Help with pedal ratios

[John S]

I've been racking my head trying to figure out the best pedal ratio for my hydraulic clutch setup. This may turn out a bit long so I hope you will bear with me.
First the details:
I'm running a T56 with a Weir hot rod products bell housing and hydraulic TO bearing and a US Brake 1" bore MC. The cluch is a Zoom HP performance kevlar unit with a 450lb release pressure.

My current pedal ratio is about 3-1. I figured this based on a 13" pedal with the actuator 4" from the pivot point. I am not sure how the hydraulic setup affects the release pressure but I think that with a 3-1 ratio it takes about 150lbs. of pedal pressure to release the clutch.
This is entirely too much, it just about takes two men and a boy depress the clutch.

There are two things that I can not do to correct this problem, 1) I can not re locate the MC and 2) I can not lengthen the pedal. So this leaves me with moving the actuator arm mounting location to a better position to gain mechanical advantage. I think I have figured out a way to do this by fabricating an offset bracket. If I am correct the offset bracket will work as long as its plane of travel is parallel with the mounting point. Is this a true statement?

My other dilemma is what pressure range should I shoot for? I believe that I can get my pedal ratio to anywhere I want between 5-7:1 which would get me between 65 - 90 lbs of force on the pedal. If I am correct on my calculations of the force applied what is a good range to shoot for? Or does it even matter? Is this a case where the lower the pedal pressure you can achieve the better off you are?
I think it would definately reduce fatigue especially in stop and go traffic.
Am I on the right track here, I need to make a decision within the next two days when i will need to put everything back together.

Thanks for any help.

[Bigblue73]

John; I've read in many places to use a pedal ratio of 5.5 to 6:1 ratio. What is the stroke on your master cylinder and what are the spec's. on the TO bearing.

[John S]

Tony:
The MC has a 1" stroke and I am not sure of the specs on the TO bearing. According to Weir the TO Bearing is their design and it is meant to work with their bell housing and the 1" bore MC.
I've got the pedal assy. and MC out of the car right now and mocked up on bench.
Unfortunately it appears that the solution that I worked out on paper is not going to work. It appears that even if I change the ratio by raising the attachment point I need to make sure the linkage attachment point is in line with the pivot point. I do not think that I can get the proper angle to the MC because of space limitations.
Another avenue I have been exploring is using a push/pull type of control cable. Has anyone had any experience with this type of setup?

[ProdigyCustoms]

John, Sorry I did not call back. I lost the number I wrote down Call me if you need me

[John S]

Well, I've got the problem solved. I ended up removing the piston mounted push rod and fabed up a new one with an offset bend in it. It's a solution that I have looked at several times but I had not thought about removing the stock rod till now. It's working great on the bench and I'll see how it holds up once I get it back int he car.
Frank, I'll give you a call aftyer you get back from Year One.