What is the advantage of Hydro boost brakes over hydraulic?

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

kkgp81

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Jan 23, 2023
Posts
649
Reaction score
1,471
Location
Texas
First Name
Kelley
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
350
My K30 has hydro brakes and I need to replace all of the hoses. Looking at it I have the stuff to make it a vacuum setup. What are the advantages to the Hydroboost setup short of if your power steering pump cashes out you lose brakes and power
 

ali_c20

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Sep 20, 2016
Posts
2,130
Reaction score
3,244
Location
Austria
First Name
Alexander
Truck Year
1974, 1979
Truck Model
C20, K5
Engine Size
350, 350
My K30 has hydro brakes and I need to replace all of the hoses. Looking at it I have the stuff to make it a vacuum setup. What are the advantages to the Hydroboost setup short of if your power steering pump cashes out you lose brakes and power
Smaller package.
Way more stopping power.
Hydroboost: up to 2700psi
Vacuum booster: up to 1400psi
I never had a power steering pump fail from one second to another. Always started long time before failure with making noises, leaks, puke fluids.
 

Keith Seymore

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 13, 2015
Posts
3,925
Reaction score
14,044
Location
Motor City
First Name
Keith Seymore
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
R10
Engine Size
4.3L
Hydroboost is used on those applications that don't generate enough vacuum to run the booster (like diesels).

K
 

xm20k

Runs on 93 octane, caffeine, and spite
Supporting Member
Joined
May 26, 2025
Posts
1,195
Reaction score
3,108
Location
Girard, Ohio
First Name
David
Truck Year
78
Truck Model
c10
Engine Size
388
Big ca
Hydroboost is used on those applications that don't generate enough vacuum to run the booster (like diesels).

K
Or big cams with tons of overlap.
 

bucket

Super Moderator
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Posts
35,425
Reaction score
44,729
Location
Usually not in Ohio
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
'77, '78, '79, '84, '88
Truck Model
K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454
Stick with the hydroboost. It's way nicer in a large truck.
 

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
48,666
Posts
1,074,167
Members
43,334
Latest member
Nborden88
Top