$100 brake upgrade (Page 39/43)
Rodney NOV 21, 09:20 AM
Using my booster banjo extension and the Summit booster: You put some Locktite (included in my kit) on the threads. Screw on my banjo part. Tighten securely using the flats on both the booster push rod and my banjo end. Install in your Fiero. The chance of the booster rod loosening from the banjo extension end is about as close to zero as one can get.

PS: The threaded end on the Summit booster is 7/8" long. To fall off the banjo would need to be extended a minimum of 7/8" away from the booster. The pedal can only go so high and after that the brakes would maybe begin to drag. There is no internal rotational movement in a brake booster to cause the banjo to want to unthread.


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Rodney Dickman

Fiero Parts And Acc's Web Page:
All new web page!:www.rodneydickman.com
Rodney Dickman's Fiero accessories
7604 Treeview Drive
Caledonia, WI 53108
Phone/Fax (262) 835-9575

[This message has been edited by Rodney (edited 11-21-2014).]

troyboy JAN 24, 10:36 AM
do both kits require modification to the wheel well?

Edit: never mind found the answer

[This message has been edited by troyboy (edited 01-24-2015).]

JohnWPB FEB 02, 04:32 AM

quote
Originally posted by Rodney:
taken apart by a backyard bozo mechanic and reassembled with some used parts.



I came here to post a thanks for my booster upgrade from sardonyx, and just read the last couple pages. Rodney, I was surprised at each post of yours that I read. You feel you had to resort to calling someone a "backyard bozo mechanic" to make yourself feel better? I am sorry, but that is just childish! Just about as childish as all of your "but he started it" posts. (as for your choice of name calling, he is the one using an OEM banjo from a Fiero brake booster, and not the one cobbling aftermarket parts together and then using lock-tight as a safety net).

Sardonyx has spent much time and money to provide something for the Fiero community, something you have said that you would not be doing many times over the past couple of years, so he filled the need. I called you just 3 months ago about a banjo, and you said you are not going to sell them due to possible legal issues. I had gained a lot of respect for you and your products over the past years. I have to agree with others in this thread when I say I have lost just about all respect for you. Not due to a inferior product, but due to the way you have acted and reacted to posts here in this thread.

As far as ease of use, I would choose sardonyx's brake upgrade option hands down. Order the tested brake booster, with the Fiero banjo installed, and bolt it in place.

OR, you could find and order a booster, then order Rodneys after market banjo, when they both arrive, screw the pieces together, and use thread lock and install the aftermarket "extension part" onto the S-10 brake booster. Then you need to drill out rivets and remove mounting hardware from the Fiero booster. Then purchase bolts, nuts and washers to transfer the mounting hardware onto the S-10 brake booster. Now you are ready to put the newly cobbled together booster on your Fiero.
Lou6t4gto FEB 03, 01:32 PM
This is the kind of "Crap" that "Brought Down" CLASSICAL PONTIAC" ! you're arguing over something that may or may not have happened 10 YEARS AGO ! GET OVER IT ! If You don't like someone, Don't talk to Them ! you're acting like the leader of a "Linch mob". just Grow Up, LET IT GO. you're doing nothing but enciting other people.
Lunatic MAY 01, 05:44 AM
I too wanted the bigger booster. I used the 11" dual diaphragm unit from a 1995 Suburban, since I already had it.
This one had the "KD" marking on it and it has studs so reattaching the Fiero mounting bracket is a bolt-on affair.




[This message has been edited by Lunatic (edited 05-01-2015).]

85GT_3800SC JUN 09, 12:34 PM
I posted earlier in this thread,that I put together a rod extension that attaches to the end of the "Tuff Stuff" booster,available from Summit Racing.Though the extension worked,it was not very pretty. This upgrade has been made more professional looking and is now very easy for anybody to complete with the brand new booster from Summit and an extension rod kit from Rodney Dickman for a total cost of just under $155.I removed my home-made rod extension and installed one of Rodney's extensions.It fit perfectly and looks good,matching up to the robust 5/8" diameter of the Summit booster rod. Here are a couple of pics of the install.

The rod extension kit arrives with the rod and some loctite for the threads


The extension is hardened and threaded to fit the Summit booster.


This is the Summit booster installed with the Fiero oem bracket (bracket has to be tranfered to the new booster).Sheetmetal has been adjusted to fit booster .


Here is the Summit booster rod as it sits with no extension,close to the brake pedal arm


Here, Rodney's extension arm is installed with some loctite on the threads.

[This message has been edited by 85GT_3800SC (edited 06-14-2015).]

Samuraijack AUG 11, 09:24 PM
wow what a read. Also my first experience with a heated battle.

my take away was some one found a solution and was providing said solution.

The product being sold was not rocket science and well tested.

A competitive solution came around, and used verbage that was informative and a threat to first solution.

I am un biased and will say if I was a well known name id want to keep a proffessional reputation.


all this aside as much as I now personally find Rodney not to be a steller representative of his company his solution is sound.

One point i didn't come across was that ordering a summit booster and just having the attachment makes it feasable to return a defective unit ( although a failure would be VERY rare )

dollars and cents for me personally being in Canada the rodney solution works best for me.

Its a free market, let you dollar speak for you.

a last note... there were numerous members showing a fast run to the salvage yard, to be their solution and no one attacked them for their choice...

Postive result for me today on the forum I found door glass! silver tinted from our friend Richard at ProSource Glass, phoned him up and was really impressed with his personality.

[This message has been edited by Samuraijack (edited 08-11-2016).]

Inferno NOV 13, 03:52 PM
You used a Master Cylinder from a 94 full sized blazer and it worked ok?

quote
Originally posted by 85GT_3800SC:

I have been watching this thread for a while now. What a great brake upgrade this is! Thanks to Phil for coming up with this idea and to his and everyone else’s posts that helped me complete my own booster installation. I did the upgrade last summer and the results are impressive. I have the Grand Am front brake upgrade with a 1994 full size Blazer master cylinder and stock rear brakes. Before installing the larger booster, I replaced all rotors (with slotted) and calipers, installed ss braided lines all around and new carbo-met brake pads. I would say the brakes were good with this much done, but with the booster upgrade, now they are great. Much less pedal effort! I am happy with the upgrade but like other members on the forum, I want to install a brand new unit for peace of mind. I was all set to buy one of Rodney’s ready-to-go boosters, but he has ended the larger booster project for some reason. This post is for those who are looking for more of a ready-made solution.

While looking for a new booster to modify, I came across this item from Summit racing.


It looked familiar so I went to the Tuff Stuff website for more info and found this


Both sites showed that these boosters would fit 1973 – 1993 GM trucks. That sure increases the number of boosters that might be available in wrecking yards! But I was looking for a new/rebuilt booster.

Well, long story short, since the booster looked like a match for the upgrade, I ordered one of these from Summit and it arrived yesterday. It is the exact same size booster as the one I used from a 96 s10 on my booster upgrade. Here is what it looks like:


The only differences are not bad ones. The pushrod is a whopping 5/8” diameter, is much longer than the s10 pushrod, and it has a 3/8”NC thread on the rod end.


The bolt patterns match and a new booster to master cylinder rod is included


The pushrod is closer to the correct length to fit the Fiero. An extension to the rod end is still required. My extension uses a lock washer, a 3/8” NC coupling nut, a homemade adapter bolt (coarse to fine thread),a jam nut and a rod end I had that was 3/8”NF thread (will likely need to drill the rod end 3/8” hole out to fit the brake pedal pin).


The mounting bracket that came with the new booster is unusable on the Fiero, and must be removed. Here’s the new booster with bracket removed and the pushrod all together.


I will be putting it in on the next “warmer” day we have here in the “Great White North”. I don’t foresee any problems but will report back after the install.
While not directly plug and play like Rodney’s was going to be, I think this booster offers a rugged upgrade option with a minimal amount of work required. The cost of $125 from Summit does not require a core to be sent back.
longjonsilver SEP 13, 01:15 PM
i will be doing this mod on my 84. Thanks to all for the info.
jon

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Astronomy says we will find a coded signal from outer space. Then we'll KNOW that life exists there, for coded signals aren't by chance.

Biology says there are coded genetic signals in every cell, but we KNOW that no intelligence created life.

I'm the original owner of a white ' 84 2M4 purchased Dec 10, 1983 from Pontiac. Always garaged, no rust, 4-wheel drifts are fun!

Dennis LaGrua SEP 13, 09:41 PM
Installed the Tuff Stuff (Hurst) 11" booster with Rodneys end a few months ago . Made a significant improvement in braking action.

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" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "