Hydroboost, master cylinders, and pressure

wally anderson

New member
Dec 21, 2005
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I've made a spreadsheet on Google sheets to show brake pressures available from hydroboost conversions of factory vacuum assist brakes specific to our
GMC's. It shows pedal force, effects of different master cylinders and variable pump pressure.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1za2yNDR77iZDuC_mNj9syVgZTOP1HXGSpbT4vrS5xIw/edit?usp=sharing
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1za2yNDR77iZDuC_mNj9syVgZTOP1HXGSpbT4vrS5xIw/edit?usp=sharing
--
Wally Anderson
Omaha NE
75 Glenbrook
Megasquirt III injection
Bob Stone hydroBOOOOST
Manny reaction arm system
Branscombe Kelsey Hayes park brake
http://wallyandsue.blogspot.com/
 
Wally,

I've been through your spreadsheet and I understand where all the numbers
come from, having deciphered all your divisors. However, I don't
understand the logic of the last two columns, I and J. The best I can
figure, you're saying that there are 4 different input rods available
(0.545" to 0.781" in diameter). And that the pedal pressure required to
produce output is dependent upon the area of the selected input rod (and
the mechanical advantage in the pedal)? Huh! Shows how much I know about
Hydroboost! I had always figured that the pedal pressure merely overcame a
spring load, independent of the PS pump pressure. Have I been that wrong
all this time?

I guess the reason for my confusion is my past experience with a Chevy P-30
chassis motorhome which had what I thought were a variant on Hydroboost
brakes. That coach had a really weird feeling brake pedal and the owner's
manual recognized that. It had a statement to the effect that "...it's OK
if the pedal goes all the way to the floor, you're still getting maximum
braking...". And I had a panic incident that verified that statement with
extremely good braking. Admittedly my current Hydroboost feels nothing
like that one did.

Ken
​ Confused​
H.

On Sat, May 27, 2017 at 7:05 PM, Wally Anderson
wrote:

> I've made a spreadsheet on Google sheets to show brake pressures available
> from hydroboost conversions of factory vacuum assist brakes specific to our
> GMC's. It shows pedal force, effects of different master cylinders and
> variable pump pressure.
> https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1za2yNDR77iZDuC_
> mNj9syVgZTOP1HXGSpbT4vrS5xIw/edit?usp=sharing
> https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1za2yNDR77iZDuC_
> mNj9syVgZTOP1HXGSpbT4vrS5xIw/edit?usp=sharing
> --
> Wally Anderson
> Omaha NE
> 75 Glenbrook
> Megasquirt III injection
> Bob Stone hydroBOOOOST
> Manny reaction arm system
> Branscombe Kelsey Hayes park brake
> http://wallyandsue.blogspot.com/
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
 
> Wally,
>
> I've been through your spreadsheet and I understand where all the numbers
> come from, having deciphered all your divisors. However, I don't
> understand the logic of the last two columns, I and J. The best I can
> figure, you're saying that there are 4 different input rods available
> (0.545" to 0.781" in diameter). And that the pedal pressure required to
> produce output is dependent upon the area of the selected input rod (and
> the mechanical advantage in the pedal)? Huh! Shows how much I know about
> Hydroboost! I had always figured that the pedal pressure merely overcame a
> spring load, independent of the PS pump pressure. Have I been that wrong
> all this time?
>
> I guess the reason for my confusion is my past experience with a Chevy P-30
> chassis motorhome which had what I thought were a variant on Hydroboost
> brakes. That coach had a really weird feeling brake pedal and the owner's
> manual recognized that. It had a statement to the effect that "...it's OK
> if the pedal goes all the way to the floor, you're still getting maximum
> braking...". And I had a panic incident that verified that statement with
> extremely good braking. Admittedly my current Hydroboost feels nothing
> like that one did.
>
> Ken
> ​ Confused​
> H.
>
>
> On Sat, May 27, 2017 at 7:05 PM, Wally Anderson

>
> > I've made a spreadsheet on Google sheets to show brake pressures available
> > from hydroboost conversions of factory vacuum assist brakes specific to our
> > GMC's. It shows pedal force, effects of different master cylinders and
> > variable pump pressure.
> > https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1za2yNDR77iZDuC_
> > mNj9syVgZTOP1HXGSpbT4vrS5xIw/edit?usp=sharing
> > https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1za2yNDR77iZDuC_
> > mNj9syVgZTOP1HXGSpbT4vrS5xIw/edit?usp=sharing
> > --
> > Wally Anderson
> > Omaha NE
> > 75 Glenbrook
> > Megasquirt III injection
> > Bob Stone hydroBOOOOST
> > Manny reaction arm system
> > Branscombe Kelsey Hayes park brake
> > http://wallyandsue.blogspot.com/
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
> >
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org

Ken, You got it. The whole hydroboost case is pressurized in operation so it pushes back on the input rod.
--
Wally Anderson
Omaha NE
75 Glenbrook
Megasquirt III injection
Bob Stone hydroBOOOOST
Manny reaction arm system
Branscombe Kelsey Hayes park brake
http://wallyandsue.blogspot.com/
 
Thanks, Wally.

Some years ago I tore one down but either I didn't understand what I was
seeing or have slept too many times since then. I've still got it, so
maybe I'll have another look.

Kim Weeks is looking for articles for the next GMCMI newsletter. Why don't
you do a writeup on Hydroboost? Get me off the hook. Or maybe I can
review & edit for you.

Ken