Manual or Power Brakes

[mrvette]

I have both manual and PB vette and like both. Same with steering.

I never found one better then other I guess I'm used to them by now 33 years later. Keep the bearings and rotors under 002, use DOT 3 BF, and you should be able to lock them up without a problem if you have to.I run organic pads on the street cars, no issues.

Sorry I've never used a hydro-boost in a vette, never bought into them to be honest. We have an 07 GM van with HB and don't like the feel myself. I actually bled the brakes thinking I had an issue, then brought it back to the dealer and was told that is the way they are.

My personal opinion toss out the vendor catalogs and setup the car as they were. Add HP to engine and beef up the drivetrain to where you want it but leave all those gimmicks,gadgets,etc in the catalog. Yeah I know, I also don't like the retrofit rack steering:hissyfit:

I dunno, I found that with more modern 17" tires/wheels, that the addition of the rack and HB was a HUGE improvement to MY car....IMO...

if nothing else 2.7 turns L-L on the steering is mucho better than a busdriver's ratio....

:friends:

Hey Gene, Well I still run the 15" wheels and no problem. I guess I'm getting thick headed but I never plan on using either the Hb or Rack setups. To each his own I guess as long as they're not parts from:chinese:

I dunno Gary, it's getting harder and harder all the time.....anymore I have to agree that in criticality no warning areas...like bearings....USA all the way....on rotors, etc....not so sure...I can at least drive to a parts house and buy one....

Like you, I hate seeing the dismantling of the industrial society this country once WAS.....:shocking::club:

 

[Fuelie74]

How much idle vacuum do you have?

I am not sure on the exact number but it is a bone stock TPI 350, so its not like the issue is to much cam.

I have both manual and PB vette and like both. Same with steering.

I never found one better then other I guess I'm used to them by now 33 years later. Keep the bearings and rotors under 002, use DOT 3 BF, and you should be able to lock them up without a problem if you have to.I run organic pads on the street cars, no issues.

Sorry I've never used a hydro-boost in a vette, never bought into them to be honest. We have an 07 GM van with HB and don't like the feel myself. I actually bled the brakes thinking I had an issue, then brought it back to the dealer and was told that is the way they are.

My personal opinion toss out the vendor catalogs and setup the car as they were. Add HP to engine and beef up the drivetrain to where you want it but leave all those gimmicks,gadgets,etc in the catalog. Yeah I know, I also don't like the retrofit rack steering:hissyfit:

I haven't been to happy with the stock Vette P/S, but maybe after going threw the system and freshening everything up I wouldn't mind it.

All of this mess started with a brake problem of spongy brakes and I was convinced that HB was the cure all. Last spring I found run out in my rear rotors. I decided to rebuild the trailing arms and found I had a bent spindle while doing them. So after following your information I my run out under 002 and working right. Now HB is really to touchy for my likings and I am only running organic pads.

I have both manual and PB vette and like both. Same with steering.

I never found one better then other I guess I'm used to them by now 33 years later. Keep the bearings and rotors under 002, use DOT 3 BF, and you should be able to lock them up without a problem if you have to.I run organic pads on the street cars, no issues.

Sorry I've never used a hydro-boost in a vette, never bought into them to be honest. We have an 07 GM van with HB and don't like the feel myself. I actually bled the brakes thinking I had an issue, then brought it back to the dealer and was told that is the way they are.

My personal opinion toss out the vendor catalogs and setup the car as they were. Add HP to engine and beef up the drivetrain to where you want it but leave all those gimmicks,gadgets,etc in the catalog. Yeah I know, I also don't like the retrofit rack steering:hissyfit:

I dunno, I found that with more modern 17" tires/wheels, that the addition of the rack and HB was a HUGE improvement to MY car....IMO...

if nothing else 2.7 turns L-L on the steering is mucho better than a busdriver's ratio....

:friends:

I can see your point of needing more stopping power with larger wheels. You have more rotating weight after all. Many 4x4 guys upgrade to HB when putting large tires on for more stopping power, but many of them also upgrade to hydro assist or full hydraulic steering because road feel isn't important to them. I think if I upgrade my wheels to something larger and need more stopping power I will look into better pads and larger rotors next time.

 

[SmokinBBC]

Had a SB 70 vette with power and now a BB 70 with manual. The power was ok. I like the manual too....no problems stopping from any speed. Once you get used to it, no big deal.

Had to make a hard stop from about 70mph to avoid hitting a dog....using the leg force you need will just become second nature after you get used to it.

I can't believe this comes up so often. I have 3 C-3's with manual brakes. I can lock the wheels anytime, anywhere. If you can't your brakes, (or your legs) need work. If you want a little more stopping power, use a more aggressive brake pad.

I agree...no problems here with manual brakes.