In my opinion it does matter which tuning tool you use for the job. Maybe it's nth degree stuff but the difference between a good setup and a great setup.
For example:
(shamelessly stealing Adrenaline's list)
Lower the rear end ride height- works on some cars, not others
Online or offline? It
always works online.
Soften Rear Spring- too much body roll can be bad
I've yet to find a lap time difference for certain, but I recommend anyone avoid extremes in almost all cases when possible. As long as your at least 15-20% from a minimum or maximum, your setting will not be too extreme and have any adverse side effects.
Negative Rear toe- also decreases RWD traction
As does lowering ride height. As does lowering down-force. As does lowering rear spring rate. Camber is the different one.
Less rear camber- depends on car/tyres/track
Less camber always equals more straight-line traction, but more rear camber equals more acceleration traction,
and cornering traction,
while you're turning.
So you'll have more grip to start an early exit, but if too high it will cause you to not have full traction while your going straight or close to it.
Lower LSD Initial- sometimes doesn't help
I don't believe any LSD changes the handling of any car. Only once you break traction in some way does it take effect. Of course maybe a high initial does start to work before you break traction, but high initial drives like crap, so why would you?
Higher LSD Accel- only for exit understeer, sometimes doesn't help
Band-aid.
Lower LSD DeAccel- only for off-throttle understeer, sometimes doesn't help
Maximizes rear stability under braking, should be an "always", for every driver imo.
More front aero- often not an option or undesirable due to PP
Almost always want maximum front aero, that's standard GT stuff. It's rear aero you can remove, but only in PP-regulated events. In non-PP regulated events, down-force is always best at max, always has been, in every GT game, ever. I mean literally always. It's possible the introduction of the power limiter allows some room for a ridiculous car running 50HP that can't gain from down-force, but I'd have to see absolute proof and test it myself to believe it.
Less rear aero- can cause scary high speed moments
Lowering rear aero makes the absolute best feeling cars in GT with proper tuning, as long as it's not too much. Problem is in anything not PP-bound, it's still slower.
I've tried it, it felt great, I wanted to keep it desperately, but when you knock a full second of your best lap on the third one out with max down-force, you just concede.(Miata TC, 20/25 aero switched back to 20/50)
I'm sure people will disagree with some of the above ramblings, but my point is that each setting has a different side-effect and a tune will be better if you can best work with combinations of these.
The only one with any real difference is camber.
Camber also changes which wheel has what grip in corners, a high rear camber does not agree with a loose LSD, nor vice-versa.
Adrenaline: I notice you didn't mention dampers, was it just an oversight or would you not bother with dampers for tuning balance? Just curious.
Shocks work the same as the rest, just one works while you're on the throttle, the other while you're not.
