[e46amazed]

UPDATED (02/25/2010): See images/text below

So I wasn't really satisfied with the layout options from Ultimate Pedal's (didn't want the full left extension, but the upper right extension did not extend far enough downwards), so decided to have a go at it myself. I picked up a piece of scrap 1/8" aluminum for $4 and a piece of 1/8" acrylic for $1 (to be used as a spacer).

I started by prototyping the shape I wanted, using two pieces of cardboard and some tape (it was a gag gift and has a variety of sushi on it). I taped the initial pattern to the pedal and took a bunch of pictures (while parked) with my feet casually braking, quick braking, heel-toeing, etc.

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With the pattern I wanted, I used a jigsaw with small teeth to cut out the shape from the aluminum and acrylic. I cut the traction grooves using a table saw...then I smoothed out the edges using a solid grinder for both... and then shifted over to a steel wire grinder for the aluminum only. Used a metal etching/cleaning agent on the aluminum, then hit it with some old metal primer that was laying around. Could have taken 20 minutes if I had to do it again... but took about 45mins making sure I didn't screw anything up.

My next step is to either use Plasti-dip rubber paint or some sort of standard flat-black paint... then install.

note: I will polish the sides of the acrylic spacer and peel off the protective paper adhesive before bolting both the acrylic and aluminum shapes to the pedal (bolts painted black of course).

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after about 7 coats of Plasti-dip rubber paint... I finally got to install the sucker. the final "rubberizing" looks a little sloppy, especially with the bolt heads... but I started losing my patience with all the damn paint layers and dry times. If I were to build another pedal, I would just stick with using regular paint (instead of plasti-dip) and probably use some fine silica or something to give some traction to the paint.

Overall, feels and drives great! good traction and distance from the brake pedal (perfect layout/design), and good depth (with the 1/8" acrylic spacer behind the aluminum pedal).

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Thanks for all the inspiration and shared-knowledge




So I am about ready to pull the trigger on purchasing a Gas Pedal from Ultimate Pedals, but have a quick question about the type of Heel/Toe extension to purchase.

I saw PKumarM3 thread and he has the full left side extension:
[http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=255493[


However, I am not looking for any sort of 'Heel' action and strictly just want the Toe-to-Toe (left and right side of foot) Brake/Gas foot position...

So instead of the full left side extension, Ultimate Pedals offers an Upper-Left Extension.

Although these two pictures of the Upper-Left extension seem to have different shapes even though I think they are both made by Ultimate Pedals



Has anyone purchased the Upper-Left Gas Extension Pedal? I am afraid to purchase it and not have it line up with the brake pedal for the most optimal foot position. I could be conservative and get the full left side extension since that is what everyone else seems to buy....but I don't really have a need for the extra metal towards the heel. It actually concerns me a little about having that much extra metal. I don't want to accidentally press the gas at all with my heel with doing a full brake-only stop.

Thanks for any feedback

[lmtfi]

Unless you are going to use them regularly for heel-toe-ing, I'd recommend that you get the pedals without the extension.

If you *do* HT - just match your specific technique preference with the extension placement. No-one can tell you which is best for you.

[e46amazed]

Just so everyone is aware, I heard back from Ultimate Pedals, and the image on their website for the Upper-Left Gas Pedal Extension style is outdated. The shape actually looks like the 3rd image in my first post.

After reading through the other threads on this forum and taking a look at the shape from Ultimate Pedals, I have decided to make my own custom Upper-Left Extension pedal from 1/8" aluminum. I didn't like the shape of Ultimate Pedal's Upper-Left or Full-Left extension, so I will be cutting a mixed design.

I also read in another thread that a guy used a 1/8" piece of wood behind his aluminum gas pedal such that it sticks out a little further. I am going to take it one step further and cut a 1/4" acrylic spacer, such that when braking hard the gas pedal lines up with the brake pedal's surface. I know this can create a more risky situation when braking (accidentally touching the gas pedal when not "heel toeing"), and that is why the gas pedal extension design I have chosen will not stick out as far to the left as the other pedal manufacturers' "extensions". It feels more comfortable to "blip" when the surfaces are even, then to roll your foot reaching for the gas pedal.

Feedback is welcome, and I appreciated lmtfi's response

[natty99]

You should look into UP doing a custom gas pedal for you.

Originally Posted by e46amazed

Just so everyone is aware, I heard back from Ultimate Pedals, and the image on their website for the Upper-Left Gas Pedal Extension style is outdated. The shape actually looks like the 3rd image in my first post.

After reading through the other threads on this forum and taking a look at the shape from Ultimate Pedals, I have decided to make my own custom Upper-Left Extension pedal from 1/8" aluminum. I didn't like the shape of Ultimate Pedal's Upper-Left or Full-Left extension, so I will be cutting a mixed design.

I also read in another thread that a guy used a 1/8" piece of wood behind his aluminum gas pedal such that it sticks out a little further. I am going to take it one step further and cut a 1/4" acrylic spacer, such that when braking hard the gas pedal lines up with the brake pedal's surface. I know this can create a more risky situation when braking (accidentally touching the gas pedal when not "heel toeing"), and that is why the gas pedal extension design I have chosen will not stick out as far to the left as the other pedal manufacturers' "extensions". It feels more comfortable to "blip" when the surfaces are even, then to roll your foot reaching for the gas pedal.

Feedback is welcome, and I appreciated lmtfi's response

[e46amazed]

That's an option... but it will probably run like $100 shipped.

I like the idea of staying more flexible with design. I can make 4 prototype pedals with different trial-shapes, and router out some traction grooves for about $4 dollars worth of scrap aluminum. Once I decide on a shape, I plan on polishing it up and painting it black. I may even throw a few layers of plasti-dip to "rubber-ize" it. We'll see how it feels.

oh... and I already have a piece of 1/8" aluminum for the pedal and 1/4" acrylic for a spacer... but was wondering if I should should actually switch that and go with 1/4" aluminum and 1/8" acrylic. 1/8" aluminum would keep the pedal lighter in weight, and it still seems very sturdy (ie no flex).

Originally Posted by natty99

You should look into UP doing a custom gas pedal for you.

[m3 guy]

Originally Posted by e46amazed

I have this exact setup and like it a lot, works great and no accidental pressing of the accelerator

[rwfisher]

Here's an alternative... you can just get the toe extension if you prefer.


http://www.rennline.com/Rennline-Alu...nfo/P71.60.56/

[mpegripper]

i wish they made these in black

[natty99]

Originally Posted by mpegripper

i wish they made these in black

just get them powdercoated......any coating is bound to rub off eventually anyway

[Tonester]

I don't have a problem with heel-toe at all? Stock "M-tech" pedals.

Those pedals do look nice though!