E-brake trick - Does it actually work?

[Speedsicks]

I've come across a few comments in MS6 forums where people claim that pulling the e-brake up one click disengages the AWD and puts the car in strictly FWD. Is this true?? One person even mentioned that they had rigged a switch so that after launching and then shifting into 2nd gear he would hit this switch and finish out the rest of the gears in FWD. I repeatedly lose to my friend's bone stock GTI in rolling races (from a dig is a different story), presumably because of the weight of my car and the fact that it's AWD. I'd like to get some kind of edge on these top end runs so I don't have to hear "It's German engineering bra" ever again.

 

[Blendercloud]

The cars are in two distinctly different classes made for two different markets. If you're that worried about it, pick up a Cobb AccessPort or go to the track when there's 3" of snow on the ground. You'll be the one laughing then.

 

[justanothermp5]

learn how to drive better?
ur car isnt going to win no matter how many times u race from a roll, if u lose consistently then i doubt pulling the ebrake up a click will help u any, sounds dangerous and u might wear out the rear brakes faster

just start modding and then you can beat him if he stays stock lol

 

[redline_r]

Or you could move laterally to a MS3.

Then you'd be the one saying, "Japanese engineering bra!"

 

[The Great NY]

that theory makes no feasible sense. the car doesnt deactivate entire rear driveline because its parked.

i'd like to know who told u that. thats ricer reasoning and stupid. although if it does actually, i stand corrected, but i highly doubt the sophistication of the Active TQ-split system is so easily bypassed.

 

[redline_r]

Great NY, i did read somewheres that if you pull on the e-brake it disables the rear drive. Can't recall who, which Mag did the review and stated that though.

 

[The Great NY]

Great NY, i did read somewheres that if you pull on the e-brake it disables the rear drive. Can't recall who, which Mag did the review and stated that though.

So a magazine said this. I do know the speed 6 is bias toward fwd than rwd in stock form so it may be possible, althoug I don't think it will completely shut down the rear driving.

I do see how that could be beneficial. Lil more whp due to less drivetrain loss.

One click wouldn't hurt the rear brakes though since theey typically don't start applying till the 3rd or 4th click (if they are adjusted correctly)

 

[tunersteve]

This was actually first found in the tech report for the MS6. The car reverts to a 100/0 FWD/RWD bias in low speed manuvers, or when the parking brake is applied.

From the manual: (page 34)

100/0 is only used when the hand brake is applied or at low speeds during
tight turns (parking lot maneuvers)

http://www.ugnius.lt/mazda/Files/Mazdaspeed 6 Technical Training.pdf

 

[The Great NY]

Cool, good find TS.....

Well there's ur answer. I says low speed. Does that mean its deactivated at high speeds even with ebrake pulled. Is it a speed dependancy thing to the extent of bypassing that feature over a certain speed? That's what I'm interested in.

Off topic, but I do remember reading that in some car...the one click ebrake thing bypasses the speed governor. I can't remmember what car it was tho

 

[Speedsicks]

learn how to drive better?
ur car isnt going to win no matter how many times u race from a roll, if u lose consistently then i doubt pulling the ebrake up a click will help u any, sounds dangerous and u might wear out the rear brakes faster

just start modding and then you can beat him if he stays stock lol

I lose consistently but it's typically only by about a car length. My driving is fine, even when I shift perfectly he gets that slight edge on me, and I have a few mods (CAI, TIP, CBE). Does anybody know if the e-brake being up one click will really even engage it at all? I've tried it while driving and I can't feel anything, but you're right I don't want to wear it if it is.

And blendercloud, my last run with him made my mind about getting a Cobb AP, just gotta gather some cash and wait for a good deal on here. I do not plan on letting him know when this mod is in place tho, I'd rather he thinks that his German engineering has failed him haha.

 

[tunersteve]

I would definitely invest in the AP soon then. With the updated tune, flat foot shifting, and launch control, you should have no issues with the GTI.

I have went against a friends modded GTI and had no trouble with it, especially with the AP installed and a Stage 2 tune. I didn't have LC/FFS installed (wasn't out yet) but quick runs weren't a problem for me.

 

[mazdaspeedster3]

Something isnt right though. A "bone" stock GTI is pulling on you from the roll? I really find that hard to beleive. Even with the extra weight and putting power to the rear wheels (slightly as at 35+ you are not going to get much wheel spin and as I understand the MS6 AWD system to be it isnt throwing much back there without it) you should be stomping him or keeping door to door anyway... TS and I are pretty darn even at every aspect and I kill and have killed modded GTI's all the time.

 

[Speedsicks]

Yeah I don't really understand it either. I am the first to admit if I shift poorly, but as I said even with perfect shifting, his car pulls slowly while we're in 3rd and up. This last run, I had my portly friend and both of our surfboards in the car, so that didn't help. Also, I'm in CA, and 91 octane is all that's available, so I assume that doesn't help either. Otherwise, I'm lost, maybe there's something wrong with my car.

PS - This is an '08 GTI and from what I understand they are fairly quicker than previous years.

 

[mazdaspeedster3]

Maybe he is just getting lucky with torque curve, gear and acceration points when you hit it.

 

[mazdaspeedster3]

Oh, do you have a boost guage or Dash Hawk or something to see what boost you are hitting and maintaining?

 

[Speedsicks]

No sir

 

[lynnriderm6]

lol this is sad..a friend of mine has a 05 gti 1.8t with a revo stage 2 at 20psi with a catless dp intake and acouple other things and i WALK all over him roll dig you name it lol and ive raced my friends 06 gti 2.0t and stage2 its a bit closer but still beat em like nothing lol maybe somthings wrong with your car bone stock gti prob only pushing 190hp to the wheels ours stock is somwhere between225-235 plus wayyyyyyyyy more trq...somthing doesnt seem right

 

[redline_r]

just a thought, R32 in disguise.

 

[lynnriderm6]

even with a r32...still walk on em lol cause remeber there awd too with less hp and trq

 

[Speedsicks]

Nah it's not an R32. Maybe it's a factory freak. Or maybe mine's a dud, I should go test drive another speed 6 and see if I feel any big difference.