Double-clutch downshifting setup

[twhitehead]

What's the current line of thinking on setting up your pedals for double-cluch downshifting? I have a stock 81 SC and find the brake pedal too high and the gas pedal too low for comfortable double-clutching.

I am using my heel on the gas and toe on the brake. but because of the height difference, it's impossible for me to modulate either one easily.

My 85 944 was set up much better, and very easy to get you feet in the right position (albiet backwards; heel on brake, toe on gas).

Does anyone have experience with gas pedal extensions, or do I just have to spend some time wrenching on the pedal assembly. If so, do any of you have an easy way to do it?

Thanx,
Thom

[Yargk]

Wings Engineering makes something called the 3rd foot. It attaches to the stock accelerator pedal and rases it's height. I find it helps a lot, however I had to modify it slightly. Out of the box, it raises the accelerator too high so I used the adjustment screws to lower the thing. This wasn't the end of it though, because one of the screws extends down below the pedal and hits the floor when I floored the gas. So I took a hack saw to the screw and presto, it fits and works fine now. Here are some previous posts on the subject.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/ultimate/Forum3/HTML/009408.html

http://www.pelicanparts.com/ultimate/Forum3/HTML/007089.html

http://www.pelicanparts.com/ultimate/Forum3/HTML/006953.html

http://www.pelicanparts.com/ultimate/Forum3/HTML/006547.html

Keith
79 930

[rattlsnak]

Your brake pedal is height adjustable. You should see a long rod with locking nuts on either end, loosen them and twist the rod and the pedal will move forward or backwards.

[Yargk]

I don't know if adjusting the brake is the best idea. My brakes started to fade the last time I was at the track. I'm glad I had ever inch of travel that was possible. Although I shouldn't have that problem again because I've replaced my brake fluid with that blue racing stuff, still, it's a safety issue.

Keith
79 930

[rattlsnak]

Adjusting the "position" of the pedal has no effect whatsoever on the "travel" of the pedal.

[campbellcj]

Not to pick nits but I think you're referring to "heel and toe" downshifting as opposed to double-clutching.

Unless your pedals have been moved by a PO, they should be fairly easy to heel-and-toe. With properly working brakes, your brake pedal travel should stop just about when the pedal is even with the accelerator pedal. You probably shouldn't move the pedals drastically IMHO.

There are alloy 'racing' pedal sets that include a larger gas pedal area, with an extension on the lower left side, to give you a bigger "target". That might be the way to go.

Cheers,

------------------
Chris C.
73 914 2.0
70 911E Targa
campbell.chris@gte.net

[andyu911]

I had the same problem when I just bought mine '87 Carrera. So, as my friend's '88. I was kind of surprise cause my brother's 944 has a great pedal set up for heel-toe. I simply install an aftermarket height adjustable pedal on top of the stock one. Problem solved. Some PC just put a piece of wood block to compensate the height different.
Just want to make thing clear. There're two different heel-toe downshifting. One is double-clutch which is used in the old days with older car, but a lot of racers out there still use the same technique. The other is no double clutch. Correct me if I'm wrong.
Andy
'87 Carrera

[Zendalar]

I personally don't understand people who "try" or do shift their gearbox in style: Gaspedal pressed to floor while changing gears. -> Clutch wear, gear wear etc etc...

Clutch to bottom+loose the gas, switch the gear, clutch up+press the gas..Thats the way to go



[This message has been edited by Zendalar (edited 09-03-2001).]

[campbellcj]

Originally posted by Zendalar:
I personally don't understand people who "try" or do shift their gearbox in style: Gaspedal pressed to floor while changing gears. -> Clutch wear, gear wear etc etc...

Clutch to bottom+loose the gas, switch the gear, clutch up+press the gas..Thats the way to go

The purpose of heel-and-toe downshifting is to carefully match revs when going down a gear (or more).

For example if you're at 4K RPM's in 3rd gear and approaching a slower corner where you need to exit in 2nd gear, then you need to blip the throttle when selecting 2nd to avoid the shock to the drivetrain and also the "jolt" that can upset the car right as you are braking and about to turn-in.

If you are really moving and you downshift without doing this, you can break traction in the rear wheels...again not a good idea when you are really cooking it towards a turn.

It's not "pedal to the floor", just a quick blip for smoothness.

If done properly, it is also easier (not harder) on the transmission, as you are making the synchros job easier by reducing the difference in rotational speeds they have to cope with.

OTOH, speed shifting under acceleration is done by many racers...never lift, never declutch, just bang-bang-bang up through the gears. Now that I don't do on my gearboxes. (Some of the racing boxes are actually made for that though.)

Cheers,

------------------
Chris C.
73 914 2.0
70 911E Targa
campbell.chris@gte.net



[This message has been edited by campbellcj (edited 09-03-2001).]

[campbellcj]

...ubb bug...

[This message has been edited by campbellcj (edited 09-03-2001).]

[lsolon]

If you want to buy a pedal kit, here you go..
http://www.betterbodiesmotorsport.com/homefr.html

Kind of pricey