This video provides a comprehensive tutorial on how to tune cars in Forza Horizon 5, focusing on creating an "OP" (overpowered) S1 class car, specifically the Ferrari FXX. It covers various aspects of car tuning, including conversions, tire and rim upgrades, drivetrain modifications, platform and handling adjustments, and fine-tuning specific components like gearing, alignment, anti-roll bars, springs, dampers, aero, brakes, and differential. The tutorial emphasizes practical application over theory and aims to help players improve their car setups for better performance in the game.
Okay, let's dive deeper into the nuances of tuning the Ferrari FXX in Forza Horizon 5, much like the video's creator did.
The video stresses that conversions aren't just about raw power; they're about PI efficiency. Some engine swaps, like the F4TR mentioned, can offer massive power gains that the game's PI system doesn't fully comprehend. This "misinterpretation" can lead to a car that's significantly more potent in reality than its PI suggests. For the FXX, since it's already an S2 car and the goal is S1, engine swaps are out. The focus shifts to retaining the stock engine to manage PI, but the principle of PI efficiency for swaps remains a crucial concept for other builds. The AWD swap is a prime example of PI manipulation – the game adds PI for the weight increase, essentially "rewarding" a heavier drivetrain, which then allows for more performance upgrades elsewhere without exceeding the class limit. This highlights that the game's PI system isn't always intuitive and requires exploiting these quirks.
While slicks theoretically offer the best grip, the video champions rally tires for an all-around S1 car due to their "great cost value ratio." This means they provide a solid grip level suitable for various surfaces and driving styles without consuming excessive PI. The subtle nuance here is that "best" in Forza isn't always about the absolute peak performance stat, but the best balance for a competitive build. The increase in grip on grass from rally tires is a specific, niche advantage that can be crucial in certain online race scenarios.
The discussion on front tire width highlights a key trade-off: increasing it costs PI and might not offer a significant benefit unless the car inherently struggles with lateral G-forces, especially those lacking aero. Conversely, the rear tire width is presented as a "no-brainer" for AWD builds. It boosts traction and stability without a PI cost, making it a free upgrade in terms of tuning potential. The choice of rim style and size is presented as a purely statistical manipulation tool – finding the heaviest rims and widening the rear stance is done solely to shed PI while adding weight, allowing for more performance tuning elsewhere. This is pure "min-maxing" within the game's systems.
The AWD swap is repeatedly emphasized for its benefits: better launches, low-speed acceleration, and overall control, especially in a game with varied terrain. The weight penalty is acknowledged, but the PI savings make it worthwhile. The video clarifies that AWD cars are generally easier to drive and fit the game's open-world nature.
The differential choice is presented with specific nuances for different drivetrain layouts:
The transmission choice for the FXX is a prime example of PI management. The stock AWD swap comes with a 6-speed, but the video opts for an 8-speed race transmission specifically to gain 1 PI back by increasing weight. This allows the car to hit the S1 900 cap precisely. This isn't about finding the best transmission, but the one that fits the PI target. The ability to fine-tune every gear is crucial, especially since the FXX's engine makes peak power near the redline, necessitating carefully tuned gears to stay in the power band.
The most nuanced and arguably "Forza-esque" part is the recommendation for off-road springs and dampers on the FXX. The reasoning is that the FXX, being so grippy, tends to understeer. By increasing the ride height (higher off-road springs) and softening the springs, the car's rotation is improved. This sounds backward, but the FXX's inherent stability and downforce allow it to handle these "aggressive" settings without becoming unstable. The PI gain and weight loss are additional benefits. This illustrates how game physics can lead to unexpected tuning solutions.
The ride height adjustment is another example: maxing out the front and minimizing the rear is done to enhance turn-in response at the cost of some stability and top speed, a trade-off only possible on cars with sufficient downforce and stability like the FXX.
The explanation of bump and rebound damping is critical. Bump damping resists spring compression (what happens when you hit a bump or brake hard), while rebound damping resists spring extension (when the suspension returns to its normal position).
The principle here is straightforward: maximize front downforce for corner speed, and adjust rear downforce to balance stability. Too much rear downforce creates drag and understeer, while too little leads to oversteer. The FXX's specific settings (155 at the rear) are chosen to achieve this balance, complementing the gearing to ensure the car can utilize its power effectively through turns.
The most striking detail here is the inverted brake balance in Forza Horizon 5. To shift braking bias towards the rear (making the car more active under braking and aiding trail braking), you actually need to increase the front value in the game's UI, as the values are inverted. This is a critical "gotcha" that only experience or tutorials like this reveal. Brake pressure itself is down to personal preference, as long as the brakes can still lock up the wheels.
The drift differential's benefit of reduced rear wheel lock-up under braking is a key advantage. The video explains that the center balance (power distribution) is tuned aggressively towards the rear (100% in the FXX's case) because the car's wide tires and stability can handle it, ensuring a potent AWD launch. The "rule of thumb" for grippy AWD cars to start at 80% and adjust is a practical guideline.
The acceleration and deceleration settings are nuanced:
By breaking down each component and explaining the "why" behind seemingly unusual choices (like off-road springs or inverted brake bias), the video provides a deep dive into the specific quirks and mechanics of Forza Horizon 5 tuning.
