Do you have to change the brake pedal when going vacuum?

[JimP]

As the title of the post says. I have purchased everything I need to do a vacuum conversion dual diaphragm booster, master cylinder, check valve, vacuum block, but don't have a brake pedal from a G-Body simply because I can't locate one.

Is it absolutely necessary to change the brake pedal? Tried the search button however was not successful in finding the answer. I want to make sure I am not missing any parts prior to starting the swap.

Thanks to all in advance!

 

[bmackinnon]

Yes, absolutely. MUST change the brake pedal. Shirley, you can find a n/a Regal or Monte Carlo, Cutlass, Grand Prix.... in the boneyard. All those pedals will work just fine. If you really can't find one, call G-Body, or who is it? RedRegalT? one of the guys here that sell conversion kits. They'll be able to hook you up....

EDIT - actually, I think I recall that you 'CAN' re-drill the old pedal in the proper place, and re-use it, but seems more trouble than it's worth.. someone else may pipe in here and clarify this.

 

[counterman]

The vacuum pedal is the same as the powermaster item, except that the pivot point for the connection to the booster is in a different spot. My local wrecking yard gave mine to me after I offered to pull it from the car. You should be able to find one somewhere. Thanks, Counterman.

 

[kh440]

You can use any g-body pedal but yes you will need to change that as well.

 

[turbojd]

When I converted my GN to vacuum brakes my kit did not include the brake pedal, I just used the stock brake pedal and re-drilled the hole for proper location and assembled it, works great no problem!!

 

[at7we2]

gotta *either* drill a new hole or replace the pedal.

IMO, since you've got to remove the pedal either way it's easier to just replace it. vacuum brake pedals are pretty cheap and relatively easy to come by. and that way you don't have any extra holes in your brake pedal.

just recently did the conversion myself.

HTH

 

[86 TR]

I changed my car to vacuum last year after the powerbastard left me with no brakes whatsoever! The pedal went right to the floor!!

I found a brake pedal out of a N/A Regal bought a new power booster, master cylinder and tapped into a vacuum source at the top of the throttle body.

I think the whole conversion cost me around $150.00 including the pedal. Much better brake pedal feel, and a whole lot safer, in my mind. It will hold 9psi boost on the line until it starts to push the front tires.

 

[bmackinnon]

I changed my car to vacuum last year after the powerbastard left me with no brakes whatsoever! The pedal went right to the floor!!

I found a brake pedal out of a N/A Regal bought a new power booster, master cylinder and tapped into a vacuum source at the top of the throttle body.

I think the whole conversion cost me around $150.00 including the pedal. Much better brake pedal feel, and a whole lot safer, in my mind. It will hold 9psi boost on the line until it starts to push the front tires.

AMEN!!!

 

[TR Custom Parts]

Pretty sure you can still buy it new from GM if you don't feel like scrounging around for one.

 

[teegee]

vacuum brake

Gbody had one ,I had trouble finding one around here.

 

[JimP]

Thanks for the feedback guys, used g-body's in the bone yard are scarce around here to say the least. Living in Ontario Canada has taken it's toll on the gbodies. I'll be contacting Brian at G-Body and getting a pedal from him.

There is a whole lot of other stuff I want and don't need that I'll be ordering from our beloved vendors in the days to come.

Thanks for all the feedback will let you know how I make out and how the brakes work.

 

[Shredon]

Be careful! I've done this conversion on a 86 t-type and coming off of full boost you have no brakes at all