Hi all. I've managed to put the GT3RS wheel rim and body cover on my 911 Turbo S!

Background: I was a beta tester for the original Fanatec 911 Turbo wheel (PC and PS3 only), and when I bought a GT3RS PC wheel w/ the Alcantara rim for my PC, I grew to love the look and feel of that wheel. Sadly, I knew I really wanted a Turbo S wheel when available since that one works on PS3, PC, and Xbox 360 as you well know.

So I got a beta PWTS and asked Thomas w/ Fanatec about doing a swap to get the guts of it into the GT3RS rim. He sent me some basic instructions and said to give it a try, and was very helpful answering my "what if?" and "will this work?" kind of questions.

So anyway, I worked through it this weekend, and here is an instructional video. A bit of it was hairy but it all worked out in the end. Actually, it's a series of videos due to all the details (and 10 minute limit on YouTube.) Feel free to skip around if you don't need all the deets...
YouTube Playlist here
(PS- is there a way to embed the video in this post?)

Quote from Gabkicks :

I turn spring force and damping all the way down and use separated axis for the pedals.. i use the steering lock suitable for whatever car i'm driving. for the Historic GT cars, i use 900 degrees and the recommended realfeel settings included. Most of the time, the cars will come w/ reccommended realfeel settings. The historix mod comes with rfactor ffb setting as well.
here;s an example of a realfeel setting. if you get lots of oscilations, turn the maxforceatsteeringrack up. if you get weak ffb, it is my understanding turning it down will increase ffb? or you can just bump it up somewhere else.


[Corvette GTS-12]
MaxForceAtSteeringRack=1000.000000
SteeringDamper=11500.000000
FFBMixerRealFeelPerc

Thanks! And then for controller settings in rFactor, set up like a G25? Like using negative values for FFB? Just want to make sure i have a good starting point for the controller.ini, etc..., as there seem to be so many things to adjust and I want a good knock your socks off mod/config to demo out. I heard good things about the laser-scanned track(s?) and some mods work better with RealFeel than others, so I'll check around too.

Quote from Gills4life :

The LED plugin for rfactor causes a big fps drop on my game for some reason.

Cool, yeah, I want to start basic without those plugins but it's nice to know they are there. Got any controller or RealFeel settings you like with a nice rFactor mod I can try out? I don't know where to begin with trying out this wheel on that game...

Do any of you others who have the Fanatec 911 Turbo wheel (PWT) also play rFactor? As I've mentioned, I mostly console game thus far, but I do have rFactor and want to try it out. I also want to try LFS, but rFactor has a couple of things I like such as support for my iVibe TFS feedback seat system, and new plug in for the Fanatec wheel LED screen and direct control of the wheel vibe motor, etc...

Anyway, I know this is a LFS forum but if anyone has any decent settings for the game controller in rFactor, RealFeel (yes/no and settings), a reccomended rFactor mod that all works well with this wheel I'd love to try them as a quick starting point. Also even the settings for the wheel properties in the PC's game controllers section. As I'm coming from console-land, settings like auto-center spring, dampening strength, cancel SW dampening effects stuff like that are not ones I needed to set up before. So any tips so I can try out rFactor with this wheel would be apprecaited.

Quote from Gills4life :

I have tried this wheel with pretty much every racing/driving sim on pc (If you can also include ISI games as "sims") and to be honest this wheel actually works the best with GT5p so far. That's just my opinion, but it does feel really good.

Hi- I know this is a LFS forum, but since we've mentioned how we like this wheel with GT5:P on the PS3 as well- I was wondering what settings you prefer on the wheel and in the settings in GT5:P with the Fanatec? Also, does yours rotate violently back and forth if you let it go completly while zooming down a straightaway in GT5:P? I noticed this, and I'm used to it now, but it almost seems like there is a non-defeatable auto-centering spring or something being activated on the wheel by GT5:P. I have not noticed it in some of the other console games that support FFB on this wheel.

Try out Ferrari Challenge if you can on the PS3. It has much stronger and "active" FFB durning cornering than GT5:P even.

Quote from Gills4life :

Sorry for double post, I just want to say how much fun GT5p and this wheel is. It's great and it feels much better to me than the G25. I am not biased because I do own both. This wheel is really good

Glad you got it working. Yep, something about the belt-driven smoothness and the strength of the FFB that makes it something special. Also I just got into shifting with the H shifter. The non-beta (production) one came in a little stiff when in neutral and going to the 5-6 gates, but now it's "loosened" up in use and is really smooth with a nice firmness and click to engage a gear. I'd love to try the Porsche wheel more with PC sims too when I upgrade my PC to handle the latest offerings from LFS and iRacing!

Quote from Gills4life :

Yes it is connected to the PC. I have also tried clicking 2 first to start the update, but no joy. It says there is no device detected. I have opened up the control panel to see what happens to the controller and as soon as i click either 1) or 2) it disappears off of the controller list. I thought that maybe it already had done the update so i went back into GT5p, set it to ps3 mode (the red buttons come on), the buttons all work in the menu, i can select left and right with the turning axis of the wheel and it says the pedals are detected. So that's all good. It's when it comes to going into the game that I get nothing. No detection of anything. So it can't be updating properly. I don't know what to do. I have searched this all over the internet and cannot find anyone with the same problem.

It isn't a problem with the wheel running on the ps3 because it works with Grid, CM Dirt, F1CE etc.. but none of these games are realistic and i'm not really into them. I really want to use this with GT5p so any help would be greatly appreciated.

I'd email Fanatec. I have the main POC's email there and he's helped or helped direct me in the right place before to get any issues solved when I was a tester. I'll PM you the info I have in case you don't have it.

Quote from Gills4life :

As soon as I click to start bootloader for the firmware update, the porsche 911 wheel is disappearing from my devices so it doesn't update, why is it doing this ?!

It's connected USB to the PC, right? Not the PS3. I know it's a PS3 fix, but it's installed whilst connected to the PC running the update program. Anyway, sorry if you knew that already.

It may be that it's already registered in the system (i.e: if you've done the firmware update before)- when this just happened recently I went right to the update step two (I don't have it in front of me, so sorry if I miss their terms.) Anyway, that worked fine- it let me choose the firmware update file, updated, then disappeared as it was supposed to. When I reconnected (and rejoined the RF, if needed) all was working and the PS3 mode w/ orange buttons then worked again in GT5:P.

Last edited by mikemav, Thu, 6 Nov 2008 12:20.

Quote from Gills4life :

I can't even get the fanatec 911 working on GT5p..

Maybe you hadn't seen this; it fixed it for me back when Spec II update came out: http://www.gtplanet.net/forum/showthread.php?t=109720

Quote from oqvist :

Okay so the force feedback in GT5P is just that poor then... I wasn´t impressed with the FFB with the porsche wheel but thought it might just be some settings not suitable for it

I find the FFB much stronger in Ferrari Challenge than in GT5P. I have GT5P settings of 10 for FFB, 100% on wheel, and 33% for the wheel vibe function (vibe w/ gas pedal, called SHO in the on-wheel LED display adjustment.) I also noticed if you up that SHO to 66% the overall resistance of the wheel and even the FFB feels a little stronger, but I find it more precise at 33% and live with the less feedback strength. It is still stronger than the G25 to me (as I recall, though I don't still have the G25 anymore.)

Quote from oqvist :

mike have you used the G25 in GT5P as well?

Yes, but I liked the wheel and shifter better on the PWT, and the metal pedals better on the G25. The G25 wheel felt too loose to me as I like a lot of feedback and real-car like firmness to the wheel response and no dead zone in the middle. The great thing is, on GT5P and Ferrari Challenge, you can feel the difference in wheel resistance vary from car to car with the Porsche wheel more. Now the pedal option for a higher-end solution is solved that their ClubSport metal pedals will be an option for the new Turbo S wheel (360, PC, or PS3, or for the PC only when used with the old wheel.)

Quote from STF :

Thread revival. :bump:
I thought it would be nice to hear from you 911 wheel owners, after all this time.
What are your impressions about the wheel, right now?
No way of saying you didn`t properly test it heh.

Any opinions vs G25 ?

I want to buy a wheel and i.. need info, the sort of stuff you notice in time.. After extensive use.

I love my 911 Turbo wheel; use it every day. I was a beta tester and also had a G25, which I've since gotten rid of. The G25 had a much looser feel around the center and notchier FFB (the 911 is butter smooth but strong since it's belt-driven.) I use it mostly with the PS3 so I can't report too much on drivers or other PC issues. I'm REALLY excited for the new version announced, the 911 Turbo S, which also adds Xbox 360 support (also PC and PS3, from one wheel, finally!) Full FFB and 6 speed H shifter support on the 360 as well. Option for metal adjustable pedals with load cell brake, and vibe motor on the brake pedal- it's a no- brainer as (to me) the 911 wheel architecture is proven, and this is the next evolutionary step. I don't see a thing touching it in this price range. More info:
http://www.fanatec.com/PWTS

Just wanted to chime in since this old thread came up in a search for "ivibe Race 07 & iRacing" or something like that, so I read up on the previous posts. I was curious if there had been any more development on the PC side so I enlisted google and landed here. I'm an addicted ivibe user, but I also find rFactor frustrating in it's million adjustments for FFB, RealFeel, and the interface itself, so I don't really use it on my PC much anymore. Have not tried LFS yet.

The iVibe can be driven in three ways as I understand it:

1) ideally, from a game that supports it like rFactor or GPL. This is where you get real directional forces that simulate Gs pretty damned amazingly- having the different channels for left leg, right leg, and lower and upper back makes every hard stop feel the roll up the back of forces, or leaning into turns rumbling one side more than the other in the proper timing. (I'm not much of a full-time PC gamer but this alone made all my rFactor experminetaiton hell worth it. Hence my search for hope for direct support for a newer game like LFS or iRacing.)

2) there is some kind of universal intellivibe module that can sense joystick/wheel/pedals info from the driver and work in conjunction with game audio to sim the proper forces. I don't know much about this one but would like to learn more. Have to read up sometime...

or

3) using stereo audio inputs, much like a Buttkicker but with the added benefit of stereo. I use this for now since I've been playing my way through Gran Turismo 5 Prologue on the PS3, and before that, Forza 2 on the 360. Both render their car sounds (especially tire scrub and squeal), rumble strips, etc... in stereo. So with the iVibe, I feel it that way on the seat which really really helps without anything but audio cues. The PC software that comes with this little box has about 15 or so DSP filters, parametric EQ, squelch, etc.. for low, mid and high audio frequencies to help get the response just right for a game. These can be saved and loaded when games changed. For instance, I made one for GT5:P that reduces wind noise that is so loud on Daytona, when you notch it out this keeps it from becoming a constant seat rumble that would otherwise mask other road feel like all the good bumps on that track.

Anyway, I ordered it only because he said he'd take it back anytime, so for a while I was anxious to keep it in tip top, returnable shape should it not pan out. Now, I'm obviously sold and over that, as I got a bit buzzed one night and now have a Playseat Evolution with the six tranducers cut into the seat foam for a simple and seamless appearance! I only wish it was directly supported in some newer sims so I could get back to seeing what the PC has to offer. I hear the audio cues are very good in iRacing so maybe I'll try method 2 or 3 with that or with LFS when I get sick of the consoles for the time being.

Quote from ajp71 :

This is the second video on youtube by an American that is so unbelievably biased, doesn't really help Fanatec at all because it's obviously not pointing out the flaws the wheel does have. This kind of crap is of no use to anyone considering the wheel and could just of easily (and more cheaply) been produced by their marketing department.

I agree it seemed too one-sided, especially from a G25 owner, but he seems really enthusiastic about his wheel. YouTube said Toronto, Canada, BTW, not USA. Most of us in the US are still waiting I believe...

Quote from PioneerLv :

Fanatec 911 Turbo Wheel: Gear shifting knob looks uncomfortable. And i don't like that massive wheel centre. And actually why porsche? Would be better, simply racing brand wheel?

Because put yourselves in their position. These guys are gamers- they are an 8 person company I believe they said, and they've made a higher-end gaming mouse I believe before. Not a big giant like Logitech.

So anyway, you're there, much like our poster isamu here, who decided to build his own, wanting better choices in wheels, so you'd like to develop one, but you want to also make enough money to keep the doors open too. There are only so many of us forum-dwellers who are on top of this stuff (I'd barely qualify as that, being a PC-sim newbie), so it's a small market.

What do you do- one way is to licence is to a popular brand, in this case, Porsche, and get their materials, leather stitching plant, wheel design, etc..., to give you an authenticity goal to strive for. Also helps sell something if it has a familar brand to Joe Consumer- Porsche qualifies there. This opens up your market of potential buyers beyond hard-core gamers, to include rich Porsche owners and enthusiests too. They plan to sell these in Porsche dealerships. I think that's quite a brilliant marketing strategy for a small company of gaming fans, who are reading these boards and responding daily.

I think they said it took several years to get Porsche's approval to proceed, and then 3 years in development. I know it won't be perfect, but I can't wait to try mine out. Damn slow delivery company in the US! It should have been here for the weekend. Urgh.

Anyway, Porsche is used here to try to open this wheel up to people beyond just us, so they can hopefully make some money too! I have no problem with that myself.

isamu- the one thing that I find really exciting about your project, other than the obvious great equipment, is the incorporation of the Xbox 360 PCB into your design and the simple 25-pin connector swap to switch between PC/PS3 and 360.

I was asking Fanatec if they could sell us an add-on in the future to the Porsche wheel for the 360 instead of needing a full new wheel they are working on for the 360 in the future. However, due to M$ security chip and I'm sure a mountain of paperwork, it's not possible. But you and your buddy's solution makes me wonder if I end up using this 911 wheel I've ordered over the long term, if I might be able to mod it myself to do just this. I'd love to be able to switch out a cable connector for a second set of cabling run to the 360 wheel PCB and still use the great (for consumer) guts of this wheel, and more importantly, not have to swap entire wheel assemblies on my cockpit.

Do you or your friend have any details, links, or info on tapping into the 360 PCB I could study?

Thanks

Quote from Gabkicks :

sweet hopefully my wheel comes today... i wish there was some way to track where the wheel is exactly... but i dont have the tracking number.

Same here, hoping I'll have a nice package at home in Virginia tonight to play with this weekend!

Quote from niels1 :

The good thing about those pots you can replace them atleast when 1 is broke. At least it are the metal ones instead of those jurky plastic pots. They break easily and can go outside there range. I never seen a metal one go outside its own range. But time will tell, like Teedot said.

Can any of the experts tell from those pics (or if you've opened up your own yet), if it would be easy to tap into these pots or the cables that connect them to the circuit board so they could be connected to another wheel wired?

Stick with me, I know that sounds nuts at first- the reason I ask is that I recall in the Forza 2 community someone was able to connect the Xbox 360 M$ wheel (which connects to its own pedals with an RJ11 cable) to the G25 pedals' pots, enabling him to use the G25 gas and brake (no clutch support on the 360 of course!)

If I end up keeping the 911 wheel, I occasionally use the 360 and it would be great if I could use that G25 trick to tap the pots on these pedals to connect to my M$ wheel so I don't have to swap pedal sets on my Playseat every time I fire up the 360. I didn't know if the pedals being wireless transmission back to the dongle would cause problems, but of course inside the pedal set there must be wired connections running from the pots to the wireless transmitter board.

I'm not suggesting anyone tap into anything or void warranties at this time- I was just curious if you think this might be possible down the line, since it's already known to work on the G25?

I hope my wheel comes today! As an early buyer, I can't wait to give it a try. I think from what I've read so far I'll be a happy camper and I'm glad to go through some initial quirks while the drivers and all are being improved for the long haul!

Quote from deggis :

Actually a modified G25 with authentic looking BMW F1 wheel was used in some of the Intel Racing Tour events, some point of the video you can see it:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=v7HJ14Vt2nQ

I'd guess it's modified by Logitech. But this one will probably never hit the stores...

OMG! From 6:12 to 6:21 in that video, it's so clear that's just a different (kick ass) wheel on existing technology. Build it! Man, that would rock.

Quote from mr_pio :

BTW, this is the latest 997 wheel. I think the Fanatec wheel is modelled on the previous, 996 version.

Another tester myself, watching this topic every hour or so to see when the Germans finally put their depraved hands on the thing

This is more like what I saw at the auto show last weekend, from a 2007 997:


Check the wheel, pedals, and shifter- pretty exact looking to the Fanatec, at least from what I compared on the YouTube video and their website to what's in the car.

BTW, I was told yesterday that my wheel should be arriving soon, as they were stuck in Customs for about a week but due to be released yesterday or today. Fingers crossed...

Okay, first off let me say that I have ordered the 911 wheel and should be part of this initial customer (not beta tester) shipment, which hopefully will go out soon. I'll post my impressions after having paid full price (and with the ability to return it for a restocking fee should I not love it- and I better for that price!)

I chose to try it out over a G25 for several reasons:
-I want to get GT5 for the PS3, as well as try this wheel out on several PC sims, which I am very much a rookie at.
-The wireless was important to me since my PS3 will be in a different room (for example, the range now on the crappy M$ wheel for the 360 & Forza 2 is fine from my main AV rack to my racing seat room, and hopefully this will be too.)
-Also the lights on the buttons switch between PS3 mode and PC mode
-FFB is adjustable outside the game software, which is nice when you play a mix of console and PC games.

I also understand the G25 owners wanting this wheel to be lesser quality than their baby, however, I'm trying to keep an open mind. If I don't like this, it's going back and I'll move my console or try the G25 with a USB extender (although lag could be an issue there.)

The one thing that kills me so far is people trashing this wheel and especially shifter for "looking like a toy." Although I have not gotten mine yet in the flesh, it's ironic that I saw that YouTube video first the exact day I went ot the Washington, DC Auto Show. The Porsche booth had several open cars, including the 911s, where you could sit in, shift, use the pedals, etc.., on the real car. Since Fanatec says the wheel AND shifter(s) are finished in the same shop that stitches the same leather on the real deal Porsche's, I wanted to see what it looked like in the real car. Seeing that video, it looks identical. The shifter in the new Porsche's does look like it has that somewhat plastic-y silver finish with the leather knob, exactly like the Fanatec. The wheel looks the same as well.

So if the G25 feels more real for you, then you simply prefer that kind of wheel finish vs. what is in a real $100k Porsche. I'm not a Porsche fan-boy. I drive a BMW E46 M3 cabrio (and wish BMW Sauber would license an F1-style sim wheel instead, or an alcantara M3 wheel!) However, I do think the Fanatec in the video looks just like what's in the car, so maybe check the source before you label something toy-like. Peace, out.

Last edited by mikemav, Fri, 1 Feb 2008 00:30. Reason : paragraphically lacking; good call