Asetek SimSports Initium Hydraulic Brake Upgrade

Add our T.H.O.R.P II Invicta hydraulic braking system to your Initium brake, and experience the most realistic and true-to-life braking experience.

Hydraulic Precision

The hydraulic T.H.O.R.P II Invicta brake is our most realistic, true-to-life brake system, offering precise control and consistent feel.

Unlock ultimate precision and better trail-braking, giving you progressive control into and out of turns.

The T.H.O.R.P System

The T.H.O.R.P. (Twin Hydraulic Opposing Rapid Pistons) System is Asetek SimSports’ hydraulic brake cylinder which gives you the ultimate experience of driving a real racecar. The brake cylinder features an automotive grade pressure sensor, which makes it the closest you will come to an authentic brake experience in sim racing. 
 
The functionality of the T.H.O.R.P. System is based on two stages – the soft stage and the hard stage – just like in a real race car.

01. The Soft Stage

Real race car:

When you apply pressure on the pedal, it will move 10-20 mm (measured on the pedal plate), while you build up pressure, while the caliper pistons are traveling to and pushing the brake pads against the brake disc, and to compensate for the small amount of play in all the mechanical parts on the pedal system that is required for them not to seize up.

T.H.O.R.P. System:

Since we do not have a brake disc, caliper and brake pads in a simulator, we designed the slave cylinder to replicate their function. It compresses an elastomer, creating a realistic sensation that closely simulates the feel of a real race car’s braking system.

When full pedal travel is obtained, the slave cylinder will hit a mechanical stop, just like in a real race as described above. We supply different elastomers to mimic different feelings of the “soft stage”, but the different elastomers will not change the pedal travel, only how much force that is needed to fully depress the pedal and engage the hard stage.

02. The Hard Stage

Real race car:

When hydraulic pressure is built up, the brake pads are squeezing the discs hard and all mechanical play is compensated. In this stage, your foot is basically pressing against a wall, because now your muscles are pressing directly against the hydraulic forces (the brake fluid). Since the fluid cannot be compressed, you will feel the pedal is hard.

When a racecar driver complains about a “long” or a “soft” pedal, it is typically because there is air in the system, and since air CAN be compressed, the pedal will feel soft and long. The mechanics then bleed the brakes for air, meaning there is only fluid left in the system, and the pedal is once again hard after passing the “soft stage”.

T.H.O.R.P. System:

When the slave system is mechanically locked, you have 100% the same feeling as in a racecar, when the brake pads are fully pressed against the brake disc, and your muscles are pressing directly against the hydraulic forces.

This is NOT simulated, this is the same and identical feeling as in a racecar, and you can keep pressing the pedal up to a hydraulic pressure of 100 bar, which corresponds to 185 kg of pressure on the pedal plate – the same as a real F1 car!