Forza Horizon 5 Tuning Guide
Part 5 - Grip and Speed Tuning
This part explains how to setup cars in a way that they will work better on grip or speed oriented tracks.
Basically this works by altering standard road and off-road tunes as described in Part 3 and 4 to work better for grip or speed oriented tracks so make sure to first read Part 3 and 4 how to generally setup cars for road and off-road tracks.
Understanding Grip and Speed Tunes
Tuning cars for grip is benefical on grip oriented tracks that sport many mostly slower turns. Generally speaking grip tunes require a softer and more oversteer setup with a low differential setup.
Tuning cars for speed is benefical on speed oriented tracks that sport mostly straights with fewer corners. Generally speaking speed tunes require a stiffer and more understeer setup with a high differential setup.
Tuning for Speed or Grips depends on two factors:
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Differential: the differential setup determines if you're tuning for grip or speed, low differential settings (low accel, high decel) changing bias towards a grip tune while high differential settings (high accel, low decel) changing bias towards a speed tune
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Power: when the car power hits 400hp and above additional tuning is required to compensate higher forces that impact the chassis while cornering
Changed in Horizon 5 Horizon 5 supports more diverse speed and grip tuning as compared to Horizon 4 and now also supports medium speed and medium grip tuning which is more inline with what Forza 7 offers in terms of grip and speed tuning.
The following table gives an overview how grip and speed tuning generally affects the different tuning areas:
Tires ARBs Springs Ride Height Dampers Diff Accel / Decel
Grip Lower Higher Lower Higher Lower Lower / Higher
Medium Grip | ^ | ^ | | ^
Standard -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Medium Speed V | V | V V |
Speed Higher Lower Higher Lower Higher Higher / Lower
For cars with 400 hp or more power additional chassis tuning is required to compensate for higher forces that impact chassis while braking and cornering. The following table gives an overview how grip and speed tuning for high power cars additionally affects the different tuning areas:
Dampers
Camber / Caster ARBs Springs Ride Height Front / Rear Brake Pressure
Grip Lower Lower Lower Higher Higher Lower
Medium Grip | | | ^ ^ |
Standard ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Medium Speed V V V | V V
Speed Higher Higher Higher Lower Higher Higher
Tires
Grip tunes require lower tire pressure as compared to general tunes that provides more grip during cornering combined with a slight oversteer setup. Speed tunes on the other hand require higher tire pressure for improved control during cornering and a slight understeer setup.
Front Tire Pressure Offset Rear Tire Pressure Offset
Grip -1.0 + 0.5 -1.0 - 0.5
Medium Grip -0.5 + 0.5 -0.5 - 0.5
Medium Speed +0.5 - 0.5 +0.5 + 0.5
Speed +1.0 - 0.5 +1.0 + 0.5
Example: Car with sport tire compound, general tire pressures 28.5/28.5
Tire pressures for Grip Tune:
Front Tire Pressure: 28.5 - 1.0 + 0.5 = 28.0
Rear Tire Pressure: 28.5 - 1.0 - 0.5 = 27.0
Tire pressures for Speed Tune:
Front Tire Pressure: 28.5 + 1.0 - 0.5 = 29.0
Rear Tire Pressure: 28.5 + 1.0 + 0.5 = 30.0
Alignment
High Power Cars
For cars with with 400 hp or more power alignment needs to be adjusted to compensate for higher forces that impact chassis while cornering. Speed Tunes require additional camber and higher caster to stabilize the car while cornering. Grip Tunes require lower camber and caster for improved cornering.
Changed in Horizon 5 In Horizon 5 grip and speed tuning for high power cars has slightly been changed as now for grip tunes increased rear camber is required for best cornering performance. Speed tunes on the other hand require lower front camber to stabilize the car during cornering.
Front Camber Offset Rear Camber Offset Caster Offset
Grip +1.0 +1.0 - 3.0 -1.0 Changed in Horizon 5
Medium Grip +0.5 +0.5 -2.5 -0.5 Changed in Horizon 5
Medium Speed -0.5 + 2.5 -0.5 +0.5 Changed in Horizon 5
Speed -1.0 + 3.0 -1.0 +1.0 Changed in Horizon 5
Example: car with >=400 hp power and with general alignment settings: -2.0/-1.5/0.0/0.0/5.0
Alignment for Grip Tune:
Front Camber: -2.0 + 1.0 = -1.0
Rear Camber: -1.5 +1.0 -3.0 = -3.5
Front Toe = 0.0
Rear Toe = 0.0
Caster = 5.0 - 1.0 = 4.0
Alignment for Speed Tune:
Front Camber: -2.0 - 1.0 + 3.0 = 0.0
Rear Camber: -1.5 -1.0 = -2.5
Front Toe = 0.0
Rear Toe = 0.0
Caster = 5.0 + 1.0 = 6.0
Anti-roll Bars
Grip tunes require a slightly stiffer, more oversteer ARB setup as compared to general tunes for faster cornering and reduced body roll. Speed tunes require a softer, more understeer ARB setup that helps stabilizing the car during cornering,
Front ARB Offset Rear ARB Offset
Grip +0.2 - 0.2 +0.2 + 0.2
Medium Grip +0.1 - 0.1 +0.1 + 0.1
Medium Speed -0.1 + 0.1 -0.1 - 0.1
Grip -0.2 + 0.2 -0.2 - 0.2
Example: car with general ARB settings: 20.5/19.5
ARBs for Grip Tune:
Front ARB: 20.5 + 0.2 - 0.2 = 20.5
Rear ARB: 19.5 + 0.2 + 0.2 = 19.9
ARBs for Speed Tune:
Front ARB: 20.5 - 0.2 + 0.2 = 20.5
Rear ARB: 19.5 - 0.2 - 0.2 = 19.1
High Power Cars
For cars with with 400 hp or more power grip and speed tunes require additional ARB adjustments to account for higher forces on the chassis while cornering. Speed tunes require to increase ARB stiffness to stabilize the car while cornering while grip tunes require to reduce ARB stiffness for improved grip while cornering.
ARB Stiffness Offset
Grip -24%
Medium Grip -12%
Medium Speed +12%
Speed +24%
Example: Same car as above with >= 400 hp
ARBs for Grip Tune:
Front ARB: 20.5 - 24% ARB stiffness = 12.8
Rear ARB: 19.9 - 24% ARB stiffness = 11.8
ARBs for Speed Tune:
Front ARB: 20.5 + 24% ARB stiffness = 57.9
Rear ARB: 19.1 + 24% ARB stiffness = 56.9
If you want to understand how ARB stiffness works please refer to the Anti-roll Bars section in Part 2 - Road Tuning.
Springs
Grip tunes require a slightly softer, more oversteer suspension setup as compared to general tunes for more grip and faster cornering. Speed tunes require a slightly stiffer, more understeer suspension setup for improved control and stabilization of the car during cornering.
Front Springs Offset Rear Springs Offset
Grip -1.0 - 1.0 -1.0 + 1.0
Medium Grip -0.5 - 0.5 -0.5 + 0.5
Medium Speed +0.5 + 0.5 +0.5 - 0.5
Speed +1.0 + 1.0 +1.0 - 1.0
Example: car with general spring settings: 738.71 / 592.99
Springs for Grip Tune:
Front springs: 738.71 - 1.0 - 1.0 = 736.71
Rear springs: 592.99 - 1.0 + 1.0 = 592.99
Springs for Speed Tune:
Front springs: 738.71 + 1.0 + 1.0 = 740.71
Rear springs: 592.99 + 1.0 - 1.0 = 592.99
High Power Cars
For cars with with 400 hp or more power grip and speed tunes require additional spring adjustments to account for higher forces on the chassis while cornering. Speed tunes require to increase spring stiffness to stabilize the car while cornering while grip tunes require to reduce springs stiffness for improved grip while cornering.
Spring Stiffness Offset
Grip -24%
Medium Grip -12%
Medium Speed +12%
Speed +24%
Example: Same car as above with >=400hp
Springs for Grip Tune:
Front springs: 736.71 - 24% = 556.63
Rear springs: 592.99 - 24% = 417.85
Springs for Speed Tune:
Front springs: 740.71 + 24% = 897.15
Rear springs: 592.99 + 24% = 760.74
If you want to know how spring stiffness works please refer to Springs section in Part 2 - Road Tuning.
Ride Height
Grip tunes require higher ride height for increased suspension travel while cornering and increased stability during acceleration and braking complemented by a slight oversteer setup. Speed tunes require lower ride height combined with a slight understeer setup for maximum control and stabilization during cornering.
Front Ride Height Offset Rear Ride Height Offset
Grip +0.2 - 0.2 +0.2 + 0.2
Medium Grip +0.1 - 0.1 +0.1 + 0.1
Medium Speed -0.1 + 0.1 -0.1 - 0.1
Speed -0.2 + 0.2 -0.2 - 0.2
Example: car with general ride height settings: 5.0 / 6.0
Ride height for Grip Tune:
Front ride height: 5.0 + 0.2 - 0.2 = 5.0
Rear ride height: 6.0 + 0.2 + 0.2 = 6.4
Ride height for Speed Tune:
Front ride height: 5.0 - 0.2 + 0.2 = 5.0
Rear ride height: 6.0 - 0.2 - 0.2 = 5.6
Changed in Horizon 5 High Power Cars
For cars with with 400 hp or more power grip and speed tunes require maximum ride height to stabilize the car while cornering.
Front Ride Height Offset Rear Ride Height Offset
Grip set to max set to max
Medium Grip set to max set to max
Medium Speed set to max set to max
Speed set to max set to max
Dampers
As with springs grip tunes require a slightly softer and more oversteer damper setup for faster cornering as compared to general tunes. Speed tunes require a stiffer and more understeer damper setup for improved control and stabilization during cornering.
Front Damper Offset Rear Damper Offset
Grip -0.2 - 0.2 -0.2 + 0.2
Medium Grip -0.1 - 0.1 -0.1 + 0.1
Medium Speed +0.1 + 0.1 +0.1 - 0.1
Speed +0.2 + 0.2 +0.2 - 0.2
Example: car with general damper settings: 12.4 / 12.1 / 5.3 / 5.1
Dampers for Grip Tune:
Front rebound: 12.4 - 0.2 - 0.2 = 12.0
Rear rebound: 12.1 - 0.2 + 0.2 = 12.1
Front bump: 5.3 - 0.2 - 0.2 = 4.9
Rear bump: 5.1 - 0.2 + 0.2 = 5.1
Dampers for Speed Tune:
Front rebound: 12.4 + 0.2 + 0.2 = 12.8
Rear rebound: 12.1 + 0.2 - 0.2 = 12.1
Front bump: 5.3 + 0.2 + 0.2 = 5.7
Rear bump: 5.1 + 0.2 - 0.2 = 5.1
High Power Cars
For cars with with 400 hp or more power grip and speed tunes require additional damper adjustments to account for higher forces on the chassis while cornering. Speed tunes require to increase rear dampers to stabilize the car while cornering while grip tunes require to increase front for improved stabilization on corner entry.
Front Damper Offset Rear Damper Offset
Grip +2.5 0.0
Medium Grip +1.5 0.0
Medium Speed 0.0 +1.5
Speed 0.0 +2.5
Example: Same car as above with >= 400 hp
Dampers for Grip Tune:
Front rebound: 12.4 + 2.5 = 14.9
Rear rebound: 12.1
Front bump: 4.9 + 2.5 = 7.4
Rear bump: 5.1
Dampers for Speed Tune:
Front rebound: 12.6
Rear rebound: 12.1 + 2.5 = 14.6
Front bump: 5.5
Rear bump: 5.1 + 2.5 = 7.6
Brakes
Grip tunes require more braking force on the rear and a slight oversteer setup as compared to general tunes for improved braking while turning (trail braking). Speed tunes require more braking force on the front and a slight understeer setup for improved braking and stabilization before corners (straight line braking).
Brake Distribution Brake Pressure
Grip + 2% +5%
Medium Grip + 2% +5%
Medium Speed - 2% -5%
Speed - 2% -5%
Example: car with general brake settings: 52% / 125%
Brakes for Grip Tune:
Brake distribution: 52% + 2% = 54%
Brake pressure: 125% + 5% = 130%
Brakes for Speed Tune:
Brake distribution: 52% - 2% = 50%
Brake pressure: 125% - 5% = 120%
High Power Cars
For cars with with 400 hp or more power grip and speed tunes require additional brake pressure adjustment to account for higher forces during braking. Speed tunes require to increase brake pressure while grip tunes require to decrease brake pressure.
Brake Pressure Offset
Grip -20%
Medium Grip -10%
Medium Speed +10%
Speed +20%
Example: Same car as above with >= 400 hp
Brakes for Grip Tune:
Brake distribution: 54%
Brake pressure: 130% - 20% = 110%
Brakes for Speed Tune:
Brake distribution: 50%
Brake pressure: 120% + 20% = 140%
Differential
Speed tunes require higher accel and lower decel for improved turn-in and turn-out performance. Grip tunes require lower accel and higher decel to stabilize the car on corner entry.
Accel Offset Decel Offset
Grip -24% +40%
Medium Grip -12% +20%
Medium Speed +12% -20%
Speed +24% -40%
Example: car with general differential settings: 28% / 45%
Differential for Grip Tune:
Accel: 28% - 24% = 4%
Decel: 45% + 40% = 85%
Differential for Speed Tune:
Accel: 28% + 24% = 52%
Decel: 45% - 40% = 5%
Gearing
Grip tunes require shorter gearing as compared to general tunes for improved acceleration and better utilization of the engines powerband that allows to better attack and accelerate out of corners. Speed tunes require longer gearing for higher top speed on the straights.
For grip tunes simply increase the final drive by 0.5 as compared to general tunes. For speed tunes reduce the final drive by 0.5 as compared to general tunes
Final Drive Offset
Grip +0.5
Medium Grip +0.25
Medium Speed -0.25
Speed -0.5
Example: car with general gearing settings: final drive 4.38, stock gear ratios
Gearing for Grip Tune:
Final Drive: 4.38 + 0.5 = 4.88
Gear ratios: stock gear ratios
Gearing for Speed Tune:
Final Drive: 4.38 - 0.5 = 3.88
Gear ratios: stock gear ratios
Aero
Grip tunes require maximum downforce for maximum grip while cornering and improved braking and acceleration. Speed tunes require minimum downforce for maximum top speed on the straights.
For grip tunes simply set front and rear downforce to maximum available values and for speed tunes set front and rear downforce to minimum values.
Don't forget to adjust springs and dampers afterwards to compensate for added or removed downforce as described in general tuning.
Front Downforce Offset Rear Downforce Offset
Grip Tune set to max set to max
Medium Grip +15% +30%
Medium Speed -15% -30%
Speed Tune set to min set to min
Example: RWD car with general aero settings 127 (min) / 395 (max)
Downforce for Medium Grip Tune:
Front Downforce = 127 + (127 * 15%) = 146.05 --> 146
Rear Downforce = 395 + (395 * 30%) = 513.5 --> 395 (max)
Downforce for Medium Speed Tune:
Front Downforce = 127 - (127 * 15%) = 107.95 --> 127 (min)
Rear Downforce = 395 - (395 * 30%) = 276.5 --> 277
Changed in Horizon 5 High Power Cars
For cars with with 400 hp or more power grip and speed tunes always require increased front aero to stabilize the car while cornering.
Note that this only applies if the car is equipped with an adjustable race, rally or off-road suspension.
Front Downforce Offset Rear Downforce Offset
Grip Tune +15% set to max
Medium Grip +15% +30%
Medium Speed +15% -30%
Speed Tune +15% set to min
Example: same car as above with >=400hp
Downforce for Medium Grip Tune:
Front Downforce = 127 + (127 * 15%) = 146.05 --> 146
Rear Downforce = 395 + (395 * 30%) = 513.5 --> 395 (max)
Downforce for Medium Speed Tune:
Front Downforce = 127 + (127 * 15%) = 146.05 --> 146
Rear Downforce = 395 - (395 * 30%) = 276.5 --> 277