Forget about Heel-Toe ... Install an AUTO-BLiP!
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 6,863
Likes: 125
From: Pawtucket, RI
Regarding motorcycles, a lot of them use back-torque limiting clutches to help smooth downshifts.
I've ridden bikes for longer than I've been heel/toeing, never felt like it gave me any kind of advantage. I still suck at it...
I've ridden bikes for longer than I've been heel/toeing, never felt like it gave me any kind of advantage. I still suck at it...
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 213
Likes: 0
From: Dallas,TX
I currently have Greg car as he is working on putting his mid pipe system on my car, I’m still new to the autox and track scene, But heel toe for me is very hard and maybe over time I can get it down but my big feet its very difficult. The Auto-Blip system is very nice I enjoy it even in a daily driver settings it makes shifting easy, given this is not my car I’m not going to go crazy since were not on a track but downshifting with this something some people may find very helpful.
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,689
Likes: 21
Lurker chiming in.
This isn't exactly true for everyone. It's not always an issue of practice. Ignorance is bliss but you might want to open your mind to possibilities that go beyond questions of skill or effort.
Just to be clear, I'd probable never buy something like this. For me, it's less fun with driver aids.
However, being 6'4", it's almost impossible for me to depress both break and gas pedals at the same time in a controlled manner.
You may not notice it, but when you turn your foot to heel-toe with an extended leg, you are also rolling your leg over (your knee is no longer pointing up). Try doing this with a 90 degree bend in your knee (roughly my sitting position). Even if the steering column was not in the way, it's very difficult to get the same range of motion.
I realize there are other ways to heel-toe and I manage fairly well considering.
Look at where Gernby's knee is in the video. It's fairly similar for me, the only reason I can even attempt rev match is because I have an aftermarket wheel that gives me a bit more space to move.
Nice review, although the title might be a bit provocative.
Originally Posted by andrewhake' timestamp='1370285472' post='22583859
I understand your reasoning reading through your post but if you just spent time practicing heel-toeing you would be able to control it just as well as your electronic setup
Just to be clear, I'd probable never buy something like this. For me, it's less fun with driver aids.
However, being 6'4", it's almost impossible for me to depress both break and gas pedals at the same time in a controlled manner.
You may not notice it, but when you turn your foot to heel-toe with an extended leg, you are also rolling your leg over (your knee is no longer pointing up). Try doing this with a 90 degree bend in your knee (roughly my sitting position). Even if the steering column was not in the way, it's very difficult to get the same range of motion.
I realize there are other ways to heel-toe and I manage fairly well considering.
Look at where Gernby's knee is in the video. It's fairly similar for me, the only reason I can even attempt rev match is because I have an aftermarket wheel that gives me a bit more space to move.
Nice review, although the title might be a bit provocative.
This all makes heel toe very difficult, even with a pedal extension. I've developed a really quick throttle blip, but I have to take my foot off the brake to do it. So, it definitely limits me.
Any podiatrists, chiropractors, osteopaths, and some PT's will know exactly what I'm talking about.
Thread Starter
Former Sponsor
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 15,526
Likes: 19
I wanted to pop in with a quick "long-term update" about the Auto-Blip.
It didn't take long after installing the Auto-Blip for me to totally encorporate it into my daily driving style. I've actually forgotten how I drove the car without it, since any time the Auto-Blip is turned OFF, I do a bunch of jerky downshifts at every stop light. I guess I was just putting the car into neutral, and coasting to a stop before the Auto-Blip ...
Since my driving habits have changed so much, I now have to turn the Auto-Blip on EVERY TIME I drive the car. So 2-3 times per day, every day, I have to hit the power button. Of course, I always have to "discover" that the Auto-Blip is off by making a jerky downshift, before I realize that I need to push the power button again. Basically, the Auto-Blip really needs to have an alternate wiring method, or setup option, so that it doesn't have to be turned on every 8 hours.
I'm thinking about adding some custom circuitry to EITHER not let the thing power off (hopefully by generating a short brake / clutch pulse every 6 hours) or by forcing it to turn off every time I turn the car off. I would prefer the first option, but I suspect that the Auto-Blip may turn off every 7-8 hours regardless of when the last time it had to do a blip. With the second option, I would at least be able to know for sure each time I get into the car that the Auto-Blip was off.
It didn't take long after installing the Auto-Blip for me to totally encorporate it into my daily driving style. I've actually forgotten how I drove the car without it, since any time the Auto-Blip is turned OFF, I do a bunch of jerky downshifts at every stop light. I guess I was just putting the car into neutral, and coasting to a stop before the Auto-Blip ...
Since my driving habits have changed so much, I now have to turn the Auto-Blip on EVERY TIME I drive the car. So 2-3 times per day, every day, I have to hit the power button. Of course, I always have to "discover" that the Auto-Blip is off by making a jerky downshift, before I realize that I need to push the power button again. Basically, the Auto-Blip really needs to have an alternate wiring method, or setup option, so that it doesn't have to be turned on every 8 hours.
I'm thinking about adding some custom circuitry to EITHER not let the thing power off (hopefully by generating a short brake / clutch pulse every 6 hours) or by forcing it to turn off every time I turn the car off. I would prefer the first option, but I suspect that the Auto-Blip may turn off every 7-8 hours regardless of when the last time it had to do a blip. With the second option, I would at least be able to know for sure each time I get into the car that the Auto-Blip was off.
Thread Starter
Former Sponsor
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 15,526
Likes: 19
Another bit a feed-back about the Auto-BLIP is that I just had an ACT HD pressure plate, OEM friction disk, and ACT Prolite flywheel installed over the weekend, and am now even more in love with the Auto-Blip! It's like friggin' magic! My downshifts are now as fast as I can move my hand, and it's totally seemless! I need to make a new video!
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,513
Likes: 119
I also do it in the snow, on gravel, in mud, on the way down rocky stream beds, in peat bog so deep the driveshafts are scraping the top....
The clutch action is always the slowest point of the gearchange, if H+T changes that, you're doing it wrong.
