Hotshoe Garage: White Knight

Based on: Mazda Mazda6 5-Door '03
Acquired: Used Car Dealership

SPECS
Drivetrain: FF
Power: 191HP @ 6800
Torque: 165 ft-lbs @ 4300
Weight: 1278kg
Weight Balance: 65 / 35
PP: 400

PARTS
GT Auto
-Engine Rebuild
-Paint: Snow Flake White Pearl Mica
-Wheels: Advan RGII
-Wheel Paint: Dark Grey Mica Metallic

Tuning Shop
-Weight Reduction Stage 1
-ECU Tuning
-Catalytic Converter: Sports
-Fully Customizable Transmission
-Twin Plate Clutch
-Semi-Racing Flywheel
-Adjustable LSD
-Fully Customizable Suspension
-Comfort Soft Tires

SETTINGS
Ballast
-Amount: 0kg
-Position: 0

Engine
-Power Limiter: 100%

Drivetrain
-LSD: 12 / 25 / 7

Suspension
-Ride Height: 0 / 0
-Spring Rate: 6.5 / 5.2
-Extension: 6 / 6
-Compression: 5 / 5
-Anti-Roll Bar: 4 / 3
-Camber: 1.9 / 1.0
-Toe: 0.00 / 0.00

Brakes
Brake Balance: 5 / 8

Transmission
-1st: 3.073
-2nd: 2.073
-3rd: 1.502
-4th: 1.149
-5th: 0.929
-Final: 4.388

DRIVING OPTIONS
Transmission: Optional
Steering Sensitivity: 0
ABS: 1
Other Aids: OFF

A rebuilt engine, fresh oil, no power limiter and still sitting right on 400PP. Looking for a fair fight? The White Knight will bring it.

Tuned for the 400PP Nordschleife shootout @ GTPlanet.

RKM Motorsport: RX-7 R400

RKM Motorsport: RX-7 R400

Based on: 2002 Mazda RX-7 Spirit R
Obtained: New Car Dealer

Drivetrain: FR
Horsepower: 396 BHP (@ 692.5 miles w/rebuild)
Torque:---- 303 ft-lb
Weight:---- 1051 kg

PARTS
GT Auto
Oil Change
Prodrive GC-010G Wheels
Front Aero Type A
Rear Wing Type B
Rebuilt motor upon availability

Tuning Shop
Weight Reduction Stage 3
Lightweight Windows
Carbon Fiber Hood
Engine Tuning Stage 3
ECU Tuning
Sports Header
Sports Exhaust
FC Gearbox
Semi-Racing Flywheel
Semi-Racing Clutch
Carbon Driveshaft
FC LSD
FC Suspension
Sports Soft tires

SETUP

Body/Chassis
Aerodynamics
Downforce: 0/28

Transmission
Transmission
1st:-- 2.915
2nd:-- 1.929
3rd:-- 1.394
4th:-- 1.057
5th:-- 0.842
6th:-- 0.704
7th:-- x.xxx
Final: 4.300
Max Speed: 211

Drivetrain
Differential
Initial: xx/12
Accel:-- xx/56
Braking: xx/30

Suspension
Suspension
Ride Height: 0/0
Spring Rate: 7.8/8.3
Extension:-- 10/10
Compression: 7/7
Anti-Roll:-- 7/1
Camber:----- 3.5/3.1
Toe:-------- -0.17/-0.25

Brakes
Brake Balance Controller
Brake Balance: 7/9

Intended Driving Options
Transmission: Manual (MT)
ABS: 1
Everything else: OFF

Tuner Comments:
This right here is the result of constant evolution since early GT4 tuning efforts. From an initial 350-370hp to 385 and now nearly 400hp, it's grown up a bit and matured noticeably. This doesn't mean it's gotten any fatter; in fact, it's down by 28kg. Beating up on older GT class racecars is easy with this car as long as there's enough corners; it does exactly as you tell it to, exactly when you do.

Well, what else would you expect from a guy that calls himself Rotary Junkie? The third generation RX-7, known also by its FD3S or simply FD chassis code, is a very popular car the world over and has been featured in innumerable street car racing games since the early- to mid-90s. Drift, grip, VIP, show car...the FD can be any and has been all due to its timeless lines, incredible chassis and strong engine. The Spirit R, the last special edition of which the Type A is considered the purest form, is touted as the ultimate RX-7 and the pinnacle of rotary performance. So how will this version go?

Driving it straight off the lot it is easy to see why the car is so popular. The car is well balanced and has an easy feel going about its business. The brakes are great; they slow the car quickly but minus the jerky feel you sometimes get with firm braking. The tail end rotates out slowly and can be easily held or brought back without much fuss. It is said Mazda took the best parts and ideas of all the third gen models and put them into the Spirit R. And it certainly shows in the driving feel. Straight off the lot I was able to run a lap of 2'14.237".

Strangely, the parts list takes the car in a different direction than most. Rather than having a wild rear end and fighting to keep control around corners, it has a tendency to lean toward understeer. There is definitely some wheel spin to be had out back but it is easily quelled. The brakes now are a little too soft, however this is normal with every car that has left the brakes alone but had an increase in speed. Lap time comes in at 2'02.063".

The tune helps quite a bit but maybe not enough. The steering is sharper and it feels nice, however the tendency toward understeer on power is still present. The braking also has a better feel but again, a little on the soft side for my taste. Even so, the car is still fast and puts the power into the pavement instead of up in smoke. I never had much of an issue with the rear coming out even on the tighter, slower corners. I think the brakes are a sticking point on this tune. I feel like I am having to brake sooner than I would like and lose some time on entry. The 2'01.174" time is not bad at all but I did expect it to be faster. Given some time I think it will get under the 2'00.5xx" mark. I will definitely be running this car more and will see if I can find a way around the track better than I have so far. I do love my RX-7s and would like to see this get closer to the NSX-R on this track.

Lap Times
Grand Valley Speedway: 2'01.174"

RKM Motorsport: MX-5 SC

RKM Motorsport: MX-5 SC

Based on: Mazda Eunos Roadster J-Limited (NA) ‘91
Obtained: Brand new from Mazda or win from IB License Bronze

Drivetrain: FR
Horsepower: 234 BHP (@ 52.0 miles)
Torque:---- 26 kgfm
Weight:---- 840 kg
PP:-------- 460

PARTS
GT Auto
BBS RS Wheels
Type A Front Aero

Tuning Shop
Chassis Weight Reduction Stage 3
Rigidity Improvement
Window Weight Reduction
Carbon Bonnet
Engine Tuning Stage 3
Sports ECU
Sports Intake Manifold
Racing Air Filter
Titanium Racing Exhaust
Sports Exhaust Manifold
Catalytic Converter: Sports
Supercharger
Fully Customisable Transmission
Twin Plate Clutch
Semi Racing Flywheel
Carbon Propeller Shaft
Fully Customisable LSD
Fully Customisable Suspension Kit
Sports Soft Tyres

SETUP

Body/Chassis
Ballast
Amount:-- 0
Position: 0

Engine
Power Limiter
Power Level: 100.0%

Transmission
Transmission
(Set Max Speed, then each individual ratio.)
1st:-- 2.653
2nd:-- 1.812
3rd:-- 1.380
4th:-- 1.097
5th:-- 0.895
Final: 4.315
Max Speed: 155 MPH

Drivetrain
Differential
Initial: 0/10
Accel:-- 0/25
Braking: 0/5

Suspension
Suspension
Ride Height: -25/-25
Spring Rate: 4.1/3.2
Extension:-- 6/4
Compression: 3/2
Anti-Roll:-- 1/2
Camber:----- 1.5/1.7
Toe:-------- -0.10/-0.20

Brakes
Brake Balance Controller
Brake Balance: 5/6

Intended Driving Options
Transmission: Manual (MT)
ABS: 1
Everything else: OFF

Tuner Comments:
Internally known as the Super Cute Fun Fun MX-5, but officially called the MX-5 SC. This supercharged little roadster is a direct rival for the Civic VTi-R. With cutesy looks and bright green paint, this MX-5 is as intimidating as a fluffy little bunny. But on the track, this MX-5 can hold it’s own against high-end sports cars.

Super cute fun fun? Fluffy little bunny? Hmm...yeah, I would say that about sums up the perception of the MX-5/Miata/Eunos pretty succinctly. The MX-5 has a reputation here in the States as something of a "chick car". A little rolling jelly bean for woman drivers. Among those who know, however, the MX-5 is a true driver's car. A machine that, despite it's outward appearance, can hang on the track with more than its fair share of rivals.

I would wager that most who play GT5 have this car in some form. Not only is it the lowest tier prize for the license tests but it is also one of the few cars that can be bought with what you get for starting credits. And it is not a bad choice either. In stock form it performs admirably. Fast in terms of pure numbers it is not but it is a well matched car. The power fits the size and the chassis handles it well. So well, in fact, that is can be a pretty boring drive. The car is so easy to use you need not worry about anything is it doing and can devote your full attention to attacking the course. On GVS, with its significant HP disadvantage, I ran a 2'37.459".

Adding on the necessary parts brings up the potential of the car quite a ways. The speed is the biggest difference to note. With the added power and higher limit on the trans the acceleration difference is significant. The stability remains but twice the HP will let the tail slide on power out of a slower corner. I did find that the steering retains the stock feel though. This is not necessarily bad but it does feel a bit lazy and slow. With the changes the lap dropped a good chunk of time to 2'11.866".

With settings applied that numb feeling is gone and replaced with excitement and enthusiasm. The low speed sliding has been tamed and the overall feel is definitely on par with the "Super Cute Fun Fun" moniker. Will this keep up with your Zonda? No, certainly not. But you will have more fun maxing the car's potential with a minimum of stress, just as in the stock version. I had to cut short my test so the 2".11.700" lap time is not necessarily indicative of the true potential of the tune.

With a car as effortlessly easy to drive as the stock roaster it can be difficult to keep that character and add potential. However that is what has been done here. The feel is different but the character of the car is intact. Lap this for a while and it may teach you a thing or two about how to drive that Zonda better as well.

Lap Times
Grand Valley Speedway: 2'11.700"