Soon I'll be adding rear Corvette brakes. The existing Fiero brake cables may or may not be useable. ( I still on the fence on C4 or C6 rear calipers. )
I was thinking of using an universal electric brake but this is a $300-$500 kit. I then came across a line lock kit used for burn outs at only $35-$60 .
Could one use a line lock kit as an emergency brake?
This has been suggested numerous times here over the years. I seem to recall that using Line Lock as a parking brake was impractical. Perhaps it was due to it requiring an electrical draw the whole time it was being implemented... which isn't such a good idea when a car is not running.
In theory the Fiero doesn't really need an emergency brake due to the dual master cylinder that backs up front and rear brake systems. An emergency brake would only be necessary only for total master cylinder failure and then a line lock may or may not even work.
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This has been suggested numerous times here over the years. I seem to recall that using Line Lock as a parking brake was impractical. Perhaps it was due to it requiring an electrical draw the whole time it was being implemented... which isn't such a good idea when a car is not running.
My main purpose would be to have the car on and idling. I have slopped drive way and find myself using a rubber stopper to stop the car while its on; warming the car up and\or working out issues.
Once parked leaving it in first gear is good enough for me.
[This message has been edited by str8maxn (edited 12-16-2021).]
Originally posted by str8maxn: Could one use a line lock kit as an emergency brake?
No And Cannot use as Parking Brake either.
Doesn't matter mechanical or electric control. They are for Temporally Use Only w/ driver in the vehicle.
W/ lock on the system will leak down, often sooner not later, and let car to move at a whim. Because Brake Hydraulic System is not make to take pressure ~ 10 - 30 minutes let alone Hours.
If left parked w/ line lock on and hits someone or something expect to get sued and car insurance not playing.
And Most places is Illegal as E-brake and P-brake whether or not have State Inspections.
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This has been suggested numerous times here over the years. I seem to recall that using Line Lock as a parking brake was impractical. Perhaps it was due to it requiring an electrical draw the whole time it was being implemented... which isn't such a good idea when a car is not running.
The line-lock brake I'm familiar with for heavy vehicles do not require electric. You push the brake pedal hard as you can and turn a lever to lock the fluid pressure in the line. They also have been known to dissipate the pressure in the middle of the night and allow the vehicle to quietly creep away. Many now are labeled with warning to not use in place of the original equipment. Google Mico Brake.
Spoon
------------------ "Kilgore Trout once wrote a short story which was a dialogue between two pieces of yeast. They were discussing the possible purposes of life as they ate sugar and suffocated in their own excrement. Because of their limited intelligence, they never came close to guessing that they were making champagne." - Kurt Vonnegut
If you have vehicle inspections where you live, the line lock will not legally be considered a parking brake. So your car would not pass the inspection.
If you have vehicle inspections where you live, the line lock will not legally be considered a parking brake. So your car would not pass the inspection.
I live in California, Smog is about the only thing I need to worry about. But based on the feedback; stock or stock\electric will be the way I go.
Originally posted by str8maxn: I live in California, Smog is about the only thing I need to worry about. But based on the feedback; stock or stock\electric will be the way I go.
Most or All of "Electrical" Parking Brakes used in new cars are only Electrical to Apply and Release the Brakes. The rest of the system is Mechanic using cams etc to actually hold the brake On.
Most or All of These systems are Not Emergency brakes because is total On or Off and hard to control when driving. Even Mechanical systems often fail here. Worse Many States Laws/Rules say must have E-brakes but Fed Rules say No Such Thing and Test Parking Brakes on a Parked Vehicle. (US has Two sections of FMVSS saying Must Hold on X% grade nose up and down. Older section has higher % vs cars build after ~ 96 model year w/ less %. Think 30% vs 20% but not look in notes right now.)
You could maybe modify some rear brakes Electric P-brakes to work on other cars like Fiero but often have same problems as 4W GA "upgrade" or GA front/Caddy rear highlight covered in the Cave. Also GM "Electrical" P-brakes can use modified "Fiero" type pistons causing many problems for 30+ years. Not hard for GM to switch what is used to activate the P-brake w/ this piston and screw setup. If true, then expect same low pedal, pad dragging and other problems when calipers get older.
Originally posted by Spoon: The line-lock brake I'm familiar with for heavy vehicles do not require electric. You push the brake pedal hard as you can and turn a lever to lock the fluid pressure in the line. They also have been known to dissipate the pressure in the middle of the night and allow the vehicle to quietly creep away. Many now are labeled with warning to not use in place of the original equipment. Google Mico Brake.
Most Tow Trucks of any size has/had them too and has same problem as same reason I posted above. (Jerr-Dan Landoll and other has/had them as standard equipment to make tow trucks of all types.)
If lock doesn't leak down, the wheel slaves/calipers seals will. And the leak is often a few drops max but that's all it takes to drop Line Pressure holding the brakes On. If used often the leaks get worst and... fluid leak in drum brakes cause brake problems and need new shoes minimum. fluid leak at calipers cause damage to alloy wheels and other parts.
Why Tow Trucks? 1 example: Tow Trucks often have PTO on a manual trans to run host(s) and other things and bad weather can freeze the mechanical parking brake during hookup etc. Even then most won't trust them to hold for > a few minutes max.
