LS7 drive by wire pedal
Discussion
Hi Paul
Over here in the UK the factory way of installing drive-by-wire for the LS7 is to have two pedals - one coventional mechanical pedal that connects via a rod to another modified drive-by-wire pedal mounted above on the chassis. Pushing the normal pedal moves the connecting rod which in turn moves the drive-by-wire pedal - which sends a signal to the ECU.
I didn't get my engine though A/S who supply this modified drive-by-wire pedal with their LS7 engines. The Ultima Factory have refused to sell me, give me details or even a picture of this modified pedal so that I can construct my own!
Not to worry though - it's not rocket science - a couple of 45 degree bends, a single cut and a bit of drilling and I now have what I need.
If anyone has a picture of this I would still like to see it.
Cheers
Darren
Over here in the UK the factory way of installing drive-by-wire for the LS7 is to have two pedals - one coventional mechanical pedal that connects via a rod to another modified drive-by-wire pedal mounted above on the chassis. Pushing the normal pedal moves the connecting rod which in turn moves the drive-by-wire pedal - which sends a signal to the ECU.
I didn't get my engine though A/S who supply this modified drive-by-wire pedal with their LS7 engines. The Ultima Factory have refused to sell me, give me details or even a picture of this modified pedal so that I can construct my own!
Not to worry though - it's not rocket science - a couple of 45 degree bends, a single cut and a bit of drilling and I now have what I need.
If anyone has a picture of this I would still like to see it.
Cheers
Darren
Edited by SlackBlevens on Tuesday 29th January 17:50
Thanks for that, it was something that I was concerned about (see previous posts) as the last thing I want to have to do is clean dirt out of electronics on the accelerator pedal.
Does anyone know if there is a return spring remaining in the electronic part, so that if the linkage breaks or loosens of you don’t get stuck at wide open throttle?
Does anyone know if there is a return spring remaining in the electronic part, so that if the linkage breaks or loosens of you don’t get stuck at wide open throttle?
Darren,
I understand the factory not wanting to give away the American Speed secrets, but I did a quick google and it looks to me like its already been done.
In the first photo you can see that this guy has effectively mastered heel-toe.
The third one also uses a few devices that sound similar to the American Speed one you have described.
However, I think the American Speed one is more like the second one, the major difference being that American Speed use two pedals rather than two pedestrians, and the pedals are joined together, whereas in this picture you can see that the pedestrians are not joined at all. Must be some sort of early auto-pilot / cruise control.
From the description you've given it certainly sounds like American Speed technology was inspired by one of these early examples. I guess they're keen to protect the technology of the rods and double pedals. Its certainly something that they'd want to hide from the big manufactureres...... once the big guys get hold of this we'll have pedals like this in all of our cars!!!
I also dont think you should be scared off by the proposition of having to build such a complex device without reference to the top-secret drawings and photos of the American Speed unit.
I'm stepping out on a limb here, but in my humble opinion I would expect that you may even have an adequate defense from any legal action. After looking at these photos it would seem that the American Speed technology is not actually as novel as it sounds. To be safe though, you may want to check with a lawyer first.
I understand the factory not wanting to give away the American Speed secrets, but I did a quick google and it looks to me like its already been done.
In the first photo you can see that this guy has effectively mastered heel-toe.
The third one also uses a few devices that sound similar to the American Speed one you have described.
However, I think the American Speed one is more like the second one, the major difference being that American Speed use two pedals rather than two pedestrians, and the pedals are joined together, whereas in this picture you can see that the pedestrians are not joined at all. Must be some sort of early auto-pilot / cruise control.
From the description you've given it certainly sounds like American Speed technology was inspired by one of these early examples. I guess they're keen to protect the technology of the rods and double pedals. Its certainly something that they'd want to hide from the big manufactureres...... once the big guys get hold of this we'll have pedals like this in all of our cars!!!
I also dont think you should be scared off by the proposition of having to build such a complex device without reference to the top-secret drawings and photos of the American Speed unit.
I'm stepping out on a limb here, but in my humble opinion I would expect that you may even have an adequate defense from any legal action. After looking at these photos it would seem that the American Speed technology is not actually as novel as it sounds. To be safe though, you may want to check with a lawyer first.
I wish I hadn't installed the standard mechanical pedal - will look at installing the LS7 pedal Instead.Hi Ezakimak
The mechanical pedal you push has no return spring and is free moving, the modified Corvette Z06 pedal which houses the electronics (by modified I mean the top 4 inches are cut off & a hole drilled in it!) has the return spring and therefore provides the feel aswell as limiting the movement of the mechanical pedal.
I've decided to go down the 2 pedestrian route as the Ultima pedals are hinged at the bottom where as the Z06 pedal hinges at the top - I'm a sucker for consistency!
Cheers
Darren
The mechanical pedal you push has no return spring and is free moving, the modified Corvette Z06 pedal which houses the electronics (by modified I mean the top 4 inches are cut off & a hole drilled in it!) has the return spring and therefore provides the feel aswell as limiting the movement of the mechanical pedal.
I've decided to go down the 2 pedestrian route as the Ultima pedals are hinged at the bottom where as the Z06 pedal hinges at the top - I'm a sucker for consistency!
Cheers
Darren
ultimaCZ said:
SlackBlevens said:
CZ - Could you post/email me a picture of your LS7 pedal installation, plus notes on the mods you made.
ATB
Darren
sorry, I am out of the country for some days. Can try it later, if you really need.ATB
Darren
I've gone ahead with the 2 pedal solution so I don't need it, kinda just interested really. It may be of use to other builders though - a single pedal solution has got to be tidier than two pedals!
Sorry, I missed this post, I've been on the Dyno for a few days, and will be for a few more testing 5) LS7's, numerous camshafts, head mods, and our new 103mm Mass Airflow sensors, and working on our new 1000hp OBD II LS3 package.
Originally in 2006 our "ready to run" LS7 Ultima pkg provided an extensively modified Corvette pedal and a mounting bracket. (The arm was shortened and bend was changed in direction, the plastic pedal was then re-fitted after mods and painting. It didn't look modified but was.)
We now have a pedal that fits into the tight confines without modification and we have them in stock.
PM me and I'll dig up a pic for you.
Jeff
Originally in 2006 our "ready to run" LS7 Ultima pkg provided an extensively modified Corvette pedal and a mounting bracket. (The arm was shortened and bend was changed in direction, the plastic pedal was then re-fitted after mods and painting. It didn't look modified but was.)
We now have a pedal that fits into the tight confines without modification and we have them in stock.
PM me and I'll dig up a pic for you.
Jeff
Darren,
I am assuming these are the pictures that Jeff sent to you (?) - They appear to show the Ultima original throttle pedal attached to a "return spring/potentiometer" contraption... is that right ?
And is that contraption the same as the one that Ultima will supply ? I am guessing that, like me, you did not yet receive your "LS7 accelerator pedal kit" from the factory.... You ordered your kit at a similar time to me, if I remember rightly......and when my order arrived from Ted in early December, the "LS7 accelerator pedal kit" was one of the items that they had not yet been able to supply..
Regards
Kelvin
I am assuming these are the pictures that Jeff sent to you (?) - They appear to show the Ultima original throttle pedal attached to a "return spring/potentiometer" contraption... is that right ?
And is that contraption the same as the one that Ultima will supply ? I am guessing that, like me, you did not yet receive your "LS7 accelerator pedal kit" from the factory.... You ordered your kit at a similar time to me, if I remember rightly......and when my order arrived from Ted in early December, the "LS7 accelerator pedal kit" was one of the items that they had not yet been able to supply..
Regards
Kelvin
pilbeam_mp62 said:
Darren,
I am assuming these are the pictures that Jeff sent to you (?) - They appear to show the Ultima original throttle pedal attached to a "return spring/potentiometer" contraption... is that right ?
And is that contraption the same as the one that Ultima will supply ? I am guessing that, like me, you did not yet receive your "LS7 accelerator pedal kit" from the factory.... You ordered your kit at a similar time to me, if I remember rightly......and when my order arrived from Ted in early December, the "LS7 accelerator pedal kit" was one of the items that they had not yet been able to supply..
Regards
Kelvin
Hi KelvinI am assuming these are the pictures that Jeff sent to you (?) - They appear to show the Ultima original throttle pedal attached to a "return spring/potentiometer" contraption... is that right ?
And is that contraption the same as the one that Ultima will supply ? I am guessing that, like me, you did not yet receive your "LS7 accelerator pedal kit" from the factory.... You ordered your kit at a similar time to me, if I remember rightly......and when my order arrived from Ted in early December, the "LS7 accelerator pedal kit" was one of the items that they had not yet been able to supply..
Regards
Kelvin
These are pictures of my car taken by me! I did order & receive the factory LS7 pedal set, it's just the factory doesn't supply the modified drive-by-wire pedal, so Boost Performance kindly supplied me with one. I believe this is what you'd end up with if AS were to supply your LS7, however, Jeff has a single pedal solution.
Hows you build coming along?
ATB, Darren
Sorry Darren - I jumped to the wrong conclusion about the pictures !
I am a bit confused now - I have the standard accelerator pedal, which came with the other two pedals.....additionally, I ordered the "LS7 accelerator pedal fitting kit" which Ted has not yet sent me....I don't quite know WHAT that will consist of now....
I intend to fit the LS7 engine, but I am a long way from doing that - I am still on panelling, as I don't get to work on the car as much as I would like as it is in the garage at our weekend home on the South Coast.
Thanks very much,
Regards
Kelvin
I am a bit confused now - I have the standard accelerator pedal, which came with the other two pedals.....additionally, I ordered the "LS7 accelerator pedal fitting kit" which Ted has not yet sent me....I don't quite know WHAT that will consist of now....
I intend to fit the LS7 engine, but I am a long way from doing that - I am still on panelling, as I don't get to work on the car as much as I would like as it is in the garage at our weekend home on the South Coast.
Thanks very much,
Regards
Kelvin
Edited by pilbeam_mp62 on Friday 8th February 14:02
Edited by pilbeam_mp62 on Friday 8th February 18:55
Has anyone actually got there cars working and driven yet with the top mount accelerator pedal?
I would like to know how it is to heal toe under brakes, as a small movement of the heel on the accelerator will produce a smaller change in engine revs with the top mount pedal verses the situation where the accelerator pedal is mounted from the floor.
NOTE; the GT40s that raced at lemans had this set up, bottom pivot brake, top pivot accelerator!
Regards Ryan
I would like to know how it is to heal toe under brakes, as a small movement of the heel on the accelerator will produce a smaller change in engine revs with the top mount pedal verses the situation where the accelerator pedal is mounted from the floor.
NOTE; the GT40s that raced at lemans had this set up, bottom pivot brake, top pivot accelerator!
Regards Ryan
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