Electric vacuum pump for brakes
#1
Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (7)
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Plaistow,NH
Posts: 413
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Car: 92 Camaro Z
Engine: 350
Transmission: Built TH350 with 3200 stall
Axle/Gears: 4th gen, 4.10
Electric vacuum pump for brakes
Hello,
I am running a big cam in my sbc350 and have about 10" vacuum at idle. When I slam the brakes I get sloppy results as the booster is hard to push. I currently have the vacuum port on back of the carb (holley 750) connected to a vacuum can and then to the brake booster. I'm thinking of adding an electrical vacuum pump to add vacuum and assist in my braking.
Rather than spending $300 for an aftermarket vacuum pump is there any stock equipment that I can use?
I've checked on Ebay and seen vacuum pumps from a Chevy Cruze for short money ($80). Looks like it runs off a relayed 12 volts and should provide plenty of vacuum. Anybody have any ideas on whether this would work?
thanks for the help
I am running a big cam in my sbc350 and have about 10" vacuum at idle. When I slam the brakes I get sloppy results as the booster is hard to push. I currently have the vacuum port on back of the carb (holley 750) connected to a vacuum can and then to the brake booster. I'm thinking of adding an electrical vacuum pump to add vacuum and assist in my braking.
Rather than spending $300 for an aftermarket vacuum pump is there any stock equipment that I can use?
I've checked on Ebay and seen vacuum pumps from a Chevy Cruze for short money ($80). Looks like it runs off a relayed 12 volts and should provide plenty of vacuum. Anybody have any ideas on whether this would work?
thanks for the help
#2
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 26,487
Received 1,853 Likes
on
1,412 Posts
Car: Yes
Engine: Usually
Transmission: Sometimes
Axle/Gears: Behind me somewhere
Re: Electric vacuum pump for brakes
Lots of the old car and light-truck diesels used to use those too.
Another option would be a hydroboost; gets its power from the power steering pump. Chevy trucks have ALL been using that since the early 00s, and lots of other vehicles before that.
Another option would be a hydroboost; gets its power from the power steering pump. Chevy trucks have ALL been using that since the early 00s, and lots of other vehicles before that.
#3
Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
Re: Electric vacuum pump for brakes
Many GM cars have an electric Auxiliary Vacuum Pump. Certain HHRs, Solstice/Sky, 5th Gen Camaros, etc. They'll also have the one-way check valve in the hoses already, so be sure to grab that also. They're all relay controlled 12v motors, but in the OE operation the cars usually have a vacuum pressure sensor and only run when needed. You could still rig something up to make it work only when necessary. That's what I plan to do when I get my motor together, but that's a year or so down the road for me.
#4
Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (7)
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Plaistow,NH
Posts: 413
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Car: 92 Camaro Z
Engine: 350
Transmission: Built TH350 with 3200 stall
Axle/Gears: 4th gen, 4.10
Re: Electric vacuum pump for brakes
Thanks for the replies guys. Sounds like the Cruze pump will work. I was thinking of wiring the relay to my brake light so when I hit the brakes the pump activates. Obviously there will be a slight delay before I get full boost but this will definitely help if I'm in traffic or parking. I'm open to any other ideas as well.
I'm going to check into the hydroboost option as well to see if it's a Berger option.
Thanks again.
I'm going to check into the hydroboost option as well to see if it's a Berger option.
Thanks again.
#5
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Georgetown TX
Posts: 1,928
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Car: Base 91 'bird
Engine: 3.1 v6
Transmission: 4L60
Axle/Gears: 9-bolt 3.27 & PBR
Re: Electric vacuum pump for brakes
There are a bunch of threads on the hydroboost using the parts from certain year Astro vans and someone makes a complete bolt in set up but it's something like $600 or more. I've been thinking about an electrical vacuum pump and reservoir too. I like the idea of moving PCV vacuum to the reservoir system as well and using manifold vacuum only for engine control. Just seems like it would be better that way.
#6
Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
Re: Electric vacuum pump for brakes
I would strongly encourage a relay and a vacuum switch to control the pump. There seems to be several options, but here's a couple I found doing a quick search on Google.
http://www.evsource.com/tls_braking_system.php
(Scroll down to the vacuum switch)
http://www.evwest.com/catalog/produc...roducts_id=290
(maybe I'm wrong, but seems this switch has a pretty high vacuum setting)
http://www.evsource.com/tls_braking_system.php
(Scroll down to the vacuum switch)
http://www.evwest.com/catalog/produc...roducts_id=290
(maybe I'm wrong, but seems this switch has a pretty high vacuum setting)
#7
Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
Re: Electric vacuum pump for brakes
Here's another one from Summit, cheaper than the other 2 links I posted earlier today.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ssb-28146sw
Just be sure to use a relay, let the switch control the relay. The relay will control your pump. I also read a Hot Rod article that talked about adding an oil pressure switch (kind of like what's done on our fuel pumps) that would prevent the pump from running with Ignition on and engine off. Not sure I'd waste the time and money on that, but if you don't want the pump running until your engine is running, that's a good way around that too.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ssb-28146sw
Just be sure to use a relay, let the switch control the relay. The relay will control your pump. I also read a Hot Rod article that talked about adding an oil pressure switch (kind of like what's done on our fuel pumps) that would prevent the pump from running with Ignition on and engine off. Not sure I'd waste the time and money on that, but if you don't want the pump running until your engine is running, that's a good way around that too.
Trending Topics
#8
Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (7)
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Plaistow,NH
Posts: 413
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Car: 92 Camaro Z
Engine: 350
Transmission: Built TH350 with 3200 stall
Axle/Gears: 4th gen, 4.10
Re: Electric vacuum pump for brakes
thanks for the replies Guys. Think im going to go with the SBBC and the valve.
#9
Supreme Member
iTrader: (15)
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Central NJ
Posts: 12,666
Likes: 0
Received 50 Likes
on
48 Posts
Car: 86 Trans Am, 92 Firebird
Engine: 408 sbc, 3.1L of raw power
Transmission: TKO600, T5
Axle/Gears: Moser 9", 3:70 trutac, 3:23 torsion
Re: Electric vacuum pump for brakes
I bought a vacuum pump off ebay from an industrial application, think off a earth mover or some th ing. Then got an adjustable n/o vacuum control switch to wire in the circuit so it o ly runs when thr key is on and shuts off at whatever setting I have it at, which I think is 25 inches.
Pump was 125 and switch was 25
Pump was 125 and switch was 25
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Zachattack0925
Tech / General Engine
2
08-12-2015 09:54 PM
Zachattack0925
Transmissions and Drivetrain
4
08-12-2015 09:52 PM