DIY: How to Stiffen a GD3 Drive-by-Wire Gas Pedal
#101
08-31-2011 | 04:26 PM
Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 317
From: Temple CIty ,CA USA
Jus did this on my GE today. I was going to use the S hooks that I got from work. I asked my co worker if he had a spring and he got me one. The one he got me is a spring from one of his carb'd V8's and it was so long that the S hooks were unusable.
It is really nice and stiff!
It is really nice and stiff!
#102
08-31-2011 | 05:02 PM
Jus did this on my GE today. I was going to use the S hooks that I got from work. I asked my co worker if he had a spring and he got me one. The one he got me is a spring from one of his carb'd V8's and it was so long that the S hooks were unusable.
It is really nice and stiff!
It is really nice and stiff!
so much better stiffer! LOL
here is a pic of mine and the actuall part # i used from honda along with two S hooks i found on broken bungee's at work
pretty much a free mod for me since we were tossing out the spring too
you can use either #20 or #26
DO IT !!!
#103
08-31-2011 | 05:28 PM
Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 317
From: Temple CIty ,CA USA
Ill snap you guys a pic in a bit
#105
09-03-2011 | 11:12 AM
i guess it's up to each thier own
either way i love mine and cant wait till i get my clutch master switched out so the delay valve is gone and my soft clutch feels more like a real clutch and is stiffer too!
#106
09-14-2011 | 04:43 PM
Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 71
From: Purcellville, VA
I've stopped using the bungie cord, as it appears to have lost some of its tension. Am now using two shorter length springs attached to the upper part of the throttle pedal lever, by a small hose clamp. You can increase throttle stiffness by putting a different spring in the mix.
For a more exact idea as to what amount of spring tension is required, use something like a door pressure gauge like this one. Measure the pressure required to move the throttle pedal on another car that has a good feeling throttle pedal action and replicate the pressure on your Fit throttle. It will vary from when it first starts to move, to the pressure required to reach half throttle and more to reach full throttle. In my case I set it up to replicate my BMW throttle pressure... which starts to move at 5 lbs pressure, half throttle requires 14 pounds pressure and full throttle is 20 pounds pressure. The near identical pressure now required to move the Fit throttle pedal certainly makes it much easier to switch between my BMW and the Fit during the week. In fact, I am going to change the throttle pedal pressure on my '88 Chevy pickup truck, too!
FWIW,
-Rod
For a more exact idea as to what amount of spring tension is required, use something like a door pressure gauge like this one. Measure the pressure required to move the throttle pedal on another car that has a good feeling throttle pedal action and replicate the pressure on your Fit throttle. It will vary from when it first starts to move, to the pressure required to reach half throttle and more to reach full throttle. In my case I set it up to replicate my BMW throttle pressure... which starts to move at 5 lbs pressure, half throttle requires 14 pounds pressure and full throttle is 20 pounds pressure. The near identical pressure now required to move the Fit throttle pedal certainly makes it much easier to switch between my BMW and the Fit during the week. In fact, I am going to change the throttle pedal pressure on my '88 Chevy pickup truck, too!
FWIW,
-Rod
#107
09-14-2011 | 04:49 PM
I've stopped using the bungie cord, as it appears to have lost some of its tension. Am now using two shorter length springs attached to the upper part of the throttle pedal lever, by a small hose clamp. You can increase throttle stiffness by putting a different spring in the mix.
For a more exact idea as to what amount of spring tension is required, use something like a door pressure gauge like this one. Measure the pressure required to move the throttle pedal on another car that has a good feeling throttle pedal action and replicate the pressure on your Fit throttle. It will vary from when it first starts to move, to the pressure required to reach half throttle and more to reach full throttle. In my case I set it up to replicate my BMW throttle pressure... which starts to move at 5 lbs pressure, half throttle requires 14 pounds pressure and full throttle is 20 pounds pressure. The near identical pressure now required to move the Fit throttle pedal certainly makes it much easier to switch between my BMW and the Fit during the week. In fact, I am going to change the throttle pedal pressure on my '88 Chevy pickup truck, too!
FWIW,
-Rod
For a more exact idea as to what amount of spring tension is required, use something like a door pressure gauge like this one. Measure the pressure required to move the throttle pedal on another car that has a good feeling throttle pedal action and replicate the pressure on your Fit throttle. It will vary from when it first starts to move, to the pressure required to reach half throttle and more to reach full throttle. In my case I set it up to replicate my BMW throttle pressure... which starts to move at 5 lbs pressure, half throttle requires 14 pounds pressure and full throttle is 20 pounds pressure. The near identical pressure now required to move the Fit throttle pedal certainly makes it much easier to switch between my BMW and the Fit during the week. In fact, I am going to change the throttle pedal pressure on my '88 Chevy pickup truck, too!
FWIW,
-Rod
#108
09-16-2011 | 07:20 AM
Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 71
From: Purcellville, VA
#109
09-16-2011 | 03:24 PM
It's a 29 year old BMW, if you'd bothered to look at the bottom of my Honda Fit web page, or to read my post carefully, which clearly said in 'my case'.
Have a nice day eh
#110
10-16-2011 | 09:17 AM
Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 57
From: Tarzana, CA
Subie sent me here to this thread, and I'm waiting for Home Depot to open so I can run over there to get the parts. I wish I was lucky enough to have been one of you guys that are able to actually use cruise control, but for some reason everyone on the 101 is completely retarded, and I don't have the chance to use it for more than 20 seconds before I creep up on some idiot going 50mph in the fast lane.
Cannot WAIT.
Cannot WAIT.
#112
02-18-2012 | 08:36 PM
New Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 15
From: Greensboro, NC
Just did this to my 2012 AT...and WOW...it now acts more like I'm used to an automatic operating...NOT jumping gears all the time. Now I have the control! 
Had to use a 4.5" spring...and then had to hook slightly forward into the spring at the top - dash area connection, as you can only connect to the open hole on the OBDII mounting bracket (on the 2012's). Hopefully it won't pull the bracket off!
Anyway...great mod. I could get used to this.
Had to use a 4.5" spring...and then had to hook slightly forward into the spring at the top - dash area connection, as you can only connect to the open hole on the OBDII mounting bracket (on the 2012's). Hopefully it won't pull the bracket off!
Anyway...great mod. I could get used to this.
#114
02-29-2012 | 10:48 PM
So I did this about 2 years ago and saw minor improvements in mpg. The hooking point I used was similar to that in the picture and the gas pedal still felt too sensitive and easy to press. So this past weekend I relocated the hooking point to somewhere way up high for increased spring tension and I can now comfortably drive like a grandma. I filled up gas today and saw a huge improvement.
Combined MPG BEFORE: 26-27
Combined MPG AFTER: 30.8
+3.8 MPG Difference ~ +35 miles!
Combined MPG BEFORE: 26-27
Combined MPG AFTER: 30.8
+3.8 MPG Difference ~ +35 miles!
#115
08-06-2012 | 01:31 AM
Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 165
From: San Ramon, CA
What goes around comes around. In 1969 a college buddy had a 1961 chevy (considered old then), with a broken accelerator spring. Shop had two springs on hand, both wrong. One super soft that resulted in full bore acceleration by looking hard at it. So he switched to super strong spring, that built up our calves trying to get off idle.
But just like the mechanic had rationalized, his gas mileage went up. He could have done that though by installing and watching a vaccuum gauge!
But just like the mechanic had rationalized, his gas mileage went up. He could have done that though by installing and watching a vaccuum gauge!
#117
12-29-2012 | 05:50 PM
New Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 12
From: North Central Florida
Was cruising the forum and came across this. Bought a 2012 Base MT and was having heavy foot problems like everyone else. Went to Lowe's, bought these parts, and 60 seconds later it was fixed.
Thanks doubleR!
Thanks doubleR!
This morning, I had the complete, exact opposite experience as Black3sR. I went to Lowe's to pick up the parts recommended by Polaski. They didn't have the 5" x 3/8" spring. I eyeballed the selection available, and I chose a 7/16" x 3-1/2" x .47" spring. Also, a package of 1-1/2" "S" hooks. Again, nothing scientific, just looking at the parts and guessing.
I got home, slithered under the dash, and took the spring and hooks out of the package. To my complete and utter amazement, this was one of those rare times in life that everything goes perfect--purely by accident. The length of the spring and hooks couldn't have fit (no pun intended) more perfectly. The spring nestled on the upper end of the gas pedal rod, next to that plastic piece. No issues with it sliding down to the pedal end whatsoever. Moreover, when I went for a drive, I discovered that the increase in tension on the gas pedal was also perfect. The best way I can describe it is as if I went to the parts department at the Honda dealer and asked for the "2009 Fit Gas Pedal Resistance Kit." That's how perfectly everything came together. And--it took all of about 60 seconds, tops, to complete the installation. Unbelievable!
I got home, slithered under the dash, and took the spring and hooks out of the package. To my complete and utter amazement, this was one of those rare times in life that everything goes perfect--purely by accident. The length of the spring and hooks couldn't have fit (no pun intended) more perfectly. The spring nestled on the upper end of the gas pedal rod, next to that plastic piece. No issues with it sliding down to the pedal end whatsoever. Moreover, when I went for a drive, I discovered that the increase in tension on the gas pedal was also perfect. The best way I can describe it is as if I went to the parts department at the Honda dealer and asked for the "2009 Fit Gas Pedal Resistance Kit." That's how perfectly everything came together. And--it took all of about 60 seconds, tops, to complete the installation. Unbelievable!
#118
05-08-2013 | 03:51 PM
New Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2
From: Stowe, PA
Great Idea!
I just did this modification to my new '07 with 104k which I've had 4 days. What a difference. Thanks for the great idea. I'll see if my wife concurs; I may have to use a softer the spring a bit for her if she gets a leg cramp (common on our old Volvo 240s).
The hardest part of this modification is contorting my 60+ year old body under the dash; trifocals don't work upside down!
And a point of information these several years after the original post. Ace Hardware still sells the identical spring, but the S hooks are now in a blister pack hanging on a hook (and twice as expensive); took me ages to figure out I needed to turn around and look on the other side of the aisle.
Rob K.
The hardest part of this modification is contorting my 60+ year old body under the dash; trifocals don't work upside down!
And a point of information these several years after the original post. Ace Hardware still sells the identical spring, but the S hooks are now in a blister pack hanging on a hook (and twice as expensive); took me ages to figure out I needed to turn around and look on the other side of the aisle.
Rob K.
#119
05-08-2013 | 05:12 PM
I just did this modification to my new '07 with 104k which I've had 4 days. What a difference. Thanks for the great idea. I'll see if my wife concurs; I may have to use a softer the spring a bit for her if she gets a leg cramp (common on our old Volvo 240s).
The hardest part of this modification is contorting my 60+ year old body under the dash; trifocals don't work upside down!
And a point of information these several years after the original post. Ace Hardware still sells the identical spring, but the S hooks are now in a blister pack hanging on a hook (and twice as expensive); took me ages to figure out I needed to turn around and look on the other side of the aisle.
Rob K.
The hardest part of this modification is contorting my 60+ year old body under the dash; trifocals don't work upside down!
And a point of information these several years after the original post. Ace Hardware still sells the identical spring, but the S hooks are now in a blister pack hanging on a hook (and twice as expensive); took me ages to figure out I needed to turn around and look on the other side of the aisle.
Rob K.
