GarageToys

iTrader: (6)

My Firebird has death brakes. It has a pretty decent sized cam. I installed a Moroso vaccum canister which only helped a little. The car has stock front discs and an 87 Iroc rear end with discs. The master cyl and booster are also from the 87 Iroc.

Has anyone used a vaccum pump to supplement their brake system? I saw one listed on Master Power's site and thought that may be what I need.

Apeiron

How big of a cam do you have?

ronterry

I can't exactly remember the website, but yes there’s folks using pumps to run there power brakes.
I think it was an AC-Delco pump???? But there is a website out there, that sales these units.

I have an XE-284, Holley 830CFM, and I live at 6300feet. So I feel your pain, but mostly at or below 1200rpms. Anything below that, the pedal is a brick.

I'll have to look for that site !!!


Ron

GarageToys

iTrader: (6)

Here is a copy of the cam card:

spartyon

that isnt too big of a cam and i dont think that is your problem. i had a cam with similar specs on my el camino and never had that problem. i dont think your problem lies with the cam issue. i think u need to look somewhere else. i would help if i could but cant think this early in the morning.

TRAXION

I am one of those guys running a vacuum pump. I have an electric vacuum pump from Stainless Steel Brakes Corporation. Jegs now sells this pump ...

http://www.jegs.com/cgi-bin/ncommerc...55&prmenbr=361



My brakes now totally kick butt. Another nice thing about this setup is that if for some reason your motor cuts out ... you still have brakes since this operates off the battery.

... and for those who are doubtful about electric vacuum pumps - you should know that all electric cars use electric vacuum pumps for the brakes and many mid 80's GM cars used electric vacuum pumps for the brakes since the small engines just didn't produce enough vacuum.

I am running a 230/245 in my 350 so my braking situation should be comparable to yours.

Tim

RB83L69

Wow! That's cool!!! A pump that actually extracts naturally occurring vacuum from the atmosphere all around us and refines it for use in brakes!!!

I wonder if any of it comes from other cars with vacuum leaks? Wouldn't that be a kind of recycling, of used vacuum?

But seriously, if you don't have good power assist, then maybe that's for you.

SteveSpohn

I use the one from Master Power on my car, works like a champ.

Steve

GarageToys

iTrader: (6)

Excellent. Thanks for the responses everyone. From the picture it looks pretty simple. Run a switched 12V and tie it into the brake vaccum line. I assume I can remove the vaccum canister and just use the pump.

Those things are kinda pricey though. Has anyone tried retrofitting one from a stock application?

Auggie

well, how noisy is that vac. pump??

Auggie

ronterry

I found the site about using the AC-Delco Pump.

http://www.california.com/~eagle/addens.html

Check out this link for wiring, & brackets to taylor installation.

http://victorylibrary.com/mopar/pump-tech-c.htm

The choice is yours - It's look like the AC route will be cheaper depending on where you find it. The other aftermarket pumps are more of a complete package though.

Good Luck,

Ron

89 Iroc Z

Would you happen to know what cars came with an OE electric vacuum pump? Could get one cheaper from napa or something then.

TRAXION

The AC Delco pump isn't available anymore. All the DIY Electric Car guys bought them up. Using the links above look for information on that AC Delco pump and then just do a google or yahoo search on that related information. When I was looking around I found several electric car sites that list the applications for those AC Delco pumps. You should be able to do this cheaply via a used pump from the junkyard.

- You do NOT tie the vacuum pump into the existing brake line. You CAP the port on the manifold and run the pump directly to the brake booster.

- The noise of the pump is small in comparison to my exhaust. But, it is definitely evident on startup. The pump does NOT run all the time. There is a vacuum cutoff switch that mounts in the vacuum line. The vacuum pump pulls 19" of vacuum and then shuts off. As soon as the vacuum goes below 19" then it comes back on. Although it is evident at startup ... I don't hear it while the car is moving - of course, maybe that's due to my exhaust

- Yes, you can remove the canister. I bought one to install along with the pump and didn't use it. There was no need to use it.

- I mounted my pump in driver's side battery tray. On camaros this is where the Charcoal Canister is. I got rid of the Charcoal Canister so it was the perfect spot to mount the pump. I grabbed the switched 12V off the pink/black wire that went to the Charcoal Canister. Yes, this is a switched 12V. The ECM triggers a ground to the Charcoal Canister .... the 12V is always there.

- I did NOT use the relay included in the kit. I purchased another relay because the relay included in the kit did things totally backwards from all normal relays. I wanted my relays to be the same throughout my car so I purchased a normal relay. The vacuum switch included in the kit triggers the ground for the relay.

Tim

Auggie

Well, I think that just about covers it. Thanks for the Info Tim

Auggie