Shifter and e-brake mods

[vdshenoy]

So those of you who are already drifting, do you use the factory ebrake location and shift knobs or have you conjured up something to make it easier to pull? I know I could just put a tall delrin knob on the shifter, but what about the ebrake? With a race seat, the factory location is hard to reach and pull....I've seen some cars where the ebrake handle is some how modified and sits next to the steering wheel.

Can you post up pictures of what you've done or seen or pictures of what you think might work?

Thanks...

[rpm620]

get a hydraulic ebrake setup. you plum the rear brake lines into the car threw the hydraulic ebrake lever and it goes back you to the rear brakes like normal... Rear brakes still operate normally. but if you pull the handle it will lock up the disks instead of the parking brake.

like this.. sorry for big photo.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/darksideracer/DSC01526.jpg

[mattmartindrift]

due to the fact that BMW ebrakes are the WORST things in the universe, do a hydraulic unit. You can either run a seperate caliper, or run it inline with the rear brakes.


this is how mine is setup:
(note: I moved my OEM handbrake to a RHD configuration so the car an still be parked on inclines w/o carrying a chok-block everywhere.)

http://mattmartindrift.com/albums/virus/virus%20(9).jpg

[norcalbmw]

i imagine the system would be a bitch to bleed :D

[bennyfizzle]

The stock E36 ebrake is fine, locks up 255/35/18 PS2's at 70mph just fine.

(had to find out)

[325irollin]

Can you just take some teeth off of the ebrake so it doesnt latch when you pull it?

[ZimDoc]

Do the Hydralic conversion. In the long run it will be cheaper and constant.

[Tdo325i]

matt,

stock for stock, BMWs ebrakes seem to do a lot better than Nissans. At least from what I've seen. My old ebrake was cherry. Locked on point every time, until I cracked the shoes.

After I replaced it all was good again, but the cables had gotten stretched over time. not wanting to deal with that I put a hydro on my new car.

Waiting to see how it does tomorrow... if I can finish my car in time for D1.

[Maleckis]

Over here you can see how we installed the hydraulic hand brake in our E36 prepared for drifting. We used the Willwood pump.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_JDGmc1lVswY/SYb1kxpW3-I/AAAAAAAAB3E/1uMtXt0c6co/s800/hhb1.jpg

[mattmartindrift]

i imagine the system would be a bitch to bleed :D


was actually really really simple. Only took about 5 minutes.


matt,

stock for stock, BMWs ebrakes seem to do a lot better than Nissans. At least from what I've seen. My old ebrake was cherry. Locked on point every time, until I cracked the shoes.

After I replaced it all was good again, but the cables had gotten stretched over time. not wanting to deal with that I put a hydro on my new car.

Waiting to see how it does tomorrow... if I can finish my car in time for D1.


All 3 of my E30s wouldn't lock the tires if Andre The Giant yanked on the damn thing. My E39 is even worse.

[TOOLEAN]

Over here you can see how we installed the hydraulic hand brake in our E36 prepared for drifting. We used the Willwood pump.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_JDGmc1lVswY/SYb1kxpW3-I/AAAAAAAAB3E/1uMtXt0c6co/s800/hhb1.jpg

This is a nice setup! But normally the reservoirs are always above the cylinder, suprised you don't have issues with "soft pedal" or bleeding problems.

[mattmartindrift]

these are "reservoirless" systems -- they're run inline with the foot brake. Unless you run a 2nd set of rear calipers.

[Dominic49]

in the long run i realize i should of used solid brake lines and a quality brake setup from cnc or the likes but it worked out okay for an event or so




the answer is YES!

http://www.stonedrock.com/hydro/01.jpg
Input Line (10x1 Male to -3AN female fitting to [-3AN male fitting to 7/16-20 Banjo]) plugs in to the brake proportioning valve on the (US) drivers side of the car.

http://www.stonedrock.com/hydro/02.jpg
routing of the lines.... i am going to have to route it again in this section my foot rubs against the line when i push on the throttle.... i will run it up higher then the pedal.


http://www.stonedrock.com/hydro/03.jpg
view of the line going down the left side of the transmission tunnel


http://www.stonedrock.com/hydro/04.jpg
I retained the stock handbrake incase I have to park on a hill


http://www.stonedrock.com/hydro/05.jpg
shows the mounting in comparison to the stock handle


http://www.stonedrock.com/hydro/07.jpg
above view showing relation of hydro to stock cable, also shows how close the handle is to the shifter when the shifter is in neutral


http://www.stonedrock.com/hydro/08.jpg
routing of the rear line (10x1 Male to -3AN female fitting to [-3AN male fitting to 3/8-24 banjo])


http://www.stonedrock.com/hydro/09.jpg
rear hose gets plugged into the rear distribution block


http://www.stonedrock.com/hydro/10.jpg
be careful where you drill the tie downs..... (I got lucky right there >.<)


http://www.stonedrock.com/hydro/11.jpg
SUCCESS!!!!!


http://www.stonedrock.com/hydro/12.jpg
SUCCESS!!!!!




MODIFYING YOUR BRAKING SYSTEM IS DANGEROUS AND ILLEGAL DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DO THIS ON ANY STREET VEHICLE!


RACE/DRIFT CARS ONLY!!!!

[Hova]

in the long run i realize i should of used solid brake lines and a quality brake setup from cnc or the likes but it worked out okay for an event or so


thanks for posting that.

[mattmartindrift]

hard lines are SOOOOOOOO much cheaper than the teflon -3/-4 stuff. Yikes, that must have cost a fortune.

[bennyfizzle]

I've heard of hydraulic e-brakes having the nasty habit of not releasing some times.

[mattmartindrift]

I've heard of hydraulic e-brakes having the nasty habit of not releasing some times.


never had a problem with it.

any properly-designed hydro ebrake should have a check valve if they're designed to be run in-line with the rear. the valve prevents simultanious foot brake and hand brake use.

[Maleckis]

This is a nice setup! But normally the reservoirs are always above the cylinder, suprised you don't have issues with "soft pedal" or bleeding problems.
There is no reservoir above the cylinder because the hand brake hydraulic pump is connected to a normal pedal hydraulic brake system. Now in the system there are 2 pumps. We removed the ABS too. In E36s there is one pipe going to the rear to the distribution piece where the pipe gets divided into 2 pipes going to both left and right caliper. The pipe going to the rear goes through the hand brake hydraulic pump. This is the easiest and the most streetable way of installing the hydraulic hand brake. We had no problems with bleeding.

[matthewAPM]

A friend of mine is picking me up a wilwood setup for $50. We are going to be designing a few different setups for ebrake handles for both E30 and E36's. If you have any ideas, post them up. The plan is to make a few batches and sell them for dirt cheap.

[Tdo325i]

I'm rocking a tall delrin knob and the ebrake side by side.

Only issue is that to engage reverse you have to pull the ebrake first lol

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m245/rwdrift/DSC00306.jpg

[vdshenoy]

Cool...thanks for the pics and setups guys....looks like the boys at 786Motoring will be setting me up with a K-sport hydraulic ebrake with a modded handle to located it closer to the front...

http://www.ksportusa.com/grfx/products/handbrake/hh01/splash_large.jpg
The Ksport high quality Hydraulic Handbrake is a necessity for any drift or rally vehicle. The lever can be used in either a normal or upright position by simply changing the handle position by undoing one bolt. The handbrake is available with either a 3/4" or 5/8" reservoir.

Drifting and rally driving requires extensive use of the handbrake, and eliminates the weaknesses in standard cable type handbrakes. This hydraulic handbrake requires a lot less force to lock the rear brakes when desired.

[Tdo325i]

Do they have a hookup with K-Sport? If they are paying for it, I highly suggest persuading them to go with something else (like CNC Brakes) instead. I have not seen anything impressive from the K-Sport and D2 hydro ebrakes.

I am uploading right now my in-car footage from Sunday. You can see some of the ebrake use there.

[mattmartindrift]

go cnc!!

they build them in-house and have great support!!

i had to order a rebuild kit for mine after running silicone fluid. called them and they knew what caused the failure instantly. ksport/d2 are all sub contracted (no in-house support)

[ienjoydrifting]

I put new shoes in the factory hand brake so you can actually modulate it. With the CNC brake you have no feel. The k sport is a bit better, but you will need to use a good cyl like Girling or Wilwood.

Take a piece of 1 inch pipe and extend the factory unit and extend it. Tons of leverage and perfect feel. You can extend your drift without obvious lockup...

[mattmartindrift]

I know a guy who had Carbotech make a custom set of shoes for his E46 drift car. Still couldn't get them to lock. I'm not sure if the mechanisms are different.

[HiTheNameIsBj]

in the long run i realize i should of used solid brake lines and a quality brake setup from cnc or the likes but it worked out okay for an event or so

Why keep the stock e brake when the hydro one (looks to be K sport) has a ratchet and lock?


Over here you can see how we installed the hydraulic hand brake in our E36 prepared for drifting. We used the Willwood pump.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_JDGmc1lVswY/SYb1kxpW3-I/AAAAAAAAB3E/1uMtXt0c6co/s800/hhb1.jpg


What handle is this? it appears to have a provision for a cable on the front.

[mattmartindrift]

Why keep the stock e brake when the hydro one (looks to be K sport) has a ratchet and lock?






Parking the car and leaving up to 1500psi. in the hydraulic system for hours, or even days; just seems like a baaaaaaaaaad idea to me. You're asking for seals to fail.

[Tdo325i]

^ What he said.

[HiTheNameIsBj]

I've heard that as well but why does the ksport come with a lock?

[mattmartindrift]

I've heard that as well but why does the ksport come with a lock?


k sport does a lot of stupid things.

[HiTheNameIsBj]

Lol fair enough

[bmwcrazi24]

haha erick, i watched the in car video. 1. looks like the hydro-ebrake works well, instant gratification lol. The camera angle almost scared me, looked like you almost spun out like 7 times hahah. And what steering wheel are you using??

[Tdo325i]

Hydro ebrake works alright. I would blame OE rotors and almost done rear pads as the reason for the OK locking action.

Well, the camera is angled to see some driver action. Even though I got quite a bit of angle on a few shots, you always notice that it seems I'm waaaaay more sideways on left hand turns... and my craziest right hand turns look "ok"

The steering wheel is a Nardi Classic 360mm that is in desperate need of reupholstering.

Here's the video if anyone doesn't know what he's referencing to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f238AeOw50w

[bennyfizzle]

Soooo looks like I have to go to a hydraulic setup, destroyed my stock ebrake while removing the rotors (sezied from leaving it parked with the parking brake set), I was thinking the Ksport one, and wanted to use it as a parking brake as well for temporary. like parking while he car is idling or something where i cant just leave it in gear.

should be fine for that, right? when storing the car or overnight i'll just leave it in gear..

any way the ksport piece can be mounted to the stock location? id rather not drill into the car if at all possible.

and can someone give me a brief rundown of installation. what needs to go where line-wise?

[328iJunkie]

Interesting...

[Piner]

Yeah I have a powered by max Ebrake, comes with a wilwood master cyl and I have it plumbed through the stock brakes and well It works about as good as the stock ebrake with a better posisiton.


IDK if I would recomend it, its not the ebrakes fault but I want to set up a seperate system for it I feel that would work much better.

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j80/protlewski/SANY0101.jpg
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j80/protlewski/SANY0103.jpg
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j80/protlewski/SANY0104.jpg

[Dominic49]

i use factory ebrake with all brand new components and it gets me along just fine...

btw get some .75 inch iron pipe from home depot (4inch into 45 degree into 4 inch) for some insane leverage.

[bennyfizzle]

Well my stock ebrake is destroyed, replacing everything comes in around $300.

I can set up a hydro for that price. Piner, I like yours but I'm a big dude, that is right where my knee would be.

I see people constantly saying to replace the ksport's master with a wilwood unit. Why exactly?

[MPD47]

fizzle, do a seperate caliper unless you want weird pulses, especially if you use the car for normal street or road course driving. That's why I sold my Hydro and went Mech on my 350z.

http://ts.vimeo.com.s3.amazonaws.com/214/778/21477800_200.jpg
Also extended the handle a good 14" It sits against the HVAC controls now right next to the shifter.

[Piner]

yeah, I actually have a peice of foam I cut from a Pool noodle to go over the side of the brake, It didnt bother me driving normally but when I would go drifting my leg would hit it and I ended up with a pretty decent mark on my right leg lol.

Im thinking about trying to go with a separate system so that I can use the ebrake and foot brake at the same time like I used to when I had the cable.

[bennyfizzle]

fizzle, do a seperate caliper unless you want weird pulses, especially if you use the car for normal street or road course driving. That's why I sold my Hydro and went Mech on my 350z.

http://ts.vimeo.com.s3.amazonaws.com/214/778/21477800_200.jpg
Also extended the handle a good 14" It sits against the HVAC controls now right next to the shifter.

what do you mean by weird pulses? a seperate caliper is WAY too much work and expense.

[elements018]

yeah, I was told that having a hydro e-brake shouldnt have any affect on the brakes, if it does, then I will reconsider installing one since I like to use my car for drift events and hpde's

[Piner]

it only has an effect when useing both at the same time as I often do then initiating fast into a tight turn to rotate and steer the car using the foot brake and the ebrake. With them plumbed in the same line you run into the rear staying locked even when you let go of the hand brake just because you used the foot brake at the same time. Im not sure why it happens but I dont like it.

[elements018]

oh ok got it, but when only using the foot brake and not the hand brake, there's no difference. Thanks

[KenAllen08]

If I rip my ebrake on my e30, nothing happens :buttrock

I could never park it on a hill.

[bennyfizzle]

it only has an effect when useing both at the same time as I often do then initiating fast into a tight turn to rotate and steer the car using the foot brake and the ebrake. With them plumbed in the same line you run into the rear staying locked even when you let go of the hand brake just because you used the foot brake at the same time. Im not sure why it happens but I dont like it.

Well that doesn't sound fun. Would letting off the brakes and getting back in them free up the rear calipers or does it take some pumping or something. I hope it's more of a split second thing.

To be honest, I usually don't even use the ebrake, aside from the madtytejdm fwd snow drifting :rofl

[MPD47]

When you start going faster you will.

[bennyfizzle]

Yeah I'm sure, this, and the fact that the stock ebrake mechanism was destroyed upon removal, have led me to the hydro. sooo, I'm going to go with the ksport setup...is the master that comes with them good for a while? or what's it's weakness?

[Piner]

Well that doesn't sound fun. Would letting off the brakes and getting back in them free up the rear calipers or does it take some pumping or something. I hope it's more of a split second thing.

To be honest, I usually don't even use the ebrake, aside from the madtytejdm fwd snow drifting :rofl


When it happens I have to pump the foot brake about 3-4 times to get them to release, its a real bummer when you came in hot and fast and it would have been a kick ass slide but the rear stayed locked up and you just slow down to a halt.

yeah I didnt use my ebrake much starting out but im starting to rely on it alot lately the faster Im going into tight corners

[protomor]

I never did use my E-brake. If I needed to slow down, I'd just shift the weight with brakes. I know the use of it but in my race car, the bucket seat keeps me from yanking it up efficiently.

[TheM3nsah]

Yeah I'm sure, this, and the fact that the stock ebrake mechanism was destroyed upon removal, have led me to the hydro. sooo, I'm going to go with the ksport setup...is the master that comes with them good for a while? or what's it's weakness?

please let us know when you install it, i have heard about this really screwing up the ABS system which im not down with as long as i still plan on doing HODE's.

[Piner]

^ it wont work with ABS on, you have to turn it off or remove it for the ebrake to function, I pulled the fuse on mine

[bennyfizzle]

Yeah I don't plan on using ABS.

[The Fello]

please let us know when you install it, i have heard about this really screwing up the ABS system which im not down with as long as i still plan on doing HODE's.
yo iv been using my ksport hydro for all most a year now & i love it. i just recommend SS lines and some good pads

oh i also eliminated my ABS

[TheM3nsah]

ok well, looks like the ABS is going away and ill have to threshold brake like i did in my s13 lol

[ienjoydrifting]

The abs actually works well on our cars, but you must have very good tires to make it work with drifting.

[TheM3nsah]

The abs actually works well on our cars, but you must have very good tires to make it work with drifting.

even with a hydro ebrake?

[Boro BMW]

Egad, you guys are still running ABS?! I'm always locking an inside wheel, you can even see it in my sig pic. ABS and DSC were the first two relays I took out of my car.

[EvilTwin]

subscribing!

[TheM3nsah]

bump for more info and answers to questions not answered.

[TheM3nsah]

...bump!!!!!!!!!

[Piner]

^ well I dont run ABS as it wont allow my ebrake to work so I just disabled it.