Gran Turismo 4 remains a beloved racing sim, and mastering car tuning is key to conquering its challenges. This guide provides a comprehensive tuning setup for the Formula Gran Turismo car, along with insights into transmission settings and the often-debated Active Stability Management (ASM) system. This setup, inspired by contributions from GT Planet Tuning and Settings forum users, offers a significant performance boost over the stock configuration.
Fine-Tuning the Formula Gran Turismo
Subtle adjustments can yield dramatic improvements. The following settings transform the Formula Gran Turismo into a track weapon:
- Suspension:
- Spring Rate (Front/Rear): 17.4 / 17.5
- Ride Height (Front/Rear): 45 / 45
- Stabilizers (Front/Rear): 6 / 6
- Shock Absorbers (Front/Rear): 8 / 8
- Other:
- Camber Angle (Front/Rear): 2.0 / 1.0
- Toe Angle (Front/Rear): 0 / -2
- Brake Balance (Front/Rear): 4/1
- Limited Slip Differential (Initial Torque/Acceleration Sensitivity/Deceleration Sensitivity): 15 / 45 / 55
- ASM: 10 / 10
- TCS: 5
- Downforce: Max
Optimizing Transmission Settings for Each Track
Achieving optimal gear ratios requires a specific adjustment process:
- Maximize Final Drive: Initially, set the Final Drive to its maximum value of 5.500.
- Reset Autoset: Adjust the Autoset to 25, then back to 1. This resets the gear ratios to their closest possible configuration.
- Track-Specific Final Drive: Fine-tune the Final Drive according to the track: Tokyo Route 246 (3.220), Twin Ring Motegi-Super Speedway (3.220), New York (3.220), High Speed Ring (3.220), Grand Valley Speedway (3.220), Circuit de la Sarthe I (3.220), Cote d’ Azur (3.750), Seoul Central (3.220), Infineon Raceway-Sports Car Course (3.700), Laguna Seca Raceway (3.700), Twin Ring Motegi-Road Course (3.500), Nurburgring (3.220), El Captain (3.400), Fuji Speedway 2005 (3.220), Suzuka Circuit (3.500).
These adjustments ensure optimal gear ratios for each track, maximizing performance and fuel efficiency. With these settings, tire wear becomes the limiting factor, allowing for longer stints between pit stops and strategic fuel management. Skipping refueling on alternate stops saves time and reduces weight, further enhancing lap times.
The ASM Advantage: Rethinking Conventional Wisdom
Conventional racing wisdom often dictates disabling driver aids. However, in Gran Turismo 4, maximizing ASM (10/10) can surprisingly improve lap times in the Formula Gran Turismo, potentially due to the game’s physics engine and tire model. While personal preference plays a role, embracing ASM can lead to significantly faster laps. For example, on Tokyo R246, a lap time of 1:14.1 was achieved with ASM enabled, compared to 1:15.9 with ASM off. Experimentation with ASM settings in the Formula 1 car is recommended to find what works best for individual driving styles.
Conclusion: Achieving Gran Turismo 4 Mastery
This comprehensive tuning guide provides a foundation for mastering the Formula Gran Turismo in Gran Turismo 4. By implementing these settings and understanding the nuances of transmission adjustments and ASM, drivers can unlock the car’s full potential and dominate the track. Remember to practice and fine-tune your driving technique to fully capitalize on these optimizations.
