heel/toe setup for wrx?
 

I'm tired of trying to get heel-toeing right in my WRX. Everything I've read about it says that when the brake is down you should be at the throttle's top level. This just ain't the case in my WRX.

I've also read that you dont want to change anything with the brake pedal. This would then mean lowering the throttle pedal? How would I do this?

I realize that all my perceptions might be off and even backwards ;) Correct at will!

jason

I'll just put in my opinion and what I've been through.... I have no driver's license nor do I have actually driven stick shift, just moving. But I have done some heel-toeing on a GAME called Ferrari F355 Challenge.

To perfect it, it takes time and practice. The game is very life-like. What I do is...

Brake and listen to the RPM's or look at the RPMs drop. They drop from 8k REDline to about 4500rpm and then I press the clutch while still braking, downshift, blip throttle, and release clutch. I go through this procedure down the gears if I have to.

Several driver's may perform it differently. When you're about near REDLINE in 4th gear and brake, use common sense to not heel-toe downshift right away when starting to slow down. You have to slow down enough so you won't hit REDLINE in 3rd when you let go of the clutch after you've heel-toed.

You have keep the pressure on the brake the same. It'll change a bit when you're blipping the throttle with your right heel but as long as it isn't a huge change as in applying more pressure which may result in wheel lock-up (WRX has ABS BTW).

Smoothness is the key!
*You don't have to take my word for it, I don't have track experience but only simulation experience*

EDIT:SpelLinG:p

As much as Subaru brags about the pedals in the WRX, they are not good for heel and toe. The gap between the brake and clutch is too big, at least for me with a small size 8 foot.

Fuji K, good that you are practicing on the video games. But, every car is different, and some have better pedal setups than others. I hear the F355 is a good game-I have a friend who wants to buy one for his home, but I don't think the wife will go for it. Especially since he would need to get 2 for some competition.

I just ordered and received new Sparco pedals from Modacar: [url]http://www.modacar.com/products/Subaru/Impreza/MODAPES/[/url]

I got the Sparco Yellow cast pedals for $29 (John was real helpful). They are not installed yet, so I can't tell you if they are better. But, looking at them I think that little ear on the bottom left corner of the gas pedal will allow heel and toe. I will hopefully install this weekend, and will post the results.

Hmmmm I'm a size 7 1/2 and I do not find the pedals to be too far apart. I just find the heights to be very uncondusive to heel-toe. That is, when the brake is in the throttle is too high so I have to have my ankle twist in a way that is just terribly uncomfortable.

So I'm guessing you got pedals to breach a horizontal gap that you weren't happy with. How about lessening the vertical difference?

jason

You are right mmboost, the vertical difference is the main issue. With the brake in, it is too long of a reach to blip the throttle. Especially since I like a good solid ball-of-foot contact point on the brake pedal. Although I think this new pedal will help, is there any way to adjust the vertical position of the pedals?

Note that this problem will only be worse at the track, when the pedal often travels further due to brake fade/heating.

Well,. I'll look into the vertical thing more... I'll let everyone know if I find anything.

jason

I dunno if this will help you any, but with my cavalier I found a cheap way around this. I bought a pair of hiking boots from Wal-mart for $15. I found that the extra tread depth is enough to grab the edge of the gas pedal during heel-and-toe. Works great! I didn't try this out when I test drove a WRX a couple weeks ago, so I don't know if it will work for you...

Archman,
Actually, during the winter (live in Chicago) when I wear my boots I have noticed that I am able to heel and toe better. Kind of like a foot prosthetic....

But, at the track I wouldn't wear them. Hopefully, I will install the new pedals this weekend and get some improvement. I am actually more excited about the other things I am going to install. I will be putting in the Eibach ProKit, front Whiteline sway bar, and a couple of minor goodies (already have the Whiteline rear bar). Expecting big handling changes with the new springs.

Michael

Hahahha that's too funny. Maybee I should make some 1" thick taps for my right heel hahahahahah. Sound so silly, but hey it just might work. I'll make millions! :D :D ;D

jason

Hey, when you go through as many brake pads as I do, you'll find all sorts of ways to save some coin!:D

MSG101: Good point. Check with your local track/club on their regulations on street shoes. I've actually squeaked this into the events cause I also have a pair of Simpsons (which meet the fire-resistant specs). During tech, I just wear the Simpsons then switch them later. <he he he> My argument was that if the Cavalier caught fire, I would have much bigger things to worry about than my feet getting burned...like getting out alive!

I can actually wear the Simpsons on the RSX, so I didn't have to sweat getting caught at the last event. I'm hoping they'll work on the new Sti, but if they don't then I'm bending the pedals...the proper shoes are so much lighter and cooler (and safer!).

[B]Oh, and please take some video if you ever get those shoes made...I'll absolutely be rolling in laughter seeing someone limping around the pits with one shoe 1" thicker than the other!![/B] :D Well, hey, you could cut a hole in floor beneath the gas pedal and have it double as an emergency brake. It'll take the track officials a year to figure out where that single 4" wide rubber streak leading into the tire wall came from...

I find Subaru set up the easiest to feel&toe.
It's perfect for me.
After I got STi pedal covers, it's even easier.

STi pedals can adjust the gas pedal height with the little piece that comes with.


When I drive friends Civic or Integra on track, I have to be really careful because Honda pedals are far apart compared to my Impreza.
I had a scary moments on track before.. I was braking hard for the coming corner, just about to shift down.... then "where's the gas pedal??!! ...I paniced a bit and ended up turning into corner in nuetral.
I always practice heel&toe before I drive any other car now.