In Gran Turismo 7, achieving the perfect balance of performance for specific races often involves detuning your car to meet Performance Point (PP) limits. A common question among tuners is whether it’s better to remove car parts to reduce PP or rely heavily on the power limiter. Both methods can bring your car under the required PP, but they significantly impact the car’s power band and overall driving feel. Let’s delve into the differences and determine the optimal approach to removing car parts for tuning in Gran Turismo 7.
When you aim to reduce your car’s PP by removing parts, you’re essentially stripping away performance enhancements. This could involve reverting to stock intake manifolds, exhaust systems, turbochargers, or ECU chips. The immediate effect is a decrease in horsepower and torque, bringing your car closer to the desired PP limit. However, this method retains the engine’s natural power curve characteristics. Typically, this means you’ll experience a horsepower peak at higher RPMs, with torque building up in the mid-range.
For example, consider the Celica GT4 in Gran Turismo 7. After removing all power-increasing parts, leaving the power limiter at 100%, the car sits at 464 PP. The engine produces a maximum of 302 horsepower at 6300 RPM and 257 lb-ft of torque at 4300 RPM. Notice the traditional power curve: horsepower climbs to a peak, and torque forms a plateau in the mid-range.
Alternatively, you can leave all performance-enhancing parts installed and utilize the power limiter to reduce the car’s PP. The power limiter acts as a throttle, restricting the engine’s output across the RPM range. This method results in a flatter power curve. While the peak horsepower might be lower compared to removing parts, the engine delivers near-maximum power across a broader RPM range.
Using the same Celica GT4 example, if we keep all power parts and adjust the power limiter to reach 464 PP, the car now produces 281 horsepower at 6300 RPM and a more substantial 339 lb-ft of torque at 4300 RPM. The key difference is the power band. With the power limiter, the horsepower curve flattens, providing maximum power much earlier and sustaining it throughout the rev range.
So, which method is better for detuning in Gran Turismo 7: removing parts or using the power limiter? The answer depends on your driving style and the track. A flatter power curve, achieved through the power limiter, can be advantageous in tighter, more technical tracks where consistent power delivery across the RPM range is crucial for corner exits and maintaining momentum. It offers a more linear and predictable throttle response, potentially making the car easier to handle and drive consistently.
On the other hand, removing parts and retaining a more traditional power curve might be preferable on tracks with long straights and sweeping corners. The higher peak horsepower, even if reached at higher RPMs, can provide a stronger top-end rush for straight-line speed and overtaking. This approach might reward drivers who are skilled at managing gear shifts and exploiting the engine’s peak power band.
In conclusion, both removing parts and using the power limiter are viable strategies for detuning cars in Gran Turismo 7. Experimenting with both methods and understanding how they affect your car’s power band is crucial. Consider the track layout and your driving style to determine whether a flatter, limiter-induced power curve or a more traditional, parts-removed power curve will ultimately deliver faster lap times and a more enjoyable driving experience.
