different brakes on hot airs?? whats a hydroboost?

[fireberd350]

whats the difference between the braking system on the intercooled and hot air cars? eitehr one better or more prone to damage?

 

[Chuck Leeper]

BIG BUCKS!

Hydroboost, [84-5] operates off of the power steering pump. The 86-7 cars used the Powermaster, an electric pump system.
Both are big bucks to work on. Since GM has quit supplying some parts, the ones left are outrageous. ..

 

[cool 84]

The hydroboost on the 84 hotairs is powered by the powersteering pump. The powerdisaster brakes on the 85 and up are electric and prone to problems. Personally I like the feel and response of the hydroboost over both powermaster and vacuum brakes. I've replaced the booster once after 17 years of use.

 

[cool 84]

Damn it, beat me to it!

 

[BlackBuick84]

Originally posted by cool 84
Damn it, beat me to it!

You were right about it being only for 84's though, A+ for you.

 

[6SENSE]

I like the performance of the '84 Hydroboost setup. Not sure why they changed in '85.
Also, I think I remember reading somewhere that some '90s turbo diesel pickups use the Hydroboost setup, not sure though.

 

[Gbodynutt]

Also, I believe mid 90's Astro vans use the hydroboost setup. Not sure if it's the same as a GN or not.

 

[Turtle TR]

I dont know the hydroboost performs, but anything preforms better than the powermaster as far as reliabilaty is of concern. But when my 85 had the P.M. hand's down, it had better holding power vs the vacuum setup I currently have. But reliability and my life are my main concerns to not opting to go back to using the P.M.

 

[TurboBuickSix]

I have had all 3 now at one time or another and for me the powermaster seems to work the best.When I went from the hotair car(converted to vaccum) to the GN the first time I drove it I hit the brakes like I was in the 84 and almost went through the windsheild they hit so hard.The hydroboost was the same or only a little better than the vaccum from my personal experience.I took a buddy for a ride in the 86 that had been in my former car and owned an 84 T himself instantly noticed how much better the brakes were from the passenger seat.The brakes in the 84 were not bad,just not nearly as much brake power it seems as the PM.

 

[FJM568]

Ummm...Early 85s had the HydroBoost as well...Mine does...They changed to PowerBastard setup in mid-year 85 through 87...

Oh yeah, and I LOVE IT!!!

An added plus, the HydroBoost master cylinders are really cheap(inexpensive)...

 

[6SENSE]

Ummm...Early 85s had the HydroBoost as well...Mine does...They changed to PowerBastard setup in mid-year 85 through 87...

Thats right, I think some early '85s have 14 bolt oil pans too.

 

[HOTSIX]

I had the Powercrapper on my car when I bought it about 3 yrs ago. The damn thing never worked since I had it.

I scrapped that and grabbed up a 50 buck vacuum brake system from a local boneyard off a regal.

The conversion was real easy - just took a few hours to complete now i'm happy.

The conversion is on the gnttype site if your interested.

 

[Buick From Hell]

I saw a hydraboost on a 2000 GMC pickup, so they're no problem. Wrecking yards should be full of 'em!

 

[Mike70gtx]

I switched my hydroboast to vacuum and really like it. If I hit a puddle of water I still have brakes. While I was at it I added a line lock. It sure is fun but it wears out my rear tires pretty fast.

 

[FJM568]

The only time I ever had a problem with losing my brakes after going through a puddle of water was when the power steering belt was loose...Keep the power steering belt tight and you won't have that problem...