Foot Pedal Placement

[520SC]

Being a new Cobra owner, I was shocked to experience how far to the left the foot pedals are placed in the car. This arrangement seems awkward. The placement of the foot pedals appears to be driven by the fact that the transmission tunnel is so wide, presumably so that transmission access/maintenance/repair/replacement would be easier for race teams back in the day. Some people might argue that the wide transmission tunnel and its effect on foot pedal placement is something to be accepted as part of being a Cobra owner, and that it’s necessary to preserve the car’s proud history as a winning road racer. Others may argue that narrowing the tunnel would allow the foot pedals to be placed directly in front of the driver, and spaced wider apart for a more comfortable and much safer driver experience.

My question is this: How would you react to seeing a Cobra replica that’s had its transmission tunnel narrowed to support a more “standard” foot pedal arrangement? Would you welcome it as an acceptable improvement, or would you consider it to be an unnecessary modification which defaces and devalues the car? If Cobra manufacturers were to offer either option (original, or a narrower trans tunnel with extra foot space and pedal spacing), which one would you choose?

[bobcowan]

IMO, it's an unnecessary mod. I don't think it would detract from the car, but I don't think it would add anything. Once you drive the car for a little bit, you really don't notice the slightly different driving position.

[Millsy]

If the builder had an option for that i would of gotten it but to have it modified after the fact is just not worth it in my opinion. Like anything new it takes time to get use to it but if it continues to bother you enough then it might be worth the money or effort of modifying it.

[Large Arbor]

I was surprised at first in my ERA with the orientation and pedal location, but within a few hours I didn''t even notice...

Phil

[Mr Jody]

This really doesn't answer your question, but just an option to consider, and you may have already done this, but just to mention it to be sure….. depending on the brake and clutch pedals, brackets, and pushrods, you may be able to adjust the position of the brake and clutch pedals relative to each other and to the accelerator (ie., closer to you or father away, fore and aft). While this still won’t give you the lateral distance between the pedals that you may be used to, it can provide a much more assured feeling of which pedals your feet are on at any given time and give you a higher confidence level that your feet are where you want them to be.

For instance, adjust your brake pedal distance so that you can keep your right heel planted in one spot. Then when moving from the accelerator to brake pedal, all you have to do is pivot and twist your foot instead of lifting it. The best spot will probably be with your brake pedal slightly “higher” than your accelerator. Low enough to the accelerator so that you can pivot easily, but high enough so that you won’t be depressing the accelerator when hard on the brakes, just in case part of your foot is still over the accelerator.

For the clutch, you will want to have it noticeable “higher” than the brake pedal, just to give you a distinguishably different “feel” for the clutch pedal position so your left foot will know it is in the right place.

Check to see if you have a threaded pushrod threaded into a clevis attached to the pedal arm and locked in place in the clevis with jam nut. Loosening the jam nut will allow you to turn the pushrod (may or may not be a little resistant to turning). You will see the pedal arm move as you do this. If your brake light switch is activated by the brake pedal arm, you will probably need to readjust this as well if the brake pedal arm is moved.

As mentioned above, you may have already done this, but if not, it really can help with the feeling of what is what down there, and be more comfortable in that regard. What was comfortable for the previous owner and what he was used to may not be right for you at all. And this would be well worth trying before going to the expense of making transmission tunnel changes, and all of the pedal, throttle linkage, master cylinder, hydraulic line, etc., changes which would then be needed to make use of the space.

[DanEC]

Originally Posted by Large Arbor

I was surprised at first in my ERA with the orientation and pedal location, but within a few hours I didn''t even notice...

Phil

Same here. Although I was expecting it, after a few drives I forgot about it. The seats are also skewed outward (at least on ERA and many others) to somewhat match. My clutch and brake pedal are actually moved further to the left in placement than usual by ERA because I needed more room between the pedals for my 12/13 shoe size.

If you can find some room to narrow your tunnel and move the pedals to the right - go for it. So many modifications and tweaks are made to so many Cobra replicas that I don't think that one would even make a blip on anyones radar. If you were planning a Lakewood bell housing however, I think I would be looking for something a little more svelte.