Bigger and/or better Master Cylinders?

[DEI37]

Found this...wondered if it'd fit a 1997 CS, and what it'd take to make it work, and gimme a little more brake all around, especially the rear.

EDIT: Guess I should give you the link, 'eh? http://www.wilwood.com/PDF/ds487.pdf

[DEI37]

Can't believe there are 40 views and nobody has said or knows anything.

[Rhedalert]

I'm all up for getting a bigger master cylinder, but I don't have a spare OEM one to measure.

[DEI37]

I see. I guess one question is that...even if the bolts line up, does that automatically mean it'll work? I'd like to implement the adjustability feature, too.

[EspanolaGuitarista]

You probably need to make...

...an adapter. Then modify the rod somehow. If it fully adjustable then it should work. You could go to manual and pull off the power brakes completely. I don't think these cars with their weight should have too much of a problem especially if you went with bigger brakes(i.e. more leverage).

[RacerX11]

Why do you want a bigger MC?

[DEI37]

Why not? Ours aren't that big. Adjustability might be nice, and it'd be cool to have a polished finish MC with Wilwood inscribed on it.

[SappySE107]

My brakes suck ass. The 96 GTP has better brakes but my 91 just plain sucks. I can't fit a bigger booster on there but a better MC would be awesome. I don't have a spare lying around for 97 but I can look for my old one off the 91 and see. Im not taking anything off the 96 unless I have to though.

[gpse3400]

All those with the compact mastercylinder is going to have crappy feeling brakes. Some will feel better than others but they aren't going to give you that feel we all want. The booster isn't the problem. I have compred this already. I think someone needs to try a master from an old G body preferably '88 model year. There booster is very similar and it looks as if it'll fit spot on. The brake feel in those cars is phenominally better. The proportioning valve may need to added in. Another master that could be used is one from a late '80s E,C, and H body. I know they have the proportioner built in. Fo us who have abs... with out remotly mounting the modulator I don't think we can do anything about it....except I've always thought about overboring the cylinder to much more substantial size....if there is even room for it

[RacerX11]

Why not? Ours aren't that big.

Bigger isn't necessarily better when it comes to brake master cylinders. Caliper piston size, master cylinder piston size, pedal ratio, etc. all plays a role. You need to balance the entire system.

Simply changing to a larger master cylinder without changing anything else will cause an increased pedal effort for the same braking force. Is that what you are looking for? I am not saying a bigger MC won’t help, but you need to understand what you are changing by swapping these parts.

Adjustability might be nice

You can plumb an adjustable proportioning valve into a system using a stock MC.

[95SleeperAcheiva]

Racer is right. You need to check you hydrolics. A bigger piston face in the MC will just give you greater effert not better braking. You need to increase caliper piston/s size to increase brake pressure at the rotor where you want it. It's standard hydrolic theory.

[gpse3400]

I drove a Z34 that had a corvette conversion kit for the brake calipers. The brakes still felt the same. I've swapped to a bigger booster, same deal.The compact master cylinder is too small.The booster W cars is used in many heavier cars and works just fine with there bigger masters without much pedal effort. Not only that, cars with the powermaster have exceptional brake feel and pedal stroke. Our calipers are fine. If I still had my '89 Grand Prix I would've dropped that pos master cylinder a long time ago.

[DEI37]

Well, I'm not sure how big our pistons are, but the Wilwood unit is either 1" or 1-1/8". Either way, I would think that those measurements are larger than factory. I'll admit that I have NO clue about the hydraulic theories, and all that stuff. I appreciate the input.

What I am after is "better brakes." I have now been told that I can use LS1 F-body brakes up front, and I want to do something bigger out back. Being able to adjust for the bigger and better stuff would be almost mandatory, I'd think.

Thanks.

[RacerX11]

First thing I would do to improve the brakes is a good set of performance brake pads.

[DEI37]

Done that. I use Powerslot rotors and Satisfied GS6 pads up front. The rears are just OE style CarQuest premium stuff.