Beginner Turbo Cup Strategy

[Luxy]

Ok. I'm looking for some help with a strategy for winning the last race (Special Stage Route 11) of the Beginner Turbo Cup ... or at least some sympathy

I'm attempting to run this race in a RX-7 Infini III (won from the 80's car cup). I'd rather not spend the lion's share of my 42,250 Cr. to win this race, as I won't be using the RX-7 again (for my second time through GT3, I've challenged myself not to use the same car for more than one series).

The problem is the Mitsubishi 3000GT that I'm matched up against. I polished off the first two races in the series without much trouble running the RX-7 stock + oil.

The third race, however, I lose by as much as +10.000 running the same setup! I added enough mods to get my weight-to-power ratio down to about 5.0 (the 3000GT is 6.086) and added sports rubber, and I'm still down by about +4.000. Der Alta's compendium and another Beginner Turbo write-up both mention the same difficulties.

I can qualify 2nd, and I can keep up (even gain on) the 3000GT until the first long straight (the one with the little jog in it).

I think the difference is the 3000GT has 314ft.lb of torque, where my RX-7 only has 23 (that's right, 23, not a typo).

Any suggestions about what parts would get me some more torque (if it's even possible)?

Other suggestions for how to win the race using this car, without spending all my cash?

 

[bengee]

the difference is that the 3000gt is 4wd and you are running a car that is easy to oversteer in the many hairpins. The rx7 is stock... i remember having the same problem when i was racing this series it just takes practice... I would suggest turning asm to zero so that you can keep speed if you oversteer the vehicle... tcs is up to you...

I would suggest suspension mods and a bit of tuning to make the car a bit more forigving in those hairs ( where i am assuming you are loosing hte race)... But mostly i think you need to practice the course in the car... shouldnt be that bad with some practice a bit more hp and a few suspension mods... and of course better brakes...

 

[ving]

for a cheap way out, go for sport suspension. tighten up that body roll a bit. it what, 4000cr or sumfin? or is it less?
maybe stickier rubber too. sims maybe?

 

[BadBatsuMaru]

Originally posted by Luxy
I think the difference is the 3000GT has 314ft.lb of torque, where my RX-7 only has 23 (that's right, 23, not a typo).

First, if you're going to compare the numbers on those cars, you need to know about a few bugs in GT3 so you can compare relevant numbers.

The stats in the dealer are usually wrong, and also there's a stupid bug in the NTSC GT3 -- the spec sheets in the dealers are in ft.lbs, but the spec sheets in your garage are in Kilogram-Force Meters, but it still says ft.lbs.

RX-7 Infini III in dealer
Power: 212 HP @ 6500 RPM
Torque: 202.52 ft.lbs @ 4000 RPM

RX-7 Infini III in garage
Power: 212 HP @ 6500 RPM
Torque: 28.1 ft.lbs @ 4000 RPM
Actual torque: 28.1 KgFM = 203 ft.lbs

3000GT VR4 Turbo in dealer
Power: 276 HP @ 6000 RPM
Torque: 314.63 ft.lbs @ 2500 RPM

3000GT VR4 Turbo in garage
Power: 321 HP @ 6000 RPM
Torque: 49.7 ft.lbs @ 2500 RPM
Actual torque: 49.7 KgFM = 359 ft.lbs

Anyway, rotary engines don't have a lot of torque. That's just the way it is.

 

[BadBatsuMaru]

Originally posted by Luxy
Any suggestions about what parts would get me some more torque (if it's even possible)?

Other suggestions for how to win the race using this car, without spending all my cash?

What exact parts did you buy already? Stock, the broken-in RX-7 has 5.505 weight/power, so, if you're saying you got it down to around 5, did you buy a 4,800cr Racing Muffler and a 1,500cr Racing Chip?

Tires are the most important upgrade, unless you've got something like a Miata that's ridiculously underpowered and can get 100hp from a cheap turbo.

In powerful cars, Stage 1 Lightweight is the best bang for the buck to improve your power/weight ratio. In weak cars, Stage 1 Turbo is the best bang for the buck. In the case of the RX-7, they're pretty much tied. After that, you've usually got Stage 2 Turbo, Stage 2 Lightweight, Intercooler (if available), Racing Muffler, then finally Racing Chip, which are all pretty good deals.

In the RX-7, spending 6,000cr on a Stage 1 Turbo and Stage 1 Lightweight gives you:

1164 kg / 249 HP = 4.675 weight/power

If that's not enough, another 3,000cr for a Racing Intercooler will be more than enough.

Dumb people focus strictly on HP, so it's nice that you're talking about power/weight ratio. But you want a better power/weight ratio mostly so you can have better acceleration. A Triple Plate Clutch and a Racing Flywheel improve your accelration significantly, so don't forget about them, too. On most tracks they'll help you more than a muffler/chip.

So, the order I think you should do things if money is an issue is:

1) tires
2) turbo / lightweight
3) clutch / flywheel
4) muffler / chip
5) suspension / LSD
6) everything else

I didn't put the transmission up there because it fits into a different spot on every car. If you're doing Like the Wind, the transmission is by far the most important thing. Some cars already have a good ratio, though, and the transmission is the least important thing. I just did the Pro FF and Vitz Race with a Vitz using the stock suspension and transmission, and the suspension slowed me down, but the stock transmission was just right.

 

[Luxy]

Thanks everybody :-) Lots of good advice.

@bengee, I can probably shave some time off by spinning the wheels less, but my problem was mostly getting dropped by the GT3000 on the two long straights.

@BadBatsuMaru, I think I installed the racing chip and a stage 1 lightweight (I was just testing, and reloaded a bunch of times to buy different items). Thanks for the detailed advice - I didn't know about the weight-to-power bug (I thought that was kind of a big difference).

I too generally try and stay away from hp upgrades unless they're really necessary. Nothing sucks more than passing someone down a straightaway

I think I'll try it with the Turbo 1 and Lightweight 1, as you suggested. And maybe add some rubber too.

I'll post up my results here ...

 

[Der Alta]

Having just run this race in a Stock Toyota MR-2, I've got a few additional notes.

The 3000gt will ricochet through the chicane at the end of the mid lap Long Straight. (the one with a little jig in teh middle of it). He looses copious amounts of time there. He also bumps a few walls here and htere through out the lap. You're right, he has amazing amounts of grunt to launch down the road. So you've got to beat him in the corners, or up the Hp to beat him in the straights.

Bad Batsu has some very good suggestions. I'll differ slightly, as you're concerned about budget. The tires are likely fine, it's more your driving style. Take your car, go into Arcade mode and run a few practice laps. What you need to do is conserve momentum in a few key places. Brake earlier than you expect at the end of the mid lap straight. This keeps your car attitude stable through the next couple of corners.

Good luck, let us know.

AO

 

[KosmikFool]

My strategy is simple, start off fast, end of slow. You're gonna have to go ahead of these guys in the first 2 seconds of the race. This should put you about in line with the GTO, tail him for a bit and once you get a chance, take him on the inside turns. From then on, just hold him at bay. Keep checking your rear-view mirror and make sure you stay in front of him. If you show that you're compeititive like that, he may stay behind after a bit or keep at it.

I won this way on my first try with my l'il Miata. Pushes 350 horses, though. I'm not complaining.

 

[Andrew87]

Originally posted by Luxy
Nothing sucks more than passing someone down a straightaway

Maybe you'd win this race if you changed your racing line a bit. Passing someone on a straightaway is perfectly acceptable, unless your car is greatly overpowered. If your cars can manage similar times, the 4seconds over the race the 3000GT gets over you isn't too much; if you slow to the entrance of the corner, you can accelerate bytime you reach the apex which means you get a greater speed out of the corner exit and can make a pass on the other car on the straightaway and then block like crazy

 

[Luxy]

Originally posted by Andrew Mackrodt
Passing someone on a straightaway is perfectly acceptable, unless your car is greatly overpowered.

Right you are. Getting a good launch out of a corner and letting someone suck tailpipe is all well and good

@Der Alta , I've noticed the 3000GT bounce around the mid-lap chicane, too. If I can get within striking distance, I ought to be able to go down the inside on exit. That's my plan, anyway.

 

[MuFF]

u can easily win the turbo cup by entering again and again until the gto is gone at the start of the race

 

[ving]

or u could cheat/....