4th Gen Master Cylinder Swap
#1
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4th Gen Master Cylinder Swap
I've done a thorough search. There certainly is a lot of info out there, some of it conflicting so...
Seeing as I've upgraded to the LS front brakes (as well as PBR rear dics), I'm thinking the move to a 4th gen master cylinder is in order.
I've found this in another thread:
Not sure of the logic regarding the larger bore but it makes sense to me to use the OEM arrangement. That is: 4th gen calipers and a 4th gen MS.
So my question is: Is the information about the 84-92 brake line fittings being the same as the 98-02 MS fittings correct? I currently have an 86 MS.
I've also got the GM prop valve that Ed Miller sells and plan on replacing my original 3rd gen valve with it.
Seeing as I've upgraded to the LS front brakes (as well as PBR rear dics), I'm thinking the move to a 4th gen master cylinder is in order.
I've found this in another thread:
The 98-2002 LS1 MS has the same fittings as the 84-92 F-body. I suggest the 84-88 rear disc brake master cylinder over the LS1 MS due to a larger bore size
84-88 F-body MS
Step Bore
Front brake bore: ~1.42" 36mm
Rear brake bore: 1" 25.4mm
18030556 GM
18M314 (Ac-delco)
Check out my site for a pull list of MS: http://www.lukeskaff.com/car/brakes/...Clyinder_Specs
Also you can use this setup with rear drums.
84-88 F-body MS
Step Bore
Front brake bore: ~1.42" 36mm
Rear brake bore: 1" 25.4mm
18030556 GM
18M314 (Ac-delco)
Check out my site for a pull list of MS: http://www.lukeskaff.com/car/brakes/...Clyinder_Specs
Also you can use this setup with rear drums.
So my question is: Is the information about the 84-92 brake line fittings being the same as the 98-02 MS fittings correct? I currently have an 86 MS.
I've also got the GM prop valve that Ed Miller sells and plan on replacing my original 3rd gen valve with it.
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Re: 4th Gen Master Cylinder Swap
yes the 4th gen mc will work in our cars u may need to change the flares of the lines and bend them back slighty to make it work but it will work just as fine as the 1Le master u have in the car now
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Re: 4th Gen Master Cylinder Swap
LS1 brakes:
Camaro/Firebird (98-02)
M/C:
RH ports
Bore Size: 1"
Rod Cup: dimple
Front port Size: M12 x 1 bubble flare
Rear port Size: M11 x 1.5 bubble flare
RBob.
Camaro/Firebird (98-02)
M/C:
RH ports
Bore Size: 1"
Rod Cup: dimple
Front port Size: M12 x 1 bubble flare
Rear port Size: M11 x 1.5 bubble flare
RBob.
#6
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Re: 4th Gen Master Cylinder Swap
I pulled this Luke Skaff's website.
Notes:
(1) 82-83 F-body master cylinders have a different thread and fitting then the later years F-bodies. It gets very confusing which master cylinder is used on which car from 84-92 F-body, the parts list from each manufacture list different years and different applications. From my research it appears the 18030556 part was only used on the 84-88 cars with rear disc brake and 18030555 was used on 84-88 cars with rear drum brakes. It also looks like from 89-92 GM used the smaller drum brake master cylinder 18030555 on all f-bodies.
I suppose what this ultimately means (despite other people's experiences) is that it's entirely likely that I'll have to change one line, possibly both or neither. What I have to do now is get a replacement master cylinder and go from there.
The whole point of this excercise is that I'm finding an unusual amount of pedal travel although the end result is excellent braking otherwise. I'd expect any braking action to be inititated immediately upon pressing the pedal. Perhaps with the larger volume of the LS calipers, there's insufficient volume being supplied by the 3rd gen master. I also think (but aren't entirley certain) that it may be a disc/drum master. It's been a long time since I did the original disc swap on the rear (from a 10 bolt drum to a 9 bolt with Delco calipers) that I've forgotten. Now I've got the D44 rear with the PBR calipers.
Notes:
(1) 82-83 F-body master cylinders have a different thread and fitting then the later years F-bodies. It gets very confusing which master cylinder is used on which car from 84-92 F-body, the parts list from each manufacture list different years and different applications. From my research it appears the 18030556 part was only used on the 84-88 cars with rear disc brake and 18030555 was used on 84-88 cars with rear drum brakes. It also looks like from 89-92 GM used the smaller drum brake master cylinder 18030555 on all f-bodies.
I suppose what this ultimately means (despite other people's experiences) is that it's entirely likely that I'll have to change one line, possibly both or neither. What I have to do now is get a replacement master cylinder and go from there.
The whole point of this excercise is that I'm finding an unusual amount of pedal travel although the end result is excellent braking otherwise. I'd expect any braking action to be inititated immediately upon pressing the pedal. Perhaps with the larger volume of the LS calipers, there's insufficient volume being supplied by the 3rd gen master. I also think (but aren't entirley certain) that it may be a disc/drum master. It's been a long time since I did the original disc swap on the rear (from a 10 bolt drum to a 9 bolt with Delco calipers) that I've forgotten. Now I've got the D44 rear with the PBR calipers.
Last edited by skinny z; 05-31-2015 at 11:22 AM.
#7
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Re: 4th Gen Master Cylinder Swap
Does it make sense to swap the 98-02 Master with the stock front discs and rear drums (92 Firebird)?
I hate bleeding brakes with the 3rd Gen rectangular brake reservoir. The 4th Gen style will make this a lot easier cause I can use a pressure bleeder. Or is the reservoir tank exchangeable without mods on the 3rd Gen Master?
Greetings!
I hate bleeding brakes with the 3rd Gen rectangular brake reservoir. The 4th Gen style will make this a lot easier cause I can use a pressure bleeder. Or is the reservoir tank exchangeable without mods on the 3rd Gen Master?
Greetings!
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Re: 4th Gen Master Cylinder Swap
I won't to use a 4th gen mc because I can't get the power bleeder to seal...I want to be able to use the screw on cap where I know it will seal. Can someone post some pic of the two mc side by side are will the 4th gen bolt right on. Is it the whole mc are just the reservoir?
Last edited by Dfdub92; 08-01-2015 at 04:41 PM.
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Re: 4th Gen Master Cylinder Swap
pics please of the master cylinder swap.
Last edited by Dfdub92; 08-01-2015 at 04:40 PM.
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Re: 4th Gen Master Cylinder Swap
I pulled this Luke Skaff's website.
Attachment 326266
Notes:
(1) 82-83 F-body master cylinders have a different thread and fitting then the later years F-bodies. It gets very confusing which master cylinder is used on which car from 84-92 F-body, the parts list from each manufacture list different years and different applications. From my research it appears the 18030556 part was only used on the 84-88 cars with rear disc brake and 18030555 was used on 84-88 cars with rear drum brakes. It also looks like from 89-92 GM used the smaller drum brake master cylinder 18030555 on all f-bodies.
I suppose what this ultimately means (despite other people's experiences) is that it's entirely likely that I'll have to change one line, possibly both or neither. What I have to do now is get a replacement master cylinder and go from there.
The whole point of this excercise is that I'm finding an unusual amount of pedal travel although the end result is excellent braking otherwise. I'd expect any braking action to be inititated immediately upon pressing the pedal. Perhaps with the larger volume of the LS calipers, there's insufficient volume being supplied by the 3rd gen master. I also think (but aren't entirley certain) that it may be a disc/drum master. It's been a long time since I did the original disc swap on the rear (from a 10 bolt drum to a 9 bolt with Delco calipers) that I've forgotten. Now I've got the D44 rear with the PBR calipers.
Attachment 326266
Notes:
(1) 82-83 F-body master cylinders have a different thread and fitting then the later years F-bodies. It gets very confusing which master cylinder is used on which car from 84-92 F-body, the parts list from each manufacture list different years and different applications. From my research it appears the 18030556 part was only used on the 84-88 cars with rear disc brake and 18030555 was used on 84-88 cars with rear drum brakes. It also looks like from 89-92 GM used the smaller drum brake master cylinder 18030555 on all f-bodies.
I suppose what this ultimately means (despite other people's experiences) is that it's entirely likely that I'll have to change one line, possibly both or neither. What I have to do now is get a replacement master cylinder and go from there.
The whole point of this excercise is that I'm finding an unusual amount of pedal travel although the end result is excellent braking otherwise. I'd expect any braking action to be inititated immediately upon pressing the pedal. Perhaps with the larger volume of the LS calipers, there's insufficient volume being supplied by the 3rd gen master. I also think (but aren't entirley certain) that it may be a disc/drum master. It's been a long time since I did the original disc swap on the rear (from a 10 bolt drum to a 9 bolt with Delco calipers) that I've forgotten. Now I've got the D44 rear with the PBR calipers.
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Re: 4th Gen Master Cylinder Swap
You don't want a 4th gen master cylinder. There will be a significant gap between the master cylinder and the stock 3rd gen booster pin that causes a dead pedal near the top of travel, and long pedal throw. Nothing wrong a 3rd gen master cylinder. It's not an upgrade to switch to a different 1-inch bore master cylinder, just money lost out of your pocket.
If your pedal sinks then there is air in the system.
If your pedal sinks then there is air in the system.
#12
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Re: 4th Gen Master Cylinder Swap
In all likelihood, yes. Bleeding brakes is one of those things that either goes very well and becomes a royal pain in the butt.
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Re: 4th Gen Master Cylinder Swap
The stock 3rd gen master cylinder has a stepped bore, but it's the smaller 24 mm bore that is used for actual braking.
The high-pressure primary piston (front brakes) and secondary piston (rear brakes) are inside a 24 mm bore, or just about a 1 inch bore diameter. The 1.25 inch diameter stepped portion is only for the quick takeup feature, and that feature is out of the picture when brake line pressure goes above ~100 psi, so it's not a factor for braking calculations.
Basically there are 3 pistons. The quick takeup piston first pushes a high-volume, low-pressure shot of fluid at the back side of the primary piston. That shot of fluid collapses the cup seal of the primary piston and the fluid passes through to the front brakes to "quickly take up" the gap between brake pad and rotor. The quick takeup relief valve opens at about 100 psi and the rest of the fluid inside the 1.25" bore chamber gets bypassed to the reservoir. After that is when the real braking occurs. The primary piston cup seal [noun] seals [verb] again, and the master cylinder starts to generate high pressure for braking.
This stuff is like one of the great hidden mysteries of the 3rd gen world for some reason. That and don't use a 4th gen master cylinder.
The high-pressure primary piston (front brakes) and secondary piston (rear brakes) are inside a 24 mm bore, or just about a 1 inch bore diameter. The 1.25 inch diameter stepped portion is only for the quick takeup feature, and that feature is out of the picture when brake line pressure goes above ~100 psi, so it's not a factor for braking calculations.
Basically there are 3 pistons. The quick takeup piston first pushes a high-volume, low-pressure shot of fluid at the back side of the primary piston. That shot of fluid collapses the cup seal of the primary piston and the fluid passes through to the front brakes to "quickly take up" the gap between brake pad and rotor. The quick takeup relief valve opens at about 100 psi and the rest of the fluid inside the 1.25" bore chamber gets bypassed to the reservoir. After that is when the real braking occurs. The primary piston cup seal [noun] seals [verb] again, and the master cylinder starts to generate high pressure for braking.
This stuff is like one of the great hidden mysteries of the 3rd gen world for some reason. That and don't use a 4th gen master cylinder.
Last edited by QwkTrip; 03-02-2020 at 12:07 AM.
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#14
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Re: 4th Gen Master Cylinder Swap
Seems that you have applied the same precise analysis of the master cylinder as you did the proportioning valve. All very educational. Thanks for both.
In an odd way, and I'm not sure how it managed to come about, but after I posted this original thread in 2015 regarding a less than satisfactory brake apply (the rears mostly as the fronts were OK), the rears have come into their own. Previous tests would barely slow the tires down when on jacks. A revisit to that after replacing a wiped out axle bearing showed them working superbly. I had done nothing other than drive it.
Another 3rd gen mystery.
In an odd way, and I'm not sure how it managed to come about, but after I posted this original thread in 2015 regarding a less than satisfactory brake apply (the rears mostly as the fronts were OK), the rears have come into their own. Previous tests would barely slow the tires down when on jacks. A revisit to that after replacing a wiped out axle bearing showed them working superbly. I had done nothing other than drive it.
Another 3rd gen mystery.
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Re: 4th Gen Master Cylinder Swap
You don't want a 4th gen master cylinder. There will be a significant gap between the master cylinder and the stock 3rd gen booster pin that causes a dead pedal near the top of travel, and long pedal throw. Nothing wrong a 3rd gen master cylinder. It's not an upgrade to switch to a different 1-inch bore master cylinder, just money lost out of your pocket.
If your pedal sinks then there is air in the system.
If your pedal sinks then there is air in the system.
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Re: 4th Gen Master Cylinder Swap
The only exception being if you run an aftermarket master cylinder. They supply spacers to take up that distance and can be confirmed with a tool they sell. As QWK mentions there is no reason to switch. I did for aesthetics only and the 4th gen unit is a little cleaner looking.
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Re: 4th Gen Master Cylinder Swap
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Re: 4th Gen Master Cylinder Swap
Nope
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Re: 4th Gen Master Cylinder Swap
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Last edited by JR92RS; 10-23-2022 at 05:37 PM.
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Re: 4th Gen Master Cylinder Swap
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