Then perhaps they are the same thing I just find it out that they would have the same part number but mount differently. Odd.

There is no advantage to having a larger reservoir unless youve got a leak somewhere in the system in which case a jug of brake fluid would be nice.

I whole heartedly recommend getting a set of speed bleeders for your setup or if you have an aircompressor a brake bleeder kit. Actually I just saw in the store the other day a hand held brake bleeder kit that doesnt require a compressor and only costs about 20 bucks. Anyways back to speed bleeders. Basically theyre little check valves that you install in place of the stock bleeder screws. It turns the whole job into a one man operation since you dont have to have someone opening and closing the screw while you depress the pedal.

To check the MC just look at the general condition of it and see if there are any visible leaks. The only way youll know that the MC is about to go out other than by pulling it is that the pedal will start to sink a little more than normal. Im assuming you drive the car enough to be familiar with how the braking feels so if the pedal seems to drop faster than before then chances are youve got a leak in the MC.

When you change out the MC remember to bench bleed it or else itll be a pain in the ass to get all the air out of it when its in the car.