KiwiBirkin Posted September 17, 2009 Share Posted September 17, 2009 Who has a big red start button in there cars, I know most Caterhams do as standard but how many have added one in as a bling factor too their cars. I have just purchased one for my Birkin and plan to fit it in next weekend. If you have put one in is there any special way you wired it in too the car or did you just remove the ignition key and add it in. Im thinking I should add it in to the ignition key system so that the key still has to be in the car but you then need to press the button for start. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slomove Posted September 17, 2009 Share Posted September 17, 2009 No, mine is rather small and black. Main purpose was to replace the key switch. All it does is activate the starter solenoid to crank the engine, otherwise I only have a master battery switch and a coded plug as theft protection (key replacement). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davemk1 Posted September 17, 2009 Share Posted September 17, 2009 I removed the entire key/steering lock system from my Birkin. On mine it hung below the dash a bit and would have opened my knee up in a big way in any kind of accident. So with the key/lock mechanism removed I rewired the system with a prefab ignition switch/starter button from Pegasus Racing. I located the switch plate up under the dash on the vertical surface on the inside of the cowling. This makes it very hard to see but very easy to reach. I think it would take someone unfamiliar with the car a good long time to find the switch. I really like the set up as everything falls right to hand and yet is completely out of the way. Along with this I wired in an emergency electric cut off switch to the battery that has a removable key (also from Pegasus). This is required by SCCA rules to run in the D Mod class - however I've never heard of or seen anyone ever check for the switch in tech. Nonetheless I added one because it is required and it's a convenient way to disable the car electrically. True that the "key" is a standard deal and others may have a similar key but it seems pretty unlikely to have someone walking through the Costco parking lot will have a race key, be motivated to steal the Birkin in daylight and be able to find the the ignition switch. Security isn't a big deal in my case as I only park the car overnight outside my own garage a night or two a year and even then it's in a very controlled situation. When there is any doubt about the security of the car I remove the key and take the steering wheel with me so I feel the only way anyone is going to steal it is if they winch it onto a trailer and they be able to do with with or without the key/steering wheel. My 2.500 cents. dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Usher Posted September 17, 2009 Share Posted September 17, 2009 (edited) This is required by SCCA rules to run in the D Mod class - however I've never heard of or seen anyone ever check for the switch in tech. Nonetheless I added one because it is required and it's a convenient way to disable the car electrically. The electrical kill switch is not required in D/E Mod if you are running DOT tires. Just about everyone runs DOT approved Hoosier A6 tires (at least in my region), which is probably why they never check. Edited September 17, 2009 by Usher Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davemk1 Posted September 17, 2009 Share Posted September 17, 2009 The electrical kill switch is not required in D/E Mod if you are running DOT tires. Just about everyone runs DOT approved Hoosier A6 tires (at least in my region), which is probably they never check. That's interesting. I don't run with that many other D/E mod cars but I don't know anyone using a DOT tire. We all seem to use Hoosier road race slicks. Even with that said stuff like this is typically not checked. Not a complaint - just an observation. dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MHKflyer52 Posted September 17, 2009 Share Posted September 17, 2009 (edited) The start button in my car is CHROME and small not red. I also have a Master Electrical Kill Switch and a switch for Ignition. No key to speak of like the kind on a key-ring. Edited September 18, 2009 by MHKflyer52 Spelling Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oilteq Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 My Birkin was a few years ago, but if my memory is right the switch / lock assembly is like a collar around the steering column. I removed it and ground away some material so it could be rotated up as high as possible without the key fouling the dash. That way I did not bump my knee on the switch each time I got in. I had a big red button on my Elise. I had to turn the key in the switch anyway, so I never really understood the advantage. I like the idea of replacing the key with a button, as I like to keep things simple. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiwiBirkin Posted September 18, 2009 Author Share Posted September 18, 2009 Im looking forward to putting it in my car as I really like the thought of pushing the button with START on it . I know some of you guys have re-done your dash panels in your Birkins and chance of some pictures because that's one of the winter jobs im planning and id like to see how others have configured thier dash's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BirkinBernie Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 No Big Red Button - the stock key switch works for me. I also built a custom dash - I cannot see the stock tach or speedo behind the steering wheel and I bought aftermarket gauges when I built my car. To design the layout, I scanned the instrument faces, printed full size pics and cut them out. I then sat in the car and taped them in various layouts till I found one I liked. I did the detailed layout on my computer with a drawing program, printed it full size on a plotter at work and used that to centerpunch the panel. It is painted with black wrinkle paint. I have more pics of the project if you are interested. It was a fun project - I think you will enjoy it! Bernie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffC Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 Love the screwdriver handle used for a shifter knob! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BirkinBernie Posted September 19, 2009 Share Posted September 19, 2009 Hi Jeff - actually the knob was turned from a piece of aluminum bar stock by a friend of mine. I hate wimpy shift levers! :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiwiBirkin Posted September 19, 2009 Author Share Posted September 19, 2009 (edited) Thanks for the pictures Bernie Im going to keep mine pretty much the same as Birkin have but move the oil pressure dial to the the first slot next to my wheel where Birkin have the 4 rows of dials next I will have the water temp then fuel then volts, im going to put all the warning lights where the oil pressure guage was in a T shape, Im going to move the rocker switchs 2 to the R and 2 to the L of center of the dash and put the big red start button in the middle. I like your idea of a mock up and will do that for mine, I have talked to a auto electrician and he is going to wire a key under the dash that needs to be on first then a kill switch that need to be on then I can press the start button to start the car. Edited September 19, 2009 by KiwiBirkin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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