If you can't modulate the brakes, and need a seat belt I'd say you have powerful brakes without much progressive brake pedal feel. Not a good situation when the roads are slippery or in a panic stop. I believe there's a slight difference in the wheel cylinder size (larger) with power brakes. The larger cylinder softens the brake application slightly. Think of it as 3 inch shoes front, 2 1/2 wide out back. Lock-up is much easier to control. If your master is 7/8 (standard for manual) you could up it to 15/16 with a power booster. Just gives a more controlled brake pedal application that is more progressive instead of "all at once".Just installed a set of Matrix ceramic brake shoes (front and rear) on my Belvedere. Then installed a power brake booster (the car was manual brake) just to up grade the brake system. Good thing I had the seat belt on when I took it for the first test drive. The brakes work great with no fade when hot. Takes a lot less effort on the brake pedal to stop now.
