I was reading a performance driving book and it explained the concept of left foot braking in a fwd car. I tried straightline braking, but felt awkward bringing my left foot across the centerline (across the steering column)

Does anybody have tips/hints/points to help me out? Thanks!

Jae

 

it feels awkward just braking with the left foot period.
i found this, same topic:
http://conecrazy.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=318

 

Thanx! I read that site, and did a Google. I learned a lot more about the theory and execution. So today, I gave it another try. Straightline's good, but like other's have said, releasing the brake smoothly is the hard part.

I took to the canyons between LA/OC counties trying it out. Wow!!! It's phenomenal. Opens up a whole new ballpark for fun. I got my rear to come out much more easily than throttle lifting (which I had to force myself to stop doing while left-foot-braking). It works best in 3rd gear... 2nd was too slow and would whip around too fast. 4th was going too fast for the turns anyways. The learning curve is much much easier than heel/toe.

Some tips/pointers from trial/error
*be in the meaty part of the rpm where tq lives.
*Don't be affraid to keep the gas pedal pressed pretty far down. You can control speed with steering and LFB
*LFB as you're starting a turn makes it easy to find the balance and shifts weight smoothly. But I've read that you're supposed to LFB after you initiate the turn. Give both a try
*think very far ahead... If you're gonna downshift or heel/toe, don't LFB that turn. I practed LFB at most stoplights with car in gear until 10mph. This's how I developed sensitivity.

I think I'm wearing my brakes, tranny/engine, and rear tires... but that's ok, it's about time to swap everything anyways.

Jae

 

hmm good tips. i guess just practice LFB on regular driving. i tried it and the braking and release is violent. but the response of acceleration is increased. no lag of switching pedals with one foot. much different in an automatic than manual. ill have to give it a try one day.

 

Using your left foot will be uncomfortable for a while until you get the hang of it. don't try to learn to use your left foot on the brake while doing a LFB, all your car will do is jerk around. Practice just regularly breaking with your left foot during your commute or everyday driving. once it is more comfortable try to put it into your LFB technique.

 

Chopsuey0079: right on! I've been doing it more in daily driving and getting smoother on the release, like Mr****s95SE mentioned.

Previously, I mentioned that 2nd gear is too slow. However, I found that keeping the rpm above 4k helps break the front tires free from the brake pads. 3rd gear works cuz I've already got speed/momentum that I only hafta lightly brake to catch the rear.

I haven't spun or hit anything yet. That's different than when I first learned throttle lifting, when I would stop 90deg/perpendicular or 180.

Jae

 

you use third gear? that seems like you wouldnt have enough torque to come out of the corner unless your goin fast as hell. what kind of corners are you taking and how fast?

 

Good info ThurzNite. Our cars are so torquey they don't benefit as much as others do though. I've been practicing on the street too and it does become easier after a few weeks. I've got an autox practice on the 13th where I'll try both LFB and trail braking vs normal and report back...

 

Canyon runs here, in my neighborhood. Look up this addy and go south from there.

Turnbull Canyon Rd
Hacienda Heights, CA 91745

The turns are scary fast. It's almost like drifting now. I'm initiating the turns really early, braking to shift weight forward, lifting and rotating the rear; By this time, the car's kinda sliding sideways, rpm around 4k. Full throttle, release brake until the rear catches again, and modulate brake (i do play w/the gas, but ever so slightly. I'm not even sure how it affects everything yet).
I tried 2nd gear again. For these turns, I'm probably doing 40. 2nd gear's in high rpm so the brake biasing is heavy on the rear (I think). I tend to lock up the rears so much easier while the fronts are still pulling. If I'm in 3rd, there's just enuf torque to keep the fronts rolling (but not pulling) and still nearly lock the rears. I guess I could do 2nd, but not hold the gas down. Right now, that's too many things to think about.

I gotta stop doing this. my tires are really wearing and starting to get weird temp colors on my front rotors (pics to come tomorrow). I thought I'd never say this, but I actually think I NEED slotted rotors. I don't think I need BBK... just some way to disappate the heat.

Jae

 

that sounds intense. get some stickier tires and brake pads while youre at it. might improve efficiency.

 

slotted rotors won't do crap for heat... get better pads.

 

Well no need to wait. I used LFB half the day today (4 of 8 runs). Besides the first run trying to use the brake to shift , LFB did help and did hurt. It allowed better control of pivoting on corners and getting the rear end to come around.

But I also found I couldn't brake quite as deeply and straight because I was already hitting the throttle and turning. Also the feel on the left foot isn't quite there and sometimes I tapped it too hard upsetting the car causing additional problems. I found I was .1-.2 sec faster w/o LFB on a relatively fast open course.

 

back in the day when I had my 3rd gen gxe auto, I read a high performance driving book and played around with this concept all the time....all I remember is it taking about 2 weeks to get down to a science and when I did, I never had more fun driving a front wheel drive car than that....the benefit is huge in terms of fun factor and absolute speed into turns....I was drifting left and right all over the place at speeds which scared the crap out of my friends, but always came out of the turn great since stock gxe suspension can't handle for $hit...might as well drift the sucker!!! anyway, for cars with really good suspension..this technique would be dramatically less beneficial in terms of cornering speed and other techniques....but for those maxima guys still running stock....like I used to be on my 3rd gen....have fun!! cause once you master it, you will be addicted not to mention taking corners at incredible rates which you didn't expect possible!

 

I would especially not recommend this technique if you own a stick car for obvious reasons

 

Well, I gotta stop LFB... Pics here: http://www.xanga.com/item.aspx?user=...s&uid=96279639

I have Hawk HP+ pads in front, Nissan pads in rear. Not sure what other streetable pads are available.

michaelnyden: I have 5sp and worn suspension. Maybe that's why it's so enjoyable.

Jae