The Cal-look Lounge

So what are the thoughts and experiences on the use of a staging brake? I have just used my e-brake for launches for all of my races but I am wondering if I should try something new?

As well, when you use a staging brake on the front brakes, can you still use your pedal?

Staging brake usually goes in the rear brake line and gives the brake pedal a very hard, dead feel – the foot brake will try to push fluid through the staging brake cylinder.. But why would you need to use the foot brake and staging brake together? May as well stay with your e-brake – did you drill a hole through the lever and the button, so you can use a pit-pin to hold the button in, effectively deactivating it?

Drilling the hole in the e-brake is the exact way I did on my 343 ghia. The basis for this quesion, in regards to my application now, is that I have a 55 with cable brakes that I have never dealt with. Ultimately, I think I would rather switch the e-brake back to a later model style and rid myself of the cable brakes, but I do not know if that is a possibility as well I as I have not torn into it yet. The 55 pan that the body sits on is immaculate as well with absolutely no rust or repairs so I would like to use this pan.

So I guess question #2 would be....can the early cable brakes be removed and swapped out for the later style e-brakes the 56 and up models use without having to drink too many beers, curse too many words and bust too many knuckles?  ??? ;)

Much as I hate splitting original body and pan combinations, it sounds as if you've got a standard model pan, in which case it would be easier to just use a hydraulic pan. You'd probably be able to sell the standard pan on thesamba or somewhere like that.

If you do want to keep that pan, it'd be worth pm'ing Lofty1971 on here - he had his '59 standard converted to hydraulic brakes. I know because he bought my hydraulic pedal cluster!

LOL, funny you mention that. I already found a 65 pan. Old front end and tranny are sold, 55 pan is pending. I move quick  ;)

Here is my setup.  Took the spring out of the E-brake and replaced the button with a drift button that I found on E-bay.

To set brake just pull out the button as you lift. For preload/staging hold button in with my thumb while pressing switch underneath for linelock/2 step.

sorry to go off subject a little ............but how exactly do you use the handbrake (e-brake) to stage? Is it just a case of pull it up build up the revs, realse the handbrake and dump the clutch at the same time? And what are the benefits to this compared to use holding it on the revs? Finally What are you guys's drilling, does this hold the handbrake or what? just got a little lost  :D ???

Cheers  ;D

Yes ,You are correct .

 I took the spring out so the button doesnt spring out.The button I purchased just makes it easier to pull it out for parking.My line lock switch is also wired to the 2 step for the revlimiter.

Others push the button in and drill a hole for a pin to hold it in. I found it easier taking out the spring.Although it took a lil sanding to get the new button to slide over the old one.