Date: Mon, 7 Nov 2011 09:09:17 -0500
Reply-To: Ken Wilford <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Ken Wilford <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: bmw brake booster "upgrade"
In-Reply-To: <CA+n284M6+5x5_N_ZEAN-AKj_JMF6A-_Zf5JMnicVy+CAQnDPHA@mail.gmail.com>
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I guess if you have the tools and skills to do some minor mods then this
"upgrade" is doable but I really don't see the advantage. Unless you
are putting in a used booster (bad plan) you are not saving enough money
for this swap to be worthwhile financially. That one site you quoted
has a low price for this but you did notice that they are saying "Call
for availability"? That is parts store code for "we have a great price
but we actually don't have any to sell you".
The part is an ATE part just like the Vanagon one. It is similar in
size and function so how can the price be much less than the Vanagon
version? It can't unless you are going to go used. It involves some
modification which takes time, effort and skill on your part. That is
worth something.
To me the best way to go is to still get the stock booster and just swap
that out. I know it is a chunk of money but you shouldn't need another
one for another 26 years. If you are really smart then you should also
remove, clean and service your front blower housing at the same time
(inspect front heater core). That way you aren't doing the dash removal
again in a year or two.
If this was worth while I would be all over it. But I have looked
through my sources and I can't find a source for this part that is
cheaper than the Vanagon booster wholesale price. Replace a Vanagon
part with a BMW part and it is supposed to be cheaper? Since when are
BMW parts cheap? :-)
I can't speak to the "upgrade" part of this. Bigger is usually
considered better here in the US so I guess even if it is an 1/8" bigger
in diameter then it would be considered better. You would be surprised
the placebo effect that you get when someone does one of these "upgrade"
mods. Of course if their old booster was bad the new one is going to be
an "upgrade" in comparison. There are tons of cars out there running
with magnets on the fuel lines, vortex generators in the intake, and
hydrogen splitters to attest that "seat of the pants" beats actual
science in most peoples' minds any day. :-)
Ken Wilford
John 3:16
www.vanagain.com
On 11/5/2011 9:46 PM, pickle vanagon 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.
>