what did you do to your 944 today

Neil Haughey · Oct 10, 2011

I always found it difficult to do well with the standard pedal setup, once a race seat and belts was added I found it to painful and difficult to do as the crotch belt would dig into my thigh. Then with the EMC motorsport pedal mod I just couldn't do it all as the gap was to big and the gas pedal a bit to high off the floor, having said that though its well worthwhile doing as it provides vastly quicker and more accurate control of the throttle. Pictures to follow.

peanut · Oct 10, 2011

that blonde German racing driver Sabine who races around the Nurburgring always uses her left foot to brake which is much easier than toe n heel and quicker too.Anyone tried it ?I nearly went through the windscreen the first time I touched the brake with my left foot[

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JamesO · Oct 10, 2011

ORIGINAL: Neil Haughey Moved my throttle pedal across to the left and down a bit so I can heel and toe again like I used to. I already had an EMC Motorsport throttle mod conversion, they bin the organ pedal then weld on a flat metal plate onto the throttle arm to which an aftermarket alloy pedal is screwed. Been out practising this afternoon, got 4th to 3rd licked just need to be more consistent on 3rd to 2nd. It feels nice though to feel the car pull up nice and straight through the gears with just a consistent deceleration [].

Had no idea such a thing was around, I have to heel and toe with my car or it will try to remove the transaxle/swap ends on downshifts. I have pretty wide feet and still struggle sometimes depending on shoes.

Neil Haughey · Oct 10, 2011

Tell me about it, had a bit of a nightmare in race 3 for that reason although it was caused by a sticking rear caliper. If you look at this vid you can just see me going off on the first lap [&o], the first of 5 off track excursions; http://www.youtube.com/user/markcowne#p/u/4/qBcTAIqrGbM That smoke cloud has resulted in an enormous flat spot on my rear left tyre, from that point on I pussied out on hard braking completely until at about 7 or 8 laps in I was braking about double the normal length for Stowe. Without heel and toe you can get away with it, sure the car will buck around but as long as your in a straight line it won't actually throw you off the track even if it feels like it will. If the ABS and calipers are all good you get some short squeels a bit of side ways movement and thats it. I am sure its quicker to smooth it all out though, it must be.

vitesse · Oct 10, 2011

As I drive the BMW 530D Steptronic everyday,I have taught myself to left foot brake over the years without causing me to stand it on it's nose-braking apart,it is useful for other reasons-when engaging drive or reverse,you have to step on the brake pedal so by using the left foot,I can keep the right foot on the throttle for much quicker getaways etc. It has become second nature although I seem to have also retained the natural reaction to right foot brake in emergences. I have now started to try it on country & back roads when driving my track day 924S & have found that the action is transferable despite the 2 pedals & the need to change gear mixed in with braking. So,I am going to try it out at Curborough later this month. Funnily enough,I test drove a 996C4 Tiptronic last Saturday (considering buying it[:-]) & quickly realised I was using my left foot on the brake pedal with out thinking.Whilst driving an automatic gave me the opportunity to develop the sensitivity,I was encouraged to try it after watching my DVD of Tony Pond complete his 100mph + circuit of the TT course in a Rover Vitesse 627 manual-the DVD frequently shows him left foot braking which enabled him to keep more throttle applied -having had 2 627's,I can understand this technique-they quickly fall off the power band.

jasonp · Oct 10, 2011

hiya all, today she got her autumn detail, taken to local hand wash and just washed and cloth dried,driving straight home to garage and 2 coats of resin polish [autoglym] then 2 applications of a/g- hi def wax, gives that lovely deep glass-like shine, also feed and cleaned front leather sports seats,abandoned my polisher and finished the bodywork buffing by hand, back to black on rear spoiler and all inside services cleaned, a lot of work but results are great and lots of protection for the upcoming weather, the wax although pricey and not the easiest to apply really does the buisness[imho] and guards red does require regular attention to keep her looking red and shiny,hopefully that should take me into winter before shes done again, thanks for reading , regards jason p

colin944 · Oct 11, 2011

Put doors back on and fitted passenger side wing. Sat it on the floor for the first time this year.Getting there now. I can almost see the light at the end of the tunnel.Almost...................

944 man · Oct 11, 2011

ORIGINAL: peanut that blonde German racing driver Sabine who races around the Nurburgring always uses her left foot to brake which is much easier than toe n heel and quicker too.Anyone tried it ?I nearly went through the windscreen the first time I touched the brake with my left foot[]

That only wors if you have three feet - you cant brake with your left foot whilst operating the clutch! Left foot braking and heel and toeing are two completely different things. Heel'n'toe uses the right foot only, whilst the left is operating the clutch, to both brake primarily and bring up the engine revs to match the road speed of the new gear secondarily. Left foot braking is used to transfer weight onto the front wheels to increase their grip and counter understeer (although it can be used for other reasons too).

Fat Albert · Oct 12, 2011

My only attempt at Left Foot Braking was when I was 17 and tried it as an alternative to teh handbrake for getting my Mini Clubman Estate from the lane onto our Drive..... ---I missed the gate, went up the back, launched through the fence and came to rest on my Mum's favourite flower bed....of course I probably did more damage getting it out! Anyway my old girl hit 219,000 miles this morning and to celebrate as I was switching on my headlamps to let someone out (they hadn't seen the main beam flash) something must have hit the Near Side headlamp as they jammed in the slightly open position. When I got home the motor was very warm and when I tried to release/ease the NS lamp up the glass shattered and the lamp rose in stages as I removed the bits of glass preventing it. So my lights are now functioning again, but I am missing the glass, so if anyone has a spare NS lamp they want to sell me, please get in touch asap!!!!

JamesO · Oct 12, 2011

Decided to test my theory that my gauges lie. Swapped the instrument pod for a newer one and sure enough:- 1 bar extra oil pressure, voltage gauge matched my multimeter and the biggest bonus was an extra quarter tank of fuel. I had wondered why the reserve light never came on despite the needle nearly hitting the stop. Put the original pod back in for now to preserve the correct mileage until I work out how to change individual gauge parts. Jeremy, I'm pretty sure I have a nearside lamp pod with electrical adjustment in the shed. Its from an 89 lux but I think the lamps on the late cars are the same part and just the pod is different?

Fat Albert · Oct 12, 2011

Thanks James, it is just the lamp I need, how much do you want for it?

JamesO · Oct 12, 2011

Dunno does Â£30 sound fair? will go and dig it out and check it.

peanut · Oct 12, 2011

ORIGINAL: JamesO Decided to test my theory that my gauges lie. Swapped the instrument pod for a newer one and sure enough:- 1 bar extra oil pressure, voltage gauge matched my multimeter and the biggest bonus was an extra quarter tank of fuel. I had wondered why the reserve light never came on despite the needle nearly hitting the stop. Put the original pod back in for now to preserve the correct mileage until I work out how to change individual gauge parts.

if all the gauges are reading light perhaps it is a poor earthing or connector problem ? did you check the supply voltage on the gauge pod ?

JamesO · Oct 12, 2011

ORIGINAL: peanut

ORIGINAL: JamesO Decided to test my theory that my gauges lie. Swapped the instrument pod for a newer one and sure enough:- 1 bar extra oil pressure, voltage gauge matched my multimeter and the biggest bonus was an extra quarter tank of fuel. I had wondered why the reserve light never came on despite the needle nearly hitting the stop. Put the original pod back in for now to preserve the correct mileage until I work out how to change individual gauge parts.

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if all the gauges are reading light perhaps it is a poor earthing or connector problem ?Â did you check the supply voltage on the gauge pod ?

Thats exactly what I thought, but as the readings improve with the newer unit fitted and I have 13.8v at the gauge wiring, i'm pretty sure its the dashpod itself.

Keyzy74 · Oct 12, 2011

Changed fuel pump, Spark plugs, Dizzy cap, Rotor arm and HT Leads. Bloody thing still don't start. Bought some LASER spark testers from Halfords, and not one of them lights on turn over, so I'm back to the crank sensors again. Going to order a pair in the morning and then it's fingers crossed. Dizzy's on these cars are a nightmare. The bottom hook takes alot of patience to get in and turned to the right place. As for the other thread, I'm afraid I'd be for the left foot breaking. I personally get much more control in a drift with the two and find it easier to keep the revs up. As for the clutch, You should already be in the desired gear before this is attempted, when you're ready to change gear again your either accelerating away or it's too late as you've probably spun out. lol Of course this is my own personal opinion as never quite got to grips with the heel toe technique.

geoffbateman · Oct 12, 2011

Tried out my new creeper. Removed exhaust and starter motor on way to removing torque tube and thence clutch. Removed gearbox last Sunday after 5 hours, an hour of which was spent trying to get the "protector tube" out (plastic tube linkage goes through). Finally gave up and broke it up to get it out of the way. All out now and on the bench. Minimal wear with only the slightest little bit of backlash so really happy with that.

JamesO · Oct 12, 2011

As for the other thread, I'm afraid I'd be for the left foot breaking. I personally get much more control in a drift with the two and find it easier to keep the revs up. As for the clutch, You should already be in the desired gear before this is attempted, when you're ready to change gear again your either accelerating away or it's too late as you've probably spun out. lol Of course this is my own personal opinion as never quite got to grips with the heel toe technique.

My reason to heel and toe is a fair amount of torque coupled with a springless paddle clutch and arguably weaker S2 gearbox. I've had to re-enforce the torque tube already due to snapping the bolt holes off.

Keyzy74 · Oct 12, 2011

Ouch James.

Fat Albert · Oct 12, 2011

Hi James, I have done some digging and apparently the later lamps are different to the earlier ones, apparently to do with the electric leveler. Porsch a part do a new one for Â£60 inc delivery so I will go for that, at least I will have one bright lamp! Thanks for the offer mate