Everything you wanted to know about brake boosters and master cylinders

[rede30]

uummmmmmm......i used the original booster that was in the car........whats the problem

how??

[FredK]

Oops, I thought you meant the 320i booster! I am using the 320i booster, and I bought it from Rock Auto for $155. :)

[matt]

Yeah, it's $205 with the core charge now, and I have the coupon, too.

Edit, and it doesn't look like it comes with that spacer piece. Did yours?

[FredK]

I got my booster from www.rockauto.com.

It is a remanufactured unit from A1 Cardone. It's $160 including a $40 core charge. I searched the internet for a Rock Auto coupon; I think I found a 5% off coupon somewhere.

[matt]

I believe JJ meant doing the conversion using the stock E30 hydraulics.

It won't cost that much--you need a master cyl ($110) and booster ($70 used, $155 new)

Where can you get that booster for $155 new? I found a reman one for $205 with core. I need a new one that includes that spacer between the firewall and the booster.

[japspecvr6]

uummmmmmm......i used the original booster that was in the car........whats the problem

[Stu]

stu, are you running e30 m3 brakes with that MC?

negative, standard 10" 4-lug :(

[1990m3]

stu, are you running e30 m3 brakes with that MC?

[Stu]

320i booster with 750iL MC works well in my 318. Nice info on the remote res

[Ryan Stewart]

Ryan Stewart - Could you take a digital pic of your mc/booster?

Its identical to equates. Dual chamber booster and the E34 MC that recesses into the first chamber of the booster. Same resevior but just used soft hoses and moved it up to the blower cover.

[FredK]

I believe JJ meant doing the conversion using the stock E30 hydraulics.

It won't cost that much--you need a master cyl ($110) and booster ($70 used, $155 new)

[equate975]

??

[JJ Byzanz]

What if you don't have an extra $600 to do the brake conversion, can't you make it work somehow? I'm going to try.

[equate975]

a friend of mine suggested that DSM (eclipse/talon/etc) plugs might be the same fitting. they are easy to come by in the yards. but new is always nice

I have seen those recently when I was picking through our yard, It looks like it would work but I have not tried it.

[Rev Engineer]

equate - Thanks for the info on master cylinders.

Ryan Stewart - Could you take a digital pic of your mc/booster?

The ix booster part number is 34331161486.
The ix master cylinder is 34311161859.

According to the first post, we want to use 34331156978 in place of 34311161859.

Autohaus has 34331156978 for $143. Does anyone know where to get it for less?