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power brakes vs manual brakes... experiences?

Posted: Fri Oct 01, 2010 3:56 pm
by Q V
For various reasons, I'm considering removing my brake booster/master cylinder & installing a wilwood bmc w/ no brake booster (aka manual brakes).

I know more foot/pedal pressure will be required, but the question is, how much... anyone have experience with this? I've been told (albeit from the guys selling the kits) that it is not nearly as bad as simply disconnecting the brake booster and trying to stop the car.

I believe Don's Sprite has manual brakes & stops like a dream, but that car is only 1550lbs.

My car is 3000lbs.

If it matters:

Car has 4 piston calipers in the front, 2 piston calipers in the rear, and a 17/16" bmc. brake piston diameters should be 40.45mm. brake pedal ratio is currently unknown; I'll get that measurement... eventually.

The wilwood kit will be either 3/4" or 1" bmc, no booster, and uses the stock pedal.

Re: power brakes vs manual brakes... experiences?

Posted: Fri Oct 01, 2010 4:25 pm
by Jeff Shyu
on the 914, it's different, but actually easier to brake, once you get used to having to apply more pressure to brake.

everything feels more linear, and as such, a bit easier to control.. (at least to me)

Re: power brakes vs manual brakes... experiences?

Posted: Fri Oct 01, 2010 4:37 pm
by Bill Schenker
Quoc-Viet Dang wrote:For various reasons, I'm considering removing my brake booster/master cylinder & installing a wilwood bmc w/ no brake booster (aka manual brakes).

I know more foot/pedal pressure will be required, but the question is, how much... anyone have experience with this? I've been told (albeit from the guys selling the kits) that it is not nearly as bad as simply disconnecting the brake booster and trying to stop the car.

I believe Don's Sprite has manual brakes & stops like a dream, but that car is only 1550lbs.

My car is 3000lbs.

If it matters:

Car has 4 piston calipers in the front, 2 piston calipers in the rear, and a 17/16" bmc. brake piston diameters should be 40.45mm. brake pedal ratio is currently unknown; I'll get that measurement... eventually.

The wilwood kit will be either 3/4" or 1" bmc, no booster, and uses the stock pedal.
I think I can answer your questions, but why don't you just call me: (three 2 three) 899 - four four eight eight

Re: power brakes vs manual brakes... experiences?

Posted: Fri Oct 01, 2010 5:19 pm
by Q V
Thanks for the input, Jeff! And thanks for the phone convo, Bill!

My biggest concern seems to be addressed. Now to find the missing pieces (the "bolt-on" kit I was going to use won't completely work, now that I know I need a dual channel bmc to be legal for solo).

Re: power brakes vs manual brakes... experiences?

Posted: Fri Oct 01, 2010 6:52 pm
by Bob Beamesderfer
I think most important is picking the right bore and stroke for the BMC.

Re: power brakes vs manual brakes... experiences?

Posted: Fri Oct 01, 2010 7:24 pm
by Toby Larsson
Quoc-Viet Dang wrote:Thanks for the input, Jeff! And thanks for the phone convo, Bill!

My biggest concern seems to be addressed. Now to find the missing pieces (the "bolt-on" kit I was going to use won't completely work, now that I know I need a dual channel bmc to be legal for solo).
Depending on the class you are building for, a dual MC (one master for front and one for rear) with a balance bar might be better and easier than Bill's setup. Would be legal for SM, SSM and XP if you use ABS and also other P&M classes if you don't.

Re: power brakes vs manual brakes... experiences?

Posted: Fri Oct 01, 2010 8:00 pm
by Q V
The original bolt-on kit I was looking @ is unfortunately a single circuit bmc.

No ABS, but I think the tandem bmc wilwood sells should work & be legal for XP. I just have to figure out how to mount it now & connect it to existing parts.

Re: power brakes vs manual brakes... experiences?

Posted: Fri Oct 01, 2010 11:08 pm
by Bob Beamesderfer
Quoc-Viet Dang wrote:The original bolt-on kit I was looking @ is unfortunately a single circuit bmc.

No ABS, but I think the tandem bmc wilwood sells should work & be legal for XP. I just have to figure out how to mount it now & connect it to existing parts.
http://www.tiltonracing.com/content.php ... 2&id=8&m=b" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Re: power brakes vs manual brakes... experiences?

Posted: Sat Oct 02, 2010 9:46 am
by Bill Schenker
Bob Beamesderfer wrote:
Quoc-Viet Dang wrote:The original bolt-on kit I was looking @ is unfortunately a single circuit bmc.

No ABS, but I think the tandem bmc wilwood sells should work & be legal for XP. I just have to figure out how to mount it now & connect it to existing parts.
http://www.tiltonracing.com/content.php ... 2&id=8&m=b" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Drool. :heyes:

Re: power brakes vs manual brakes... experiences?

Posted: Sat Oct 02, 2010 9:57 am
by Don Salyers
Bob Beamesderfer wrote:
Quoc-Viet Dang wrote:The original bolt-on kit I was looking @ is unfortunately a single circuit bmc.

No ABS, but I think the tandem bmc wilwood sells should work & be legal for XP. I just have to figure out how to mount it now & connect it to existing parts.
http://www.tiltonracing.com/content.php ... 2&id=8&m=b" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

QV really has no use for the extra pedal-----unless he uses the clutch pedal as a foot rest---- }:)

He already has enough practice with that, on my car----- :lol: :lol:

Don

Re: power brakes vs manual brakes... experiences?

Posted: Sat Oct 02, 2010 10:31 am
by Bob Beamesderfer
Bill Schenker wrote:
Bob Beamesderfer wrote:
Quoc-Viet Dang wrote:The original bolt-on kit I was looking @ is unfortunately a single circuit bmc.

No ABS, but I think the tandem bmc wilwood sells should work & be legal for XP. I just have to figure out how to mount it now & connect it to existing parts.
http://www.tiltonracing.com/content.php ... 2&id=8&m=b" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Drool. :heyes:
Beautiful and only $520.00 + cost of the MC.

Re: power brakes vs manual brakes... experiences?

Posted: Sat Oct 02, 2010 11:26 am
by Marshall Grice
pshhhh gotta go with the 77 series MC's!

http://www.tiltonracing.com/content.php ... id=399&m=b" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
:heyes:

Re: power brakes vs manual brakes... experiences?

Posted: Sat Oct 02, 2010 5:31 pm
by Q V
That tilton setup looks great! Time to take some measurements in the car :-D, thanks Bob.

That would be pretty neat to hide the bmc inside the cabin away from all that residual turbo heat.

And Don, it will make a great foot rest! hee hee.

77 series is nice, but it gets a lil out of the budget.

Re: power brakes vs manual brakes... experiences?

Posted: Sat Oct 02, 2010 7:25 pm
by Toby Larsson
If all you need is a brake pedal http://www.wilwood.com/Pedals/PedalList.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

What car is this for?

Re: power brakes vs manual brakes... experiences?

Posted: Sat Oct 02, 2010 7:37 pm
by Reijo Silvennoinen
I know this guy.....Fred.....Flintstone..... :)

Re: power brakes vs manual brakes... experiences?

Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 8:02 pm
by Bob Beamesderfer
Toby Larsson wrote:If all you need is a brake pedal http://www.wilwood.com/Pedals/PedalList.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

What car is this for?
Yeah, but what fun is that? :D

Re: power brakes vs manual brakes... experiences?

Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 8:04 pm
by Q V
I agree w/ Bob! :)

It's going in my orange 240, Toby.

I'm hoping to either figure out a way to do all stock pedals or go all tilton pedals. I'll have use for that 3rd foot rest pedal eventually, haha.