rec.autos.simulators

For instance, spending an hour to discover that adjusting the "Bump
***" on a tire has no real effect on my general performance is not
an effective way to learn about setup.

So, in some kind of order from most important to least, are the most
important elements of setup?

In my trials, I'd say the top 5 are:

1) wheel inflation
2) wheel camber
3) wheel rate
4) front and rear roll bar
5) getting gear ratios fine-tuned

But there are so many things I don't quite understand- like the number
of "clutches" I have, or how specifically roll bar adjustments change
performance, the two other types of chassis adjustment available,
toe-in.

And is "wheel-rate" what I used to think of as "shocks"? If one tire
is severerly underheating, I often increase the "wheel-rate" on it...
but am not really sure what I'm doing to the car overall, or even if
it is always succeeding in heating that tire.

ALl this said, I've finally gotten some setups that get me in winning
range at the Glenn, Monza, Zandvoort, and a few others in a lotus. But
now I'm trying the Ferrari, and am loathed to go at it so blindly this
time.

Please post any followups here- thanks!

spring & anti-roll bars
Ramp Angles
Clutch
Toe-in/out
Gear Ratios

Jesse

|I am still confused, even after reading the manual and various web
|pages, about what-does-what in the GPL "garage" window. Basically, it
|would help to have some idea from you all with some sort of
|prioritized list of what is important to car performance.
|
|For instance, spending an hour to discover that adjusting the "Bump
|***" on a tire has no real effect on my general performance is not
|an effective way to learn about setup.
|
|So, in some kind of order from most important to least, are the most
|important elements of setup?
|
|In my trials, I'd say the top 5 are:
|
|1) wheel inflation
|2) wheel camber
|3) wheel rate
|4) front and rear roll bar
|5) getting gear ratios fine-tuned
|
|But there are so many things I don't quite understand- like the number
|of "clutches" I have, or how specifically roll bar adjustments change
|performance, the two other types of chassis adjustment available,
|toe-in.
|
|And is "wheel-rate" what I used to think of as "shocks"? If one tire
|is severerly underheating, I often increase the "wheel-rate" on it...
|but am not really sure what I'm doing to the car overall, or even if
|it is always succeeding in heating that tire.
|
|ALl this said, I've finally gotten some setups that get me in winning
|range at the Glenn, Monza, Zandvoort, and a few others in a lotus. But
|now I'm trying the Ferrari, and am loathed to go at it so blindly this
|time.
|
|Please post any followups here- thanks!
|

On Fri, 26 Mar 1999 12:21:02 -0500, "Wosco"

But I don't really know what I am doing (or, really, what they are!).

And what is the "spring"- does it consist of the two damping options
each wheel has? Or is it part of "wheel rate"?

Is that ride height? Sorry, GPL is nowhere near me here at this
computer, and I don't recall that option.

For what it is worth, I set ride heights at minimum (1) for
everything. Sounds appaling, but I certainly don't hear any rubbing
(unless I've missed a brakepoint badly), and I figure it is good to be
low as possible.

Seriously? Please explain what you notice from changing them- I've not
seen any effect in the little I did. But then, I just assumed it was
sort of "digital"- clutch is in/clutch is out.

I use absolutely not toe-in or toe-out anymore, and I'm on the
threshhold of breaking in to the 1:03's at Watkins Glen. I used to use
some, but never really saw it help my times. The car is certainly more
tricky to drive without any toe-in in the rear, though- but I feel
like my fast laps are faster without any.

And toe-out in the front confuses me... seems like it does the
opposite of what I'd expect. Given how weight transfers in a turn, it
seems like it would make a turn more gentle, but it seems to make
turning more "twitchy."

I think they and tire temps are about the only two things I really
understand!

Thanks again.

Joe

First, you may like to visit members.home.net/rck/phor for articles on
the physics of racing.

I also asked about springs and dampers. The same guy replied. I think
the article was titled Springs and Dampers (wow!).

Once you've read those articles you may be interested to see
insideracingtechnology.com for some photos of real IRL/CART
suspensions.

Clutch and ramp angles are to do with the differential. Don't ask me
what ramp angles are.

I don't own GPL but I'll guess that refers to the clutch pack on a
limited slip differential (LSD). Basically, the more clutch you run
the less speed difference is allowed between the rear wheels. More
clutch should (I think) mean more power-on oversteer.

-joe-

Tony Whitley
Please remove 'spam' to reply.

    What we really need is a setup program like N2crewcheif. It asks you
questions,you answer them,and it adjusts the car. It takes a long time but
eventually you get a setup that is what you're looking for.

Joel Willstein