Chase Bays Hydro Handbrake

Hydro Handbrake Design

When designing the perfect handbrake, we thoroughly analyzed all the issues with other high-performance handbrakes. The results revealed problems such as: they were too large, poorly designed, had excessive play and vibration in the handle, were very strenuous on the hand, heavy to operate, and came in incomplete packages (meaning crucial parts were missing). If you've experienced these problems or want to avoid them, this page is exactly what you need. Read on to see how we solved these common issues.

Compact

By adopting a side-mounted master cylinder, installed horizontally, we achieved the most compact base and master cylinder mount for a hydraulic handbrake. We designed it to fit under the stock center console, which other manufacturers have failed to achieve. Our product is over 2 inches shorter than currently popular products. Its sleek aesthetic with a minimalist design is also a major attraction.

Stability

Stability was a crucial factor for us in handbrake design. Other hydraulic handbrakes often exhibit play in all directions due to poor machining (excessive space leads to longer stroke), and the entire assembly flexes on the transmission tunnel due to inadequate mounting hardware. The Chase Brake hydraulic handbrake has absolutely no play in the handle.

Since the stock transmission tunnel metal has significant flex, we provide a steel plate shaped to fit the handbrake base. Screw holes for mounting the included hardware are also pre-drilled. We recommend welding for installation. If you do not use our reinforcement plate, the hydraulic handbrake must be fully supported from below with a steel base. Additionally, any overhang must also be supported from below to prevent the reinforcement plate or custom base from flexing.

Modular

We design both standalone and inline master cylinders (MC), and the handle is reversible to accommodate both pull-up and pull-towards styles. No other company offers such a well-thought-out, dedicated solution. Other products typically combine off-the-shelf bases with uncomfortable machined handles. Now, let's introduce the following features:

Comfort and Master Cylinder Size

If you've used other handbrakes, you might have experienced hand pain. The Chase Bays Hydro Handbrake features a cylindrical, comfortable grip at the top of the handle. This ensures comfortable use without hand pain.

Furthermore, our handbrake requires minimal force to lock the rear calipers. Most handbrakes use Wilwood bases designed for foot pedals, which are not suitable for hand operation. Human leg strength is greater than arm strength, so the overall handbrake design should be adapted to leg strength.


Through the development of our separate product, the Chase Bays Brake Booster Delete, we gained extensive knowledge about pedal ratios (the distance between the swing and master cylinder connection point plus the pedal/handle length). As a result, we designed a manual brake master cylinder system that stops the car instantly without requiring excessive leg force.

For handbrakes, we tested various theories and arrived at the optimal pedal/handle ratio that locks with minimal stroke and reduces arm strain. All master cylinders we offer are 3/4 inch in diameter and compatible with all chassis and caliper configurations. This means that if you have to consult a chart to determine how to set up your calipers based on master cylinder size, you are using the wrong method.

Complete Set
All necessary 3AN outlet fittings are included, and a mounting plate is available as an option.

Inline to Standalone Conversion
We understand the evolution of drift cars, which is why we always aim for seamless modularity. After purchase, converting a Chase Bays inline handbrake to a standalone unit is very easy. Click here for the conversion kit.