Remote brake booster?

[hemiEssex]

I am running four wheel disc brakes on the Essex. They stop okay, but take alot of pedal pressure to activate them. Chevy calipers up front, Cadillac calipers out back, 10lb residual valves, non power corvette master. I have no room for a booster. it is mounted under the floor. Does any one know of a cost effective way to add a remote booster to this thing. Also I will probably need an electric vaccum pump as my motor has a way wild cam with very low vaccum. Any tricks or tips? Any junk yard parts to look for??
cheers
Steve

[dale48mrc]

Steve,are you running power steering?If so, have you thought if using a hydro boost system?The early Gm diesel pick-ups used the system,runs of the power steering ,doesn't take up alot a space and works good.

[johnny37]

Why have you got 10# residual valves on disc brakes?? They should only be 2# for disc. Ten pound valves are used for drums. As for the vacuum, yes, with a radical cam that makes little vacuum at idle, you will have to have some way of boosting that, either an electric pump (expensive, and bulky) or a hydrovac system of some sort. It may be easier to simply change out to manual brakes. This would involve changing the master cylinder (smaller bore than power brake master), and the mount on the pedal assembly.

[johnny37]

One more thing. What size hard lines do you have to the calipers?? They should be 3/16". I see way too many guys trying to use 1/4" lines (used for drum brakes) then wonder why they need so much pedal effort to get things working on a disc/disc system. Smaller line = more line pressure for the same amount of fluid.

[hemiEssex]

Yes you are correct, I would need 2 lb residual valves, which is what I have, I checked my receipt from OCC and confirmed that. I am using a corvette style master cylinder that came with the frame and do not know whether it would have had the booster on it or not or whether it is just a camaro or chevy one for that matter? Any recommendations on a manual type? Any where would you find any info on a hydro vac??
cheers
Steve

[sqhd]

86 Audi 5000 had that Hyda-vac system. Might be able to get that from a wrecker cheap.

Carl

[mopar_yak]

Steve,

You can look at the 2004 and newer chev trucks. They have the system that runs off power steering pump. I know that may cause issues with your current alternator setup, but the profile of the booster is quite small.