Brakes Fix

Darrel Goheen · 10-19-2017, 11:33 PM

Since I got my Camaro a year ago with 4 wheel Strange disc brakes and what appears to be a stock master cylinder it took a lot of pressure to hold the car on the starting line. I attempted to footbrake (no 2 step) and could not do it without pushing through the beams. I was about to change the master cylinder to one Strange recommended but remembered that I read somewhere to swap the lines on the master cylinder. I tried it and it made a night and day difference on how it holds on the starting line. Amazing what a few minutes of work will do for you sometimes.

TommyPettigrew3076 · 10-20-2017, 12:26 AM

How was it set up before ? Strange instructions recommend the rear outlet be plumbed to the system with the most volume ( the rear ) My S-10 style the front was plumbed to the rear. I Changed mine to a strange 1 inch piston diameter and the pedal ratio they recomend its a lot better but I am still not 100% happy with it .

FireSale · 10-20-2017, 11:09 AM

I have Strange on the front, too. I ran the recommended master from them and had trouble staging like I was used to with power brakes. This was just a continuation of the issue I had with Wilwood and other manual masters so I ditched it and went back to power. It's a Powermaster MC and booster with an electric vacuum pump. Bumps into the lights and makes the first turnoff from 110. Bulky and heavy, but it beats red lights and deep stages.

Darrel Goheen · 10-20-2017, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TommyPettigrew3076

How was it set up before ?

It had the rear port (closest to firewall) going to front brakes and the front port going to rear brakes. I just swapped them and fixed it. Sure glad I didn't put the $180 master cylinder on.

Darrel Goheen · 10-20-2017, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FireSale

I have Strange on the front, too. I ran the recommended master from them and had trouble staging like I was used to with power brakes. This was just a continuation of the issue I had with Wilwood and other manual masters so I ditched it and went back to power. It's a Powermaster MC and booster with an electric vacuum pump. Bumps into the lights and makes the first turnoff from 110. Bulky and heavy, but it beats red lights and deep stages.

When I stage now it's like I have power brakes. If I bracket race next weekend I'm going to try footbraking with no 2 step.

Dickens · 10-20-2017, 02:09 PM

My brake lines on my Firebird were reversed during assembly too. I bent the rear backing plates trying to hold the car with drums on the rear...very ugly situation.

Glad you found it without damage !
DD
NHRA7010

Coleydog · 10-21-2017, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darrel Goheen

When I stage now it's like I have power brakes. If I bracket race next weekend I'm going to try footbraking with no 2 step.

How well does it stop at speed? Does it pull or try to lock up the rears?
Mike

Eman · 10-22-2017, 11:41 AM

Unless the MC is a stepped bore, one section a different size bore than the other,I don't understand the hydraulic principle of how braking is improved by swapping lines. Generally MC's have the same bore throughout and the difference between ports is the size of the resevoir. The disc brake section has a larger reservoir so as the pads wear there is enough fluid to fill in.
Possibly your pedal rod doesn't have full travel as it's binding as it goes into the MC many times due to rod relocation attempting to increase pedal ratio.

340Cuda · 10-22-2017, 11:51 AM

If you want to really be able to hold you car on the line with disk brakes, go with the dual rear calibers. In my experience they work very well. Mine are Strange but I would think others would work well also.

Bill

chris ok · 10-22-2017, 02:34 PM

Pedal ratio is most impoetant on these aftermarket brakes. I am in the middle of it finding my ratio is 7 to one when I need 6-1. I have approx 800 psi and and going to make pedal correct this week looking for 1000 at rear.
Always listen to the manufacturer of your master cylinder.
It did not click w me intil we spoke at work and realized its like using a pry bar and the leverage needed.
Chris

10-19-2017, 11:33 PM	#1
Darrel Goheen Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Hays, KS Posts: 379 Likes: 226 Liked 70 Times in 31 Posts	Brakes Fix Since I got my Camaro a year ago with 4 wheel Strange disc brakes and what appears to be a stock master cylinder it took a lot of pressure to hold the car on the starting line. I attempted to footbrake (no 2 step) and could not do it without pushing through the beams. I was about to change the master cylinder to one Strange recommended but remembered that I read somewhere to swap the lines on the master cylinder. I tried it and it made a night and day difference on how it holds on the starting line. Amazing what a few minutes of work will do for you sometimes. __________________ Darrel Goheen 785-623-7021 Stock Eliminator 585 94 Camaro Z/28 LT1/ET 585 67 Chevelle 427 Tehnician for JustAnswer.com

10-20-2017, 12:26 AM	#2
TommyPettigrew3076 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Fishers Indiana Posts: 55 Likes: 8 Liked 19 Times in 7 Posts	Re: Brakes Fix How was it set up before ? Strange instructions recommend the rear outlet be plumbed to the system with the most volume ( the rear ) My S-10 style the front was plumbed to the rear. I Changed mine to a strange 1 inch piston diameter and the pedal ratio they recomend its a lot better but I am still not 100% happy with it .

10-20-2017, 11:09 AM	#3
FireSale VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Lakewood Washington Posts: 1,407 Likes: 29 Liked 236 Times in 127 Posts	Re: Brakes Fix I have Strange on the front, too. I ran the recommended master from them and had trouble staging like I was used to with power brakes. This was just a continuation of the issue I had with Wilwood and other manual masters so I ditched it and went back to power. It's a Powermaster MC and booster with an electric vacuum pump. Bumps into the lights and makes the first turnoff from 110. Bulky and heavy, but it beats red lights and deep stages. __________________ Dale Shearon 68 Mustang 6394

10-20-2017, 02:09 PM	#6
Dickens Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: CA/Iowa Posts: 106 Likes: 71 Liked 11 Times in 7 Posts	Re: Brakes Fix My brake lines on my Firebird were reversed during assembly too. I bent the rear backing plates trying to hold the car with drums on the rear...very ugly situation. Glad you found it without damage ! DD NHRA7010

10-22-2017, 11:41 AM	#8
Eman Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: E TN Posts: 439 Likes: 14 Liked 104 Times in 59 Posts	Re: Brakes Fix Unless the MC is a stepped bore, one section a different size bore than the other,I don't understand the hydraulic principle of how braking is improved by swapping lines. Generally MC's have the same bore throughout and the difference between ports is the size of the resevoir. The disc brake section has a larger reservoir so as the pads wear there is enough fluid to fill in. Possibly your pedal rod doesn't have full travel as it's binding as it goes into the MC many times due to rod relocation attempting to increase pedal ratio.

10-22-2017, 11:51 AM	#9
340Cuda VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma Posts: 1,567 Likes: 3,152 Liked 677 Times in 290 Posts	Re: Brakes Fix If you want to really be able to hold you car on the line with disk brakes, go with the dual rear calibers. In my experience they work very well. Mine are Strange but I would think others would work well also. Bill

10-22-2017, 02:34 PM	#10
chris ok Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Long Island, New york Posts: 585 Likes: 121 Liked 44 Times in 27 Posts	Re: Brakes Fix Pedal ratio is most impoetant on these aftermarket brakes. I am in the middle of it finding my ratio is 7 to one when I need 6-1. I have approx 800 psi and and going to make pedal correct this week looking for 1000 at rear. Always listen to the manufacturer of your master cylinder. It did not click w me intil we spoke at work and realized its like using a pry bar and the leverage needed. Chris