Project Cars 2 offers deep tuning options, impacting car handling based on drivetrain. Understanding these systems is crucial for a competitive edge. This guide delves into tuning for front-wheel drive (FWD), four-wheel drive (4WD), and rear-wheel drive (RWD) cars in Project Cars 2.
Front-Wheel Drive Tuning
FWD cars, often lower-end road cars or touring cars like the Clio Cup, face inherent handling challenges. Powering and steering through the front wheels leads to a constant battle against understeer, especially at speed.
A general tuning approach involves softening the front suspension, allowing moderate body roll, and enhancing traction. This prevents front wheel slippage and subsequent understeer. However, this can create a loose rear end. Finding the balance between a slightly drifty rear and one prone to snap oversteer under braking is key. Key tuning aspects for FWD cars include:
- Suspension Spring Rate: Softening the front springs improves grip and reduces understeer.
- Sway Bars: Adjusting sway bars can fine-tune the balance between front and rear grip.
- Brake Ducts: Optimizing brake cooling can prevent fade and maintain consistent braking performance.
- LSD/Differential: Tuning the limited-slip differential impacts how power is distributed to the front wheels.
- Camber: Adjusting camber can influence tire contact patch and grip during cornering.
Four and All-Wheel Drive Tuning
4WD cars in Project Cars 2, like the Audi R8 V10 Plus, Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG, and Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X FQ400, offer immense acceleration but come with added weight and complexity. The extra weight from the driven axles increases braking distance and cornering width. The inherent tendency for understeer, exacerbated by the front axle’s power overload, needs careful management.
Tuning options for the A45 AMG and Evo FQ400 are limited. Softening the front suspension for increased grip, similar to FWD cars, is a viable strategy. Adjusting rear camber for increased grip and softening the rear sway bar can also improve handling. Focusing on entry and exit speed, and managing throttle application mid-corner, is crucial.
The Audi R8 offers more tuning flexibility with differential settings. A weaker differential setup can improve mid-corner speed, allowing the powerful engine to pull the car out of corners. Key tuning areas for 4WD cars:
- Camber: Impacts tire contact and grip, crucial for balancing handling.
- Spring Rate: Tuning spring rates helps manage weight transfer and optimize grip.
- Bump Rates: Controls how the suspension compresses over bumps, influencing stability.
- Rebound Rates: Dictates how quickly the suspension extends after compression, affecting control.
Rear-Wheel Drive Tuning
RWD cars form the core of Project Cars 2, offering the purest driving experience. With dedicated wheels for steering and acceleration, RWD cars excel in braking and mid-corner speed. Engine placement—front, mid, or rear—significantly impacts handling characteristics.
Mid-engined RWD cars generally offer the most stable platform due to their lower center of gravity and balanced weight distribution.
Front-engined RWD cars provide strong front-end grip for hard braking and quick turn-in, but can suffer from understeer mid-corner.
Rear-engined RWD cars, primarily Porsches, present unique challenges. The rear weight bias can lead to oversteer under braking and instability. However, the weight over the driven wheels provides exceptional acceleration. Tuning these cars requires careful adjustments to front springs, sway bars, brake balance, and the differential to maintain stability. Key tuning considerations for RWD cars:
- Brake Balance: Crucial for controlling weight transfer during braking and preventing oversteer or understeer.
- Brake Pressure: Adjusting brake pressure fine-tunes braking performance and stability.
- Differential: Influences how power is distributed to the rear wheels, impacting acceleration and cornering.
- Spring Rate: Balancing spring rates front and rear optimizes grip and handling characteristics.
- Sway Bars: Fine-tuning sway bars helps manage body roll and balance handling.
