HOW-TO: Brake Boost FTW!

[NeonDan]

I get asked everytime i mention the subject and would first like to clarify a myth aswell as share some tips before you go out there trying this.

First i'll start with the myth, alot of people seem to think that brake boosting is extremely harmfull to your drivetrain/brakes.....if done improperly this can be true. On the same token think about it this way, there are dynos that can put more load on your drivetrain than brake boosting the car your self can. There are a few risks in brake boosting and the biggest one is blowing off your vacuum line system sooo please please make sure to zip tie any and all vaccum connections. The biggest scare is the brake booster line....you'll know its no longer attached when the brake pedal gets rather spoongy and not too responsive. So now onto brake boosting:

- ensure vacuum connections are all secured
- find a long deserted stretch of "private" road...like those found in mexico
- find a speed you are comfotable with say 40,50 or 60 mph. Now i will warn ALL of you that 2nd gear in an SRT4 translates to 10mph increments per 1000rpm on the tach so if you are wanting 40mph from 2nd you'll be at 4000rpm. I DONOT recommend any higher than 40mph in second as SRT4s are not rev happy cars. If you wish to try 45 or higher 3rd is your gear. If you have a modded stock turbo car, have big turbo and traction is way too limited in 2nd gear for 40mph then upshift to 3rd gear which will put you under 3000rpm and practice brake boosting from 3rd.
- while holding your right foot steady at the speed desired with your left foot lightly press the brake pedal. At the same time ensure that you arent slowing yourself down by gently applying more pressure on the gas pedal essentially balancing the effect of you left foot braking. You can now look over and see the car is building boost, try not to over do it because too much brake boost will cause either a charge pipe to blow off or your vacuum lines.
-once you reach desired boost level while holding your speed wait for your mark (if you are roll racing i guess that would be your 3rd beep or if you are practicing just give yourself 3 beeps then go)
- practice practice practice


Guys please be safe and im sure you'll find that roll racing while brake boosting will become far more interesting.

examples for those who dont understand:

you get challenged to 35-40mph roll but you are on very crappy tires, line up next to your opponent and be sure both parties are ready. While rolling at 5mph under the target speed setup your brake boost and be sure to allow a little more gas pedal than brake to get up to the desired speed. Once there hold the desired speed while brake boosting and if at any point you feel you maybe coming out with too much boost just back off the brake pedal slightly. This is a game of balancing your feet to get the desired effect. If done in 3rd gear from 35-45mph brake boosting will net you way more time to pull and less shifting.

I wouldnt pass on info unless ive tried it myself...cannot stress this enough. I have brake boosted stock turbo cars, stage 3 cars and big turbo cars, it is with the gathered knowledge i bring this post forward.

hope to see some people trying 3rd instead of obliverating 2nd gear for the loss

[Jakeborder]

Thanks for the How-to....

[mysticalnyte]

Sticky material??

[RUgoinUp]

Since this procedure does offer a performance gain (on a twisty track of course), and since Dan is one of the best at it, I see no reason why it shouldn't be included with the Approved H-T's.

[BlackWidow]

good write up... wonder if this will work in my truck uhhh prob. not big ass heavy truck FTL....

[tazdevilxxi]

hes right i have a dbb50 trim and 2nd is useless with street tires and with brake boosting theres NO lag at all along with the nice turbo spool sound

[indian srt-4]

tried it not as easy as i thought, but i need more pratice

[TurboJay]

I am getting better at this. I raced a few mustangs and a firebird and this came in handy for me. Still need a lil more practice to get it down though.

[indian srt-4]

Quote: Originally Posted by TurboJay

I am getting better at this. I raced a few mustangs and a firebird and this came in handy for me. Still need a lil more practice to get it down though.

how many times did you pratice? did you zip tie all the vacume lines before you did it?

[TurboJay]

Quote: Originally Posted by indian srt-4

Quote: Originally Posted by TurboJay

I am getting better at this. I raced a few mustangs and a firebird and this came in handy for me. Still need a lil more practice to get it down though.

how many times did you pratice? did you zip tie all the vacume lines before you did it?

I ziptied them and only did this a couple times. I would say like 8 or 9 times probably. The first few times I did it I didnt ziptie anything and nothing happened but I dont wanna take the chance.

[indian srt-4]

Quote: Originally Posted by TurboJay

Quote: Originally Posted by indian srt-4

Quote: Originally Posted by TurboJay

I am getting better at this. I raced a few mustangs and a firebird and this came in handy for me. Still need a lil more practice to get it down though.

how many times did you pratice? did you zip tie all the vacume lines before you did it?

I ziptied them and only did this a couple times. I would say like 8 or 9 times probably. The first few times I did it I didnt ziptie anything and nothing happened but I dont wanna take the chance.

yea i did it once got it to 5psi and took off but i felt no difference, but i dont have any of my lines zip tied my biggest fear is the wga line popping off and running open wastegate then in turn blowing my motor. would't i just go into limp mode and pull timing if that happened?

[TurboJay]

Quote: Originally Posted by indian srt-4

Quote: Originally Posted by TurboJay

Quote: Originally Posted by indian srt-4

Quote: Originally Posted by TurboJay

I am getting better at this. I raced a few mustangs and a firebird and this came in handy for me. Still need a lil more practice to get it down though.

how many times did you pratice? did you zip tie all the vacume lines before you did it?

I ziptied them and only did this a couple times. I would say like 8 or 9 times probably. The first few times I did it I didnt ziptie anything and nothing happened but I dont wanna take the chance.

yea i did it once got it to 5psi and took off but i felt no difference, but i dont have any of my lines zip tied my biggest fear is the wga line popping off and running open wastegate then in turn blowing my motor. would't i just go into limp mode and pull timing if that happened?

The idea is to get it at almost full boost then let off the brake and go all out. You will notice a difference once you do it harder and build up more boost. Im not sure but I wouldnt think you would blow your engine if your wga line came off but please dont me trust me on that because I dont know for sure I am still farely new to these cars and just turbo cars in general.

[Spools]

umm.. not sure, but when you give it 3/4 throttle and hold the brake and have it at full boost, you would be really really lean. 20lbs of boost, and not full throttle = really lean. id be scared of hurting something. I understand you go full throttle when you let off the brake, but waiting for the three honks may be a little long to be that lean. Unless you mean, just floor it and hold the brake and try to keep a constant speed.. then the A/F may be fine..

[indian srt-4]

Quote: Originally Posted by Spools

umm.. not sure, but when you give it 3/4 throttle and hold the brake and have it at full boost, you would be really really lean. 20lbs of boost, and not full throttle = really lean. id be scared of hurting something. I understand you go full throttle when you let off the brake, but waiting for the three honks may be a little long to be that lean. Unless you mean, just floor it and hold the brake and try to keep a constant speed.. then the A/F may be fine..

yea i think the idea is to keep a constant speed. i dont think running lean would be a concern. neondan (who is a srt genus) said the only concerns were making sure your lines were secure or ziped tied, and the worst would be your break booster line comming off and you loosing break pressure.

[KrazyRdR83]

I may practice this tonight, I have most of the lines zip-tied. Probably on the highway since it's empty by the time I jump on it tonight...