Where do I go from here.

[hummer3379]

Ok.
just some background before i continue.
I remember getting gt3 for my ps2 when it came out, skipped 4, got 5/6 the day they came out.
played 5 a lot and decided to get a wheel. started with a dfgt then upgraded to a g25.
my question is, i treat gt (physics wise) like i treat music. I can't read music to save my life, but I can easily figure out songs and chord structures through just finding the key and progressions.
i've been playing gt, and while gt5 was really a game of just go pedal to the metal, ai sucks.
GT6 is just pushing so many track/wheel/suspension/weight subtleties through the wheel that i feel as if i can feel what the car is doing much more than gt5.
Now, i understand feel of cars, but want to know why certain cars act this way.
I really just buy cars based on how their style, but i've been curious regarding stuff pertaining to drive train/engine placement/rear wheel vs front wheel vs all wheel/ torque.
so, where do i go from here. i know how to size up a car, but all the terminology is really rough to start digging into?

sorry if that's all jumbled, but really...i've got the driving bug, wanting to learn more technical things, where do i go from here.

 

[ace004]

Well it quite depends on how deep of water you want to jump into. You can just read internet stuff and guides for gt which are here in the tuning section. Or you can actually learn automobiles in real life. You can find a ton of info from books to wiki to hands on helping friends repair their vehicles, and everything in between. Also a car dictionary would help.

So how far? Just GT related or do you want to learn the real thing?

 

[jtqmopar]

Look up some "how it works" type videos for suspension parts if you want to know what PD is trying to simulate
Also, look into how weight transfer effects traction with the different drivetrains [FF, FR, MR, RR (AWD - front, mid, and rear mounted engine)]

Gears: higher number = lower top speed, but get there faster; lower number = higher top speed, but get there slower

Differential: allows wheels to turn at different speeds while cornering

Like ace said, you can learn the basics, or you can learn (IRL) why head studs are better than head bolts, as well as the benefits of cast iron heads over aluminum heads on the RB 440 big block. There is so many pros and cons to different cars and the parts/ systems used that GT games (and any "simulator") just cannot replicate. You'd be best to learn what each upgrade, and setting in GT6 is supposed to do in a real world application, then adjusting some of the settings to see if you notice a difference

 

[hummer3379]

primarily, i really want to start geeking out on the tuning page.
it's just a beast of data to go through, and i get so lost.

I understand +1,+2,+3 engine/weight reduction, but kinda want to start noodling with the differential, gear ratio (and i've noticed that with different cars (progressions upward)) ((noodling much here, but the mustang svt, i love how on some courses i can gun gear 2, lose so much traction and start to slip out, but as soon as i hit 3, everything just settles down))
lemme finesse the question then, where are some good resources to learn more about the parameters in the tuning page, and learing how tunes are affected by drivetrains of the car, weight, power.

Like really, what the hell is a ballast, roll bars, camber. : P

 

[danielc]

Ballast =you+ passengers or cargo... Lol in racing series sometimes the winner of a race gets aditional weight to handicap him for the next. Sometimes when a car doesn't have the minimum weight they put ballast strategically to improve weight distribution.
Roll bars resist lateral movement, look up mercedes abc body control on YT. a stiffer/larger rb will make the car more resistent to rolling left/right and will make front and/or rear suspensions work together.

My suggestion, get a history of automobile book, learn how,when,why. Then go to racing history, wich is very rich, see what evolved from the track to the road. By then you will be familiar with most drivetrains available and have a pretty good idea how far we've came in over 100 years. Here you will probably give more attention to a specific area of the car. I love brakes/suspension/ground control/aero . Last but not least i would go to events/races to see them irl(becauseracecar)
Depending on your age/location/pocket deepness, i would also go to one of those supercar experience thingys, and taste what this is all about.

 

[nursemorph]

I haven't read much of it but the following thread may be a good place to start (post number 4 has a comprehensive overview of the various tuning bits in GT6):

https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/thre...gt6-corvette-stingray-c7.291066/#post-9003797

 

[Squanto]

why not choose a car and a favorite track ... and then tweak stuff to feel the differences ...

checked out the GTPedia already ? (https://www.gtplanet.net/gtpedia/)

Got the Apex booklet with my GT5 ltd ed. ...
(http://www.gran-turismo.com/us/news/02_0005232.html?t=gt5)
there is a ton of stuff in there too ...

Read about the Chaparral cars ... ground effect rules changes and stuff on Wiki ...

or the changes in regulation on LM cars ... the Mazda 787B ...

Also I got a book from AMG about corners in Europe ... (http://www.curves-magazin.com/)


Some valid Ideas?

 

[eran0004]

If you have a library nearby you can go there and see if they got any good books. Librarians are experts on information, so I'm sure they'll be able to help you

 

[FussyFez]

I've said it before and I'll say it again.

Google is your friend.

I love that GT has inspired you to learn about cars.

There are many excellent websites out there with lots of well written articles on the basics of vehicle dynamics.

Do you drive in real life?

If you find a term you don't understand whilst browsing, Google it and you shall have your answer.

Whilst I agree books are great, the Internet gives you videos and animated images depicting various scenarios.

The only thing I will say, is take anything you read on forums or wiki, with a large pinch of salt. If you find something good on a forum, research it further through proper sources to confirm your findings.

As much as reading is great for understanding the basics, you need the hands on experience to really grasp certain concepts.

As far as GT is concerned, most real world driving techniques do apply. But the implementation of certain settings always seem to have issues.

GTP is, IMO, your best source for up-to-the-minite updates on what's the best approach in regards to tuning suspension etc specifically in GT. The only issue is alot of the threads move very quickly, and it can be hard to keep up. But all the info is there, it has been discussed, and there is nothing wrong with posting in an existing thread about the subject, asking if there have been any major revelations recently that you might have missed.


Good luck, and most of all enjoy.

I love cars and GT gives me an excellent outlet for my urges to drive fast, without losing my licence or killing myself in the process, whilst also getting to sample some cars and tracks I wouldn't have the chance to in the real world.

 

[danielc]

Fun fact to get you interested in racing history.
tazio nuvolari, before driving for ferrari/alfa/audi was a motorcycle rider.one of his biggest feat was after having an accident in practice, wich resulted in both legs broken. Next day he showed up at the race wearing a full below the waist cast, had mechanics help him get on the bike for.... Are you prepared?
Checkered flag in 1st place...
There are tons of history channel/discovery programs about this and more.

 

[Boone]

Here is a process I use for learning just about anything in GT6:
1) Identify a subject of interest(You got it, sports cars)
2) Locate a specific discipline within that interest(for instance, tuning in GT6)Also, it is important to note real life tuning will function as a solid base of understanding. Seek it out.
3) Learn the function of each part of a car as it relates to GT6
4) Learn the relationship between each part, car and driver( in other words, what does the Fully Mechanical Limited Slip Differential actually do? How does this affect cars in general? How does each setting affect the Jaguar XKR-S, Ferrari F430, etc? How does my driving affect this?)
5) Test each car individually and learn it's tendencies before tuning.

What I mean by all of this is: break down the learning methodically into smaller ideas so you are not overwhelmed. Once you learn each then look at the bigger picture and examine the effects. I learn more by looking at visual representations of engine parts and their function. If you're a linear thinker, you may not require visual diagrams.

Caveat: We all have something to learn.
Lastly, if you're overwhelmed at any time, ask a question(as you've done here! ) . There are several people who can steer you in the right direction.

 

[Bigbazz]

I bought "Tune to Win" by Carrol Smith, really insightful book that goes pretty deep into the tuning/preperation/setup and physics of a car in fairly lamens terms, you don't need to be an engineering student to understand it yet I'm pretty sure it would be a good starting point for an automotive engineering student and definitely someone getting into racing and setting up cars!

Pretty cheap on amazon, personally I find it difficult to get the same kind of insight from anything online, though you can certaintly learn a lot.

 

[VBR]

Another good read would be, "Going Faster! Mastering The Art Of Race Driving" by The Skip Barber Racing School. You'll learn lots about what different cars do, & why they do it in that book, plus all the priceless pearls of wisdom from some great drivers & instructors.