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I've decided that my heel has been sinking through the deteriorating foam and torn carpet long enough. I've done some cursory looking in threads here but haven't yet found a solution that doesn't involve removing the entire interior and throwing down new carpet padding and carpet. I was surprised to (re)learn while searching for floor plate mounting locations that there's nothing but air under the majority of the foam padding in the footwell. I'd like to just install some kind of aluminum foot rest plate over the existing carpet. Apparently I can't just cut that out without violating SCCA rules for SSM. BUMMER!
If there are build threads that show solutions derived by people smarter than me (most of y'all!) then please send those on to me. Likewise if there are products out there that I've somehow missed I'd be happy to learn of them.
He probably can't run a floor mat in autocross.
What about a rubber heel pad like some vehicles and new carpet kits come with? You may be able to find a glue down product to go in or have installed by an upholstery shop.
Molotov's right. Floor mats won't do it. Anything in the footwell must be bolted down or taken out. There must be zero possibility of anything getting behind the brake pedal. I looked through Molotovman's build thread for a hint at what he may have done but I didn't see anything in that area of the car. It began with the carpet being ripped between the clutch and brake pedals when I got the car two years ago. Since then the foam under the carpet has deteriorated to the point where there's now a 1" difference between the brake and the throttle. It seems that what I'm looking for is commonly called a heel plate. I'm having trouble finding one for an FD, likely for the reinforcement beam running longitudinally between the throttle and brake. I'm afraid I may have to fabricate one but I currently lack the appropriate tools. I may need to make a bending brake and get a stack of sheet aluminum. If I can just find one to buy, that would honestly be cheaper and of course WAY faster.
I've been talking to Bubbletech about making aluminum floor mats that velcro or fasten in like they make for Porsches (based on his floor pans for carpetless FDs), so you don't need to remove for track days, but your heel can move smoothly on them. If we show him some interest, msybe we could light that fire.
Can you elaborate on the SSM rules you're trying to remain in compliance with? When you say:
"I'd like to just install some kind of aluminum foot rest plate over the existing carpet. Apparently I can't just cut that out without violating SCCA rules for SSM."
What can't you cut out? Does SSM just prohibit removal of carpet or padding? Is there a specific rule regarding the fastening of any foot plate or mat? The above PORSCHE example just velcros on top of the carpet, and I've seen them in person and they are very solid. Would that do it?
At least in SCCA verbage, if it's not specifically allowed a deviation from stock is denied. There is no language in the rule book that allows for the removal of the interior in Street Modified except for the removal of rear seats. If I remove the carpet I'm dropped into Prepared with the Big Dogs(tm). Since I have friends in Super StreetMod I'm motivated to stay within the letter of the law.
I've been chatting with the folks at Bubble Tech thanks to Peter. They say they're working on a 'street' version of their heel pad. I volunteered to Beta test for them.
Yup,
I still have carpet and full interior in my track car, and I actually hate floor mats even for the street because of the thickness (I like to have my feet low relative to the pedals), and my feet tend to get stuck in them when I need to slide my heel a little (like for clutch operation, on which the throw is longer than can be manipulated by just ankle bending)... and then I take them out for the track, and my heels wear out the carpet.
A permanently affixed aluminum "mat" or floor liner that goes over the carpet is the ticket!
Page 29
3.3 Vehicle Safety
3.3.3 Safety Inspections *note: note not class specific- applies to all competition vehicles*
2. Pedal operation must not be impeded. Driver’s side floor mat must be removed unless securely mounted. OE fasteners designed to prevent the mat from moving forward satisfy this requirement if they are in good working order.
Well, the FD does have the metal stud to retain the floor mat on the Driver's side (nearest the outside front seat rail bolt).
If you wanted to be extra careful you could put a "push nut" on the stud to keep the floor mat retained.
If you don't want to run with the stock or stock style floor mat-
"Heel-up plates" are common accessories in Japan, but of course only available in RHD because... Japan. In the US it looks like they are called "heel plates" and not as common.
These heel or heel-up plates should be legal under the grey area of the Street Class "comfort and convenience" allowance which Street Touring, Street Prepared and Street Modified classes inherit.
Page 62
13.2 BODYWORK A. Accessories, gauges, indicators, lights and other appearance, comfort and convenience modifications which have no effect on performance and/ or handling and do not materially reduce the weight of the car are permitted. This does not allow driver’s seat substitutions, or the removal of “tow hooks” or “tie-down loops.” Delayed shutdown devices such as the “Turbo Timer,” which perform no function while the car is in motion, are permitted. This does permit the installation of an additional mirror (e.g., Wink®), but does not allow the removal of the original mirror.
I found this website selling heel plates that they say are to be installed over the oem carpet and available for the FD3s Left Hand side.
06-29-18, 12:01 PM
