Hydroboost brake swap?

[Number21]

Looks like I'm going to be parting out my '79 C30. It has the hydroboost power brake setup and I really like it. I would really love to have it in my '73 K20.

Is this a complicated swap? I can take my time pulling the C30 apart but the K20 is my daily driver. Dare I ask if it's a bolt in operation, or more difficult than that?

[lindstromjd]

It's a very straight forward swap. You should be able to complete it in a couple hours. All you have to do is take the studs out of the hydro-boost booster, and then just use the 4 that are already in your firewall from the vacuum booster. After that, everything is very straightforward.

BUT... you will have to change out your steering box if you do the swap. Or get creative with some compression clamp and cut your old steering lines up. I chose to cut my old lines and it's worked fine for me. The problem with the Hydro-boost system is that the steering lines are a bigger size than the normal steering box lines. If you have any problems, just ask.

[Number21]

Thanks for the info. I might swap the whole PS pump/steering box and lines, since my current pump is leaking somewhere anyway. Is there any difference in the steering box between a C30 and a K20?

[Number21]

While we're talking about it, does anybody know if the front rotors or calipers from the C30 would be suitable for doing a disc brake swap to my 14 bolt rear?

[lindstromjd]

Originally Posted by Number21

Thanks for the info. I might swap the whole PS pump/steering box and lines, since my current pump is leaking somewhere anyway. Is there any difference in the steering box between a C30 and a K20?

Not sure if there's any difference, but you'll have to swap out your power steering pump anyway. It's got one more outlet (3 total) than your stock one does (2 total). It's necessary for the whole set up to work.

Originally Posted by Number21

While we're talking about it, does anybody know if the front rotors or calipers from the C30 would be suitable for doing a disc brake swap to my 14 bolt rear?

You'll have to modify a lot of stuff to make it work. Definitely not a single day project. But you could make it work if you're handy enough with mods and a welder. I think you'd have to take the entire knuckle and hub assembly to do it.

[jesdude7789]

Bump!! I just found out about this swap and would like to do it as well to my 87 R1500. It has brand new 1.25" rotors, bearing and pads, and both calipers that i put on a couple months ago but it still feels like it needs improvement. It feels like i have to push too hard to slow down even at slower speeds around town. I've had some close calls where someone whipped out in front of me on the feeder road and my brakes just arent cutting it! I know it's an older design vehicle but i want it brake a lot easier than it is.