-
E-parking Brake - Wilwood vs EStopp
I’m definitely going the electric parking brake route. What’s the preference between Wilwood and Estopp? There’s a pretty big difference in price - $1200 vs $600. It’s looks like maybe the Wilwood is easier for installation.
Also, I’m using the 12.88” Wilwoods front and back with IRS.
Thanks!
Jesse
-
Wilwood uses individual motors at each caliper with electrical wires running to each. Estopp uses the existing calipers and uses an electric actuator to pull traditional cables. I made my own Estopp clone for like $150
The Wilwood setup is nice but too expensive for me.
-
I have the Wilwood E-brake and love it. Everything fits with the existing 12.88 Wilwood brakes. It was very easy to set up. Holding power is very good.rear brakes.jpg
Delivery Date 6-24-23 Build thread
Living the Dream
SBF 427 564hp/576tq Holley Sniper with Hyperspark by Smeding Performance. Tremec TKX .68 OD. IRS . Wilwood 12.88 brakes. Wilwood EPB. First start 11-17-23. First go cart 11-20-23. Title Reg. 7-3-24.
-
Post Thanks / Like - 0 Thanks, 1 Likes
-
I absolutely love my Wilwood EPB. No cables. Super easy installation. No brainer for me.
Built an early MkIII years ago, sold years ago. Back after 18 years to build a MkIV
Build Thread Here Partners: Levy Racing, Summit Racing, LMR, Breeze, Forte's Parts, Speedhut, ReplicaParts
MkIV Complete Kit Ordered 4/18/23, Delivered 7/11/23, First start 3/15/25. Legal 6/13/25. Boss 427W, Edelbrock Pro Flo 4, TKX (.68 5th), IRS, Wilwood Brakes, 18" Halibrands, Toyo R888R Tires, Custom Speedhut Gauges
-
Post Thanks / Like - 0 Thanks, 1 Likes
-
I just installed the wilwood epb last week on my MK5, same setup you listed. It is a super simple install and very clean solution. I contacted wilwood directly first and had them configure/assemble a custom/complete brake kit that included the EPB with the rear brakes (So I did not have to purchase the EPB separately). They provided all the specifics for what I needed and then I was able to purchase it through Mike Forte. You save a little money that way and are not left with the extra calipers. Shoot me your email and can forward you the message from wilwood that has all the details. You don’t save a ton of money, but some and a avoid a little hassle.
-
I went with the Wilwood EPB so I could eliminate the parking brake cables. I love it and wouldn't have done anything different. The system comes with a very long harness, but it's very easy to shorten and reterminate at the correct length.
-
Thanks everyone! It sounds like Wilwood is the better option if the budget can afford it.
-
Post Thanks / Like - 0 Thanks, 1 Likes
-
25th Anniversary #9772
+1 for Wilwood, yes it's pricey, but it works fantastically!
https://cobradreams.com/2021/08/13/w...-kit-is-alive/
-
Check out the parts for sale here. Wilwood electric parking brake for sale, new in the box.
MKII donor build using 1990 LX. 5.0, EFI, 5sp. 3 Link, 3.55 gears, 5 lug disc. brakes, 15" Halibrand style wheels and other upgrades added over the years. On the road since 2003.
-

Originally Posted by
runamuk
I went with the Wilwood EPB so I could eliminate the parking brake cables. I love it and wouldn't have done anything different. The system comes with a very long harness, but it's very easy to shorten and reterminate at the correct length.
I think it depends how it's setup. For me, the e-Stopp with the factory 2015+ Mustang calipers and cables made for a very simple and easy solution, but I've seen a few installs that I wouldn't have wanted to deal with. The Wilwood solution looks good too, but doesn't it require Wilwood calipers?
-

Originally Posted by
OB6
I think it depends how it's setup. For me, the e-Stopp with the factory 2015+ Mustang calipers and cables made for a very simple and easy solution, but I've seen a few installs that I wouldn't have wanted to deal with. The Wilwood solution looks good too, but doesn't it require Wilwood calipers?
You could install the Wilwood EPB on any setup, if you weren't shy about fabricating brackets for it. If you already have the Wilwood setup, however, the EPB calipers are a direct replacement for their standard park brake calipers. Their website mentions 'bracket fabrication may be required'...this would be for non-Wilwood setups. I installed mine about a month ago with my Wilwood setup. It was an easy installation. No harness cutting required on a MkIV. I had a bit of extra harness length I tucked behind the dash.
Greg
Wilwood EPB 1.jpg
Built an early MkIII years ago, sold years ago. Back after 18 years to build a MkIV
Build Thread Here Partners: Levy Racing, Summit Racing, LMR, Breeze, Forte's Parts, Speedhut, ReplicaParts
MkIV Complete Kit Ordered 4/18/23, Delivered 7/11/23, First start 3/15/25. Legal 6/13/25. Boss 427W, Edelbrock Pro Flo 4, TKX (.68 5th), IRS, Wilwood Brakes, 18" Halibrands, Toyo R888R Tires, Custom Speedhut Gauges
-
For those of you that used the Wilwood EPB, how did you route your wiring? Did you go between the diff and under the trunk floor and then through the transmission tunnel?
-

Originally Posted by
RogerRoger88
For those of you that used the Wilwood EPB, how did you route your wiring? Did you go between the diff and under the trunk floor and then through the transmission tunnel?
Yep.
Built an early MkIII years ago, sold years ago. Back after 18 years to build a MkIV
Build Thread Here Partners: Levy Racing, Summit Racing, LMR, Breeze, Forte's Parts, Speedhut, ReplicaParts
MkIV Complete Kit Ordered 4/18/23, Delivered 7/11/23, First start 3/15/25. Legal 6/13/25. Boss 427W, Edelbrock Pro Flo 4, TKX (.68 5th), IRS, Wilwood Brakes, 18" Halibrands, Toyo R888R Tires, Custom Speedhut Gauges
-
Post Thanks / Like - 0 Thanks, 1 Likes
-
I just installed the Wilwood EPB on my new Coupe build. If you have the IRS Willwood brakes already, the new e-brake calipers simply mount where the regular e-brake calipers mount. For a solid axle, you will likely need the Wilwood backing plates which mount to the axle and allow you to clock the e-brake calipers pretty much anywhere around the 360 degrees of the backing plate. I bought my EPB from Summitt Racing, and the kit included the backing plates. For IRS, I can confirm what others have said ... simple replacement of the e-brake calipers. For solid axle installations, I'd recommend confirming with Wilwood to understand what will work with your setup. Also, Wilwood sells two different kits that seem identical except for the thickness of the rotors. One kit is for 0.81" thick rotors and the other is for 1" thick rotors.
-
Do you need electrical power to disengage the Wilwood parking brakes?
20th Anniversary Mk IV, A50XS Coyote, TKO 600, Trunk Drop Box, Trunk Battery Box, Cubby Hole, Seat Heaters, Radiator hanger and shroud.
-

Originally Posted by
Railroad
Do you need electrical power to disengage the Wilwood parking brakes?
Yes, I don't know of any electrical ebrake system that doesn't. For my clone system I directly wired the brake to the battery. Same as my daily driver. It works without the key as it should but if the battery were dead I could not engage or release it.
-
Post Thanks / Like - 1 Thanks, 1 Likes
-
They can be released without power, but not easily.
-
There's a third option, just released.
FB_IMG_1712020271937.jpg
Last edited by Mike.Bray; 04-29-2026 at 09:15 AM.
-
Post Thanks / Like - 0 Thanks, 1 Likes
-

Originally Posted by
Mike.Bray
Come on, Mike. It's not even April 1st.
-
Post Thanks / Like - 0 Thanks, 1 Likes
-

Originally Posted by
Papa
They can be released without power, but not easily.
If you physically disassemble them, sure.
-

Originally Posted by
Mike.Bray
haha
-
Mrk III, 331 stroker, Borla stack injection, T5, 3:55 IRS, Power steering and brakes. Kleiner body & paint
-
Post Thanks / Like - 0 Thanks, 1 Likes
-
I used E-Stopp and have been very happy with it. I mounted it on the outside of the driver's side trunk sidewall - easy to run the cables and access in the future. Things I like about the system: it is simple, does not require the ignition to be on, can be wired so that it can be activated while driving if an emergency stop is needed, easy to hide the button under the dash, has a an output for a dash mounted parking brake light.

James
Mk4 Roadster #9974 - Picked Up 1/2021. Complete kit, Gen 2 Ford Coyote / TKX, IRS. Completed 9/2023
-
I installed the E-Stopp as well in the trans tunnel and liking the way it works. I have Baer Brakes, and the rear disc's have shoes inside them. The E-Stopp pulls the cables about 1/2" to fully set, and the car holds on a hill with no issues. I mounted in the trans tunnel as I didn't want to cut the brake cables and recrimp the ends of the cable. A friend made the mounting bracket that the e-stopp is attached to, and I mounted it to the trans tunnel 3/4" tube.
EStoppCableBracket.jpgEStoppMounted.jpgEStoppBracket.jpg
-
It worked out way better than I expected on Tim's car. That's how I would recommend fitting it
Mrk III, 331 stroker, Borla stack injection, T5, 3:55 IRS, Power steering and brakes. Kleiner body & paint
-
I installed an E-Stopp as part of our 30th Anniversary MkV build. I wound up taking the actuator out of the housing and mounted it in the top of the transmission tunnel. Fit nicely and works very well. Half the price of the Wilwood system and it eliminated the unsightly parking brake handle sticking up beside the gear shift.
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/show...eater-Plumbing
MkIV #7854, Kit picked up September 2012, Coyote/BOSS 302 intake tuned at 488HP, TKO600, Center Force, Moser 8.8, driveshaft safety hoop, Stainless Header 4x1x4 headers, Gas-N-sidepipes, rad shroud, Wilwoods, NO PS/PB, heater/defroster, heated seats, wipers, Herb door panels, Dynamat Extreme sound/heat dampening, premium Rodtop top, Fast Freddie lexan wind screen, Nitto 555R, drop trunk battery, drop trunk storage,
-
I went with the wilwood version as well. FAR better than the manual version in my coupe.
I HAVE wondered what would happen if it were needed in a true "emergency stop" situation though. Anyone tried (or needed) to activate it while in motion? I presume it will just straight lock up the rears at any speed. That could be..... interesting...
R
-
Post Thanks / Like - 0 Thanks, 1 Likes
-

Originally Posted by
Rian_Colorado
I went with the wilwood version as well. FAR better than the manual version in my coupe.
I HAVE wondered what would happen if it were needed in a true "emergency stop" situation though. Anyone tried (or needed) to activate it while in motion? I presume it will just straight lock up the rears at any speed. That could be..... interesting...
R
I was wondering that myself the other day, I went with the Wilwood setup like Gbranham has.
I like having zero cables or anything on the transmission tunnel.
-

Originally Posted by
Rian_Colorado
I went with the wilwood version as well. FAR better than the manual version in my coupe.
I HAVE wondered what would happen if it were needed in a true "emergency stop" situation though. Anyone tried (or needed) to activate it while in motion? I presume it will just straight lock up the rears at any speed. That could be..... interesting...
R
That's something I also have thought about since I did the Wilwood EPB as well. I suppose that's why they call it a parking brake, and not an emergency brake. Most newer cars have similar setups and the days of a true emergency brake are pretty much a thing of the past, although I doubt it is even possible to engage the EPB on a modern car that is not in park. Also, looking at the pads on the Wilwood EPB, they may not hold up to an activation at speed. There isn't much in the way of friction material on them.
Dave