Author Topic: Low Vacuum, Poor Brakes (Read 4876 times)

hesster · « **on:** July 20, 2006, 08:36:31 PM »

I have a built motor with a big cam & single plane manifold, and new SSBC brakes all around on my '77 SE. My vacuum level at idle is dismal. I use a vacuum canister which helps.
Question - has anyone run a vacuum pump, and do they work well?
SSBC is recommending one, but I would like input before spenfing almost $300.

81BlackTA · « **Reply #1 on:** July 21, 2006, 05:18:56 PM »

Another idea for you to consider...GM makes or made a hydraulic power brake assist as well. I had a crew cab 3500 series truck that had that system. It worked great and ran off of the power steering pump. Vacuum doesnt matter with that set up. There is no vacuum booster behind your master cylinder.

Heres one link: http://www.hydratechbraking.com/

Heres another one: http://www.superchevy.com/technical/chassis/brakes/0601sc_hydro/

Banditboy21 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 21, 2006, 06:23:10 PM »

i would advise aginst hydro pump they are notrious for leaking and they look shi$$y the eletric vacum pumps are good u can pick them up off of the old 80s chevy cavaliers and skyhawks with a carb and 4 banger

81BlackTA · « **Reply #3 on:** July 21, 2006, 06:44:51 PM »

If you're going fast you have to know that your going to be able to stop.
If you have to grab a bunch of brake pedal at 100mph plus, you want to be sure that its there. If you have to hit the pedal five or six times because the car is not stopping as straight as you would like it to due to raod conditions, etc., will a vacuum pump keep up with the demand in that scenario? I'm not sure cause I've never tried it with a vacuum pump...but I have with the hydraboost and it works great. I'm not trying to be argumentative, just something else to consider :wink:

Banditboy21 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 21, 2006, 08:15:59 PM »

i hear ya 81 not trying to be agumentive either but thats what i hear u should know better since u are using one

Tin Indians Rule · « **Reply #5 on:** July 21, 2006, 09:47:50 PM »

Quote from: "81BlackTA"

Another idea for you to consider...GM makes or made a hydraulic power brake assist as well. I had a crew cab 3500 series truck that had that system. It worked great and ran off of the power steering pump. Vacuum doesnt matter with that set up. There is no vacuum booster behind your master cylinder.

Heres one link: http://www.hydratechbraking.com/

Heres another one: http://www.superchevy.com/technical/chassis/brakes/0601sc_hydro/

those are great units too. I think they were called hydroboost and they were on all the GM cars that had diesels in the early 80's. I robbed a whole set up from a regal at the boneyard for 25 bucks a few years ago.

Eagle 1 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 22, 2006, 09:34:14 AM »

The problem with those is they really rob horsepower from the engine.

A buddy of mine used a vacuum pump on his pickup and he said it really helped especially in the braking.

81BlackTA · « **Reply #7 on:** July 22, 2006, 08:31:17 PM »

The problem with those is they really rob horsepower from the engine.

I believe they use the power steering pump which is spinning anyway. Other than a bit of extra fluid circulating, there is no load on the pump unless the brakes are applied, which case you are slowing down and don't need the horsepower then. I believe one of the links in my previous post addresses that issue.