Your Hydro Brake Conversion Kit Experiences

[RayL]

Asking for some feedback on hydro boost kits.

1973 Challenger Power Disc/Drum car. 383 of unknown origin, pulling only 11 inches of vacuum at idle.

I'm looking at complete kits to avoid searching/making items to adapt to my specific needs.

What kit did you use? Would you use the same one again?

What did you do for hoses? Standard hydraulic or AN type?

Any tips to share on installation like if you upgraded the power steering pump, reused the OEM Combination valve or replaced the flexible rubber lines with braided lines, etc...

These are the kits I've found so far. Any others to recommend?

Hydratech: Hydratech Braking Systems :: 1970-1974 Chrysler E Body Hydraulic Brake Assist System Listings

Sweeting Performance: Hydro-Boost Booster for 1971-1974 Charger, Challenger, Coronet, Cuda, GTX, Roadrunner, Satellite (Converting from Vacuum Booster)

Gearhead Enterprises: Hydro Brake Booster Wilwood Master Cylinder + Bracket FITS MOPAR Dodge A B E NEW | eBay

Thanks!

 

[Bret Schneider]

I installed the Hydratech booster you linked to along with a new power steering pump, steering gear, and related goodies below from Bergman on my 74 Challenger. Both Jim at Hydratech and Peter Bergman were great to work with and responsive to any questions I had. The installation couldn't have been much easier and the system works great.

 

[RayL]

I installed the Hydratech booster you linked to along with a new power steering pump, steering gear, and related goodies below from Bergman on my 74 Challenger. Both Jim at Hydratech and Peter Bergman were great to work with and responsive to any questions I had. The installation couldn't have been much easier and the system works great.

View attachment 120339

Thanks @Bret Schneider. Good to know I'm on the right track. Curious to know why you changed the steering components. Not liking that classic Mopar vague and numb PS feel? I will be looking into a new PS pump with the dual low pressure inlets while everything is apart - might as well make one big mess while I'm at it

 

[Bret Schneider]

Yep, trying to improve on that great Mopar steering of old.

I'm in the middle of a restomod with it. Also the car came with manual brakes and rather than fight the low vacuum condition the engine will experience I decided to forgo that pain and get the hydra boost set up. To add to the fun the engine is port injected with CNP ignition. Dyno'd at 450 HP/ 440 FT Lbs. Probably could have hit the magic 500 mark but chickened out at 6 grand. Still pretty stout for a SB 360 I think.

 

[tombstoneman34]

Don't even consider Sweeting. I bought their unit and I had nothing but problems with it. Customer service was awful. In the end, they wouldn't stand behind it and repair it. Finally, I gave up and replaced it with the hydratech. I agree with Bret, go with Hydratech, and you won't be disappointed.

 

[RayL]

Update 3/11/24:

Ordered the Hydratech hydro-boost kit today. 30 to 90 day lead time :-(

After speaking with Jim @ Hyrdratech I also ordered a Borgeson PS pump for Hydro-Boost Brake Applications (Dual low-pressure inlets).

According to Jim @ Hyrdratech, and confirmed by Borgeson, there are two Saginaw pump options depending on the type of pulley your existing Saginaw pump has:

Use part #800309 - if your Saginaw pulley is nut retained with a key-way style shaft (like mine - see image).
Use part #800323 - if your pulley is the Press-on type.

I got the Borgeson PS from Summit (BRG-800309) since I had a free shipping offer!

Now waiting for parts...

 

[GMachineDartgt]

Update 3/11/24:

Ordered the Hydratech hydro-boost kit today. 30 to 90 day lead time :-(

After speaking with Jim @ Hyrdratech I also ordered a Borgeson PS pump for Hydro-Boost Brake Applications (Dual low-pressure inlets).

According to Jim @ Hyrdratech, and confirmed by Borgeson, there are two Saginaw pump options depending on the type of pulley your existing Saginaw pump has:

Use part #800309 - if your Saginaw pulley is nut retained with a key-way style shaft (like mine - see image).
Use part #800323 - if your pulley is the Press-on type.

I got the Borgeson PS from Summit (BRG-800309) since I had a free shipping offer!

Now waiting for parts...

View attachment 120649

Did you ever receive your unit??

 

[RayL]

@GMachineDartgt - No. 116 days and still waiting.

 

[61K T/A]

I'm in the process doing the conversion for the Cuda. Any updates on the status? What are you using for brake lines? BTW Dr. Diff sells a Mopar specific HB.

 

[RayL]

@61K T/A - My kit arrived 4-1/2 months after date of order. A lot has happened in that 4-1/2 months. I've needed to move the car around a few times to accommodate other activities in my garage, so I haven't started the installation. At least I was able to install new leaf springs (ESPO) and shocks (Bilstein RCD) while I waited.

The Hydratech kit looks like all good quality components. I plan to use new SS hard lines & braided flexible lines from Inline Tube. I'll post a list of everything I end up doing while installing the HB kit - the list is getting long already...

I did not know that Dr. Diff sells a Mopar specific HB kit. Too late for me now, but good information for those considering the upgrade in the future.

Thanks for pinging me on this. Let us know how your installation goes. I'm interested to share experiences!

 

[RayL]

@61K T/A - what brake fluid will you use? I've heard good things about DOT-5. Thinking of using DOT-5 instead of DOT-3 since I'll basically be replacing the entire braking system. How about you?

 

[1972 AAR Cuda]

@61K T/A - what brake fluid will you use? I've heard good things about DOT-5. Thinking of using DOT-5 instead of DOT-3 since I'll basically be replacing the entire braking system. How about you?

The issue (I have heard) is that the DOT-5 fluid is not compatible with DOT-4 or DOT-3 fluid. I also understand the DOT-5 doesn't add anything (feel or performance improvement) over the DOT-3/4...
I do not know this from first hand experience, but something to keep in mind or for future reference.
I would be curious if you know this to be true - for my future reference, since I am looking to go the same route with a Hydra boost system in my Cuda project.

 

[Challenger RTA]

STANDARD POWER BRAKE FLUID

Brake fluids are all technically synthetic and are not petroleum based. The Department of Transportation (DOT) class system sets standards and testing procedures only; the ingredients used are up to the manufacturer. If it meets the standards, it will qualify as “brake fluid.” Based on a combination of the properties determined by testing, glycol based brake fluids are labeled DOT 3, 4, or 5.1.

DOT 5.1 brake fluid was once a specialist brake fluid used in race cars and other high performance application. But, recently it has started to show up on the shelves of some retail and internet part sources.


DOT 5.1 is totally different than DOT 5 brake fluid. Think of 5.1 as a glycol based DOT 4 fluid that meets DOT 5 silicone-based fluid standards. The 5.1 fluids are used primarily in vehicles equipped with ABS brake systems.

Unlike glycol based DOT 3,4 and 5.1 fluids, DOT 5 silicone brake fluid will not absorb water from the atmosphere or act like a paint remover. Silicone has very high dry and wet boiling points. It is also more compressible and can absorb more air than a conventional brake fluid.

DOT 5 does have its applications. If you own an extremely rare car that has expensive or original paint, DOT 5 is the fluid for you because it will not eat away the paint if spilled. But, if you use DOT 5, you are almost required to bleed the brakes before you go for a spin. Why? DOT 5 is lighter than water. Any moisture will pool at the lowest point which is typically the calipers or wheel cylinders. Many classic cars have been lost after the owner decided to shake loose the cobwebs before bleeding the brakes.