Booster ideas for s54 swap

[Luke_M]

Just another point of view...

I daily a boosterless system using a Massive kit and I'm pretty happy with it. Stock brakes with HP+ pads. Yes, it makes for a stiff pedal but I kind of like it and have no problem getting it to lock up if need be.

I think the hp+ pads extra initial bite help quite a bit over a less "grabby" pad. Also keep in mind I am blessed with strong legs after many years in the gym so YMMV. I can totally understand how someone might not like it, but fwiw I daily the thing. Another plus is it cleans up the engine bay and you lose a little weight up front.

Also should add that running a slightly smaller MC would help as well but the extra leverage from the Massive kit helps the most.

Try this quick test if you can. Next time you are in a safe spot and driving down a steep hill, turn the car off and lightly pump out any vacuum in the pedal (hopefully that makes sense) then try to get the car to stop pretty aggressively from a decent speed. That little test gives you a ballpark idea of what it will feel like.

Keep in mind you're running a stock leverage of 4.0:1 and with the boosterless setup you're more in the 6.0:1 - 6.2:1 territory so it gets easier. If you can't deal with it then boosterless is probably not for you.

[ForcedFirebird]

^^^The pedal radio change makes it feel nothing like trying to brake without assist, but the firmness of the pedal is similar.

[Luke_M]

I agree. It does give you a ballpark idea of what it would feel like. That's my main point.

[Jb325is]

I dunno, I kinda have to disagree. I hated how my car felt with booster delete and stock brakes, and I was running Hawks at the time. It works, but it is substantially worse than stock IMO. Sure you can still lock it up if really try, but if you drive the car on the road a lot I think it's not a great idea. On the track with good pads and some heat, is another story

It feels ok now with the e46 brakes, but definitely not what I would like.

[garretvs]

Don't go without a booster. You'll hate the feel of the brakes on a daily driver, especially if you drive in city traffic. Check into a BMW hydroboost system from a 7-series. Do some searching to see what diameter the 7-series master cylinder is (centricparts.com) vs your current E30, which is about 19-20mm bore size. Try to keep the same diameter since a larger bore master cylinder will increase the pedal effort.

Also see this thread:

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=148395

[WannaBe30]

I'll be running e36 m3 fronts an 318ti rears, deleting my broken abs and it's not my daily but can be if I want.

The booster delete seems like the easiest way around it


No turning back now
The s52 is out

[Rev Run D]

I wonder if the VSR LS1 swap kit's booster relocation would work. That would seem like a great alternative for those wanting to stay boosted, if it works with the s54.

[Andrew325is]

I wonder if the VSR LS1 swap kit's booster relocation would work. That would seem like a great alternative for those wanting to stay boosted, if it works with the s54.

I don't see why it wouldn't. :)