Just found out about iracing, getting ready to build a killer setup

[moespeeds 0]

Hey guys, I just saw what iracing is this week, never even heard of it before then. I currently do real life track events with a 2000 C5 Corvette I built from the ground up for track duty, and plan to take it racing with NASA this coming summer. I'm building a man cave/bar in my basement, and was looking for an arcade game to finish it out. After seeing some of the more elaborate iracing rigs, I've decided to do that instead. Any advice is appreciated. I'm not going to say my budget is unlimited, but let's just say it up there. So tell me what I should buy?

 

I'll build the sim chassis myself out of aluminum, the seat I'll get a cheapie off summit or ebay

 

PC based, I can build it using the guide on this site, I've built many before. Suggestions on a graphics card?

 

3 monitors, right now I'm looking at 27" Asus or similar, but I'd love to go 32" if I could find a reasonable deal. I know nothing at all about TV technology, I don't watch it, so any suggestions on TVs vs Monitors is greatly apprciated.

 

Looks like Thrustmaster TX is the steering wheel to get? I'm looking for a round wheel. How about pedals (need a clutch!) and shifter (6 speed)?

 

Speakers? Another thing I know nothing about. I did see a youtube video about these vibrators you can hook up to simulate engine vibration, etc.

 

Anything I'm missing? Thanks in advance, looks like this site is going to be an invaluable resource. Below I'll post a link of some of my real life driving action. Practice session at New Jersey Motorsports Park, lightening, trying to hold my own against some serious Porsche GT3's.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRXZFduagro

[coops 18]

NVidia 700 series 3gig or 4gig card for triples more memory buffer the better.

 

monitors: I would go for a boarder less screen or frameless meaning thin bezel or none.

 

thrustmaster thrs8 shifter is the go: 6 speed and sequential. pedals go something with a load cell fanatec v2 pedals, or go with hydraulic pedals HPP pedals. I have always had a clutch up till recently when I have gone back to 2 pedal rev it up slam in gear. go with a clutch.  brakes = spring, load cell, hydraulic....order worst to best

 

sound get good sound..z5500 Logitech. a buttkicker gives you the vibration.

 

hope this helps. check out my specs under my posts

[BenSim 0]

Hey guys, I just saw what iracing is this week, never even heard of it before then. I currently do real life track events with a 2000 C5 Corvette I built from the ground up for track duty, and plan to take it racing with NASA this coming summer. I'm building a man cave/bar in my basement, and was looking for an arcade game to finish it out. After seeing some of the more elaborate iracing rigs, I've decided to do that instead. Any advice is appreciated. I'm not going to say my budget is unlimited, but let's just say it up there. So tell me what I should buy?

 

I'll build the sim chassis myself out of aluminum, the seat I'll get a cheapie off summit or ebay

 

PC based, I can build it using the guide on this site, I've built many before. Suggestions on a graphics card?

 

3 monitors, right now I'm looking at 27" Asus or similar, but I'd love to go 32" if I could find a reasonable deal. I know nothing at all about TV technology, I don't watch it, so any suggestions on TVs vs Monitors is greatly apprciated.

 

Looks like Thrustmaster TX is the steering wheel to get? I'm looking for a round wheel. How about pedals (need a clutch!) and shifter (6 speed)?

 

Speakers? Another thing I know nothing about. I did see a youtube video about these vibrators you can hook up to simulate engine vibration, etc.

 

Anything I'm missing? Thanks in advance, looks like this site is going to be an invaluable resource. Below I'll post a link of some of my real life driving action. Practice session at New Jersey Motorsports Park, lightening, trying to hold my own against some serious Porsche GT3's.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRXZFduagro

Hi. Nice driving.  I did the PCA NJMP Thunderbolt HPDA this past November. Boxster S. Was challenging, Have you thought of going south over the next few months? A few nice track events. Could be worth the trip. I'm doing Road Atlanta in February and VAR in March.

 

After getting help from the forum, I built the computer below last night. Got the parts from Micro Center in Yonkers, they also have a store in Jersey. I still need a cooling system but the system is running well so far. I have the Obutto Revolution rig. Seat is decent but a real racing seat would be better, Using the Logitech G27, not thrilled with it.

 

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor 

Motherboard: Asus MAXIMUS VI FORMULA ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  

Memory: Crucial Ballistix Elite 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  

Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk 

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive 

Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 780 Ti 3GB Video Card  

Case: Inwin 904 ATX Mid Tower Case  

Power Supply: Corsair RM 1000W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply

Optical Drive: Asus BW-12B1ST/BLK/G/AS Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) 

Headphones: Razer Kraken 7.1 Channel Headset

 

(The fan I bought, COOLMASTER HYPER 212 EVO UNIV HSF, was too large for the case so I have to do some research and find a good alternative. Meanwhile I have the Intel fan installed.)

 

I'm waiting until Obutto ships their updated triple mount before I buy the monitors. I'm thinking the Asus VE278Q based upon recommendations from gamers.

 

Good luck with your setup. Sounds like it's going to be nice.

[MattyK-USA 109]

You guys might consider coming out to Roebling Road at some point as well, here in the Savannah area.  We have HPDE's and track days of all kinds - the local PCA regions (Coastal Empire, Florida Crown and one more) welcome all cars that pass the tech check (and they are very laid back for PCA if you know what I mean), plus we have HSR, HOR and Woodman Tires Track days (that's the legendary Bob Woodman of Rolex 24, Sebring, and Ferrari Cup racing who I am very lucky to call a friend) as well.  Great track (recently re-surfaced), really inexpensive as well, great people, lots of varied cars.  If you're ever interested, drop me a line and I will be glad to hook you up with the folks involved.

 

BenSim, that sounds like you have an amazing rig for PC-based sim racing.  I'd love to get your input as an IRL driver starting in sim racing, on how your real track experience translates. I have just started too on console, and frankly really miss the seat of my pants.  I'm sure that will come with seat time. 

 

moespeeds, This is coming from a total sime racing rookie, but to my mind if you really want to go nuts and cost is no object, (if this sim racing thing pans out then I know I will), you might consider a more complete SimXperience simulator: http://simxperience.com/en-us/products/motionsimulatorkits/stage4motionsimulatorkit.aspx  - Oooooh yes.

[BenSim 0]

You guys might consider coming out to Roebling Road at some point as well, here in the Savannah area.  We have HPDE's and track days of all kinds - the local PCA regions (Coastal Empire, Florida Crown and one more) welcome all cars that pass the tech check (and they are very laid back for PCA if you know what I mean), plus we have HSR, HOR and Woodman Tires Track days (that's the legendary Bob Woodman of Rolex 24, Sebring, and Ferrari Cup racing who I am very lucky to call a friend) as well.  Great track (recently re-surfaced), really inexpensive as well, great people, lots of varied cars.  If you're ever interested, drop me a line and I will be glad to hook you up with the folks involved.

 

BenSim, that sounds like you have an amazing rig for PC-based sim racing.  I'd love to get your input as an IRL driver starting in sim racing, on how your real track experience translates. I have just started too on console, and frankly really miss the seat of my pants.  I'm sure that will come with seat time. 

 

moespeeds, This is coming from a total sime racing rookie, but to my mind if you really want to go nuts and cost is no object, (if this sim racing thing pans out then I know I will), you might consider a more complete SimXperience simulator: http://simxperience.com/en-us/products/motionsimulatorkits/stage4motionsimulatorkit.aspx  - Oooooh yes.

I planned on going to the January 18-19 PCA Roebling Road event but work obligations kept me in NY. I'm looking forward to the next opportunity. (I am going to the HOD Road Atlanta event the 15th-16th.) How can I contact you? I'd love to be introduced to the people involved involved with the track days at Roebling Road.

 

I'm not yet comfortable with the Sim driving experience as compared to real driving (I have to learn how to set up the wheel and car settings properly), the lack of real feel makes it difficult. But I think (hope) the hours spent in the "Test" mode on iRacing running a Miata on the Road Atlanta track is helping me learn the track. Guess I'll find out when I get there.

 

Regardless, the ability to practice at home anytime is great. And the Sim technology is amazing.

[MattyK-USA 109]

I planned on going to the January 18-19 PCA Roebling Road event but work obligations kept me in NY. I'm looking forward to the next opportunity. (I am going to the HOD Road Atlanta event the 15th-16th.) How can I contact you? I'd love to be introduced to the people involved involved with the track days at Roebling Road.

 

I'm not yet comfortable with the Sim driving experience as compared to real driving (I have to learn how to set up the wheel and car settings properly), the lack of real feel makes it difficult. But I think (hope) the hours spent in the "Test" mode on iRacing running a Miata on the Road Atlanta track is helping me learn the track. Guess I'll find out when I get there.

 

Regardless, the ability to practice at home anytime is great. And the Sim technology is amazing.

 

Hey Ben,  I sent you a PM with my contact info, no worries.  I think you said you were running a Cayman S, is that right?  That car will be a blast at Roebling.  Hopefully I will have one (a Cayman S, that is) this Spring, I have an air-cooled 911 I have to sell first to maintain sufficient WAF .  

 

On the sim topic, I am currently consoling myself (heh) with Forza 5, but I really want to get a PC hooked up to this Thrustmaster TX set (once I get a better pedal set) to compare the FFB and road feel as well.  F5 seems to be accurately modeled and it's a blast - once you're on the track.  The off-track in-game junk is a PITA to the point that it makes me want to look at other experiences, and I wish car setup was directly accessible via a menu or button.   Graphics are literally off the chain though.

[moespeeds 0]

That simexperience thing looks sick, but I'm not willing to drop that much coin! I do plan to run at least 4 shakers on my rig. 

 

If any of you guys want to get on track for real in the Northeast, I'm director of operations for a car club called Track Time 4 Cars. Mostly we run at NJMP and NYST with an occasional Pocono thrown in there. We run 6-8 20 min sessions per day, so you get a ton of driving time. It's not really geared towards the new driver, we do offer instruction but it's not nearly as structured as PCA, but much more laid back, and 95% of the guys coming out are in street cars. Message me if you are interested.

 

www.tracktime4cars.com

 

Thanks for all the info guys. Now I just gotta get my bar finished so I can start building this thing!

[MattyK-USA 109]

Go get 'em, moespeeds!  Don't forget to post pics of the bar

 

And thanks for the invite - I happen to have relatives in Upstate NY in the Saratoga area that might have some interest in the future as well. 

[BenSim 0]

That simexperience thing looks sick, but I'm not willing to drop that much coin! I do plan to run at least 4 shakers on my rig. 

 

If any of you guys want to get on track for real in the Northeast, I'm director of operations for a car club called Track Time 4 Cars. Mostly we run at NJMP and NYST with an occasional Pocono thrown in there. We run 6-8 20 min sessions per day, so you get a ton of driving time. It's not really geared towards the new driver, we do offer instruction but it's not nearly as structured as PCA, but much more laid back, and 95% of the guys coming out are in street cars. Message me if you are interested.

 

www.tracktime4cars.com

 

Thanks for all the info guys. Now I just gotta get my bar finished so I can start building this thing!

Sounds interesting. Will do.  Have you decided on which monitors you're going with?