Advanced Setup Matrix

This document is intended as a quick reference guide. It is not supposed to include detailed explanations. Nor
is it supposed to be my soap box. Refer to the source material, if you want more detailed explanations of
what's actually going on. Virtual racing is a fantastic hobby, and is certainly not for everyone. However, if you
have the patience to stick with it, you will find it very satisfying.

I set this up to help me solve specific tuning problems with driving simulations. That is, sometimes I'll get in a
car I don't know, or on a track with some extreme(ish)/odd situations/corners (Knutstorp), and I want a quick
reference to see which adjustments I should be fiddling with.

This was originally a paraphrase of the setup guide in the back of the handbook from EA's F1 2002, but I have
added sections from a few online sources, and given credit when I did.

For actual explanations of various bits, I highly recommend you read RacerAlex' Avanced F1 Setup Guide
(http://watcher.drivingitalia.net/index.php?name=Downloads&d_op=viewdownloaddetails&lid=23)

NOTE: This was based on information from a variety of sources, and is supposed to be a general purpose tool,
so not all items apply to all cars.

I certainly take responsibility for my work. If you find erroneous information, or think I should add something,
email me: cbarnett[at]yahoo[dot]com?subject=Setup Matrix
Topic (and what it might affect)
1. Gearing (speed, and acceleration) 13.Caster (turn-in, oversteer, understeer, corner
2. Brake Duct Size (engine cooling, and speed) stability)
3. Engine Rev Limit (horsepower, reliability) 14.Toe-in (turn-in, tyre wear, top speed, and
4. Engine Brake Mapping (fuel consumption, stability)
and snap oversteer) 15.Tyre Pressure (grip in corners, tyre wear,
5. Radiator Size (engine cooling, straight line understeer, and oversteer)
speed) 16.Ride Height (bottoming out, understeer, and
6. Steering Lock (turning circle, and control) oversteer)
7. Differential Lock (stability, [snap] oversteer, 17.Packers and/or Bump Rubber (bottoming out,
and understeer) understeer, and oversteer)
8. Wings (grip, tyre wear, top speed, oversteer, 18.Spring Rate (bumpy surfaces, grip, tyre wear,
and understeer) responsiveness, understeer, and oversteer)
9. Anti-Roll Bars (grip, surface handling, corner 19.Bump Damping (tyre wear, bumpy surfaces,
exit, tyre wear, responsiveness, oversteer, and grip, nervousness, understeer, and oversteer)
understeer) 20.Rebound Damping (tyre wear, responsiveness,
10.Weight Distribution (oversteer, and corner entry, and exit, understeer, and
understeer) oversteer, chassis roll)
11.Brake Bias (stopping distance, braking 21.Simulating understeer, and oversteer with the
stability, snap oversteer) brake, and/or throttle
12.Camber (grip in corners) 22.Simulator Controls (Steering wheel, pedals,
etc)
23.Links
24.Glossary
Section Action Effect on Other Effects
Balance
1 Gearing
1.1 Lengthen Gears None Increase potential maximum speed;
decrease acceleration.
1.2 Shorten Gears None Decrease potential maximum speed;
increase acceleration
2 Brake Duct Size
2.1 Increase None Increase engine cooling; decrease straight
line speed.
2.2 Decrease None Decrease engine cooling; increase straight
line speed.
3 Engine Rev Limit
3.1 Increase None Increase horsepower; higher engine
temperature; lower reliability
3.2 Decrease None Decrease horsepower; lower engine
temperature; higher reliability.
4 Engine Brake Mapping
4.1 Increase Decrease None
oversteer
under negative
throttle
4.2 Decrease Increase Reduces fuel consumption; low numbers
oversteer can exacurbate snap oversteer, if you
under negative suddenly lift in a corner.
throttle
4.a Engine Brake Mapping will affect how much the engine helps slow down the car -
lower numbers result in MORE engine braking, which also uses less fuel. The
downside is that the engine only slows down the driven wheels, which can cause a
braking imbalance between high and low speed.

From the rFactor ReadMe

5 Radiator Size
5.1 Increase None Increase engine cooling; decrease straight
line speed.
5.2 Decrease None Decrease engine cooling; increase straight
line speed.
6 Steering Lock
6.1 Increase None Decrease turning circle; coarser steering
control
Decrease None Increase turning circle; finer steering
6.2 control
Section Action Effect on Other Effects
Balance
7 Differential Lock
7.1 Increase Power and Increase None
Coast understeer in
corners
7.2 Increase Power Increase More stable off the line
understeer
under postive
throttle
7.3 Increase Coast Increase More stable under hard braking
understeer
under negative
throttle
7.4 Decrease Power and Increase None
Coast oversteer in
corners
7.5 Decrease Power Increase Less stable off the line
oversteer
under postive
throttle
7.6 Decrease Coast Increase Less stable under hard braking
oversteer
under negative
throttle
7.7 Increase Pump (4WD) ? Front wheels pull more than rear
7.a Preload affects how quickly the transition between power and coast differential
occurs. If you used a preload of '1' and slammed the throttle down you would get a
very quick transition to whatever your power percentage age was, the reverse would
happen with taking the throttle off. With a higher preload the above effect would be a
lot more gradual.

TKD in the RSC rFactor forum

(http://forum.rscnet.org/showpost.php?p=2626021&postcount=24)

People tend to use the words "understeer" and "oversteer" when describing the
effect of the differential lock. In reality, oversteer is truly the only thing you are
actually adjusting. It's only because a lack of oversteer naturally moves the car closer
to an understeer condition that understeer is used as a descriptor at all.

RacerAlex' Avanced F1 Setup Guide

(http://watcher.drivingitalia.net/index.php?name=Downloads&d_op=viewdownloadd
etails&lid=23)
Section Action Effect on Other Effects
Balance
8 Wings
8.1 Increase Front Increase Increase front grip in corners; increase
oversteer in front tyre wear; decrease straight line
corners speed.
8.2 Increase Rear Increase Increase rear grip in corners; increase rear
understeer in tyre wear; decrease straight line speed.
corners
8.3 Increase Front and Rear None Increase grip in corners; decrease straight
line speed.
8.4 Decrease Front Increase Decrease front grip in corners; decrease
understeer in front tyre wear; increase straight line
corners speed.
8.5 Decrease Rear Increase Decrease rear grip in corners; decrease rear
oversteer in tyre wear; increase straight line speed.
corners
8.6 Decrease Front and Rear None Decrease grip in corners; increase straight
line speed.
9 Anti-Roll Bars
9.1 Increase/Stiffen Front Increase Decrease grip on bumpy surfaces; increase
understeer in front tyre wear; more responsive handling
corners
9.2 Increase/Stiffen Rear Increase Decrease grip exiting corners; decrease
oversteer in grip on bumpy surfaces; increase rear tyre
corners wear; more responsive handling
9.3 Increase/Stiffen Front None Decrease grip exiting corners; decrease
and Rear grip on bumpy surfaces; increase front, and
rear tyre wear; more responsive handling
9.4 Decrease/Soften Front Increase Increase grip on bumpy surfaces; decrease
oversteer in front tyre wear; less responsive handling
corners
9.5 Decrease/Soften Rear Increase Increase grip exiting corners; increase grip
understeer in on bumpy surfaces; decrease rear tyre
corners wear; less responsive handling
9.6 Decrease/Soften Front None Car may bottom out more often; increase
and Rear grip exiting corners; increase grip on
bumpy surfaces; decrease front and rear
tyre wear; less responsive handling
Section Action Effect on Other Effects
Balance
10 Weight Distribution
10.1 Adjust to front Increase None
oversteer
10.2 Adjust to rear Increase None
understeer
11 Brake Bias
11.1 Adjust to front Increase Front wheels can lock up, increase braking
understeer distance, reduce snap oversteer
while braking
11.2 Adjust to rear Increase Rear wheels can lock up; increase braking
oversteer distance; increase snap oversteer (swap
while braking ends)
11.3 Adjust to centre Some Decrease braking distance; may cause snap
oversteer oversteer, depending on front/rear weight
while braking distribution, wing, etc.
12 Camber
12.1 Increase Front None Increase grip in corners... to a point
12.2 Increase Rear None Decrease grip in corners... to a point
12.3 Decrease Front None Decrease grip in corners... to a point
12.4 Decrease Rear None Increase grip in corners... to a point
13 Caster
13.1 Increase Decrease Decrease turning radius; Increase oversteer
understeer in fast corners.
13.2 Decrease Increase Increase high speed corner stability.
understeer
14 Toe In
14.1 Increase front (positive) None Improve turn-in; increase front tyre wear;
decrease straight line speed
14.2 Increase rear (positive) None Improve stability; increase rear tyre wear;
decrease straight line speed
14.3 Decrease front (negative) None Decrease turn-in; increase front tyre wear;
decrease straight line speed
14.4 Decrease rear (negative) None Decrease stability; increase rear tyre wear;
decrease straight line speed
Section Action Effect on Other Effects
Balance
15 Tyre Pressure
15.1 Increase Front Increase Decrease grip in corners; decrease front
understeer tyre wear
15.2 Increase Rear Increase Decrease grip in corners; decrease rear tyre
oversteer wear
15.3 Increase Front and Rear None Decrease grip in corners; decrease front
and rear tyre wear
15.4 Decrease Front Increase Increase grip in corners; increase front tyre
oversteer wear
15.5 Decrease Rear Increase Increase grip in corners; increase rear tyre
understeer wear
15.6 Decrease Front and Rear None Increase grip in corners; increase front and
rear tyre wear
16 Ride Height
16.1 Increase Front Increase Car may bottom out less often
understeer in
fast corners
16.2 Increase Rear Increase Car may bottom out less often
oversteer in
fast corners
16.3 Increase Front and Rear None None
16.4 Decrease Front Increase Car may bottom out more often
oversteer in
fast corners
16.5 Decrease Rear Increase Car may bottom out more often
understeer in
fast corners
16.6 Decrease Front and Rear None None
Section Action Effect on Other Effects
Balance
17 Packers and/or Bump Rubber
17.1 Increase Front Increase Allows front ride height to be reduced
understeer without bottoming out
17.2 Increase Rear Increase Allows rear ride height to be reduced
oversteer without bottoming out
17.3 Increase Front and Rear None Allows ride height to be reduced without
bottoming out
17.4 Decrease Front Increase Car may bottom out more often
oversteer
17.5 Decrease Rear Increase Car may bottom out more often
understeer
17.6 Decrease Front and Rear None Car may bottom out more often
18 Spring Rate
18.1 Increase/Stiffen Front Increase Decrease grip in corners; decrease grip on
understeer bumpy surfaces; increase front tyre wear;
more responsive handling
18.2 Increase/Stiffen Rear Increase Decrease grip in corners; decrease grip on
oversteer bumpy surfaces; increase rear tyre wear;
more responsive handling
18.3 Increase/Stiffen Front None Decrease grip in corners; decrease grip on
and Rear bumpy surfaces; increase front and rear
tyre wear; more responsive handling
18.4 Decrease/Soften Front Increase Increase grip in corners; increase grip on
oversteer bumpy surfaces; decrease front tyre wear;
less responsive handling
18.5 Decrease/Soften Rear Increase Increase grip in corners; increase grip on
understeer bumpy surfaces; decrease rear tyre wear;
less responsive handling
18.6 Decrease/Soften Front None Increase grip in corners; increase grip on
and Rear bumpy surfaces; decrease front and rear
tyre wear; less responsive handling
Section Action Effect on Other Effects
Balance
19 Bump Damping
19.1 Increase/Stiffen Front Increase Increase front tyre wear
understeer in
bumpy
corners
19.2 Increase/Stiffen Rear Increase Decrease grip on bumpy surfaces; increase
oversteer in rear tyre wear
bumpy
corners
19.3 Increase/Stiffen Front None Decrease grip on bumpy surfaces; increase
and Rear front and rear tyre wear; nervous and
unpredictable handling
19.4 Decrease/Soften Front Increase Decrease front tyre wear
oversteer in
bumpy
corners
19.5 Decrease/Soften Rear Increase Increase grip on bumpy surfaces; decrease
understeer in rear tyre wear
bumpy
corners
19.6 Decrease/Soften Front None Increase grip on bumpy surfaces; decrease
and Rear front and rear tyre wear
Section Action Effect on Other Effects
Balance
20 Rebound Damping
20.1 Increase/Stiffen Front Increase Increase front tyre wear
understeer
during corner
exit, and entry
20.2 Increase/Stiffen Rear Increase Increase rear tyre wear
oversteer
during corner
exit, and entry
20.3 Increase/Stiffen Front None More responsive handling
and Rear
20.4 Decrease/Soften Front Increase Decrease front tyre wear
oversteer
during corner
exit, and entry
20.5 Decrease/Soften Rear Increase Decrease rear tyre wear
understeer
during corner
exit, and entry
20.6 Decrease/Soften Front None Less responsive handling
and Rear
20.a Slow damping affects the weight transfer of the car's sprung mass (chassis pitch and
roll) on the springs; fast damping controls the springs response to the deflection of the
car's unsprung weight (the tire/wheel/hub assembly reaction to bumps)

RacerAlex' Avanced F1 Setup Guide

(http://watcher.drivingitalia.net/index.php?name=Downloads&d_op=viewdownloadd
etails&lid=23)
Section Action Effect on Other Effects
Balance
21 Simulating understeer, and oversteer during cornering with the brake, and/or
throttle
21.1 Increase Brake Decrease This applies to a car that is neutral, or
Understeer understeering slightly going into a corner,
and has a forward brake balance. As you
apply brake pressure, the weight balance
moves forward, the front wheels gain a
little more traction, and the nose points in
more. Too much understeer cannot be
corrected in this manner.
21.2 Decrease Throttle Increase If you lift sufficiently during cornering, the
Oversteer rear tyres will break traction, and the rear
end will come round. If you do this
carefully, you can use this tool to point into
the corner. For this to happen, you do need
to be carrying enough speed, and you do
need to lift a little quickly.
21.3 Increase Throttle Increase As long as there's enough torque available
Oversteer at the time, you can make a car's back end
step out during cornering. You can take
advantage of this by lowering the gearing,
so you're in the meat of the power band
during the corner in which you'd like to
induce oversteer.
21.a These are the essential components of 'trailbraking' and using them as such requires a
good touch, and sufficiently sensitive hardware, in a simulator, to feel, and control the
effects as they happen. You also have to get the other components balanced so the car
doesn't 'snap' around on you, and you have to have enough cockpit time to know what
you're feeling, and predict what will happen.
22 Simulator Controls (Steering wheel, pedals, etc)
22.1 Increase Axis None Reduce apparent nervousness; Allow a
Travel/Decrease finer degree of control.
Sensitivity
22.a This is, of course, a matter of personal taste. However, after consulting with a number
of hard-core gamers, you are looking for as much control, and as much feeling as you
can get. When talking about first person shooters, the general advice was to set the
mouse sensitivity as low as you can stand. This takes some getting used to, but pays
dividends in accuracy, or so I'm told. As this applies to driving simulators, you want
as much steering wheel travel as you can stand (It will take getting used to.), and as
much pedal travel also. This may seem counter-intuitive, but think about it: You don't
want minor twitches to have large effects, and you want to be able to make the finest
possible adjustments during maneouvering. With force feedback equipment, this lets
you set more, and stronger forces, thus allowing you to feel more of the road without
having the wheel ripped from your hands.

Note that some drivers turn off the software that comes with the equipment, preferring
instead to use the in-game controls alone to set the force feedback, button mapping,
and so on. This is also a matter of choice, and possibly system resources, but you may
lose some features by turning off the manufacturer's control software. Note also that
some controller software has one effect, and the in-game adjustments are overlaid on
the system settings, so turning off the controller software requires retuning the in-
game settings.
23 Links

Caveat
Inclusion of a link in this list is by no means an endorsement. However, I am certainly
not an authority on racing chassis tuning, and some of these guys might be. Also,
some of these links are quite simulator-specific, so get what you can out of them. I do,
on the other hand, wholeheartedly support anyone who would take the time to write
something to help the community, and post it for all to read ;-)

My personal preference is to drive a car that feels like a real car, and have a setup that
might be usable in the real world. Suffice it to say that alien setups are, for the most
part, unrealistic. They'd either rip the tyres to shreds, break components, or actually
injure the driver. The common response is "We don't drive those cars; we drive these
cars." so you decide.
Yahoo! search for 'trailbraking' I didn't like any of the explanations I
found, so read them all, and practise,
practise, practise.
Racer Alex' explanation of real F1 tuning This is a wonderful, if large, article with
pictures. It is in PDF format only, as far as
I can tell.
Old Farts Racing - Driving Tips Includes Car Tuning 101. Great place to
start.
 Building a Setup for Grand Prix Legends Paul Jackson's detailed HOWTO. Great
place to go second, but some of it is a bit
GPL-specific.
TKD's post on 'preload' This is a single forum post, so it may
disappear, or move. Tell me if it does,
please.
JohnP's guide to setting up a GTP car A forum post once again, and linking to
two downloads, a text version, and a MS
Doc version. This is very specific to GTP,
and N2003-based simulations, and some of
it is quite alien.
The Physics of Racing Old Fart's presentation of Brian Beckman's
famous work. This is math folks, so take a
week off before you start reading.
24 Glossary (My definitions to clarify some of this document. Email me, if you disagree.)
Simulator
Software and/or hardware that simulates something from the real world, as
opposed to a game which subordinates reality to gameplay, regardless of how
good the underlying software is. Need For Speed, and Project Gotham Racing
are not simulators.
Physics Engine
That part of the software the controls the simulation of real-world physics
Alien
Someone who drives faster than should be possible.
Alien Setup
A setup that is impossible, or unusable in the real world, or one the takes
advantage of flaws in the simulator's physics engine.
Gentleman Racer
Someone who would rather let you by, than put you in the wall while you try to
make an incredibly stupid pass.