The BMW 10" booster conversion is very popular in Germany.
It is a cheap (used), nice addition and a great brake performance
optimisation. Of course, the brakes are not getting better, but it´s a
very comfy feeling getting the same brake pressure with less foot force.
I combined this with my Audi 288x25mm brakes and it works great.

The next step is a 9"+10" tandem brake booster, which I already have
prepared to go in the van this winter. I tested it in a friend´s Vanagon
(Touareg brakes on the front) and there you have it: An anchor...

Regards
Raimund

Am 07.11.2011 15:09, schrieb Ken Wilford:
> I guess if you have the tools and skills to do some minor mods then this
> "upgrade" is doable but I really don't see the advantage. Unless you
> are putting in a used booster (bad plan) you are not saving enough money
> for this swap to be worthwhile financially. That one site you quoted
> has a low price for this but you did notice that they are saying "Call
> for availability"? That is parts store code for "we have a great price
> but we actually don't have any to sell you".
>
> The part is an ATE part just like the Vanagon one. It is similar in
> size and function so how can the price be much less than the Vanagon
> version? It can't unless you are going to go used. It involves some
> modification which takes time, effort and skill on your part. That is
> worth something.
>
> To me the best way to go is to still get the stock booster and just swap
> that out. I know it is a chunk of money but you shouldn't need another
> one for another 26 years. If you are really smart then you should also
> remove, clean and service your front blower housing at the same time
> (inspect front heater core). That way you aren't doing the dash removal
> again in a year or two.
>
> If this was worth while I would be all over it. But I have looked
> through my sources and I can't find a source for this part that is
> cheaper than the Vanagon booster wholesale price. Replace a Vanagon
> part with a BMW part and it is supposed to be cheaper? Since when are
> BMW parts cheap? :-)
>
> I can't speak to the "upgrade" part of this. Bigger is usually
> considered better here in the US so I guess even if it is an 1/8" bigger
> in diameter then it would be considered better. You would be surprised
> the placebo effect that you get when someone does one of these "upgrade"
> mods. Of course if their old booster was bad the new one is going to be
> an "upgrade" in comparison. There are tons of cars out there running
> with magnets on the fuel lines, vortex generators in the intake, and
> hydrogen splitters to attest that "seat of the pants" beats actual
> science in most peoples' minds any day. :-)
>
> Ken Wilford
> John 3:16
> www.vanagain.com
>
>
> On 11/5/2011 9:46 PM, pickle vanagon wrote:
>> Over at thesamba, there's a thread on "upgrading" the vanagon booster to
>> BMW model that is larger diameter:
>> http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=443880&highlight=brake+booster+dash
>>
>>
>> And, viewing other threads over there, it seems several of their forum
>> members have done this, seeming satisfied with the results.
>>
>> Has anyone hear made the change?
>>
>> I ask because I think I may have to replace our booster, and the BMW
>> booster's price new seems to be about half that of the vanagon booster.
>> (e.g., here:
>> http://catalog.importrp.com/item.wws?mfr=ATE&sku=BMW018726&source=GOOGLEBASE
>>
>> )
>> (I'm not interested in installing a used booster.)
>>
>> My understanding is that:
>> 1) maximum braking power won't be improved, as this is limited by the
>> calipers and hydraulic system, not the strength of my legs at this
>> point.
>> But:
>> 2) the power required to achieve any given braking power will be
>> reduced,
>> so the brakes should be more "responsive" in that sense
>> 3) otherwise there don't seem to be major downsides.
>>
>> Obviously, I'm especially interested in any thoughts/feedback on #3.
>>