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Do I need a brake booster when doing front disc conversion?

66charger101

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Hey there all. Ok so here's the scenario. I did a front disc conversion on my 383 66 charger which was originally 4 wheel manual drums when I got it. Now that I'm about to start assembly, my fellow mechanic friends are telling me I have to run a booster or else I won't have the stopping power I should with my car for the motor and setup I have. I have the dual master cylinder, prop valve and distribution block but there still saying I definitely need a booster. Is this true?? at the shows I have seen cars with front discs and no booster....any thoughts would help. Also what are good options for aftermarket boosters that will work without mods to the firewall?
 
I have Non-power on my 68 with the smaller pin type rotors. It stops OK but you better go to the Gym to work up you Rt leg muscles. One of the things I will do this winter is add a booster and maybe some 11 3/4 rotors. I will see how it stops with the booster first. Going to get mine from from one of the vendors here Not Ram Man though. Cant remember his name though. I am sure someone will remind us though.
 
I agree with post #2.If you are used to driving modern cars daily,it is a bit of a shock when you drive a non power brake car. You quickly get over it. I did a factory 73-76 disc job up grade to my 68 Valiant. It had a booster with the 10'' drums but needed rebuilt,so I went non power for now till I save up to go power again. I did my 66 Charger the same.Let my sister-in-law drive it from a show as I followed with another show car...She quickly pulled over and shouted "HOW DO YOU STOP THIS THING ??"
 
Only big problem I have ever had with drum brakes is brake fade. If the engine will support it power disk are nice. If not the switch is worthless without assisting an assist. Just more parts to worry about.
 
I used the Dr Diff front disc conversion on my road runner. It was manual drums all around. Per Dr Diff recommendation I used the 15/16 master cylinder. I'm very satisfied with the brakes. Yes it's a bit of pedal effort, but not terrible. I get used to it quickly and learn to stomp the pedal when needed.
 
I'm running manual rear drums with the cheapest front disc conversion on earth (scarebird) with a dr diff MC. As said, you gotta put your *** behind it, but I can lock up all 4 tires if needed. A booster will make it easier but manuals have all the power they need if set up correctly.
 
No booster needed, car will stop just fine. Just don't plan on only pushing the pedal with your toes !
 
I used the Dr Diff front disc conversion on my road runner. It was manual drums all around. Per Dr Diff recommendation I used the 15/16 master cylinder. I'm very satisfied with the brakes. Yes it's a bit of pedal effort, but not terrible. I get used to it quickly and learn to stomp the pedal when needed.
Yup that is the guy, Thanks Bill.
 
15/16" MC is the key with no booster, like stated already.
 
Ok thanks everyone that's great info and answers my questions for me. I'm going to use a booster with my setup. I'm going to be driving my car on the regular and I've done complete resto of the car so I might as well go the extra mile since I have with everything else on the car. Thanks again for the info.

Also does anyone know a good place to get a booster and M/c setup. I was looking at one from gps names. Anyone have any feedback on them?
 
The oem style repo boosters are sold by many dealers - you should probably shop around for the best price.

I was going to use one of these until I found a rebuilt original.

Here are some I found on ebay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1966-1970-M...ash=item3ad0f180d3:g:ZH0AAOSwOdpX0rrJ&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1966-70-Mop...ash=item3af0ad8004:g:Iq8AAOSwa~BYOcxn&vxp=mtr


By the way, the downside of using a booster (in my limited experience) is the noticeable whooshing sound it makes when I step on the brakes. It make me wish I had used a hydroboost.

http://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/showcase/latest-work-in-process.4943/

latest-work-in-process.4943
 
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Here's a HydroBooster, running one on my 65 Satellite (No that's not my car) what I love about the Hydro VS Vacuum is you don't have to worry about Vacuum Since it runs off of the power steering pump, so you can run the thumper cams with out worrying about vacuum, IMO most of the boosters on the market are Junk anyway, if I did run a Vacuum Booster I'd rebuild the factory Booster, and good ones aren't cheep
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Look up "Booster Dewey" I was told to send my booster there for a rebuild.Just a thought.
 
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