sebj 616 Report post Posted October 23, 2013 (edited) I'm reserving this top part to pin my latest build which will be an 80/20 extrusion chassis running a 3DoF seat mover with rear traction loss. My detailed build will be documented and most posted on xsim which links below in my signature. Here is the prototype sketch of the rig itself. The rig will not have triples monitors as it is being built for VR. ************************************************************************************** ************************************************************************************** I've finally decided to throw in the towel on the console racing era and move over to PC. This thread will describe my current and new DIY wooden racing chassis. I'll document what I can and I'm happy to field any questions and welcome any comments you may have on my progress and finished project. Thanks go out to Darin and Shaun for this community and to everyone here that inspired me in different areas of this project. I'll keep this post updated with any new additions and pictures while the posts below will detail the build. Happy racing!PC specs i5 3750k - @4.0GHz 16 GB RAM, 256GB SSD, 3TB drive 7970 Sennheiser PC 363D surround headset Benq XL2720T monitor 120Hz Oculus Rift CV1 Gigabyte Z77X-UD3H MoboInput Devices DIY OSW built with small mige and SIMUCube, custom MOMO 290 with button box HE Ultimate pedals Fanatec SQ ShifterTactile Components 4 TST209 Clark transducers 2 Dayton APA150 150W amplifiers 5 Buttkicker kinetic isolators Simvibe software Monitor mount arms http://www.leevalley.com/en/hardware/page.aspx?p=59988&cat=3,43597,43601,60167,59988Update January, 2014 SQ shifter mounted Update January, 2014 Monitor hoods added Update June, 2014 Monitor hood skirts added Update October, 2014 Mugen MBX7 Eco - shock and spring upgrade Update June 2016 Took down two monitors and now run with CV1 added a fan - manual for now Update April 2017 sold my fanatec base and wheel and standing up my OSW this week build on motion platform continues Update Sept 2017 picked up HE Ultimates Edited September 9, 2017 by sebj updating for new rig 13 mtbboy1993, rhs, wilson_c and 10 others reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Paul GT73 1,398 Report post Posted October 23, 2013 good luck on your project sebj, looks like you got all the parts to make a great rig Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sebj 616 Report post Posted October 23, 2013 Here is the picture of my current "rig"...haha..cant call it that really. Although it has been fun racing Forza on a 120 inch projected screen in 5.1 surround...I will not miss it at all. 2 Paul GT73 and nmanley reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sebj 616 Report post Posted October 23, 2013 good luck on your project sebj, looks like you got all the parts to make a great rig Thanks Tucker73, do you have a post detailing your rig? its great! I see we share some similar tastes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
UNKLE 1,429 Report post Posted October 23, 2013 If you are going iRacing, ditch the crossfire it will actually make performance worse so you need to disable it for iRacing Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sebj 616 Report post Posted October 23, 2013 If you are going iRacing, ditch the crossfire it will actually make performance worse so you need to disable it for iRacing Thanks..yup, I am aware of that. I will run it single 7970 but will try to get Crossfire working. I have a few things to try here that I've collected from different forums to get rid of the micro stutter with crossfire setups. When/If i can get it to work I will document and post it here for everyone to try and replicate. Your hood is a must so I'll be setting that up as well Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sebj 616 Report post Posted October 23, 2013 Here is the base almost complete. Next step is to measure out how high the seat needs to be in relation to the wheel and pedal setup. I will then have to work on the side supports for the wheel base etc. I used 2x6 for the base, birch plywood for the flooring. The seat I picked up at a mechanic who resells RX7 parts for $75. 2 Winstonc and stone775 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
UNKLE 1,429 Report post Posted October 23, 2013 Thanks..yup, I am aware of that. I will run it single 7970 but will try to get Crossfire working. I have a few things to try here that I've collected from different forums to get rid of the micro stutter with crossfire setups. When/If i can get it to work I will document and post it here for everyone to try and replicate. Your hood is a must so I'll be setting that up as well I don't think there will be much you'll be able to do for Crossfire and iRacing. It's up to AMD to develop a profile for iRacing, those that I have read have tried running Crossfire with AMD cards have report a decrease in FPS. Looking forward to seeing your rig and hood 1 Karl 5 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Paul GT73 1,398 Report post Posted October 24, 2013 Thanks Tucker73, do you have a post detailing your rig? its great! I see we share some similar tastes. I do. ithttp://isrtv.com/forums/topic/7727-race-cave-done-well-almost/?hl=%2Brace+%2Bcave+%2Bdone Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lopsided 345 Report post Posted October 24, 2013 Here is the picture of my current "rig"...haha..cant call it that really. Although it has been fun racing Forza on a 120 inch projected screen in 5.1 surround...I will not miss it at all. LOL, exactly how I started when Gran Turismo 1 came out 15 years ago. No internet, no computer, never heard of "sim racing". I thought I was advanced when I finally upgraded from the coffee table to an side table that let me sit up straight! lol I had a Playseat and a rSeat but eventually got around to building my own rig and I think you're doing the right thing. You can have it the way you want it and make it more stable than most retail rigs. My biggest dilemma was merely figuring out what I really wanted. I needed comfort, I wanted rock solid stability, I wanted things layed out a certain way etc. The planning is 9/10's of the project sometimes. Off to a great start Sebj, keep us posted. I see you've bought SimVibe, I really want to do that but have so much to figure out. Bailey Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sebj 616 Report post Posted October 24, 2013 Hi Bailey, thank you for the feedback. I remember reading your post and getting some ideas from your great rig. Your reply here reminded me of how I also got into driving games and it really goes back to the pole position arcade days and it wasn't until Super Sprint that really got me interested in racing games (albeit that one was top down but was multiplayer!) There are countless ones to name..outrun,hard driving, then PC stuff like test drive and Nascar. In the last decade its been Forza 1-4 for me and the multiplayer has been the big turn off. I'm really looking forward to iRacing and the other great PC titles that are discussed in these forums. I agree with you. The planning has taken me such a long time. My biggest challenge is getting the sitting position just right for me, particularly the wheel base attached. It will take a 2-3 tries but I'm looking forward to having a stable platform and then customizing this thing with gear. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lopsided 345 Report post Posted October 24, 2013 Yeah, I hear you Sebj. I might have had one small advantage... I could get my distances/measurements as far as wheel/seat/pedals from my position on my rSeat. Looks like you're going to go thru a bit of a trial and error period. Even though 8020 is easy to change and adjust I did not need to make mine adjustable per se as it only has to fit one "driver". lol Sometimes when you build "adjustability" into things you also add a little bit of weakness... I'm thinking of things that add a lot of joints/knuckles etc. for tilting and sliding. I also had a change of heart when I started racing Endurance. You take a 1.5 hour race, add practice and quali and your bum is sitting in one spot for quite a while! I'm sure my old bones have something to do with it but I was not very comfortable in your typical bucket race seat. So... you build what you want! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sebj 616 Report post Posted October 29, 2013 Quick update. I have since filled in all the uneven wood surfaces including the screw holes etc. Took 2-3 go overs and sanding. I'm in a holding pattern for the moment as I'm waiting on delivery of the clubsport wheel base and without it I cant measure out my sitting position. I will try to get the triple monitor stand completed first and get some painting started. Been watching lots of iRacing videos and am so excited about taking my first spin. (gamepad just aint cuttin it right now ) [in test mode of course] Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sebj 616 Report post Posted November 12, 2013 Well the clubsport wheel base finally arrived at the beginning of November and I was able to do proper alignments. I also picked up the other two Beng 27inchers to complete the package. It is all coming together pretty nicely and I am posting up a few pics to show you the progress. I figure it should be completed by the end of the week. So far I'm enjoying the process quite a bit. With a wood DIY rig you can really make it your own. You can easily spend a lot of time tweaking and polishing this thing, so it's not difficult to have the project run a lot longer than expected. I wanted a gray paint which I picked up at the local home depot. By chance it was called "man cave"... Here is the underside of the unit. I've got the transducers amounted to the cross beam at either end. As long as the 24 inches provides enough stereo separation this will be a great setup. I also have 5 buttkicker rubber isolators underneath at the four corners and one in the center under the seat. Here a two pics of the main assembly. Once I test mounted the Clubsport I saw that the sitting position didn't quite align and I will have to move the seat rails about 3/8inch to the left. Not a big deal but not something I had planned on...With all the measuring and pre-mounting testing you'd think all would line up. Tonight once the seat is moved I should be able to get the wheel mounted and the triple monitor mount completed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sebj 616 Report post Posted November 12, 2013 I cant figure out how to add pictures inline with the message vs attaching them as I have been doing so far. How do I do this in the online editor? thanks! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jefbougy 5 Report post Posted November 12, 2013 You choisr the button 'picture' and you insert the link... But you have first to upload your pic on a server. Personally, I use servimg.com but thre is also picassa or if you are able to have a link of the picturrd from facebook, it'll do... funny how the fixing plate of your seat is like mine... I took it from a Celica Gt4... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sebj 616 Report post Posted November 12, 2013 You choisr the button 'picture' and you insert the link... But you have first to upload your pic on a server. Personally, I use servimg.com but thre is also picassa or if you are able to have a link of the picturrd from facebook, it'll do... funny how the fixing plate of your seat is like mine... I took it from a Celica Gt4... ahh..thanks. The seat is from an RX7 - JDM. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jefbougy 5 Report post Posted November 12, 2013 Ok, it's a Mazda! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
motiondave 88 Report post Posted November 12, 2013 looking good Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sebj 616 Report post Posted November 14, 2013 Got a bit more work done last night. I attached the vinvyl diamond plate, the wheel and seat. The pedals need to be mounted still. I'm pretty happy with it so far and until I test out the vibration and FFB I wont know if I have to swap some screws for bolts. (<- which I think may likely be the case) 1 UNKLE reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
UNKLE 1,429 Report post Posted November 14, 2013 Looks very tidy mate. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sebj 616 Report post Posted November 14, 2013 Thank you UNKLE... except for the basement itself Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lopsided 345 Report post Posted November 14, 2013 All you need now is some sponsors on that rig! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sebj 616 Report post Posted November 15, 2013 Last night I put together the triple monitor stand but only had time to mount one. I mounted it such that it sits between the GT2 wheel and the base. There isnt much room for ones hands there but still enough to turn the wheel and shift. I'll see how it goes once I get this up and running. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
simul8r 114 Report post Posted November 16, 2013 Here a two pics of the main assembly. Once I test mounted the Clubsport I saw that the sitting position didn't quite align and I will have to move the seat rails about 3/8inch to the left. Not a big deal but not something I had planned on...With all the measuring and pre-mounting testing you'd think all would line up. Greetings sebj, following your build so far. I had the same problem too. Seems the passenger seat I salvaged didn't quite line up as I thought it would on my rig and had to move it somewhat more to the right. I would have thought that the distance between the railings would be the points to measure from but it boiled down to how the foam of the seat was sculpted on the railings that indicated where center was. Enjoying your progress BTW. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites