320 booster/IX booster vs. stock which is better?

[e30polak]

just as the title says guys...i'm looking into the IE BBK for front and rear and i wanted to see everyone's opinions on their brakes whether u have a 320 booster or the IX set-up. currently i have the 320 booster, but i want something better, so i want some feedback on those with the IX one.

[Bmjpv]

Stock booster

Install the stock booster and modify the intake manifold. Than install the 25mm master cylinder, Very clean and simple .

[e30s52]

do you have any pictures of this modify manifold?

[Teaguer]

do you have any pictures of this modify manifold?

He's talking about notching the manifold to clear the stock booster .

[SWAPJUNKIE]

We use the stock booster and master and slot the holes in the firewall about 1/2" towards the outside. The top inside bolt will be close to the bracket, so we normaly only use the three other studs. Then trim the fins off the maniflod. If you use the taller motor mounts you have about a 1/16" gap.

[WillisE30]

Interesting

[Bmjpv]

Stock booster w/s52

I did a small write up with pics a while ago , look this up, might work for you ?? joe

[DaN]

My experience with the ix booster sucks. Im currently running it now with the fins shaved on the intake, 1/4" spacers on both motor mounts, and It still rubs. I'm going to have to slot the mounting holes.
The brake pedal feels the same as it did with the original booster.
I used the DSM reservoir with 2002 lines and nipples, and the e34 540 clutch res.

My advice is to slot the holes before you install the booster and motor, lol. Now I gotta pull the whole setup out.
It seems like the stock booster would have worked better, with slightly less mods.

[hoveringuy]

I'm at the point where I can start prepping for my swap that I am planning for the first week in March. I will definately consider slotting the holes.

My question is: can I swap the booster ahead of time and then swap the motor, or does the booster need to be out to fit the motor? It seems like it would be easier to install the motor without the booster but want to get an experienced opinion.

Hoveringuy

[e30polak]

well i fixed the problem with a vacuum reserve canister mounted under the shock tower and my 320 booster, now it feels better then stock...but i still have to figure out abs :(

[OrganicMechanic]

We use the stock booster and master and slot the holes in the firewall about 1/2" towards the outside. The top inside bolt will be close to the bracket, so we normally only use the three other studs. Then trim the fins off the manifold. If you use the taller motor mounts you have about a 1/16" gap.

corrected spelling errors

I don`t like the idea of weakening the fire wall. With this approach it would seem to give the already thin metal less structure and add flex when your hard on the brakes.

[DaN]

You can install the motor with the booster in place, that's what I did.
Now I'm considering the 944 booster with a vacuum res.
Just not grasping the physics of the reservoir.
Isn't the pedal effort increased due to the less surface area of the booster size? It seems like a res would increase the volume of the booster, which would help with multiple applications, but not with effort? Anyone have an explanation?

[Mike B.]

Yes, it doesn't improve efforts. But it keeps you from running out of assist.

I find vacuum reservoir is more beneficial for really small boosters (7") or engines with high overlap cams that don't generate a lot of vacuum to create assist.

[hoveringuy]

The initial effort is directly proportional to the surface area of the diaphram (and the initial vacuum). However, as the pedal strokes the vacuum acting on the diaphram decreases and the assist fades. The resevoir keeps the vacuum at a more constant level to keep the assist consistent through the stroke.

[surebimmer]

well i fixed the problem with a vacuum reserve canister mounted under the shock tower and my 320 booster, now it feels better then stock...but i still have to figure out abs :(

Do you have any pictures of this? What vacuum reserve canister did you use. I haven't had much issue with my brakes. But one time at an autocross it felt like I didn't have any vacuum assist. I thought about adding a vacuum reserve canister from like Jeg's. That's what old hot rod guys do when they run a big cam.