Mk5 E-Brake in a Mk4 kit

[Dondero14]

While taking inventory of all my parts, I noticed that the emergency brake that came with my Mk4 kit didn’t match any of the item numbers listed in the manual. In addition, I had several additional parts that weren’t shown in the manual either. I figured out that all the item numbers and parts matched correctly with the Mk5 build manual. Can anyone give me any direction if these are compatible parts for the mk4 e-brake because I know the mk4 and 5 are mounted in different places and setup a bit differently. I asked factory five about this and the person I spoke with didn’t really have an answer for me.

Thanks
Mark

[Higgybulin]

Ebrake is totally different in location and a couple pieces in that parts package. Can you make it work if you want your ebrake on top of the trans tunnel, yes. Actually, I just made the extra pieces to mimic the MK5 ebrake, and installed it into my MK4.
Higgy

[edwardb]

Factory Five updated the e-brake handle with some added parts which make it more robust. The Mk5 manual shows the changes. They must not have updated the Mk4 manual yet. Should still mount the same on the side of the transmission tunnel. My Mk5 kit included the 90 degree angles used for that purpose, although not used on the Mk5. I talked about it here in my Mk5 build thread.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?51545-EdwardB%92s-Mk5-30th-Anniversary-Build-Trunk-Aluminum&p=585321&viewfull=1#post585321

[Dondero14]

Higgy if you have any pics of your brake install I’d appreciate seeing them. Is the mk5 location a better spot in people’s opinion? If I stick with the Mk4 location the consensus is that I should build the ebrake per the mk5 manual and the setup of the 90 deg mounting brackets per the mk4 manual?

[edwardb]

This is the drawing of the new revision e-brake handle from the Mk5 manual. Note it shows the right angle mounts (not used on the Mk5) so no reason it also won't fit on the Mk4. The overall footprint and dimensions of the handle are unchanged. I can say from assembling the new revision that it's noticeably more rigid. Something some complained about. I like the top mounted e-brake handle on my Gen 3 Coupe and the Mk5 puts it up there too. But I had multiple builds with the handle on the side of the tunnel. And frankly for me that worked OK too. Some said they couldn't reach it while strapped in. I'm not a big person but it was OK for me. It's a little bit of work to move and personally I question the effort. But it's one of those personal build choices.

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[Higgybulin]

I actually used one of the 90°brackets at the back underneath. Nutsert there as well as the front bolt. You can see the extra piece like in the MK5 that I made. A lot of people like the handle up top, I agree with Paul there's not much difference. I just wanted to try something different.
Higgy
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[Nigel Allen]

This is the drawing of the new revision e-brake handle from the Mk5 manual. Note it shows the right angle mounts (not used on the Mk5) so no reason it also won't fit on the Mk4. The overall footprint and dimensions of the handle are unchanged. I can say from assembling the new revision that it's noticeably more rigid. Something some complained about. I like the top mounted e-brake handle on my Gen 3 Coupe and the Mk5 puts it up there too. But I had multiple builds with the handle on the side of the tunnel. And frankly for me that worked OK too. Some said they couldn't reach it while strapped in. I'm not a big person but it was OK for me. It's a little bit of work to move and personally I question the effort. But it's one of those personal build choices.

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My car is RHD. Factory Five left the handbrake mount points on the RH side, so that's where I put it. My left leg / knee has never hit against it and it is within easy reach (although I do have retractable seat belts, required by law here). I much prefer it in this position, as opposed to mounting it on the tunnel. It would be easy to fab some mounting points for the left hand side, as long as they don't interfere with the transmission. It would mean taking some time to cut an opening in the aluminium on the trans tunnel, but hey isn't fab work one of the best bits of this project?

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Cheers,

Nige

[Dondero14]

Awesome, thanks fellas for the great advice and the pictures to go along with them. Def have a better understanding how to move forward with it and the different options I can consider.
Nigel that’s very interesting to consider mounting on the drivers side of the tunnel. I wonder how many others have gone ahead and done this with a LHD kits.

[Nigel Allen]

Awesome, thanks fellas for the great advice and the pictures to go along with them. Def have a better understanding how to move forward with it and the different options I can consider.
Nigel that’s very interesting to consider mounting on the drivers side of the tunnel. I wonder how many others have gone ahead and done this with a LHD kits.

None that I know of. I can say with certainty, that the brake lever has never been in my way, even with spirited driving. Although, I am not the biggest guy at 5'7". The lever is a fair way back and also tucked close enough to the trans tunnel that my knuckles drag across the carpet when moving the lever.

Maybe you can be the first to relocate it to the left hand side. Nice little project that isn't difficult.

Cheers,

Nige