Forzamotorsport.net Forums

Feuerdog Tuning presents the...
SUSPENSION TUNING CALCULATOR for FM3

This is a spreadsheet and iPhone/Touch application tool for establishing a basic alternative default suspension tune for cars in FM3.
iPhone/Touch app: http://forzatune.com
If you already tune for yourself and can post top 1000 times consistently then this is probably not a tool you can benefit from.
As i've mentioned elsewhere, the BUILD of the car is far more important than the TUNE itself.
"TUNE for Feel, BUILD for Performance."

WARNING! - THESE ARE NOT PERFECT TUNES, THEY ARE MERELY AN OPTION FOR CREATING AN ALTERNATE DEFAULT TUNE.

1. You need Open Office(free download) to use the features of the calculator.
2. Make a back-up copy first, it can be easy to screw up the unprotected formulas.
3. The sheet is unprotected, so either protect it, or be VERY careful what you change.
4. There may still be calculation errors, so keep in mind this a technically a work in progress.
5. No whining allowed. It's free, and you are getting what you pay for.
6. For purposes of simplicity and ease of use, this version does not have all the modifier adjustments that some versions have, again, this is a work in progress.

DOWNLOAD - Here is the revised Open Office file.

December Update 4 - USE THIS VERSION:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AtBDxiC-oePkdE1kSXlpV3pwa1BFWVJDLWVDWTNJR2c&hl=en
1. Click on FILE, in the top left corner.
2. Select DOWNLOAD AS
- OpenOffice users should download as an OpenOffice(.ods) file.
- Excel users should download as an Excel(.xls) file.

If Google isn't working, here is the Mediafire .ods file:
http://www.mediafire.com/file/wmzudnwzciz/fm3-december-4.ods

The latest test version, "April Test", which includes a Drift settings calculator, can be found here:
http://forums.forzamotorsport.net/forums/permalink/3741982/3742041/ShowThread.aspx#3742041

As usual, see the last posts i this thread for the latest news and updates.


INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE -
1. In the yellow fields you will select a drivetype(FF,FR, FA, MR, MA, RR, RA), and enter the vehicles weight(lbs) and front weight distribution. This info is availiable in the upgrade and car selection areas.
FF = Front engine, Front wheel drive.
MR = Mid engine, Rear wheel drive.
RA = Rear engine, All wheel drive.
etc.

2. In the blue fields you will get all of your suspension geometry settings instantly.

3. The orange fields are optional, but will add small compensations into the values to compensate for aerodynamic downforce and differing tire widths. Tire widths are the first three digit number in the tire size located in the tire width upgrade screen. If you do not want to compensate for aero or tires then leave these cells blank.

4. Be sure and input either METRIC or ENGLISH near the top to determine the correct conversions.


TUNING NOTES -
- The calcs are not tested or designed for dragging or drifting.
- Front tires that are wider than rear tires may result in calc errors.
- The aero and tire compensation calcs are estimates, and untested for use with FM3.
- You can trick the calcs for understeer/oversteer by changing the front weight distribution input.
- Due to limitations in this older set of calcs, some cars will still feel "understeery".
- I guarantee nothing. You get what you have paid for.
- Always, always, double check your figures and settings. Even a single 1% of difference can have an impact on handling.
- Also keep in mind that some parts that you change in FM3(cooling upgrades for example) and weight reductions will change your weight distribution around. So even something as simple as an engine upgrade can change the weight bias of the chassis.
- Always recalc your suspension after upgrading parts!
- The aero and tire compensation calcs are OPTIONAL. They are very simple modifiers to begin with.
The aero compensations simply add spring stiffness to each axle.
The tire width compensation simply changes the weight bias to compensate for grip.

CALCULATOR NOTES -
- See the notes in the spreadsheet, or read the latest posts in this thread.

FUTURE DEVELOPMENT and THANKS -
- Boosted4ever and I are working together on the continuing development of the iPhone/Touch app, and are looking into further developments for other platforms including a wesite based calculator page.
- Thanks for your support of the Feuerdog Tuning vinyls. The extra credit flexibility is great for tuning.

---

The original FM Suspension Calculator
ForzaTune.com

I'm of two minds on this one -

 On one hand, your calculators are known far and wide, and are an essential tool to have for a non-tuner/starting tuner. A free version is awesome.

On the other hand, everyone else is profiting from their work, and I don't see why you should labor on this product and then have to give it away.

So I say sell, or do both. Actually, I can't think of any reason you COULDN'T do both.

---

If you're not driving with the Fanatec, you're just playing games.

Keep in mind that the older calcs are still useful,...and free. There are even going to be newer versions released by other players who have improved on what I started, which I think is awesome. the calculators that are out there now are far better now than what I originally came up with becuase the community has worked together to improve them.

---

The original FM Suspension Calculator
ForzaTune.com

i think you should sell them for minimum credits but if what ive heard is true with the storefront and everything being locked all we would recieve is a locked suspension tune that we couldnt touch so you would have to have a gearing calculator aswell but otherwise im down il support ya

---

just a thought, but did you actually try to transpose your calculator to reality somehow ? I mean on a real car ? it should get interesting ^^

---

Storefront Keyword (tunes): Yamadatuned
Classic JDM designs, low class grip tunes, vynils groups, kaido replays and photography.

What I would do if I were you is publically release it but before you do that, get in contact with the guy that made the iPhone app and make an agreement with him to profit off of the APP SALES.

---

Storefront: AG dRizZe

Well, if you decide to take the Credits (at least for a limited time) you've earned the right.

 Your previous tune-calculator was an excellent piece of work and probably helped more up-and-coming tuners (and complete idiots like me) more than you'll ever know.

---

i was hoping to see this thread soon. [edit] even if you did a public release im sure you could still sell loads 

---

I wonder how many tuning garages actually use your calculator to make their tunes?  Do you think there are any at all?

 I voted for the middle option, I do my own tuning..  I'd say you try to make a buck off your work before you release publicly.  See how the endeavour turns out, if you make >x dollars, keep it to yourself, if not... release it?

---

"You look like a real jerk!"

Trystan Spyder:

I'm of two minds on this one -

 On one hand, your calculators are known far and wide, and are an essential tool to have for a non-tuner/starting tuner. A free version is awesome.

On the other hand, everyone else is profiting from their work, and I don't see why you should labor on this product and then have to give it away.

So I say sell, or do both. Actually, I can't think of any reason you COULDN'T do both.

Completely agree with trystan.

As i have only just started tuning myself in prep for forza 3 I have found your calculator to be an indespensible tool to start out with and i would love to see the new one released for free.

On the other hand if you were to start selling basic tunes using your calculator for a reasonable price I for one would buy them (as would many others) mainly to put on cars that i want to drive but have no interest in tuning.

 Hopes this helps with your decision.

---

My Flickr
Virtual Motorsports

I understand if you go for the Profit option but I voted for the free release option. That was purely personal as I use your F2 calculator to get the base of all my tunes.

---

F4 Unicorns: 17/17
Horizon Unicorns: 2/7

 - The old calcs were based on reality to an extent, but limitations in how the cars are modeled(unrealistically), and how was compensating for drivetrain and weight made many attempts at realistic tuning values impossible.
These newer calcs are based from a reverse engineering approach, but strangly enough actually end up being even more realistic than I thought, especially in regards to ARB's and damping.

 

- I have been in touch with the iPhone app gentleman, and I have considered a joint effort, but since I do not own any Apple products at this time, it would be supporting a service that I cannot even enjoy for myself. I'd rather support my calculators as unspecifically as possible,....ie. easy to use by anyone.
My new calcs are have less claculations in them, but more reference tables to look at. It makes them easier to use, more flexible, and adjustable all at the same time.

---

The original FM Suspension Calculator
ForzaTune.com

This is news to me, I had no idea there were calculators for Forza 2. What did it calculate anyway?

If it is that helpfull I wouldn't mind paying 1000cr for a good tune. I usually don't do any tunes, since I don't know how. That might change with Forza 3 though.

Anyway, it's completely your own choice. I know I would pay up.

---

I've used your calcs in the past to good effect and will admit to voting option 1 , which i think is quite selfish of me.

Personally i think you should charge for it because you put a lot of work in and i'm sure there are people who are reaping the rewards of your hard work.

---

Double post

---

I loved using your calc for FM2. It would be really cool if you released this new calc as well

---

FRZ3:

This is news to me, I had no idea there were calculators for Forza 2. What did it calculate anyway?

Feuerdog's  suspension calculator was posted on the FM2 forums a long time ago and widely proclaimed as good stuff.  It was!  It helped you get your cars within a reasonable percentage of how you wanted them to handle right off the bat.

dude... your calculator has been a lifesaver for me and many many others when it comes to learning how to tune properly

please dont fall into the slime-pit of greed and inflated selfworth that some tuner companies have become... lets just share what we have.

i would gladly give you in-game credits every time i used the calculator, but im not sure how that would work.

but you becoming a tuning company and charging for tunes is not going to help anyone, and will most likely increase your workload immensly. I assume your talking about making custom tunes for people using the calculator, wich in that case will involve tons of information being sent both ways (weight, horsepower and all the other tidbits of information that you imput into the calculator).

and if youre "just" gonna start a tuner company that releases cars of your choosing but utilizing the calculator, i dont see why you couldnt do both.

---

-[xAMC] American Muscle Club (Limit Reached)
-[zAMC] American Muscle Club (2) ...yes we have over 100 members!
- [AMC3] American Muslce Club (3) For people based in the European timezones.

I would be lost without your tuning  calculator, but I can understand why you would want to make some cash (or credits) from your hard work. 

I would possibly pay for your setups but would definately pay for your tuning calculator if you decided to charge for that!

The new iPhone calculator also looks good, but of course not gonna be an option for everyone.

Whatever you decide I look forward to your new calc, keep up the great work!

Just a thought... What if you could release it for free, but those of us who would like to support you could buy them?

---