Q: What is a
"hydraulic brake assist unit" ?
A: Commonly referred to as "hydrobooster or hydravac" over the
years, a high performance hydraulic brake assist booster is a
powerful alternative to a vacuum assist type booster. This type
of assist unit uses the hydraulic pressure from the power
steering system to provide a potent brake pedal assist. Just to
name a few, there are a number of Original Equipment
Manufactures that are using these styles of units on their
vehicles:
-'96 and newer Cobras and all V8 Mustangs (though a much less
powerful version!)
-Most 2500 and 3500 Series GMC / Chevy Trucks
-Dodge Ram equipped with Cummins Turbo Diesel
-Ford SuperDuty Series Trucks
-All Hummers - including the H2
Q: Do I have to install a different master cylinder?
A: In all but a few applications, your existing master cylinder
can be used, as long as it is in proper operating condition. If
your master cylinder is more than ten years old, or shows signs
of aging and wear, we recommend a replacement master cylinder be
installed. We offer the option to purchase a brand new
replacement master cylinder with the purchase of our systems at
an additional expense of $89.95.
Q: Is this a
reliable and safe system?
A: Yes! This system is used in many new production vehicles on a
regular basis and therefore has undergone rigorous testing by OE
manufacturers to insure proper operations. Even under the most
extreme conditions, you will find smooth, linear braking
actions, regardless of engine speed and vacuum. In most cases, a
well maintained hydraulic brake assist system of this sort is
known to have an almost infinite lifespan, easily outlasting the
average lifespan of a vacuum assist brake booster.
Q: Isn't this
the same assist unit that the older diesel equipped vehicle
used?
A: While basically similar in layout and appearance, the assist
units that we utilize today are much more advanced and refined
than the older assist systems. Design refinements over the years
have solved the many leakage issues,
vague assist response
characteristics, pedal rod separation troubles, and overall lack
of refinement. Current production models simply feel like a very
potent vacuum assist would, with reliability previously unseen
in the earlier models. We select the models we feel best suit
the specific needs of your particular applications, and then
modify them for performance usage in your vehicle.
Q: Are
these upgrade kits "show quality"?
A: Yes! All of our systems are handcrafted to very high levels
of visual quality. Our billet aluminum firewall adapters
utilized in some applications are very attractive, especially in
contrast to the braided steel line sets. We supply all of our
units with chromed allen head case bolts, the units are painted
with a chemical resistant paint, with some applications
featuring clearcoated zinc dichromate plated firewall adapter
plates that compliment the gold anodized accumulator bottles.
The linesets utilized in all of our applications utilize
Aeroquip TFE spec materials, with adjustable aluminum line
separators featured in most applications.
Q:
What type of warranty do your products have?
A: Hydratech Braking Systems guarantees its products to be free
of defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one year
from date of purchase. Also, in addition to the warranty, we
also back all of our products with a "satisfaction guaranteed or
your money back in full" policy!
Q: I am experiencing problems with my brakes, will your kit
help?
A: YES! If you are having troubles with your vacuum assist, due
to a high duration cam not building enough vacuum or turbo /
supercharging, then yes - this kit will really put some very
strong and reliable brakes "back into the picture". If you are
upgrading from manual braking to one of our conversion systems,
you will be pleased with the straightforward, simple to install
design, along with a tremendous improvement in braking power.
Most "low pedal" and "pulling under hard braking" complaints
with performance cars stem from having worn master cylinders,
air in the system, ailing flex hoses and calipers, excessive
play in the wheel bearings, or worn steering / suspension
components. This kit will NOT remedy these types of problems.
Q: Can I install this kit if my car does not have power
steering?
A: You must have power steering installed and operational in
your vehicle in order for this system to operate. If you have
installed an aftermarket power steering conversion kit please
contact us prior to ordering so that we can equip your kit with
the proper length hoses and fittings.
Q: How much additional room is this unit going to save me
over a typical vacuum brake booster?
A: Overall, approximately 4 inches more spacing for tall valve
covers is available by comparison to the average vacuum brake
booster! The space savings will vary from vehicle to vehicle.
When used on a C3 Corvette, possibly the worst offender of all,
it is now possible to run a tall deck big block Chevy with tall
valve covers while still retaining a power brake system, and
still have room!
Q: I have 4 wheel drum brakes. Can I use this system on my
vehicle?
A: We do not recommend the use of this system on cars with front
drum brakes. We have found that excessive grabbing, and left to
right front brake pull occurs with the use of this system. If
you have installed a front disc brake conversion kit, this kit
can be installed without the aforementioned problems.
Q: What type of fluid should I use with my power steering
system. I have been told the automatic
transmission fluid (ATF)
can be used?
A: OEM fluids from the dealer are the absolute best. You can use
any type of commercially available power steering fluid that
meets the specifications of your vehicle. You should not use any
type of ATF as it may foam excessively when it gets warm. Please
also be very careful not to accidentally use the wrong fluid in
either the brake or the power steering systems as substantial
systems damages will occur!
Q: I have been told that this kit helps with brake fade -
does it really help?
A: Yes! In most cases vehicle braking improvements are vast,
with "brake fade" becoming "a thing of the past". Be aware that
you should stay mindful of the temperatures a high performance
braking system can generate. If it is understood that brake fade
is the relation between thermal efficiency vs coefficient of
friction, (to cause a reduction in overall braking when hot
requiring more pedal pressure to achieve the same amount of
braking), then one could easily see where higher available line
pressures help to raise the thresh hold of "real world" brake
fade. Two major contributors leading to brake fade are boiling
of the fluid and actual rotor / pad temp overheat. Hence the
recommendation of upgrading to a brake fluid with a higher
boiling point and air cooling ducting for maximum braking
efficiency when running our systems on a road course.
Q: Can I bleed my brakes without the engine running, or
before I connect the lines?
A: Yes - it is actually recommended that the brakes be bled
with the engine off, which simply provides a "manual mode" of
operations - no harm is done to the brake booster using this
method. The components inside the brake booster simply "stack
up internally" to provide a full manual brake actuation. You
will find that the brake pedal height will be about 2 inches
lower when the engine isn't running, or without the lines
connected, as compared to a "powered up" pedal height. If brake
bleeding is performed before the booster pressure lines are
connected, some minor power steering fluid discharge may occur
from the ports, which is completely normal. Since the hydraulic
brake assist units provide a full manual mode of brake
operations when powered down, the lack of a firm brake pedal
during brake bleeding procedures clearly indicates that air is
still trapped in the lines, and / or possibly an indicator of
ailing brake components elsewhere in the vehicles braking system
requiring service. If the vehicle is equipped with rear drum
brakes, or integral emergency brake type calipers, please insure
that these components are in a proper state of adjustment, as
this will greatly impact brake pedal height and operations in
service.
Q: What is the nitrogen reserve / accumulator bottle and
what are its benefits?
A: The bottle on the side of most hydraulic brake assist units
is referred to as an accumulator or nitrogen reserve. This
stores up hydraulic power steering pressure in the event of an
engine stall condition, to provide reserve brake assist power
for up to 3 applications of the brake, similar to how a vacuum
booster would function in an engine stall condition. Upon the
first application of the brakes after an engine stall, you would
find approximately 60 - 75% of the normal assist available, then
if you were to release and apply the brakes again, you would
find approximately 30 - 40% assist, then again approximately 10
- 20%, until you have depleted all stored reserve assist. Once
you have depleted all of the stored pressure, the brakes will no
longer have power assist and will be manual in their operations.
The minute you start the vehicle back up again, the accumulator
gets filled back up with pressurized ps fluid again and is ready
to go!
Q: How does this system connect to my power steering?
A: During installation you would remove your existing high
pressure ps line, from the ps pump to the steering box or ps
control valve. You would then install a replacement ps line from
the pump to the assist unit, then another line from the assist
unit to the original steering connection. This system, as
installed, "piggybacks" the ps system, using the ps pressures,
on demand only, to provide brake assist, without a disruption of
normal ps operations. When not providing brake assist, it is
just part of the flow circuit between the ps pump and the
steering box / ps control valve assembly.
Q: Why are these kits listed as "for offroad use only"?
A: This statement is essentially what the "entire aftermarket /
hotrod industry" bases its products on. We cannot possibly
certify each and every one of these kits for "use on a public
highway" as this would require extensive, expensive and
prolonged testing as administered by the D.O.T. This, combined
with the outrageous liabilities of "certification for street
use", would more than quadruple the costs of the systems, along
with delaying their availability for years, pending D.O.T.
certification. We advise that you acknowledge this well known
fact and use this product in accordance with these guidelines.
Q:
Why have the Level II / Remanufactured systems been
discontinued?
A: The lack of proper rebuildable "cores" is the primary reason
for the discontinuance of this product line. The overall
majority of sales over the years has also reflected a strong
preference for the brand new assist units. We are also no longer
providing remanufactured assist units for OEM replacement
applications, and will now be providing strictly BRAND NEW
replacements / upgrades for the earlier models.
Q:
Why are these systems so seemingly expensive?
A: Only the finest materials are used in the composition of our
retrofit kits. The adjustable brake pedal rod assemblies,
specially made firewall adapters, high quality Aeroquip line set
materials, and the assist units themselves, are all of the
highest quality available. To lower the overall costs of the
systems would reduce their visual appeal, attention to detail
and craftsmanship, and the overall fitment and operations of the
systems. A vacuum brake booster is definitely cheaper to
produce, as it is basically 2 sections of stamped steel with a
rubber diaphragm inside, as by comparison to a rugged, highly
machined, hydraulic brake booster and braided stainless pressure
line set.
Q: What
applications do you have?
A: In most cases, this kit is a direct bolt in, and will fit
many popular makes and models equipped with power steering -
please view our online store in the products section, for full,
detailed, listings. We are always working towards expanding our
product line and are developing kits for most popular vehicles.
Please contact us with any special fitment needs or applications
not listed.
Q: Is this a "true bolt
in"?
A: Yes! In most cases, this kit can be installed without any
permanent modifications to the vehicle in an afternoon's time,
using common hand tools and skill levels. If you are not
comfortable with performing the installation yourself, enlisting
the services of a professional is highly recommended.
Recommended professional labor rate should reflect an average of
4 hours billable labors for system installations.
Q: Is there anything else I should do to my car when I
install this kit?
A: Due to the higher line pressures that can be generated
utilizing this system, it is highly recommended that a thorough
inspection of ALL of the braking system components be performed
carefully, replacing all marginal items, and brake flex hoses if
they are more than ten years old. Additional gains in braking
performance can be achieved by installing braided stainless
steel, high performance brake flex hoses on all four corners.
Q: My car has manual brakes, can I use this kit to add power
brakes to my car?
A: Yes, If your car is equipped with power steering in 100%
proper operating condition, this system can be easily and
quickly installed. It may also be necessary in some applications
to lengthen the brake lines going to the master cylinder, as any
assist unit (even the installation of a factory vacuum booster)
would put the master cylinder further away from the firewall.
For example: Our C3 Corvette power brake upgrade system is by
far the simplest and fastest method of upgrading to power brakes
in this type of vehicle. This system can be cleanly installed in
less than an afternoon's time, without having to modify the
firewall or brake pedal in any way what so ever!
Q: Is this system going to cause a problem with my power
steering system on my car?
A: This package ties into the hydraulics of your power steering
system to operate. Therefore, this system will not function
correctly if the power steering systems are worn and tired.
Tired, leaking, weak, lazy, noisy, power steering components
should be replaced to assure proper system functions. If your
power steering systems are functioning correctly, all that is
recommended is a thorough flush of the power steering system be
done before you install the hydraulic brake assist unit. In some
applications utilizing aftermarket or offroad steering systems,
a high volume / high output pump and a cooler would be
beneficial to the operations of the systems.
Q: Do
I need to run a power steering cooler?
A: Though the power steering system lines may be hot to the
touch during operations, in most cases a power steering cooler
is not required. If you are experiencing fluid foaming after a
hard run or if you are using the vehicle for road racing type
events, where the vehicle is subject to higher than normal
steering system use, we would recommend the installation of a
power steering cooler. Chevrolet Caprice police cars (9C1 Option
code) were equipped with a factory cooler, these may be
retrofitted to most vehicles. It is also possible to use a
smaller high flow transmission cooler to reduce power steering
system temperatures.
Q: Can this system be run on a mini power steering pump with
remote reservoir?
A: In most cases the answer is yes, as we have many many
satisfied customers successfully running the hydraulic brake
assist systems using mini pump setups. It is however absolutely
critical that the remote reservoir be of a well engineered
design that aggressively promotes de-aeration of the power
steering fluid. The mini pumps themselves are much more
aggressive in their operations as a result of being
substantially downsized. Because of this, foaming of the ps
fluid is much more prevalent in these systems, and may require
substantially extended periods of run time to fully de-aerate.
Most "older style" full size ps pumps with integral reservoirs
are far superior for use with hydraulic brake assist systems.
Given a direct choice of running a Saginaw P series pump versus
a mini pump setup, the venerable Saginaw P pump is the "hands
down winner every time". In some cases there simply is not
enough engine compartment space to run a traditional pump,
requiring the use of a mini pump / remote reservoir setup. If
space constraints dictate that a smaller pump must be fitted, we
prefer the usage of a Saginaw P "traditional" type pump, using
the later model GM truck remote reservoir style sheet metal
housing (as shown here) in conjunction with a well designed
remote reservoir.
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