A little over 10 years ago, when i was still single and had roommates, we decided it was time that we built a racing seat to satisfy our boyhood dreams, in preparation for the coming out of GT5...
I credit my roommates for throwing the ideas out, reviving and reminding me of this desire, and pushing me to go ahead getting creative... his request was that we build something similar to a Formula 1 cockpit, out of PVC pipes... but beyond that, i did all the work, design and assembly and because i was the one with the PS3...
We got fun getting drunk and driving GT5 with the setup during my 30th birthday, after which, everything suddenly became a blur: my life on fast track: heart break, new girlfriend, new job, moving away, buy a new car, getting married, having kids, buy a house...
During all this time, i still kept my Racing Setup and only used it no more than 4 times...
One of these times, i posted here
https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/threads/post-your-gt5-set-up-and-man-cave.133075/page-43#post-9138881
Now fast forward 10 years later, i want to give an update and follow up on my original GT5 setup, which is now transitioned into my GTS / PS4pro setup.
Original Setup:
PS3
DFGT
50in plasma
New Setup:
PS4
G29 with H-pattern shifter
75in LED
What you will see below is the transformation from the old/original setup to the new setup (in 3 phases):
1) Old Setup used earlier this year 2020 for one last time before the transformation:
2) Transition to the new setup
3) New setup completed
I apologizes in advance, i got a little to excited and carried away with the photos:
1) Old Setup one last time:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)
i)
j)
k)
l)
m)
n)
o)
During the day:
p)
q)
r)
s)
t)
u)
v)
@ night:
birthday car:
2) Transition to the new setup
The reason why i had to transition to the new setup is because i needed to fit the H-pattern G29 shifter, BUT the high belt/shoulder tube is a) preventing me from installing the shifter and b) getting in the way for shifting action. Therefore the top tubes by the seat need to go lower....
This photo shows all the new pieces and sub-assembly that will form the new setup:
a)
New and shorter footprint that is common to both of the 2 new configurations:
b)
i am reusing as much as possible, and modifying as little as necessary from the old setup.
The idea is that i can still revert back to having the high beltline/shoulder tube if i wanted too, i would just need to swap out the appropriate sub-assembly.
c)
In paddle only mode (similar to the old setup, but with a shorter footprint:
c)
d)
Now start converting to the full manual setup:
e)
f)
done converted:
g)
h)
3) New setup completed:
Before i show you the setup completed, let's show you how it is put together using the sub-assembly.
(when guests come and go to our house, the racing seat is assembled and disassembled into the garage, as follows
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)
i)
steering wheel:
j)
k)
l)
m)
n)
o)
p)
q)
in front of the 50in:
r)
s)
assembled:
t)
u)
v)
Cockpit without Shifter:
Shifting board:
Driving Point of view:
End of night:
This transformation cost me a little over $50, but no more than $100 (that's included the necessary tools i had to buy, the new materials and wood.
The advantages of PVC is the price, lightness, rigidity, as well as modularity (because i can easily put everything away).
Since i just have just completed the setup a couple of days ago, i am still getting myself acquainted with driving using the stick only.
It is quiet strange that i need so much effort in recalibrating myself in order to use the shifter... because IRL i primarily use a manual transmission
My guess is since my muscle memories are so anchored in using either the controller or the flappy paddle for over 10 year, there is some necessary adjustment.
In making this post, i wanted to acknowledge the following people or members working so hard on their rig as well:
REFERENCES:
A GREAT example of a nice Cage, very sturdy but pricey (less movable than PVC pipes):
https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/threads/build-an-80-20-aluminum-cockpit-by-your-own-design.390884/
Discussion on TV sizes:
1)
https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/threads/what-size-tv.387114/
2)
https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/threads/what-4k-hdr-tv-monitor-to-use-for-a-ps4-pro-racingsim.389811/
3)
https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/threads/curved-monitor-versus-4k-tv.387586/
4)
https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/threads/tv-vs-monitor-for-console-pc.392999/
5)
https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/threads/sim-rig-monitor-recommendations.392895/
Nice Metal DYI racing setups:
1)
https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/threads/first-time-sim-racer-rig-build.393263/
2)
https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/threads/firehuntahs-diy-sim-rig.289492/
I wonder if there has been any status update?
https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/threads/upgrading-my-cockpit-help.391627/
Nice PVC DYI racing setups:
1)
https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/thre...ired-by-simul8r-now-with-insturctions.138156/
2)
https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/threads/diy-shanes-pvc-racing-rig-design-and-made.388864/
Nice Wooden ones:
1)
https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/threads/raghzas-ultimate-racing-seat-v2-6.375811/
2)
https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/threads/looking-for-a-super-simple-diy-wheel-stand.386528/
3)
https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/threads/diy-sim-rig-thoughts-and-advice.392688/
Philosophical question: Why go through all the trouble .. to simulate?
https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/threads/what-is-the-point-of-it-all.389774/
Honorable mentions:
https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/threads/custom-g27-classic-rim-build-thread-finished.384806/
Quite over the top project:
https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/threads/driving-sim-in-car-body.349243/
My next update/upgrade (maybe):
https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/threads/logitech-g29-shifter-mods-improvements.356908/
Based on the couple of hours with the new racing setup, this is what i have realized:
1) i am a joke using the manual transmission in the game, even tho i drive one IRL
2) I never knew how my muscle memories are so anchored in switching gears using just my fingers
3) i will need more practice in order to get to the same point as when i use the pad or the paddles.
Since the beginning of this year 2020, i bought Project Cars 2, Grid 2, the Crew 2 and F1 2019....
Playing other games has made me realize how much more I love GTS... because Once you realize the amount of crap out there, especially when they are claiming to be as good as they are, then you try them out and see how they are nowhere near the quality set by PD. Kaz you got my support and faith for many more years....
Thank you for reading and if you want to debate, go to one of these fine threads:
https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/threads/the-little-things-that-make-you-love-gt-sport.377080/
https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/thre...cing-titles-on-realism-and-difficulty.380009/
