The "Real" Talon Simulator

[VETDRMS]

While the 2.4 project is off at the machine stop and I am waiting on a few parts I spent the last two holiday weekends with no projects. I couldn't take it any longer and decided to build something.

I picked up a barely used Logitech G25 from a good friend at a great price (thanks Meng!) and decided to build a racing sim seat setup that matched the interior dimensions of a 2g Talon/Eclipse.

I measured out the interior layout and driving position in my '97 Talon and drew up a few plans. The goal was to be in the same driving position so seat, wheel, pedals, shifter all had to be in the same spots and at the same angles. The pedal height is set at the same height and at approximately the same angle. The spacing is not very far off, but can't be adjusted (the gas pedal is 2" too close to the brake pedal). I "stretched" it 3" as I am 6'6" and I didn't want my knees to rest on the dash like they do in the Talon.

I used 4 caster wheels to make it mobile and roll it out of the living room when not in use. It is tempting to take it for a ride down the driveway...

The nice guys at English Racing hooked me up with a nice tan 1g seat to use as the mock-up until I can find a power 2g seat. I have a TEC power supply that will run the power seat once I find one. However, the 1g seat is growing on me. Yes, it is a passenger seat, but the price was right and the driving position feels good.

Materials consist of 2 10' 2x4s; 1 1x8' pine board; 1 sheet of 1/4" tri-ply layment; 1/2 sheet of 3/8" plywood; 108"x72" automotive dash/trim carpet; 2 cans of adhesive; and various fasteners. All the G25 pieces are bolted down.

Overall I am happy with how it turned out. I stayed as true to the original dimensions as I could and the driving "feel" is a lot like sitting in the Talon.

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[Juanpa]

Sweet

 

[RadDsm]

####ing bad ass.

If I had one of those, I'd actually play video games.

 

[1990AWD]

that's pretty darn awesome!

 

[nuclearr]

I say get a 2g dash and cut it up and put it on your plat form.

 

[EagleTSIawd]

That looks freaken awesome, I have that same steering wheel. Did you know you could have placed the pedals upside down for a more realistic feel/look, you know, so the pivot point is on top as opposed to on the bottom.

 

[2gGSXEclipse]

That looks freaken awesome, I have that same steering wheel. Did you know you could have placed the pedals upside down for a more realistic feel/look, you know, so the pivot point is on top as opposed to on the bottom.

Wouldnt they all be backwards then???

 

[Silver99OZ]

You sir are the man, that thing is awesome.

 

[EagleTSIawd]

Wouldnt they all be backwards then???

Oh yeah, but that thing has easy to remove screws to change the pedals position, so after doing that you flip the pedals pads upside down then mount everything upside down.

There's a website (I forget what it was called) that sells a device that bolts up on the back of the pedal and it gives it resistance to simulate brake/clutch pressure, kinda cool.

 

[laserspeeddemon]

I have 2 DSM seats that I am holding on to, to do the same thing. I have a few design changes in mind; like a tilting seat base (to accommodated different drivers). And being positioned much higher, both for easy of getting in/out and to make room for the tilting base.

 

[VETDRMS]

Thanks for the nice comments guys.

EagleTSIawd:
I didn't know you could flip the pedals, that would be kind of neat. That's definitely a possibility if there is a V2. I did put them on an incline so the pedal angle is the same as the Talon, but you are right the action is a little different due to the pivot point. Overall driving feel is good though.

laserspeeddemon:
That is one of the reasons I want a 2g power seat so it can be raised/lowered. I am 6'6" and my wife is 5'3" and she is as comfortable in this setup as I am so it was built for both of us. The height of the seat actually matches the Talon's seat height from the ground so it is similar to getting in/out of the car. I will have to take a picture of this beside the car with the door open. At this height where my TV is mounted the edge of the "dash" sits just at the lower bezel of the TV. I had to move the 3D transmitter to get it to work with the glasses, but 3D GT5 is pretty freaking sweet with this thing.

 

[LucasEnglish]

Trav,

I should have given you a gauge cluster too...that would have been AWESOME.

aaron

 

[TheDamnCobraGuy]

That is pretty damn cool! Are you going to hook it up to a pc and a TV screen?

 

[96awd]

Wow, that's dedication. haha I'd rock it!

 

[laserspeeddemon]

laserspeeddemon:
That is one of the reasons I want a 2g power seat so it can be raised/lowered. I am 6'6" and my wife is 5'3" and she is as comfortable in this setup as I am so it was built for both of us. The height of the seat actually matches the Talon's seat height from the ground so it is similar to getting in/out of the car. I will have to take a picture of this beside the car with the door open. At this height where my TV is mounted the edge of the "dash" sits just at the lower bezel of the TV. I had to move the 3D transmitter to get it to work with the glasses, but 3D GT5 is pretty freaking sweet with this thing.

See, for me I hate getting in and out of my lowered DSM. I'd much rather have a "game" a little higher, but that's just me. I'd love to try playing GT5 in 3D that just sound awesome!!!!

 

[anthonydinatale]

See, for me I hate getting in and out of my lowered DSM. I'd much rather have a "game" a little higher, but that's just me. I'd love to try playing GT5 in 3D that just sound awesome!!!!

I hate getting in and out of my Dsm even when it wasn't lowered

 

[VETDRMS]

Trav,

I should have given you a gauge cluster too...that would have been AWESOME.

aaron

It wouldn't really be too hard to take a dash/center console and do a wrap-around. You plan on gutting that 2g? hahaha

If only there was a serial out for GT5 that you could drive gauges with. How it's setup the wheel on screen in cockpit view is in line with the real wheel so you can see the gauges through the wheel.

That seat cleaned up pretty good, even found some change stuffed in the crevices.

That is pretty damn cool! Are you going to hook it up to a pc and a TV screen?

The seating position is about 5' from a Sony 55" 3D LCD. It works with the PS3 and the PC. The PC supports 3D so I will be loading up some GriD tonight to see how it works with that. I could actually mount three 22" LCDs on the dash area and get a wrap around effect with a PC, but the current setup works great. The Nürburgring has never been so fun.

 

[9O_tsi]

this is sick! i want one for forza..

 

[Bluefire16]

You sir....have to much free time

 

[TheDamnCobraGuy]

If I buy you the materials, and the Logitech will you make me one?

 

[VETDRMS]

You sir....have to much free time

Actually the opposite is true, just dedicated. I built this in 2 days over the weekend just to get it done and on to other things. The 2.4 shortblock is nearly done and soon it will be time to tear down the Talon for the new motor and a transmission freshen-up.

If I buy you the materials, and the Logitech will you make me one?

There is probably about 20 hours into this, which includes all the time to figure things out so they could be made faster now. After using it a while I may make an "improved" version. Shipping something like this would be expensive though.

 

[NeMiZiS]

That is awesome, but did you have to use a leather seat!!!?
I'll trade you a cloth tan seat, for that leather one!
Probably makes the game way more fun!

 

[BlackMount]

now if only the 2 famous driving simulators featured 1G's

 

[2gmummy]

That is pretty damn cool! Are you going to hook it up to a pc and a TV screen?

EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW shitstain i mean mustang

 

[96pos dsm]

now thats sweet