Can I move my E-brake system? Or remove it?

[team39763]

I'm installing my exhaust, and the E-brake cables/brackets seem to be in my way in the front of the truck as well as the back.  Can I just remove the E-brake system all together?  I know a lot of people don't even use their e-brake at all.  I know it seems like a stupid thing to do, but I don't have a lot of options with this project at this point.  Is it possible to move the brackets around a bit(say 6" in one direction or another)?  I'd like to keep the system, but if you guys say it won't hurt to remove it....it'll be gone.  The truck will be a street/strip project, but like I said a lot of people don't ever use their E-brake anyway.  Let me know what ya'll think. 

[zieg85]

That is a tough question.  I would say no because by law it is required and the states that have safety inspections, they have to work.  I have had a complete brake failure and the E-brake saved me so it is your truck but I would do everything in your power to keep it.  My $.02

[VileZambonie]

There is plenty of ways to modify and adjust the mechanical parking brake so move it to wherever you need to and then just adjust the slack in the cables. If you need to you can get different cables and brackets too from your motormite HELP! section at most autoparts stores. It's good to have the mechanical brake so I wouldn't eliminate it.

[team39763]

Well, I just went back out there and it looks like the headers actually wouldn't fit anyway. I had to grind a lot out of the lower control arm just to let it bolt in, but it looks like it'll smack the header hard if I hit any bumps.  So I'm re-thinking the exhaust process right now.  Ya'll are right, I need to keep the parking brake...it's much safer that way.

[team39763]

I tried my best to route the exhaust without touching the E-brake.  But I gave up trying to bend metal in crazy directions....the E-brake is gone for now.  I'll figure out a way to keep it parked later.

[speedy]

In Texas you will not pass annual inspection without a functioning E-brake.

[DirtyLittleSecret]

Well, for starters...if you get in an accident and your insurance company finds out that you dont have an e-brake you'll get dropped like a rock (they can drop all your coverage all together).  If you really need to get "shifty" with it you can always do a drive disk e-brake system.  One cable going to a disk brake off your rear driveline.  Did this on my Cruiser, and it works flawlessly. 
I dont know of a single state where its legal to run without.

[team39763]

I got it fixed I rigged it up to still work, it's just routed differently than stock.  I'm gonna test it soon and make sure it works correctly.  Thanks for that info, I didn't know E-brake was mandatory for inspections and insurance, but it makes sense.  It would've been irresponsible of me not to have a E-brake around town, so I had to go ahead and do what I could to keep it.

[85MudMonster]

why are you headers not clearing, and you had to grind the control arm? What headers do you have?

[team39763]

The driver side collector points outward to the frame(right at the e-brake cable and trans crossmember).  They are the pacesetter headers.  The control arm issue was resolved with new motor mounts that mounted the motor 1" further back.

[85MudMonster]

is it a 305 or 350 or bbc? or is it just the pacesetter headers cause I was looking at getting the summit sbc headers and I don't really want to have any clearance issues?

[Captkaos]

85MudMonster he is using a LS 6.0L motor, not the same as you rnormal sbc.  1999-up LS Vortec motor...

[85MudMonster]

gotcha.

[team39763]

Yep, I'm running a Gen3 motor.  I'm sure those headers will work great.  I had a set of Hedman headers on my 350 that was in here and they fit perfect (and they accept angled plug heads). 

[78 Chevyrado]

I wouldn't take off my e-brake for some headers/exhaust.  sounds like crappy design to me.  It won't hurt to take the e-brake off as long as you don't park on steep hills, and your service brakes NEVER fail....

Good luck