308 pedal positions (and heel-toeing)

Your methodology is wrong. Italian car pedal placement is made for heel and toe driving.

 

Don't think of it as "heal and toe", it's more "toe and right side of foot".

 

My '78 GTB pedal arrangement is perfect for heel/toe. Although I must admit the overall driving position doesn't help as my legs are quite splayed around the wheel, would probably be easier if I was a couple of inches shorter - I'm only six foot, hardly a giant. Definitely designed with Mr Archetypal Italian bloke in mind!

 

Tommy,

I actually find it the opposite in my '85. I have always split the pedals in Audi, Porsche and BMW cars by tipping the right side of my foot. I find that I cannot do that at all in the 308 and am trying to learn to heel-and-toe the old school way: dead center of the ball of my foot on the brake pedal, internal rotation at the hip to heel the bottom of the throttle using the metal plate on the center console as a backboard.

Beau LeBlanc

 

Not suggesting it but you could put a thicker gas pedal cover to bring it closer match to the brake pedal.

 

Impossible??

I guess I haven't been doing it for the last 30+ years then.

No pedal adjustments or modifications required. Besides, there is no adjustment for upward travel.

 

Raise the steering wheel. Very easy.

 

It is correct.

You should drive some of the 275 and 330's. I have a foot extension that I am told some ballerinas do not have. My foot goes beyond 180 degrees from my shin and some of those were still difficult to press the pedal to the stop.

 

Going back from memory, I did find it not as convenient as with other cars. While not appropriate for the track, and it was a hassle to change from dress shoes to driving shoes, I just found it better driving without shoes.

 

Hill Engineering makes that pedal set with the wider gas pedal. I am able to span the gap with the OEM pedals but I have pretty wide feet.


PS01HT - Pedal Set by: Hill Engineering - Hill Engineering Ferrari

 

You can get these from Ricambi here in the US for $120 + SH. Same Part No: PS01 for the standard Accelerator Pedal and PS01HT for the wider pedal, same price I think.

 

I will also say that on many modern cars the placement of pedals is more even, so you might be used to something else and easier.

 

Brake harder and it will get easier.....

 

How much play do you have on your brake pedal?

 

Just checked my car and the brake pedal is about 2.5 inches in front of the throttle pedal.

 

Hi Dave, you not crazy. The gas pedal does seem to far awkwardly recessed for heal and toe driving in your 308, as in mine, my gas pedal is about 1 1/2 inches recessed back. I have been trying to learn to heel and toe drive and it seem weird and uncomfortable, but I'm a newb to heal and toe driving, so what do I know.

 

Dave,

I have a 328 and am guessing the configuration is a little different. When I am on the brake at close to threshold, it is on the same plane as the gas pedal (not sure about at rest) so very easy for rev matching on downshift.

I know you rejected this idea in an earlier post, but if you can not adjust, consider adding to the pedal. I had an Audi where there was a large difference between the brake and gas (a 2004 S4). I think Audi was doing this as they did not want to get burned with unintended acceleration as they did with the 5000 ( I think that was determined to be driver error mistaking the brake for the gas). Anway, big difference between the two pedals in that car. I resolved by purchasing a very nice replacement custom gas pedal from Ultimate Pedals. I secured it with spacers to the original gas pedal. Looked great and got it to precisely the height and separation I wanted. If you find current position is "correct" and can not be adjusted, you may want to consider a fix like this.