Use this thread to discuss your best setups, trade information and generally learn how best to tune your cars to be the best they can be.
To start, I'll use this as a scratchpad to record the process of my own approach to "baseline" tuning. By baseline, I mean finding the set of 'coarse' settings that work best for the car (and the driver). We're not out to decide whether bumping up the blowoff valve on the turbo is any better or worse, we're simply finding the best general setting for each performance category. From this base, you can then go ahead and tweak the minors, knowing that the car is basically tuned the right way.
My approach to tuning can be pretty much summed up like this: Change one thing, test thoroughly, record results, repeat. When done, compare results across tests. Here goes..
GT's NFSC Baseline Tuning Guide
Car: Lotus Elise (Tier 2)
After being thoroughly flogged off the line by a guy in the exact same car, I decided to break out the good ol' Scientific Method and determine the optimum settings for the Elise.
Track: Stonewall Tunnel (Speedtrap)
I chose this as the test track firstly because it's short and cuts down the time needed to do multiple tests, it's fast enough to hit top speed if driven well, and it's a speedtrap, so there's lots of stats available at the end of the race.
Approach
- Start with all settings in their default (centred) positions.
- Work with one performance category at a time.
- Run four test races with all three settings centred (I call this the NEUTRAL position).
- Move all settings to the left and repeat the four tests.
- Move all settings to the right and repeat the four tests.
- Compare results and select the best "coarse" settings.
- Repeat with the next performance category.
- Once this entire process is complete, thought can be given to fine tuning settings by combining different slider positions
Depending on the performance category, we're looking for acceleration, top speed, cornering ability or braking ability. I feel that the best of all of these things combined will yield the highest speedtrap score and the lowest times.
I decided to record the following data from each run and compare the final results to come up with the best set of coarse settings..
- Speed at the first speedtrap (acceleration)
- Best speedtrap speed (top speed, or an indication of the possibility)
- Average speed (measure of handling/braking)
- Total speedtrap speed (overall measure)
Category: Engine
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Setting First Trap Best Trap Avg Trap Total
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Neutral 214 283 244 1464
Torque 216 289 253 1518
Horsepower 227 306 260 1563
Category: Transmission
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Setting First Trap Best Trap Avg Trap Total
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Neutral 227 306 260 1563
Acceleration 229 304 260 1562
Top Speed 225 295 261 1563
Category: Suspension
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Setting First Trap Best Trap Avg Trap Total
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Neutral 229 304 260 1562
Oversteer 228 293 259 1553
Understeer 229 305 264 1581
Category: Nitrous
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Setting First Trap Best Trap Avg Trap Total
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Neutral 229 305 264 1581
Velocity 235 311 264 1584
Duration 223 300 259 1553
Category: Tyres
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Setting First Trap Best Trap Avg Trap Total
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Neutral 235 311 264 1584
Drift 235 305 263 1578
Grip 220 289 248 1485
Category: Brakes
Well, it's kinda hard to test brakes at Stonewall, since there's only one turn that requires any braking. As far as I'm concerned, you should choose the braking setting that suits your driving style. If you like to drive a clean line, go for Neutral or Front Bias. If you're a drifter, use Rear Bias.
Category: Turbo
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Setting First Trap Best Trap Avg Trap Total
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Neutral 235 311 264 1584
Low RPM 233 306 265 1587
High RPM 234 306 264 1583
Summary
Let's look at how far we've come.
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Setup First Trap Best Trap Avg Trap Total
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Stock 214 283 244 1464
Tuned 235 311 264 1584
Let me just say this in closing. These are the settings that worked for me, with the Elise. This does not mean they will be the best for you, and it certainly does not mean that they will be the best for another car. You're welcome to take these settings and use them however you see fit, but I encourage you to do your own testing, following the guide, to arrive at a car that's setup just the way you need it.