Switch to manual brakes makes car run better?

It could absolutely run better removing the power brakes since they are operated by engine vacuum. Any vacuum leak from something malfunctioning could have made it run a little rough, idle a bit high and have an erratic, hard to control idle.
That's one of the funny things. I don't notice much difference at all in idle quality. It always seemed to be running well before but maybe a little weak. I had just decided I was expecting too much but it never felt as strong as other 318's I've had. it honestly feels like I put the missing plug wire back on when driving it.