Poor braking, poor starting, poor advice. Bought to repair not bloody restrore! VR V6

[Gthayes]

Poor spongy brakes failed the pits so I took the ute for a Break check. Following advice that booster was fine and a mystery layer need removing i paid for the rotors to be done. Fail. New pads, full fluid change/bleed fail.
Pistons removed and cleaned up, seals/boots changed still a fail. Even had the brake guy take her out and still no positive answers.
I have a poor initial start up with black smoke but comes good within 3 seconds. Narrowed it down to the fuel regulator. Small amount of fuel in vac hose so i disconnected the hose from the intake and fed it to a container. No fluid came out without the diaphram vacumed but the ute started and ran perfectly? strange...
Which led me to thinking about the brakes again. I detected a small rev increase when releaseing the brake peda. Disconnecting the vac hose from the Booster made the car pic up to 2000rpm smooth in neutral and not faultar as expected.

So before i get to changing the booster and fuel regulator, how much fuel is acceptable in the reg to cause such poor starting at any temp and would such a small rev change vac leak in the booster warrant such poor braking?
Brakes currently build up tp hard when pumped with engine off, Pedal pressure feels fine when driving but car is slow to come to a stop from above 50klms. Locks up ok from around 10klms when pushed hard.

Any help from those whome know, pls keep yr guesses and maybes. i can get plenty of them from my local mechanics! :idea3:

 

[VR38]

Booster;
With the engine off pump the brake pedal several times to relieve all the vacuum (if any) in the booster and while pressing the pedal start the car and feel for the assistance to kick in.
If the brake pedal is hard at all times suggest booster failure.

Low and/or spongy pedal;
Master cylinder replacement if correct bleeding the system does not restore it.

 

[VR38]

I have a poor initial start up with black smoke but comes good within 3 seconds. Narrowed it down to the fuel regulator. Small amount of fuel in vac hose so i disconnected the hose from the intake and fed it to a container. No fluid came out without the diaphram vacumed but the ute started and ran perfectly? strange...

Small amount of fuel in vacuum hose does point to a regulator diaphragm failure.
Also check the temp sender with an ohm metre if possible.

 

[VR38]

Low and/or spongy pedal;
Master cylinder replacement if correct bleeding the system does not restore it.

This is what I would be leaning towards, especially if it is the original one as they wear in one spot over the years and when the brake system is finally serviced (read way over due) the seal is damaged as the pedal travels to the floor several times in short succession.
If your thinking of keeping the car and in the matter of safety, spot for a new one, prolly around $250. Shop around as prices vary.