Master Cylinder Booster for 65 Coupe

Dopie · 05-21-2001, 10:50 AM

Folks, Several years ago I converted my 65 coupe from front drums to discs and used a manual Granada Master Cylinder (MC). Well, the system is an improvement over the drums, but it really needs a boosted system. So, I have been researching my options as I have not been active in the Mustang world for a couple of years.

I have found several "designer" booster MC's for between $300 and $500 that will "bolt" right in. I also have found articles that say use a toyota starlet unit, use Metro geo unit, but it seems that all of the cheap solutions have a some kind of small problem. One unit you have to install an export brace as the stock one interferes, the other says that the boost is marginal.

So... my question is "Is there a unit out there that works that will cost $300 or less?

There seems to be a solution that the shops are selling, but why do they cost so much? Either the parts themselves are very expensive(if so give me the part numbers so I can buy the high cost parts for myself) or folks are keeping the parts secret so they can rip us off.

Thanks for your help.... Dopie

66fastback · 05-21-2001, 11:24 AM

The swap I'm trying is from an 87 Mustang 4 cylinder. I've seen the swap done, and it looks very simple. I bought the booster and MC allready, but have not yet had time to perform the swap.

It fits without changing the shock tower brace using the 4 cylinder MC, but a larger bore MC from the same year Lincoln is supposed to bolt right on, but I believe it requires going to an export brace....which is a good thing in my opinion, these cars need a lot of support.

The best part of this swap is that the parts are very common and easy to find, and the work to fit the booster/MC is pretty simple.

------------------
66 GT Fastback,fuel injected 5.0, 5-speed, cable clutch, JBA's and duals, 3.40 gears and handling mods...just call me "Doc"

Dopie · 05-21-2001, 05:36 PM

Thanks for the reply!!

Yes I read about that swap and noticed that I had to purchase an Export Brace so it kinda turned me off. A 4 cyl car probably has a 6" booster diamater which may be marginally small for the car. Can anyone who has performed this conversion verify the ability of the small booster's performance???

Bye the way, what did the Booster and 4cyl MC end up costing?

Thanks

Dopie

gp001 · 05-21-2001, 11:34 PM

I have the booster/ dual master from Trans Am Racing (Gardenia, Ca.) This unit bolts right in, has an aluminum spacer between firewall and booster, and has an adjustable, quality, pushrod. This is an EXCELLENT piece. Trust me IT WORKS!!!! You can call Mark at Trans Am Racing for more info (310) 323-5417. I think the units are around $450.

------------------
347 (Coast High short block), 279/284 .493/.510, TFS TW, Stealth, 750, Flowtech hdrs, Dr. Gas X, 2 Chmbr Flowmaster, MSD 6AL-Dist.& SS coil, March serpentine pulley system, Art Carr C-4, Currie 9" w/3.55, alum Drv Shft, susp mods, Total Control subframes & tower braces, Trans Am Racing power dual master, 4 wheel disc
In a 66 coupe

gp001 · 05-21-2001, 11:36 PM

Also, Mark owns Mustangs and knows Mustangs. He is also a great guy and answered all my questions - before AND after purchase.

------------------
347 (Coast High short block), 279/284 .493/.510, TFS TW, Stealth, 750, Flowtech hdrs, Dr. Gas X, 2 Chmbr Flowmaster, MSD 6AL-Dist.& SS coil, March serpentine pulley system, Art Carr C-4, Currie 9" w/3.55, alum Drv Shft, susp mods, Total Control subframes & tower braces, Trans Am Racing power dual master, 4 wheel disc
In a 66 coupe

66fastback · 05-22-2001, 09:25 AM

Yeah, I wish I had the swap complete so I could be more confident in it....but as far as the diameter of the unit goes, the stock units for the old Mustangs were not very big around either....and I'm really not looking for a lot of boost any way, would rather have some pedal feel.

I spent $35 for the booster and MC at the wrecking yard, and the rebuilt parts at the parts store run about $100 for the booster and I think about $40 or so for the MC. I'm going to use the booster as is, and buy a new MC.

------------------
66 GT Fastback,fuel injected 5.0, 5-speed, cable clutch, JBA's and duals, 3.40 gears and handling mods...just call me "Doc"

Dopie · 05-22-2001, 11:36 AM

Doc,

That sounds good. There is a guy here in town that sells a "designer" unit for $290 that bolts in, connects to the original Brake pedal and brake switch, and fits without grinding or replacing the brace. I guess its about wash if I have to purchase the export brace. But then again, the front could use stiffening a bit.

Thanks for the info! My Car has been sitting in the garrage for about two years because I got bored with it and I really didn't like the way the brakes felt with the manual MC. I had built up the engine to about 300 hp, however when my sons started driving, I took the engine back to stock(BORING). Maybe this project will get me interested in the car again and crank up the hp as my boys have their own cars now.

Then I have to figure out how to make it handle!

Thanks for all your inputs folks!!

Dopie

driggins · 06-12-2001, 08:00 AM

I used the power booster and MC from an 84 6cyl mustang. Had to make an alumanum spaceer thou. It was not to bad of a job and looks and works great. Also got the poprostion valve.

05-21-2001, 10:50 AM	#1
Dopie Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Cypress, Ca Posts: 8	Master Cylinder Booster for 65 Coupe Folks, Several years ago I converted my 65 coupe from front drums to discs and used a manual Granada Master Cylinder (MC). Well, the system is an improvement over the drums, but it really needs a boosted system. So, I have been researching my options as I have not been active in the Mustang world for a couple of years. I have found several "designer" booster MC's for between $300 and $500 that will "bolt" right in. I also have found articles that say use a toyota starlet unit, use Metro geo unit, but it seems that all of the cheap solutions have a some kind of small problem. One unit you have to install an export brace as the stock one interferes, the other says that the boost is marginal. So... my question is "Is there a unit out there that works that will cost $300 or less? There seems to be a solution that the shops are selling, but why do they cost so much? Either the parts themselves are very expensive(if so give me the part numbers so I can buy the high cost parts for myself) or folks are keeping the parts secret so they can rip us off. Thanks for your help.... Dopie

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05-21-2001, 11:24 AM	#2
66fastback Registered Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 208	The swap I'm trying is from an 87 Mustang 4 cylinder. I've seen the swap done, and it looks very simple. I bought the booster and MC allready, but have not yet had time to perform the swap. It fits without changing the shock tower brace using the 4 cylinder MC, but a larger bore MC from the same year Lincoln is supposed to bolt right on, but I believe it requires going to an export brace....which is a good thing in my opinion, these cars need a lot of support. The best part of this swap is that the parts are very common and easy to find, and the work to fit the booster/MC is pretty simple. ------------------ 66 GT Fastback,fuel injected 5.0, 5-speed, cable clutch, JBA's and duals, 3.40 gears and handling mods...just call me "Doc"

05-21-2001, 05:36 PM	#3
Dopie Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Cypress, Ca Posts: 8	Thanks for the reply!! Yes I read about that swap and noticed that I had to purchase an Export Brace so it kinda turned me off. A 4 cyl car probably has a 6" booster diamater which may be marginally small for the car. Can anyone who has performed this conversion verify the ability of the small booster's performance??? Bye the way, what did the Booster and 4cyl MC end up costing? Thanks Dopie

05-21-2001, 11:34 PM	#4
gp001 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: So. Cal. Posts: 244	I have the booster/ dual master from Trans Am Racing (Gardenia, Ca.) This unit bolts right in, has an aluminum spacer between firewall and booster, and has an adjustable, quality, pushrod. This is an EXCELLENT piece. Trust me IT WORKS!!!! You can call Mark at Trans Am Racing for more info (310) 323-5417. I think the units are around $450. ------------------ 347 (Coast High short block), 279/284 .493/.510, TFS TW, Stealth, 750, Flowtech hdrs, Dr. Gas X, 2 Chmbr Flowmaster, MSD 6AL-Dist.& SS coil, March serpentine pulley system, Art Carr C-4, Currie 9" w/3.55, alum Drv Shft, susp mods, Total Control subframes & tower braces, Trans Am Racing power dual master, 4 wheel disc In a 66 coupe

05-21-2001, 11:36 PM	#5
gp001 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: So. Cal. Posts: 244	Also, Mark owns Mustangs and knows Mustangs. He is also a great guy and answered all my questions - before AND after purchase. ------------------ 347 (Coast High short block), 279/284 .493/.510, TFS TW, Stealth, 750, Flowtech hdrs, Dr. Gas X, 2 Chmbr Flowmaster, MSD 6AL-Dist.& SS coil, March serpentine pulley system, Art Carr C-4, Currie 9" w/3.55, alum Drv Shft, susp mods, Total Control subframes & tower braces, Trans Am Racing power dual master, 4 wheel disc In a 66 coupe

05-22-2001, 09:25 AM	#6
66fastback Registered Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 208	Yeah, I wish I had the swap complete so I could be more confident in it....but as far as the diameter of the unit goes, the stock units for the old Mustangs were not very big around either....and I'm really not looking for a lot of boost any way, would rather have some pedal feel. I spent $35 for the booster and MC at the wrecking yard, and the rebuilt parts at the parts store run about $100 for the booster and I think about $40 or so for the MC. I'm going to use the booster as is, and buy a new MC. ------------------ 66 GT Fastback,fuel injected 5.0, 5-speed, cable clutch, JBA's and duals, 3.40 gears and handling mods...just call me "Doc"

05-22-2001, 11:36 AM	#7
Dopie Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Cypress, Ca Posts: 8	Doc, That sounds good. There is a guy here in town that sells a "designer" unit for $290 that bolts in, connects to the original Brake pedal and brake switch, and fits without grinding or replacing the brace. I guess its about wash if I have to purchase the export brace. But then again, the front could use stiffening a bit. Thanks for the info! My Car has been sitting in the garrage for about two years because I got bored with it and I really didn't like the way the brakes felt with the manual MC. I had built up the engine to about 300 hp, however when my sons started driving, I took the engine back to stock(BORING). Maybe this project will get me interested in the car again and crank up the hp as my boys have their own cars now. Then I have to figure out how to make it handle! Thanks for all your inputs folks!! Dopie

06-12-2001, 08:00 AM	#8
driggins Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 33	I used the power booster and MC from an 84 6cyl mustang. Had to make an alumanum spaceer thou. It was not to bad of a job and looks and works great. Also got the poprostion valve.