Power to Manual Brake Conversion

[303 Mopar]

I have power brakes and would be interested to know what all is involved to convert manual.  Beyond removing the booster and swapping the master cylinder, any other parts or process I need to go through?

[GoodysGotaCuda]

Not much to it, m/c pushrod and don't forget the firewall reinforcement plate to help stiffen things up there.

I went from Power to Manual and wish I still had Power given it's current street-duty. I made that choice back when I was 18 or so, I knew it all, right? 

[moparcar]

@303 Mopar  Why are you considering going to manual? Is this on your 6.4L Cuda? Are you presently running a vacuum booster?
Just curious. I've been going back and forth on my 6.1L build as to whether to go vacuum or bite the bullet and do a hydra boost. Now it makes me question the power vs. manual.

I know a lot of race guys or even serious auto-x guys run a dialed in manual, but mine is going to be mostly street driven.

Thanks, Wes

[72bluNblu]

It's an easy swap. You need the firewall reinforcing plate and either a manual brake push rod or an adjustable push rod. Buy a 15/16" master cylinder and you'll wonder why you didn't make the swap sooner.

I've converted both my Challenger and my Duster over to manual disk brakes using DoctorDiff's 15/16" master cylinder and I wouldn't go back. The pedal effort isn't that much heavier, and the pedal feel is dramatically better.

[RUNCHARGER]

My last 4 Hemi Cars have been manual  brakes and I see no need for a power booster. The effort isn't much more and you can modulate the brakes with better feel I think. If you have a Hemi it's so much faster to adjust the valves without the booster too.

[bcbassfishing]

My last 4 Hemi Cars have been manual  brakes and I see no need for a power booster. The effort isn't much more and you can modulate the brakes with better feel I think. If you have a Hemi it's so much faster to adjust the valves without the booster too.

Hello from the okanogan, and you didn't want to drop the extra dimes on a hemi booster!  come on buddy tell the truth. LOL   

[303 Mopar]

@303 Mopar  Why are you considering going to manual? Is this on your 6.4L Cuda? Are you presently running a vacuum booster?
Just curious. I've been going back and forth on my 6.1L build as to whether to go vacuum or bite the bullet and do a hydra boost. Now it makes me question the power vs. manual.
Thanks, Wes

Hey Wes, yes it's for my Cuda with a 392 Hemi which lacks enough vacuum for power brakes with stock booster. I drove my friends Challenger with a hydro-boost set up and the brakes are very sensitive but they stop really good, maybe too good. I have two cars with manual disc and love the feel, so this is why I was thinking of possibly going this way.

Everyone else, thanks for the responses. I've contacted Cass at Doctor Diff to price out the parts.

[GoodysGotaCuda]

Not the best picture, but if you could use a cut file, I made up this firewall reinforcement for my car. The factory one is plain ugly under the hood.

This is 3pc 1/4" steel that is TIG welded along the edges, it's quite robust.

[BIGSHCLUNK]

Another + for manual brakes! Granted I upgraded to disc years ago and fine tuned then by way of the block. Minimally more effort.... and easier to work on the elephant 

[Cudakiller70]

@303 Mopar Curious to know what you ended up with? If manual, do you like them better or?

[Cudajason]

I must have the wrong MC form mine then...I have manual brakes and the pedal effort is very high! I don tlike it at all.

Maybe I should look at the size of the MC!

Jason

[GoodysGotaCuda]

I must have the wrong MC form mine then...I have manual brakes and the pedal effort is very high! I don tlike it at all.

Maybe I should look at the size of the MC!

Jason

You can get lower effort for sure, but you will trade pedal stroke for it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Brads70]

Dr Diff has everything you will need? 1 stop shopping?
https://www.doctordiff.com/70-74-mopar-b-e-body-firewall-stiffening-plate.html

https://www.doctordiff.com/aluminum-master-cylinder-kit.html

This might prove useful as well?
https://www.dragstuff.com/techarticles/RacingMasterCylPN.html

[Cudajason]

hmmmm, I wonder If I am using the right pushrod.  I am pretty sure that I used a stock manual pushrod, but maybe I used the push rod from the power break set up.

I have the new style MC as pictured in the link.

Jason

[Cudakiller70]

hmmmm, I wonder If I am using the right pushrod.  I am pretty sure that I used a stock manual pushrod, but maybe I used the push rod from the power break set up.

I have the new style MC as pictured in the link.

Jason

Call or email Cass @Dr Diff he is great for help. Maybe he can shed some light on it