Are all brake master cylinders created equal?

Arro · Post by **Arro** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 11:20 pm

My pedal feel is kinda poor... I can stop ok, but if I press a bit harder, it sinks to the floor. I'm thinking I need to bleed the system... maybe even replace the master cylinder. I'm guessing it's the original one. I changed it on my Nissan 200SX and noticed a huge improvement, I'm thinking I'll get the same with this.

Are there other options than the OEM application? Are the SRT-4 masters beefier? I know on Nissans, the master cylinders came in different sizes. I just wanted to see what I could put in there for the best results.

I also plan on doing stainless lines and good brake fluid, so any recommendation on fluids is welcome, too.

hansken_yo · Post by **hansken_yo** » Sat Feb 14, 2009 2:20 pm

Sounds like you need to bleed your brakes.

The SRT Master Cylinders do have a larger bore from the 7/8" bore (for the neons that came with the rear drumb brakes). to a 15/16" bore. You could not use the SRT master cylinder because the ports are different due to the ABS controller connections.

If you do want to increase your flow there is a NAPA Brake MC that is a 15/16" bore that has the right portage for base neons. The part number is in the part number section of the forum or here:

viewtopic.php?t=37472

As for SS brakelines that isn't a bad choice and DOT3 fluid will work just fine.

NickKo · Post by **NickKo** » Sat Feb 14, 2009 2:35 pm

hansken_yo wrote:
If you do want to increase your flow there is a NAPA Brake MC that is a 15/16" bore that has the right portage for base neons. The part number is in the part number section of the forum or here:

viewtopic.php?t=37472

Good info to know.

Thank you Hansken, for posting this.... I never knew they had such a thing !!

- Nick

Post by **occasional demons** » Sat Feb 14, 2009 3:21 pm

Just some general info.
A smaller bore = more travel/less effort
A larger bore = less travel/more effort
But it only being 1/16" more, and power brakes, I don't think the effort part will matter too much.

hansken_yo · Post by **hansken_yo** » Sat Feb 14, 2009 11:41 pm

NickKo wrote: Good info to know.
Thank you Hansken, for posting this.... I never knew they had such a thing !!

- Nick

Not a problem. Since going to the Willwood BBK, the 7/8 bore was just a little spongy for my tastes so I went shopping and found this one. Works well

T-Nasty · Post by **T-Nasty** » Sun Feb 15, 2009 8:18 am

if bleeding your brakes doesnt help you may have a brake booster problem check the booster to make sure all vac lines are hooked up and make sure your fluid is full.

Arro · Post by **Arro** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 11:06 am

hansken_yo wrote:If you do want to increase your flow there is a NAPA Brake MC that is a 15/16" bore that has the right portage for base neons. The part number is in the part number section of the forum or here:

viewtopic.php?t=37472

What about Autozone? Are they 15/16" for base or no?

hansken_yo · Post by **hansken_yo** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 11:25 am

I have no clue. I called several auto stores and when it came down to it Napa had people that actually knew what it was that I was asking. Other stores, such as Autozone, were employed by the auto-impaired. Sorry

NickKo · Post by **NickKo** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 2:15 pm

hansken_yo wrote:I have no clue. I called several auto stores and when it came down to it Napa had people that actually knew what it was that I was asking. Other stores, such as Autozone, were employed by the auto-impaired. Sorry

That is why they are called AutoSTONED

- Nick

Arro · Post by **Arro** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 8:55 pm

Ehhh that's a misconception , I've been at Autozones where the people behind the counter knew their shit, and Napas where there were retards hocking parts. It all depends on the individual store in question.

Post by **occasional demons** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 9:52 pm

Arro wrote:Ehhh that's a misconception , I've been at Autozones where the people behind the counter knew their shit, and Napas where there were retards hocking parts. It all depends on the individual store in question.

^^^ Werd! The local NAPA here tried to tell me that Spicer no longer sold parts to the general public, and I couldn't get Spicer u-joints for my Jeep front axle shafts. WRONG!
NAPA lost their contract with Spicer, so I guess they were pissed over it or something. 4WheelParts was more than happy to sell me the parts I needed. That NAPA has lost my respect.

hansken_yo · Post by **hansken_yo** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 10:21 pm

Arro wrote:Ehhh that's a misconception , I've been at Autozones where the people behind the counter knew their shit, and Napas where there were retards hocking parts. It all depends on the individual store in question.

I agree... it just happens that the local Napa has intelligent parts people while the other stores are not as skilled.
If you do find a similar MC at autozone let me know and I'll add it to the parts thread I have for the 15/16 bore MC for non-abs neons.

Graphite SRT · Post by **Graphite SRT** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 10:41 pm

you can just get it from rockauto.com

listed under 02 Dodge Neon ES

RAYBESTOS Part # MC390638 {Professional Grade Bore Size=15/16" Number of Ports=3 Secondary Outlet Size=M18x1.0/7/16-24}
Front Disc Brakes; Rear Disc Brakes; Power Brakes; Non ABS Brakes; 15/16" Bore

hansken_yo · Post by **hansken_yo** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 11:00 pm

Graphite SRT wrote:you can just get it from rockauto.com

listed under 02 Dodge Neon ES

RAYBESTOS Part # MC390638 {Professional Grade Bore Size=15/16" Number of Ports=3 Secondary Outlet Size=M18x1.0/7/16-24}
Front Disc Brakes; Rear Disc Brakes; Power Brakes; Non ABS Brakes; 15/16" Bore

Added, Thanks!

NickKo · Post by **NickKo** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 2:00 pm

Arro wrote:Ehhh that's a misconception , I've been at Autozones where the people behind the counter knew their shit, and Napas where there were retards hocking parts. It all depends on the individual store in question.

occasional demons wrote: ^^^ Werd! The local NAPA here tried to tell me that Spicer no longer sold parts to the general public, and I couldn't get Spicer u-joints for my Jeep front axle shafts. WRONG!
NAPA lost their contract with Spicer, so I guess they were pissed over it or something. 4WheelParts was more than happy to sell me the parts I needed. That NAPA has lost my respect.

Agreed !

I actually KNOW "smart" car guys that work at Auto Zone, too....
They know that I make "fun" of their store, but they don't take it 'personally', because they know it is not directed at them, personally.....
it's directed to the stooooopid guys, who give Auto Stoned their bad reputation.

As far as NAPA losing their contract with Spicer:
That is my *general* experience with ALL auto parts stores, when they lose a vendor.....
They will LIE and tell you that "the part isn't available anymore", when they SHOULD say, "we don't / CAN't carry that part anymore", or "we don't stock it".

True Story:
I had a friend looking for a rebuild kit on a carburator.
A local, privately-owned parts store told him that a rebuild kit was no longer available for his carb, so he was S.O.L.
Since the car was not that old, and it was a GM product, we double-checked with another auto parts store...... And they had a rebuild kit in stock.

The 'first' auto parts store LIED, as far as I'm concerned..... they simply couldn't get the rebuild kit, and didn't want their customers going to the competition.
That is PRETTY retarded, if you ask me.

Moral of Story:
If any auto part store tells you that a part is 'not available', check with another competing store..... they might have what you are looking for.

- Nick

ragek23 · Post by **ragek23** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 3:02 pm

the 15/16" bore master works awesome with srt rear and stock fronts! I just installed the setup yesterday. the rear brake instal was a pita but the result was awesome.