i just did a big brake upgrade on my 86 iroc.the c5 brakes i installed are great. but i still have pedal travel of about 1 1/2 inches before the brakes begin to engage. is this normal? if not what could be the problem? booster? i checked the vacuum and thats ok.please help!

do you have enough fluid? Did you install braided lines? bleed the brakes?

bleed the brakes,completely topped of the master,new braided lines. i did all the right steps. i am sure of that. i am thinking the booster maybe going south? when i bought the car last year there wasnt a filter on the vacuum line going to the booster. i installed one with new hoses also.i am thinking the diafram might be shot from no filter. does that sound right??

If it worked just before you changed breaks I would bet there is still air somewhere in the system. The chances of a booster just going south after you did a caliper swap and prop valve? Is pretty slim but that's just my Opinion.

Is there supposed to be a filter on the vac line going to the booster? I don't think mine has one but i'd have to double check..

did you happen to let the master run dry while you had the brakes apart? you may need to bench bleed the master if you did.

my 86 did, my 92 didnt

my 86 has a filter on the vac line right before the booster.i spoke to my parts guy and he said w/o the filter the fumes can damage the booster.so i installed a new one when i bought the car.this car has stock drums in the rear but that shouldnt affect when i feel the brakes engage as i press the pedal down. right??

Actually it will affect pedal travel. As the shoes wear the travel increases unless they are adjusted. If the self-adjusters are working can adjust them by backing up and pumping the brake pedal.

Do this when the brakes are cold. Hot drums expand and can over adjust the brakes causing them to drag when cold.

RBob.