Cheap power brakes for electric car?

[MetroMPG]

FYI, the comments under this post describe the "puncturing the diaphragm" method. (Note: this only pertains to power brakes. Under no other circumstances should you puncture the diaphragm!)

EV Weblog: Larry's EV

Not endorsing the idea - just putting it out there.

[MazdaMatt]

The "typical" way to quickly disable your booster is to undo the hose from the booster and plug it. The booster just won't have a vaccuum source and you won't have a vac leak. The "Proper" way is to take out the whole booster and upgrade MC. Removing the booster will remove a few rubber parts that you have to squish before pressure gets to the lines. Just removing the vac line means you are still squishing this stuff.

The hard part to get used to is that braking is now proportional to pedal PRESSURE, rather than pedal TRAVEL.

Instead of upgrading MC, you should also be able to alter your pivot point. Since this is not a racing application, you don't really care if the pedal moves 3-4 inches. For my track car when i do this, i will want about 0.5inches of travel to full lock-up.

[dremd]

The pump you pictured is most likely AIR powered. (Venturi action)

The TDI has a cam driven Vacuum pump.

The Supra has an Electric Pump! It is however very small You could use 2~3 Should be able to buy them cheap; you can remove them and only loose your cruise + brakes under boost. (Who ever stops when they are boosting?)

[MetroMPG]

Ah, thanks, dremd - I didn't think about a mechanical pump.

And I hadn't considered turbo cars needing an auxiliary pump. Interesting.

[steensn]

You could always impliment and SCB system like we make for hybrids

I would suggest grabbing an electric vacuum pump from a diesel or even a lot of newer cars with cold start have them in it. Go to a GM dealership and get a part number for one of their vacuum pumps and see if there is a cheaper version somewhere.