To do power brakes, or not to do power brakes?

[H-Rod]

That is the question.

I`m looking at picking up the clutch and brake pedal assy. offered through A&C.
Also looking at picking up the power booster and MC.

Being this car will see 99.5% of it`s life on the street, are power brakes worth it?
I know that`s a question only I can answer but, I just thought I`d see what other A&C owners are running.

I`ve read through this sub-forum going back 11 pages (9 years) here and when it comes to brakes, there`s a lot out there.

[saltshaker]

Few questions;
1)Does you motor have enough vacum for power brakes?
2) what calipars are you going to use?
I started with GM metrics up front and Ford Explorer rear brakes with a gm corvette mc.... Now I have wilwood dynalites on sll 4 corners and a 7/8 wilwood tandem mc.... Brakes work Great!
Jon

[Tommy]

My 2500 pound Everett-Morrison has manual Corvette brakes all around. It's seen lots of track days where it repeatedly hauled me down from 140 to 75 in a hurry. Pedal effort is not noticeable on the track or in cruising around town. .... IMHO, unless you have a knee problem or other physical limitation, a well setup manual brake system is the right choice for cars this size.

[PSB]

I was never happy with my power brake setup. Tore it out and replaced with a Wilwood dual master cylinder manual setup. Much better!

Pete

[H-Rod]

Those of you guys running these wildwood mc set-ups, is this the one in particular you guys are running?

http://http://www.wilwood.com/MasterCylinders/MasterCylinderProd.aspx?itemno=260-9439

[PSB]

I used a Wilwood pedal assembly with two individual master cylinders and balance bar.

http://www.wilwood.com/Pedals/PedalL...nt Brake Pedal

Wilwood High-Performance Disc Brakes - MasterCylinder No: 260-3374

[avdcav]

I have Eci large gm metrics in front with versallies in the rear
Trunk mounted dual booster with vacuum pump and the car
Stops better than my 930. Boosters are great.

Using stock ford 1" bore master , the corvette master is massive
Does not fit in my EM.

[PNJSNAK]

I had power brakes, you have to cut a hole in the inner fender for it all to fit like the manual says.
I also had a cable operated clutch, ran it that way for about 4-5 years, cable broke twice, decided to go hyd clutch.
Doing that to have a hydraulic master for the clutch and the booster, there was not enough room.
Power brakes had to go.
Put in a Covette master and a Wilwood master for the clutch, it has never been better, clutch is like butter and I just have to use a bit more peddle for brakes.
Best decision.
Jim

[H-Rod]

Originally Posted by PNJSNAK

I had power brakes, you have to cut a hole in the inner fender for it all to fit like the manual says.
I also had a cable operated clutch, ran it that way for about 4-5 years, cable broke twice, decided to go hyd clutch.
Doing that to have a hydraulic master for the clutch and the booster, there was not enough room.
Power brakes had to go.
Put in a Covette master and a Wilwood master for the clutch, it has never been better, clutch is like butter and I just have to use a bit more peddle for brakes.
Best decision.
Jim

Appreciate the info!
I`ll keep this in mind when it comes time for me to cross that bridge.

[saltshaker]

That's what I'm using...7/8 has worked out great! I had tried the Vett MC with GM metrics up front and Explorer Brakes in the rear....NO COMPARISON to WILWOODS!!! Car stops straight and fast with less pedal effort
Jon

[bobcowan]

I don't think you need them. You're using a brake system designed for a car that weighs at 1/2 ton more than the Cobra. Some people just like power, though.

Same thing with the clutch. I like cable operated, because it's simple and easy. No fluids to leak. No expensive parts. I use only Ford cables, and have never broken one. I carry a spare, only because I have it.

[trularin]

If I may:

1. make sure it fits and is not too close to the exhaust.
2. use stainless steel flex lines to the calipers.
3. balance is very important.

Hope this helps.

[zrayr]

Power brakes are are not needed on a light car. Heck, even the early Mustangs don't need them, and most any Cobra is 600 lbs. lighter than a '65/'66 Mustang. With the right brake pads (ebc red stuff or Porterfield R4-s) you can lock up the wheels at highway speeds or higher with manual brakes if care is not taken to brake carefully.

Z