Performance Brake Booster Vacuum Pumps

The short duration camshafts that are in most stock street engines are fine for the low RPM operation typical of cruising and commuting, and they allow the engine to develop plenty of vacuum for the power brake booster and other vacuum operated components like the vacuum door motors in many heating & A/C systems. But, if in your quest for horsepower, you install a high lift, long duration cam with a lot of overlap, you can end up with very little engine vacuum, a hard brake pedal and poor stopping. Our Performance Brake Booster Vacuum Pumps & Reservoirs are the low vacuum solution.

To make power you have to rev the engine, but to fill and empty the combustion chambers at high RPM you have to hold the valves open longer with a high lift, long duration camshaft with more overlap for combustion chamber scavenging. A cam like this is a necessity for getting the most out of mods like high flow, big valve cylinder heads, a single-plane intake manifold, and headers, but it also results in low vacuum. While you’ll definitely be thrilled by the power and acceleration with a big cam, if you have power brakes you may not be happy with the brake pedal feel and your car’s stopping capability.

However, if you want to go fast, it doesn’t mean you have to convert your car to manual brakes. You can enjoy all that power and stop with just a light touch on the brake pedal with one of our vacuum pumps. To operate properly, a typical power booster requires 17”-18” of vacuum. The reduction in engine vacuum with a big cam depends on the cam specs and other factors, but numbers in the low teens to single digits aren’t uncommon, which won’t cut it for optimal power brake performance. We offer 12-volt electric pumps that produce up to 23” of vacuum, plenty for any booster, and the pump only runs when it’s needed. These pumps are so compact you’ll easily be able to find a spot for one, and they come with everything needed to mount and connect to your brake booster and vehicle’s electrical system.

Another alternative, if your cam choice doesn’t leave you with a severe vacuum deficit, is a vacuum reservoir, also known as a vacuum canister. As the name suggests, the reservoir is for storage, in this case vacuum. It should be plumbed into your vehicle’s booster vacuum system between the engine vacuum source and the brake booster. During periods of high engine vacuum operation, such as during deceleration, vacuum is retained in the canister, providing the booster with a reserve supply that is usually sufficient for several quality power brake applications. Most vacuum reservoirs come with mounting hardware, vacuum fittings, and a check valve, and some even have a port for mounting a vacuum gauge. And they’re available in black, textured black, and chrome to set off your engine bay.