Gran Turismo 6 Car Tuning Guide: Mastering the Art of Setup

Gran Turismo 6, even years after its release, remains a beloved racing simulator. A crucial aspect of mastering GT6 lies in understanding its intricate car tuning system. This comprehensive guide delves into the core principles of tuning, offering insights and techniques to transform your vehicles into track-dominating machines.

Building a Tune from Scratch: A Step-by-Step Approach

Effective tuning involves a systematic process. This guide outlines a proven approach to building a tune from the ground up, focusing on maximizing performance within specific Power Point (PP) limits.

Strategic Oil Changes

Consider the intended use of your car. For short-term races, skip the oil change. While it slightly increases horsepower (HP), it also raises the PP level. Testing reveals a consistent ~1% HP loss after re-tuning a car with an oil change back to its original PP. For long-term use, an oil change becomes beneficial.

Parts Selection: Power vs. Weight

Prioritize weight reduction. Achieving optimal weight drastically improves lap times. Aim for these targets:

• Heavy Cars: 1400-1450kg
• Average Cars: 1200-1250kg
• Light Cars: Around 1000kg

Power upgrades in GT6 require a more nuanced approach compared to GT5. The efficiency of parts (HP gain per PP) varies significantly between cars. Analyze each car individually to determine the most efficient upgrades. The tables below illustrate this for the BMW M3 Coupe ’07 and Ford GT ’06:

BMW M3 Coupe ’07 @ 525PP – Parts Selection Rationale:

1. Window Weight Reduction & Carbon Hood: Essential for every tune due to minimal PP cost.
2. Weight Reduction Stage 3: Reduces weight significantly; add ballast to fine-tune balance.
3. Sports Catalytic Converter: Most efficient power upgrade.
4. Engine Tuning Stage 3: Significant HP gain.
5. Semi-Racing Exhaust: Good HP/PP ratio.
6. Power Limiter: Fine-tune to 525PP.

Ford GT ’06 @ 600PP – Parts Selection Rationale:

1. Window Weight Reduction & Carbon Hood: Essential for every tune.
2. Weight Reduction Stage 3: Achieve target weight; use ballast for balance adjustments.
3. Sports Catalytic Converter: Most efficient power upgrade.
4. Racing Exhaust: Excellent HP/PP ratio.
5. Isometric Exhaust Manifold: High HP/PP efficiency.
6. Ballast: Fine-tune to 600PP and adjust balance.

Essential Upgrades and Considerations

Always add Triple-Plate Clutch, Carbon Drive Shaft, and Racing Brakes if available, especially for long-term use. Avoid Chassis Stiffness upgrades as they increase understeer.

Wings:

• Street Cars: Generally avoid unless needed for specific handling characteristics.
• Tuner Cars: Add if it unlocks full front downforce adjustment.
• Race Cars: Maximize downforce for circuits, adjust based on track characteristics. Minimize for high-speed ovals like Daytona.

Avoid Flat Floors due to their poor PP efficiency.

Transmission Tuning: The Flip Trick

After installing power parts, optimize the transmission using the “flip trick”:

1. Final Gear: Maximum.
2. Max Speed: Minimum.
3. Highest Gear: Maximum.
4. 2nd Gear: ~80% left of its range.
5. 3rd-Highest Gear: Evenly spaced, slightly closer towards higher gears.
6. Top Speed: Adjust via Final Gear to achieve near redline on the longest straight.
7. 1st Gear: Adjust for optimal launch (further right for standing starts).
8. Track-Specific Optimization: Fine-tune gear ratios to avoid mid-corner shifts.

Mastering the Limited Slip Differential (LSD)

The LSD is a crucial tuning element. It distributes power between drive wheels, impacting acceleration and stability.

LSD Tuning:

• Accel: Adjust to balance inside/outside wheel spin under acceleration. Aim for simultaneous spin.
• Decel: Manage stability when off-throttle. Increase for oversteer, decrease for understeer.
• Initial Torque: Controls LSD engagement. Higher values increase understeer, lower values increase oversteer. This setting DOES NOT allow the LSD to slip, only to distribute torque.

4WD LSD Tuning: Requires more experimentation. General guidelines:

• Rally (Dirt/Snow): Front: 15/15/10, Rear: 14/12/12
• Street (Tarmac): Front: 10-12/12-15/5-9, Rear: 8-10/10-12/5-12

Torque-Distributing Center Differential (4WD):

• Rally (Dirt/Snow): 50/50 for optimal power delivery.
• Street (Tarmac): Start at 50/50, gradually decrease front bias if needed for rotation, but avoid going below 35/65.

This guide provides a solid foundation for tuning in Gran Turismo 6. Remember, consistent practice and experimentation are key to mastering this complex system and achieving optimal performance.