Under cab or firewall mounted master cylinder

[tdishon]

I am at the point of deciding to have the master cylinder(and hydroboost) under the cab or mounted on the firewall. I would love to hear any pros/cons to either. I like the look of not having it on the firewall, but...
It is a custom build so I don't have either set up right now.

[dsraven]

check ogre's set up. works well and home built I think. leaves more room for other stuff under the floor.

[tdishon]

I tried looking, but Photobucket hides all of his pics...

[mr48chev]

They work great on the firewall and are easy to service there but they are really ugly when it comes to having a decent looking engine compartment and negate a lot of the work guys do to have a great looking engine and engine compartment.

Mine is going under the floor where it belongs simply because I don't want all the work and money I have put into the engine and engine compartment compromised in appearance by the master cylinder and booster being up there. If I had a plain engine and wasn't worried about how things looked under the hood outside of being orderly and clean I would probably put it there if I had an automatic and didn't need the clutch pedal that goes on the same shaft that the brake pedal does. It's easier as long as you properly reinforce the firewall so it doesn't flex and crack where the brakes are bolted up.

[mongocanfly]

an AD firewall just doesn't look right with a big ol booster hanging on it....mines going under the floor....big thumbs up for hydroboost as well...

[iowaboynca]

I'm just finishing up a hydroboost install. Unfortunately I had to go on the firewall.. . The pedals I was going to use hit directly where my headers dumped out.

I'm definitely a fan of frame mount pedals, just couldn't make it work with what I had at the time and I didn't want to fiddle with them at the time.

[Speedbumpauto]

I'm a make it pretty kind of guy along with too much engine, too much cam and intake.....normal hot rod guy. I'm at the point where I wish I'd put the booster on the firewall. I'm continually fighting what I consider heat related issues because the headers/collectors run so close to the booster/MC. Pedal effort/effectiveness isn't the same from cold to hot on a heat soak in traffic cruise. I'm using a dual diaphragm 8" booster, once again for pretty. Didn't want ugly lines coming from the PS pump back to the hydro-boost. I will NEVER make that choice again. Hydro-boost just solves too many problems for the performance engine guys, especially since I already had PS....DUH!
Just random thought for you to consider as I once again have the truck in the air fighting with, you guessed it, brake problems. Maybe my standards are just too high......?

[G&R's57GMC]

Speed bump
Can you post a pic or your hydroboost steup

[58CameoAZ]

I have a Auto City Classic Inc 8" Booster and Chrome master cylinder that bolts to the firewall
for my 58 Cameo, Yes, I like the Smooth Firewall's,"But" I went this way as I stand 6'4"
and wanted to go with the Swing Pedal verses stock threw the floor board to gain more room. I bought the CPP's Firewall #5559FMB
Mount Pedal/Booster Bracket after seeing Roger1's set up. I am probably Old School
when it comes to this but like Chrome and think this will work just fine for me!

Allen

[mongocanfly]

g&r...I think bump stated he has a 8" dual diaphragm booster... (for pretty)..and he wishes he had hydroboost....

[mikec4193]

Hi tdishon

My last two vintage vehicles had the master cylinder under the floor...never fun working on them at all...put it on the firewall where all the modern day cars have them...way easier to bleed out too...gravity feed is a wonderful thing....

my 2 cents

MikeC

[tdishon]

Thanks for ur input everyone. I think the firewall mount will be more fuctional, but a under cab hydroboost with a master cylinder that has a plastic reservoir (to make checking fluid level easy) might be a starting point for me. I know I need the 2 pound anti-bleed back valves too. I'm still on the fence. I have some time before I tackle this part of the build. Any picks of your master/booster combo would be great!

[Speedbumpauto]

Here's the best pic I have of mine. Looks a lot more cluttered and tight when the cab and accessories are on. Works just OK. Using a H-boost in the same app might be the answer. I can't due to lack of space rearward toward the substantial trans. cross member. Hydroboosts are longer than even dual dia. boosters.

[_Ogre]

Originally Posted by tdishon

I tried looking, but Photobucket hides all of his pics...

if you use chrome for a browser check this out photosuckit fix

[_Ogre]

i made my own bracket for this 03 ford cobra hydroboost and have added a remote reservoir
but i have also seen an easier way use the stock swing arm
cut out the back of the existing mc and run a rod to the hydroboost
easy peasy compared to what i did

[dsraven]

hey, good idea ogre. never thought of that one. prolly work great though.

[G&R's57GMC]

Thanks Speed bump

[Black_Sheep]

My MC setup



Personally I like the MC under the floor because of aesthetics. I put a lot of work into cleaning up the engine compartment...

[BAM55]

I kept mine under that cab for the same reason as black_sheep. I like a clean firewall.

[mr48chev]

That is one nice looking setup BAM.

I had a full size booster on my 48 in the early 80s an that is one reason I am not found of them on the firewall. Open the hood at a show that it was required (ISCA judging sheet) and there was that booster and master cylinder. That and I am shooting for a built in the late 50's custom truck look with a lot of finned aluminum on the six.

[my56chevytruck]

Originally Posted by tdishon

I am at the point of deciding to have the master cylinder(and hydroboost) under the cab or mounted on the firewall. I would love to hear any pros/cons to either. I like the look of not having it on the firewall, but...
It is a custom build so I don't have either set up right now.

the cleanest look of course is to mount it under the floor somewhere, the obvious downside is the access to check fluid and or do any type of work on the MC is it's location. I've got a street rod with it under neath the floor and the firewall looks great without it, but checking it or filling is a bit of a hassle. On the other hand, you can get a great looking unit from a Summit Racing or Jegs. They sell Milodon units and they are good looking.

[_Ogre]

the factory five cobra kit car guys like to use the same mustang hydroboost i did
found this remote reservoir on the ff forum, it is off a nissan quest/mercury villager mini van
the adapters plug right into the mc

[72Mountaineer]

I have noticed in the pics that there are no proportioning valves in these setups. Isn't that needed?

[Speedbumpauto]

Black Sheep's photo shows one. I used the same one mounted a little farther back. I don't know how much they are "really needed" but I plumb one using the philosophy "better to have and not need....." I have never moved one off zero on either build and had it make any difference. That's just me.

[_Ogre]

i use the stock mustang valve that came with the mc