pending lawsuit against Tallon: "Because of threatened lawsuit, the brand name ****** will no longer be allowed to used in our community. It's now a censored word."

I have no experience with Tallon products, so I can't comment on them. But I can say I am very pleased with the fit, finish, quality, & performance of the Hydratech system. And I'm not exactly rolling in dough, either. If it wasn't for my insurance claim with my crappy SSBC fiasco, and with some budgeting on my part, my car might still have manual brakes.

Do some research, & choose/fabricate the system that works best for you.
A wise man once told me, "It's ONLY your brakes!"

Well said, and I almost learned the hard way the other night.. Friday night I was on my way back from a car show.. The wife was in front of me in her Mustang.. We were cruising about 40MPH.. She was several car lengths in front of me. She decides she's gonna lock her brakes up in front of me cause she sees a patch in the road they just repaired... I almost went through her trunk (I have 4 wheel disc, but manual brakes). Not fun... I called Jon that night and told him we were going to have to set my ride up with Hydroboost.. It's gonna be fun finding a location. 

Thanks for all the info here.