Power brakes delete - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

pete c · 06-09-2013, 08:14 AM

Has anyone done it?

I realize that PB is free power, but only having a few pumps during EOC is a PITA and a little scary when the pedal turns to stone when you need it.

I am looking at getting a 96 aspire. It has manual steering already, but it does have PB. Not sure if it has ABS. I suppose having ABS would mean I am stuck with PB as well.

California98Civic · 06-09-2013, 08:29 AM

I'm told you can increase the size of the vacuum tube for the brakes, giving more reserve power. But it's easiest just to momentarily restart the engine. Remember, modifying your brakes haphazardly could be fatal.

redneck · 06-09-2013, 08:43 AM

pete c
Power brakes delete

Quote:

Originally Posted by California98Civic

I'm told you can increase the size of the vacuum tube for the brakes, giving more reserve power. But it's easiest just to momentarily restart the engine. Remember, modifying your brakes haphazardly could be fatal.

+1

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D.O.G. · 06-09-2013, 09:14 AM

Having previously owned and daily driven a couple of cars without power assisted brakes (from the factory), one with drums all round and one with discs at the front, I wouldn't go back.

For a classic that's only used on weekends, in light traffic, no power assist works OK.
For a daily that may have to cope with lunatic drivers in peak hour traffic, I wouldn't risk it anymore.

pete c · 06-09-2013, 10:28 AM

I would guess that a 2100 lb aspire with front discs would stop just fine. Actually retrofitting though is probably not worth the effort.

Going to a larger vac hose may provide faster recovery, but it really doesn't add much to the stored vac. I think a better alternative may be adding a second vacuum tank. An extra tank, the size of the booster should double the number of pumps you have.

Maybe a vac gauge would be a good idea as it gives you a little warning that you are about to run out.

mechman600 · 06-09-2013, 10:30 AM

Do what I did on my EV conversion. Used Volvo vacuum pump from a wrecker. A vacuum switch (http://www.evsource.com/tls_braking_system.php - third item down) that turns on the pump through a relay. My brakes work great with no ICE sucking anymore - as good as they were stock.

pete c · 06-09-2013, 10:43 AM

Thanks, mech. 35 bucks for the switch and the pump from a boneyard for a few bucks sounds like it might be worth it.

Ryland · 06-09-2013, 11:15 AM

You can make a vacuum bottle out of PVC pipe for just a few bucks as well, then just "T" it in to the brake booster after the check valve.
I like the electric vacuum pump idea tho.
Making your car harder to stop seems like a bad idea, if for some reason someone else goes to use your car they could get hurt or killed and that doesn't save a whole lot of gas.