Heel Toe Forum

[Draco]

I wanted to start a thread to trade tips and tricks with other owners of the 370Z with a manual transmission without synchorev. I've just got the heel toe thing down , and generally downshift around 2000RPM and blip the throttle when doing normal driving. Its still pretty new so I haven't really put the car through its paces (i figure I'll start after 1000miles)

Anyone have some input on shifting techniques in the Z for normal driving or racing?

[Red370]

I dont heel toe at all during daily driving, its kinda pointless. When downshifting, ya kinda gotta have a feel how high you need to rev before the downshift, the throttle lags a bit, so sometimes I have to blip it twice to match revs. I find that heel toeing in our cars is kinda difficult because the throttle pedal is so damn huge and the brake sits a bit higher, I can do it, but its not smooth at all.

My drag technique is pretty much the norm I suppose, the ass end brakes loose pretty easy so dropping the clutch is a no no unless you wanna spin in the pit through 2nd. Clutch is best feathered at around 2-2.5k, once you grip, mash pedal, kick clutch and shift simultaneously at 7-7.5k and just bang the gears from there.

[cab83_750]

Without aftermarket aluminum pedals, I had issues with h/t. Now that I have the aftermarket, it is so much easier.

Of course, we should just buy the s/r model and be done with it!!!

[Red370]

where did you buy your pedals from?

[Draco]

I hear ya on the pedal position. What I found is that if you place the left side of your foot on the brake and tilt your right side on the accelerator it makes it pretty smooth. Its a different take on the classic technique, but it works well in the Z

[Draco]

Originally Posted by Red370

I dont heel toe at all during daily driving, its kinda pointless. When downshifting, ya kinda gotta have a feel how high you need to rev before the downshift, the throttle lags a bit, so sometimes I have to blip it twice to match revs. I find that heel toeing in our cars is kinda difficult because the throttle pedal is so damn huge and the brake sits a bit higher, I can do it, but its not smooth at all.

My drag technique is pretty much the norm I suppose, the ass end brakes loose pretty easy so dropping the clutch is a no no unless you wanna spin in the pit through 2nd. Clutch is best feathered at around 2-2.5k, once you grip, mash pedal, kick clutch and shift simultaneously at 7-7.5k and just bang the gears from there.

Ive noticed that it gets squirelly dropping the clutch as well. Stomp on it in, and the traction control comes on. (of course no tranction control when racing

[Scott @ RA]

Being a performance driver and racing my whole life I just sort of rev match (heal & toe) automatically without realizing it, sometimes even while daily driving, or whenever I feel I need to I guess. Although I think I do it on the street more so to make the shift transitions more smooth. I personally don't really like the rev-matching feature on the 370's, but I can see why others might like it.

[CBRich]

I agree that heel toe in the 370 seems easier with the heel on the gas and the toes on the brake.

[kenchan]

Op- for heel and toe you have to be able to blip and dowshift at much higher rpm like 5K+ range (up to redline) naturally if you "got it down."

I think you need to back and practice much more.

[Draco]

"Op- for heel and toe you have to be able to blip and dowshift at much higher rpm like 5K+ range (up to redline) naturally if you "got it down."

I think you need to back and practice much more. "

Kenchan, I think you need to read my post before you act like a jack***

you dont shift at 5000RPM for normal street driving.

[spearfish25]

Heel-toe is easy at low RPMs, during 'slow' driving, and only changing one gear. It's much much more difficult when you're diving into a corner, hard on the brakes and heel-toeing from 5th to 2nd. Enter SRM...

[kenchan]

Originally Posted by Draco

you dont shift at 5000RPM for normal street driving.

I do some times, so go practice. You need to be able to downshift a all rpm's.

[Modshack]

Originally Posted by Red370

where did you buy your pedals from?

These guys make some nice stuff. I helped with the patterning and fitment for the 370 pedals:
SRP Racing - Custom Aluminum Racing Pedals

Grip is awesome, and the gas pedal extension on the left helps with heel and toeing...



More pics and details here: Heel plate and pedals.. album | Ttschwing | Fotki.com There's a DIY on this also..

[Red370]

ooh those are fancy, thanks for the link

[Draco]

Heel-toe is easy at low RPMs, during 'slow' driving, and only changing one gear. It's much much more difficult when you're diving into a corner, hard on the brakes and heel-toeing from 5th to 2nd. Enter SRM...

Right on. Its seems to me that the same procedures would apply going from 5th to 2nd, clutch, take it out of gear, match RPM's clutch shift while on the brake. I can see how it would be more demanding though. Anyway coming up on 1000 miles so I'll be more be putting the car through the paces soon (I want to break her in easy).

SRM though... Not for me. I want to learn the art of racing. I don't like computers getting in the way in machines. Bad in airplanes, bad in cars. I like the old school gearbox and shifter.