Main Menu

Power to Manual Brake Conversion

Started by 303 Mopar, March 19, 2019, 01:56:53 PM

Previous topic Next topic

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

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?  :pokeeye:
1972 Barracuda - 5.7L Hemi/T56 Magnum
2020 RAM 1500 - 5.7L

My Wheel and Tire Specs

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

#3
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.
Sheldon

bcbassfishing

Quote from: RUNCHARGER on March 20, 2019, 07:30:42 PM
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

Quote from: MoparCar on March 20, 2019, 04:42:15 PM
@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. :alan2cents:

This is 3pc 1/4" steel that is TIG welded along the edges, it's quite robust.
1972 Barracuda - 5.7L Hemi/T56 Magnum
2020 RAM 1500 - 5.7L

My Wheel and Tire Specs

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
1974 Cuda. 360 / A500 OD.  Yes its pink, no its not my wife's car!  Yes I drive it.



GoodysGotaCuda

Quote from: Cudajason on February 12, 2020, 05:19:45 PM
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
1972 Barracuda - 5.7L Hemi/T56 Magnum
2020 RAM 1500 - 5.7L

My Wheel and Tire Specs


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
1974 Cuda. 360 / A500 OD.  Yes its pink, no its not my wife's car!  Yes I drive it.


Cudakiller70

Quote from: Cudajason on February 12, 2020, 07:21:57 PM
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 :tool: