master cylinder? booster or no booster

brought up a ton of times but here we go again...
im about to do my disc brake conversion and looking for a master cylinder. my question is how many of you guys are running your daily drivers without boosters? i plan on driving my car regularly on busy bay area streets and highways and need brakes i can depend on. im going to convert my fronts first and then eventually the rear with the explorer brakes.
i would think that 4 wheel manual disc brakes is more than enough stopping power or should i really get a booster to be on the safe side. id like to not have to change my brake pedal if i can or have to redo my master cylinder evertime i make a change. maybe a mc i can add a booster to later if im not satisfied?

can you guys recommend a master cylinder for my application?

 

I'm running a stock 74 disc brake mater cylinder with front Granada discs. No power booster, and it stops fine. As light as these cars are, power assist is not really needed. My pedal is firm, but not hard. I think power assist would tend to make it too soft and touchy, but that's just my two cents.

 

u dont need a booster. it only helps with pedal effort, not stopping power

 

I have manual 4 wheel disc brakes on my Stallion, It had front discs originally. I always felt the car stopped very well with just the front disc's. It now stops better than any car I own and that includes my 4 wheel disc brake 2004 Pontiac. I am running the stock (and original mc and proportioning valve).

 

I have granada discs and no Booster. Works fine.

 

I have stock disk/drum setup, but using a Wilwood M/C. Stops on a dime. no power necessary.

 

No booster here either. No problems. As mean_maverick said, the booster does nothing in furthering stopping power, only the pedal effort. To run a booster, you'll need to swap the pedal hanger under the dash to a booster unit, plus the shock tower brace as well, then run new brake lines. Then deal with all the mess when changing spark plugs (with a V8) There's really no benefit to running a booster if you car didn't have it to start with.

 

i still have drums all the way around, and no booster. stops just fine if you have Hercules legs!

 

I have discs on the front with no booster and the work fine

 

yup i have a 4 piston disc setup from a 64-68 mustang and the 72 mav stock m.c and stops good

BUT doesn't the disc brake non booster mavs have bigger master cylinder's on them ??

 

A booster is not necessary...Front discs alone will make the car stop on a dime. I have front disc brakes on my Sprint and the stock drum brake M/C and it workes just fine. Yes it takes a bit of pedal effort to stop the car without the booster but. I like the feel of manual brakes though.

 

thanks for the replys, should i get a stock mc for a 74 with front disc from napa or look into something a litter nicer? whats something i should look for when buying a quality master cylinder?

 

I'm with stepside

I alos run this same set up with no problems stopping. pedal feels solid but not too touchy..

 

can anybody suggest a master cylinder? is it worth paying twice the price for an aftermarket one rather than buying a stock style one from the local auto parts store? what makes one better than the other one? any brands i should stay away from? thanks again guys.

 

You might want to check w\ www.abspowerbrake.com @ 714-771-6549 they can explain any questions you have on this issue.
I am contemplating replacing my mc also. I am still not sure whether I'll by a booster after reading several post on the subject on this thread and just info w\ folks on the forum. ABS has price comparable to NAPA, they have stock type and billet. Just thought I'd run this by you.