| Introducing the Manny Brake System [message #202509] |
Sat, 23 March 2013 13:55  |
kerry pinkerton
Messages: 2565
Registered: July 2012
Location: Harvest, Al
Karma: 15
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Manny Trovao (of Manny Tranny fame) has just released for sale his new rear brake system and I have one installed on my coach at Dothan. It is getting a lot of attention.
The system consists of four wheel disc brakes and a four link (torque transfer, reaction arm...choose your name of choice) system all in one integrated package. It comes complete with all grade 8 fasteners, rotors, calipers, and brake hoses for $1000 plus shipping. A tracking system is available for an additional $100. All you need to do is buy the brake pads of your choice.
My system (the final prototype) was installed on Ken Henderson's pit and we found a couple minor issues that Manny will address in the production systems. Manny has been running this system on his coach for some years.
I changed my Master Cylinder (P30) and brake lines and that took a couple extra days. Other than that, I'd guess it is about a 3 day installation for someone with normal skills. The installation is straight forward and the documentation is absolutely first rate. Karen Bradley, who did the excellent documentation on Manny's 1 ton front end system, not only installed her system HERSELF, she did an exceptional job on the instruction/documentation. Ken and I followed her instructions to make sure they were accurate and after our feedback was incorporated we're confident they are perfectly clear with plenty of well labeled photos.
I'm VERY happy with the system. I now have brakes that actually work. Admittedly, my brakes were marginal before but now I can actually stop. In fact, on the way home from Ken's, I was about 6 coach lengths behind a semi, in traffic with no shoulder, running about 60. The semi suddenly darted into a gap in the traffic and I see a broken down semi doing about 10 in my lane. I stood on the brakes and got stopped but I am 100% confident that I would have rear ended him with my original brakes....100%!
As we were testing, we did some stops on gravel with Ken walking beside the coach. The mid brakes locked up first and the rear brake was almost locked up...the perfect combination.
Since then, the brakes have improved as the pads wore in.
The calipers and brakes are the same as the TSM system (79-85 Eldorado). The parking brake uses the rear Eldorado caliper levers and are not optimal...at least on my coach. Ken and I believe they can be made to work but we haven't "invented" the changes yet.
I have my wheels off so folks can see the system and Tuesday, we're going to let folks drive it.
I'm VERY satisfied and believe there are a great upgrade and a important contribution to the community. I thought I had some photos in my laptop but will get them posted soon.
Manny can be reached at: 408-937-1583 or Mannytrans@gmail.com
Kerry Pinkerton - North Alabama
Had 5 over the years. Currently have a '06 Fleetwood Discovery 39L
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| Re: Introducing the Manny Brake System [message #202510 is a reply to message #202509] |
Sat, 23 March 2013 14:15  |
Dennis S
Messages: 3046
Registered: November 2005
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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Kerry,
Thank you for reporting/sharing this new system.
Look forward to the photos when you have time.
Manny does some great work for our GMC community.
Dennis
| Kerry Pinkerton wrote on Sat, 23 March 2013 13:55 |
Manny Trovao (of Manny Tranny fame) has just released for sale his new rear brake system and I have one installed on my coach at Dothan. It is getting a lot of attention.
The system consists of four wheel disc brakes and a four link (torque transfer, reaction arm...choose your name of choice) system all in one integrated package. It comes complete with all grade 8 fasteners, rotors, calipers, and brake hoses for $1000 plus shipping. A tracking system is available for an additional $100. All you need to do is buy the brake pads of your choice.
My system (the final prototype) was installed on Ken Henderson's pit and we found a couple minor issues that Manny will address in the production systems. Manny has been running this system on his coach for some years.
I changed my Master Cylinder (P30) and brake lines and that took a couple extra days. Other than that, I'd guess it is about a 3 day installation for someone with normal skills. The installation is straight forward and the documentation is absolutely first rate. Karen Bradley, who did the excellent documentation on Manny's 1 ton front end system, not only installed her system HERSELF, she did an exceptional job on the instruction/documentation. Ken and I followed her instructions to make sure they were accurate and after our feedback was incorporated we're confident they are perfectly clear with plenty of well labeled photos.
I'm VERY happy with the system. I now have brakes that actually work. Admittedly, my brakes were marginal before but now I can actually stop. In fact, on the way home from Ken's, I was about 6 coach lengths behind a semi, in traffic with no shoulder, running about 60. The semi suddenly darted into a gap in the traffic and I see a broken down semi doing about 10 in my lane. I stood on the brakes and got stopped but I am 100% confident that I would have rear ended him with my original brakes....100%!
As we were testing, we did some stops on gravel with Ken walking beside the coach. The mid brakes locked up first and the rear brake was almost locked up...the perfect combination.
Since then, the brakes have improved as the pads wore in.
The calipers and brakes are the same as the TSM system (79-85 Eldorado). The parking brake uses the rear Eldorado caliper levers and are not optimal...at least on my coach. Ken and I believe they can be made to work but we haven't "invented" the changes yet.
I have my wheels off so folks can see the system and Tuesday, we're going to let folks drive it.
I'm VERY satisfied and believe there are a great upgrade and a important contribution to the community. I thought I had some photos in my laptop but will get them posted soon.
Manny can be reached at: 408-937-1583 or Mannytrans@gmail.com
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Dennis S
73 Painted Desert 230
Memphis TN Metro
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| Re: Introducing the Manny Brake System [message #202515 is a reply to message #202509] |
Sat, 23 March 2013 17:16 |
kerry pinkerton
Messages: 2565
Registered: July 2012
Location: Harvest, Al
Karma: 15
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Senior Member |
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Shipping to me was $250 but I have a commercial site. It would probably be cheaper if you picked it up at the freight depot. The crate weights about 250# and is difficult to handle. I put mine in the back of my pickup. It would be difficult to load into the trunk of a car. If that is all I had, I'd probably bring a battery screwdriver, take the lid off, and unload it piece by piece into my trunk. That is what I had to do to get it in my coach when I took it down to Ken's
Kerry Pinkerton - North Alabama
Had 5 over the years. Currently have a '06 Fleetwood Discovery 39L
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| Re: Introducing the Manny Brake System [message #202555 is a reply to message #202509] |
Sun, 24 March 2013 07:45 |
jhb1
Messages: 303
Registered: February 2004
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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We all know Manny is camera shy but, we need pictures of the setup installed as well as all the parts, my income tax return is looking to be spent
John H. Bell
77 Royale; QuadBag,Manny OneTon,Honda EV4010, FITech
Montreal Qc.
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| Re: [GMCnet] Introducing the Manny Brake System [message #202564 is a reply to message #202556] |
Sun, 24 March 2013 13:03 |
Ron77
Messages: 91
Registered: August 2012
Karma: 0
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Those parts are beautifully finished, that's an impressive kit. I will be
thinking about this.
Ron Johnson
77 Eleganza II
Escondido, CA
-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
[mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Kerry Pinkerton
Sent: Sunday, March 24, 2013 6:00 AM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Introducing the Manny Brake System
Here is a link to a photo of all the parts on Karen Bradley's site:
http://www.machinesoflovinggrace.net/gmc/brakes/Images/kitparts.jpg
--
Kerry Pinkerton
North Alabama, near Huntsville,
77 Eleganza II, "The Lady", 403CI, also a 76 Eleganza being re-bodied as an
Art Deco car hauler _______________________________________________
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