Does Less fuel equal lighter car?
- Thread starter tapetape
- 19 comments
- 2,972 views
- 692
- Dracwolley
I don't think GT4 would go that in-depth, but I'm not sure... ask someone else 
- 971
- Sunny Devon
I like to think that they modelled this as it can make a difference in F1 lap times. However, I am not sure if they did. In a recent engine wearing exercise I decided to watch my laptimes around the Test Course whilst sticking as closely as possible to the same line.
My hope - slower times as the car lost power.
Actual result - 17 fastest laps from 22 total laps.
About three quarters of all the laps were slightly faster than before, but the difference was only a few hundredths or thousandths of a second. In fact, the difference between the first and last flying laps (lap 2 & 21) was less than a quarter of a second, and that on an average 2 minute 16 second lap.
Why am I not too sure? If fuel weight was modelled, I'd expect a greater effect on laptimes between a full tank, and an empty one. Also, as much as I tried to take the same line, it is entirely possible that I drove smoother as I got into the zone and the laps progressed.
A greater difference may be achieved at a twistier track where acceleration matters, but keeping your line and braking/acceleration points the same to test this would be infinitely more difficult.
My hope - slower times as the car lost power.
Actual result - 17 fastest laps from 22 total laps.
About three quarters of all the laps were slightly faster than before, but the difference was only a few hundredths or thousandths of a second. In fact, the difference between the first and last flying laps (lap 2 & 21) was less than a quarter of a second, and that on an average 2 minute 16 second lap.
Why am I not too sure? If fuel weight was modelled, I'd expect a greater effect on laptimes between a full tank, and an empty one. Also, as much as I tried to take the same line, it is entirely possible that I drove smoother as I got into the zone and the laps progressed.
A greater difference may be achieved at a twistier track where acceleration matters, but keeping your line and braking/acceleration points the same to test this would be infinitely more difficult.
- 1,202
b-spec can be made to run an extra lap between pitstops on some circuits by keeping the fuel level low, so I'd say yes, the effect of fuel weight is modelled. Can't say, though, how this affects performance. I tend to find my fastest lap in a 2 hour endurance is at between 2/3 and 3/4 distance, in an Elan, which completes most 2 hour events without needing to refuel, so it will be lighter on fuel at around that time but the horsepower is also decreasing. So either the car gets faster, or I get more focused, at around that time.
AOS-
Premium
- 28,800
- 'Sauga, ON
what you CAN do is find a hacking software liek Gameshark or Action Replay, put No tire wear. Then get a new oil change, bspec a lap of whatever. record the lap time, next oilchange again, Aspec until you run lets say half tank of gas,, pit and do bspec but dont refill, then record time.
- 3,212
I tried it, and yes, it does increase your car's speed, but only marginally, such as by 2 tenths of a second less per lap.
- 358
- Penthouse
What was the track and the car? Two tenths of a second per lap can be quite a lot...
- 10,556
- Columbia, MD.
- Parnelli_Bones
I would have to say YES it does. I did the Grand Valley Enduro a couple months back in a Dodge Viper SRT-10, and when I went in the pits, I only filled up to a half-tank on purpose, just to see if it would make any difference. The difference between a full tank and a half-full tank (or less) was marginal, but I did notice I'd be going faster towards the end of the straight...my driving was a bit erratic since this car is tricky to drive, so I couldn't say my lap times made much of a difference.
I've also done the 1000 Miles! events 4x now. At Nurb, I've made it a habit to drive on a half tank, and towards the end of that long straight, I'll notice (again) that I'll be cruising 2 or 3 miles per hour faster than if I had a full tank. A marginal difference, but it adds up over time, of course. 👍
I've also done the 1000 Miles! events 4x now. At Nurb, I've made it a habit to drive on a half tank, and towards the end of that long straight, I'll notice (again) that I'll be cruising 2 or 3 miles per hour faster than if I had a full tank. A marginal difference, but it adds up over time, of course. 👍
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- 53
I fill up when my tires are red. when I am in the pit and there done changing tires I stop fueling up. I can make one extra lap when I do this
AOS-
Premium
- 28,800
- 'Sauga, ON
a lot of us know that we should stop filling up the gas when the pitcrewe has finished with the tires..
- 3,212
-Grand Valley Speedway, Toyota GT-One
-La Sarthe, Nissan (Prince) Skyline Sports Coupe BLRA-3 1962
At the latter track, due to the long straight, it actually went up the nearly a second per lap gained over my previous times.
- 10,556
- Columbia, MD.
- Parnelli_Bones
So far, most of us say "yes" to this question.
- 53
I am just telling what i do for **** sake
Rotary Junkie
Premium
- 9,810
- Canton, MI
- RJs_RX-7
Wow. Bite a few more heads off. Might improve your standing.
- 53
w.e
- 311
- 1,418
Most of the time this is true, however for the F1 race at Sarthe using a Mazda 787B. I used 66 units of fuel when I pitted for new rubber every 8 laps. If I stopped the refueling when the tire men finished I would not have have had eniough fuel to finish 8 laps. I had to wait 5 seconds after the tire change was finished to get enough fuel. Since I only had to pit twice and the AI 7 times it was a huge saving for me. I was using Hard Racing front and Super hard rears. 200 point race.
Rotary Junkie
Premium
- 9,810
- Canton, MI
- RJs_RX-7
??
Any ballast or reduced downforce? Because my 787 at stock power is nice to the rears with a little TCS, still good to them without (I don't use the TCS, thanks. I use my right foot)
Any ballast or reduced downforce? Because my 787 at stock power is nice to the rears with a little TCS, still good to them without (I don't use the TCS, thanks. I use my right foot)
- 1,418
No Ballast and Max down force all round. Stock engine with oil change approx
800 hp. TCS on 4, but change gears just as TCS light flashes. (DS2 controller)
It is a used black one with the chasis refresh.
Allways has been harder on rears than fronts.
Must be my suspension set up. This was rather soft as it was what I used for the F1 race at the ring. Front softer than rear. I do not like understeer so it is set up for good turn in and a little oversteer............
