I have just acquired a 981 GT4, and I must say I am finding it virtually impossible to heel and toe properly. I have been automatically doing this in every manual road (and racing )car I have ever driven since I got my license so it’s not technique or having to brake hard etc. I find the brake pedal too high and perhaps also the pedals too far apart at the brake pedal level. Has anyone else found this, and has anyone managed to get them adjusted?
981 GT4
- Thread starter JFRW
- Start date
AndrewCS
Active member
Welcome ...
https://youtu.be/L9-Sr8RPty4?t=214 .... maybe LHD are different ?
Have not attempted this myself, am happy with the auto blip
https://youtu.be/L9-Sr8RPty4?t=214 .... maybe LHD are different ?
Have not attempted this myself, am happy with the auto blip
AndyOhara
New member
I must admit I find heal & toeing very easy in my 981 GT4 and I do it exactly how Chris Harris is doing it in that youtube clip.
When I can't be bothered I use the auto blip but more often than not I do it myself.
Just a thought are you wearing appropriate shoes when driving as opposed to thick soles?? just a thought??
When I can't be bothered I use the auto blip but more often than not I do it myself.
Just a thought are you wearing appropriate shoes when driving as opposed to thick soles?? just a thought??
I agree with Andrew (aohara). Heel and toe no problem, on the road or track in my 981 GT4. Autoblip works well, but heel and toe(ing) is so automatic I end up doing it anyway which defeats the point of the autoblip. I previously had a Boxster 981 GTS manual with identical pedal layout (and also no problem) so I don't think this is a GT4 thing.
Paul
Paul
Ok- so I really wanted to know about pedal adjustability!
To be clear - it is ‘possible’ to heel and toe( Just as Chris Harris is doing in the clip you mentioned) But the way he is doing it ( and it is indeed the only way to do it with the pedal layout ) is
unsafe - You have to put your foot at the ( curved)side of the brake pedal at first contact ( not ideal and frankly slightly dangerous)but additionally you then have to contort the ankle hideously to reach the ( far more recessed) brake pedal. If you freeze the clip of Chris Harris you will see what I mean .
This makes the whole procedure awkward, impossible to keep consistent let alone safe and accurate pressure on the brake pedal (key) and a wholly unsatisfactory methodology.
Yes one can achieve some contorted version of heel and toeing if you just want to say you can do it, but not a satisfactory one where you can drive the car properly or at racing speeds.
The car has a relatively short brake pedal trace so it’s not a pressing the brakes harder issue! ( this is a good thing in any performance car and is more a function of how hard you press the brakes rather than how far the pedal moves - and actually makes h/tiring far easier and better actually)
Promise you I know what I’m talking about! ( which is why I am staggered it is like this)!
To be clear - it is ‘possible’ to heel and toe( Just as Chris Harris is doing in the clip you mentioned) But the way he is doing it ( and it is indeed the only way to do it with the pedal layout ) is
unsafe - You have to put your foot at the ( curved)side of the brake pedal at first contact ( not ideal and frankly slightly dangerous)but additionally you then have to contort the ankle hideously to reach the ( far more recessed) brake pedal. If you freeze the clip of Chris Harris you will see what I mean .
This makes the whole procedure awkward, impossible to keep consistent let alone safe and accurate pressure on the brake pedal (key) and a wholly unsatisfactory methodology.
Yes one can achieve some contorted version of heel and toeing if you just want to say you can do it, but not a satisfactory one where you can drive the car properly or at racing speeds.
The car has a relatively short brake pedal trace so it’s not a pressing the brakes harder issue! ( this is a good thing in any performance car and is more a function of how hard you press the brakes rather than how far the pedal moves - and actually makes h/tiring far easier and better actually)
Promise you I know what I’m talking about! ( which is why I am staggered it is like this)!
John,
I think that it’s just a question of technique. I learnt to heel-and-toe and double-declutch back in the 1960s, firstly on my dad’s Austin A35 van with non-pendant brake and clutch pedals (like the air-cooled Porsches) - very tricky! - and then on a Mini. Both had 4-speed gearboxes without synchro on 1st gear and dubious synchro on the remaining gears.
I don’t use the outside of my right foot to tap the throttle but keep the ball of the foot firmly on the brake pedal and pivot my foot around that point to tap the throttle with the heel of the foot. Most probably it looks a bit of a contortion but I suppose that I’ve done it for so long and on so many different cars that it’s become second nature to me. I’ve never had any problems performing the operation on any car, my 987.2 Cayman included.
I’m not aware of any after-market solution being available to modify the brake pedal height or position, but I’m sure that it wouldn’t prove to be a major problem for an engineering workshop with fabrication facilities.
Jeff
I think that it’s just a question of technique. I learnt to heel-and-toe and double-declutch back in the 1960s, firstly on my dad’s Austin A35 van with non-pendant brake and clutch pedals (like the air-cooled Porsches) - very tricky! - and then on a Mini. Both had 4-speed gearboxes without synchro on 1st gear and dubious synchro on the remaining gears.
I don’t use the outside of my right foot to tap the throttle but keep the ball of the foot firmly on the brake pedal and pivot my foot around that point to tap the throttle with the heel of the foot. Most probably it looks a bit of a contortion but I suppose that I’ve done it for so long and on so many different cars that it’s become second nature to me. I’ve never had any problems performing the operation on any car, my 987.2 Cayman included.
I’m not aware of any after-market solution being available to modify the brake pedal height or position, but I’m sure that it wouldn’t prove to be a major problem for an engineering workshop with fabrication facilities.
Jeff
I suppose it depends on what your previous cars / race cars have been. Caterhams are very easy to heel & toe without contortion - the skill is not mashing both pedals as the box is so tight there!
Not owned a manual 981 but have driven them & had no issue, technique like CH, ball remains on the brake pedal very safely & twist to the throttle. Doesn't feel contorted depending on what you have been used to. All cars have a slightly different movement, but the base action remains the same, given you have been able to previously but not in your GT4 in a conundrum I hope you can solve!
Not owned a manual 981 but have driven them & had no issue, technique like CH, ball remains on the brake pedal very safely & twist to the throttle. Doesn't feel contorted depending on what you have been used to. All cars have a slightly different movement, but the base action remains the same, given you have been able to previously but not in your GT4 in a conundrum I hope you can solve!
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