Booster ideas for s54 swap

[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. :)

[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.

[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

[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

[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.

[Luke_M]

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

[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]

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.

[WannaBe30]

I was assuming that you had to weld that bolt on when I read your thread jb325is

If no welding is involved I can do that for sure.

Did you have to extend your brake lines too like Fred said?

I will be deleting abs in the process so I guess I'll have to dive into that anyway to do it the right way.

[Jb325is]

I thought you have to custom some pedals and brackets to do that

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showpost.php?p=4018013&postcount=35

[FredK]

The Massive booster delete plate that uses the stock e30 MC only requires you to drill the brake pedal and grind a bracket off. You may need to extend some brake lines to the master cylinder, but I'm not certain.

[WannaBe30]

I thought you have to custom some pedals and brackets to do that

[ForcedFirebird]

I have installed Massive booster delete, you don't need any special tools/welder and it's not overly expensive.

[WannaBe30]

When you say modifying the firewall what do you mean?
Drilling to scoot over the booster or more involved?

I wouldn't mind modifying the airbox

[Andrew325is]

Your options for boosted brakes are pretty limited without modifying the airbox or your firewall. A hydroboost system is one of the better options. The E23 booster doesn't stick out as far as an E28 or E32 version. I'm not sure about the E31. Might be worth investigating. The later hydroboosts have a little simpler hose configuration. You might be able to use a non-BMW solution as well. Lots of trucks like late model Chevys have hydroboost boosters. There's also a custom one for LS1 swaps floating around.