Date: Sun, 6 Nov 2011 19:25:18 -0800
Reply-To: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Subject: Re: bmw brake booster "upgrade"
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I would be careful about modifying a diesel vanagon with this booster
upgrade.
It 'could' work..
but DV's are a special case ......
in that, unlike gasoline engines with a throttle plate and usually abundant
engine vacuum to power a brake booster ...
DV's have an engine driven vacuum pump. And it's 'weird' that it is tied
into engine crankcase breathing..
There has even been a case of a DV that would not brake properly ..and
everything in the world was replaced or tried ..in the end, it turned out to
be worn out engine was the reason for lack of proper vacuum to the brake
booster.
DV brakes work quite well for what they are, and the vehicle they are
installed on.
I'd probably play with better pads ..
or upgrade to the later type vanagon brakes ( though I just did read of a
case with those later brakes installed and the poster was not getting good
brake action. )
fwiw ..I just worked on a DV with really poor brakes.
It acted like maybe the booster was weak ...
after I knew the wheel brakes were fairly decent, I replaced the MC ..
made all the difference in the world.
you can try a BMW booster and let us know how it turns out
Scott
----- Original Message -----
From: "ralph meyermann" <ralphmeyermann@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, November 06, 2011 8:06 AM
Subject: Re: bmw brake booster "upgrade"
> And could this unit benefit us diesel folks?
>
> Velma 82diesel 1.6 na westy
>
> On Nov 5, 2011 8:55 PM, "pickle vanagon" <greenvanagon@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Over at thesamba, there's a thread on "upgrading" the vanagon booster to
> BMW model that is larger diameter:
> http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=443880&highlight=brake+booster+dash
>
> And, viewing other threads over there, it seems several of their forum
> members have done this, seeming satisfied with the results.
>
> Has anyone hear made the change?
>
> I ask because I think I may have to replace our booster, and the BMW
> booster's price new seems to be about half that of the vanagon booster.
> (e.g., here:
> http://catalog.importrp.com/item.wws?mfr=ATE&sku=BMW018726&source=GOOGLEBASE
> )
> (I'm not interested in installing a used booster.)
>
> My understanding is that:
> 1) maximum braking power won't be improved, as this is limited by the
> calipers and hydraulic system, not the strength of my legs at this point.
> But:
> 2) the power required to achieve any given braking power will be reduced,
> so the brakes should be more "responsive" in that sense
> 3) otherwise there don't seem to be major downsides.
>
> Obviously, I'm especially interested in any thoughts/feedback on #3.
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