Have a Race Wheel and Petals for PC looking for the next step like a cockpit, recommend?

Not a very experienced race sim guy only been doing it for three months, but I feel like to get into a lot it would be my best interest to snag up the whole nine yards. Always been into cars just in general and I feel like it would be awesome to get into sim racing. If anyone could recommend what I should do next or even a cockpit at my price range let me know. This cockpit https://www.ebay.com/itm/GTA-F-Raci...AOSwIz5cxHrt:sc:FedExHomeDelivery!61081!US!-1 I would say is in my price range. Thanks!
 
Can you list the equipment you already have or may intend to upgrade to in the future? Wheelbase, pedals, single or multiple monitors etc.

I had a quick look at the rig in your link and that's not really a good choice in terms of strength and also poor value for the price. I can see the initial appeal in that it's a ready to go solution but it isn't worth the money in the long term unless you only intend to use light, low power peripherals with it.

It will most likely cost just a few hundred dollars more to go for something much sturdier and future proof but will be much better value in the long term.
 
Upvote 0
Can you list the equipment you already have or may intend to upgrade to in the future? Wheelbase, pedals, single or multiple monitors etc.

I had a quick look at the rig in your link and that's not really a good choice in terms of strength and also poor value for the price. I can see the initial appeal in that it's a ready to go solution but it isn't worth the money in the long term unless you only intend to use light, low power peripherals with it.

It will most likely cost just a few hundred dollars more to go for something much sturdier and future proof but will be much better value in the long term.
Perfect! I can tell you things I already have. Basically all I have is the G920 wheel and the petals that i just clamp to my desk currently. Just a single 27 inch Asus 144z monitor and I plan to get the G920 shifter. And that for the advice on the cockpit. That's why I came to a place like this cause i'm not experienced with buying stuff like this at all
 
Upvote 0
As a guideline, I'd personally be inclined to go for something more like this.

Sim Lab GT1-EVO:
https://sim-lab.eu/product/gt1-evo/

Sim Lab GT1-EVI single screen mount:
https://sim-lab.eu/product/gt1-evo-monitor-holder/

You'd need to add a seat of your choice which would bring the overall price up a few hundred dollars over your initial choice but it'lll be worth it in the long run as it can be expanded to fit any future changes and also be strong enough for any equipment upgrades you may make once you get bitten by the bug :)

You don't necessarily have to go with Sim Lab either. You can find similar types of rig for slightly less money and also closer to your location to help with shipping costs and waiting times (I'm assuming that's the US).

I'm sure other members will also pop into this thread with their suggestions so don't feel rushed into making a decision just yet.
 
Upvote 0
As a guideline, I'd personally be inclined to go for something more like this.

Sim Lab GT1-EVO:
https://sim-lab.eu/product/gt1-evo/

Sim Lab GT1-EVI single screen mount:
https://sim-lab.eu/product/gt1-evo-monitor-holder/

You'd need to add a seat of your choice which would bring the overall price up a few hundred dollars over your initial choice but it'lll be worth it in the long run as it can be expanded to fit any future changes and also be strong enough for any equipment upgrades you may make once you get bitten by the bug :)

You don't necessarily have to go with Sim Lab either. You can find similar types of rig for slightly less money and also closer to your location to help with shipping costs and waiting times (I'm assuming that's the US).

I'm sure other members will also pop into this thread with their suggestions so don't feel rushed into making a decision just yet.
Sounds good. Yes you're are correct about being in the US and yeah I got time not gonna rush it but , Would you recommend any seats. I'm a smaller guy around 150 pounds?
 
Upvote 0
Sounds good. Yes you're are correct about being in the US and yeah I got time not gonna rush it but , Would you recommend any seats. I'm a smaller guy around 150 pounds?

Really depends on what you feel is best for you e.g. bucket seat or something more comfy that can be reclined within your set budget. eBay and Amazon have plenty of choices in the lower price range or you can step up to something more dedicated at a non ridiculous price like this:

 
Upvote 0
I have one of those seats on order, but I'm 6' and currently about 190lbs. I think Gary specifically said he was about 150 lbs and this was a bit loose on him.

I think NRG has narrower seats that are also less expensive than the Sparco EVO that Barry uses.

Edit: fixed that :)
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0
I have one of those seats on order, but I'm 6' and currently about 190lbs. I think Gary specifically said he was about 150 lbs and this was a bit loose on him.

I think NRG has narrower seats that are also less expensive than the Sparco EVO that Barry uses.

Edit: fixed that :)
I'll check out the chairs thanks for the input!
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0
I tried Sparco and Illest seats at a local garage and the illest was definitely a tighter fit for me.
Best bet is to go to a garage that sells racing equipment and ask to try sitting in their seats. Most will easily entertain the idea and you get a sort of try before you buy.
 
Upvote 0
Looking for maybe a chair in the 200 range

I got a VW Passat seat out of a wreck that I've enjoyed for the last 2 years. For rally is was great, with a light brake pedal it was great. It only cost me $40

I just ordered a racing shell because I've been running my Sprint pedals at 65kg and needed more support for my back.
 
Upvote 0
I tried Sparco and Illest seats at a local garage and the illest was definitely a tighter fit for me.
Best bet is to go to a garage that sells racing equipment and ask to try sitting in their seats. Most will easily entertain the idea and you get a sort of try before you buy.
Sounds fair I’ll look around for a place that sells seats
 
Upvote 0
I got a VW Passat seat out of a wreck that I've enjoyed for the last 2 years. For rally is was great, with a light brake pedal it was great. It only cost me $40

I just ordered a racing shell because I've been running my Sprint pedals at 65kg and needed more support for my back.
So you’re saying a can get a cheap chair at a junkyard?
 
Upvote 0
I went to a car parts place specializing in imports. I had to remove the seat myself which did require I get a specific torx bit, but it was pretty easy. I took the passenger seat since it had less wear and I did pressure wash it when I got it home.

The upside is that it will recline. Mine has lumbar support and even adjustable height. Mine even had a nice metal sprung plate supporting the seat that was a great place to mount a transducer.

A car seat will typically be more comfortable, fit more people and be more adjustable. Typically you are unbolting the slider mechanism with the seat so it saves you that cost as well.

The downside is that it won't have the same back support of a racing shell seat. It will flex more than a shell, but to be fair that didn't matter to me until I started using a strong load cell brake.

So it saves a chunk of money and if you are OK with it not being a rigid shell it works well.

I did use cut a couple metal pins off the bottom of the sliders, but it had a number of places to bolt it to a frame with. I bolted it to 8020 profile. The recliner, lumbar and height adjustment are all manual.
seatMounted.jpg
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0
As a guideline, I'd personally be inclined to go for something more like this.

Sim Lab GT1-EVO:
https://sim-lab.eu/product/gt1-evo/

Sim Lab GT1-EVI single screen mount:
https://sim-lab.eu/product/gt1-evo-monitor-holder/

You'd need to add a seat of your choice which would bring the overall price up a few hundred dollars over your initial choice but it'lll be worth it in the long run as it can be expanded to fit any future changes and also be strong enough for any equipment upgrades you may make once you get bitten by the bug :)

You don't necessarily have to go with Sim Lab either. You can find similar types of rig for slightly less money and also closer to your location to help with shipping costs and waiting times (I'm assuming that's the US).

I'm sure other members will also pop into this thread with their suggestions so don't feel rushed into making a decision just yet.
Is this the best frame for this price point?
 
Upvote 0
Is this the best frame for this price point?

I think it is, but I say that from my perspective here in the UK. I'm not so sure that's the case for those in the USA due to the possible shipping and import taxes you may have to pay. Perhaps others here from your side of the pond could chip in and clarify whether I'd be wrong in my assumptions.

I do remember hearing of a US based shop named 4play, who were said to be offering similar 8020 style rigs in your neck of the woods for very competitive prices but I can't seem to find much clear information on either their site or eBay shop:
https://www.ebay.com/str/4playracingusa
http://www.4playracing.com/
 
Upvote 0
I think it is, but I say that from my perspective here in the UK. I'm not so sure that's the case for those in the USA due to the possible shipping and import taxes you may have to pay. Perhaps others here from your side of the pond could chip in and clarify whether I'd be wrong in my assumptions.

I do remember hearing of a US based shop named 4play, who were said to be offering similar 8020 style rigs in your neck of the woods for very competitive prices but I can't seem to find much clear information on either their site or eBay shop:
https://www.ebay.com/str/4playracingusa
http://www.4playracing.com/
Haven’t heard from anyone on the US side should I hold out on it?
 
Upvote 0

Latest News

Online or Offline racing?

  • 100% online racing

    Votes: 78 7.0%
  • 75% online 25% offline

    Votes: 122 10.9%
  • 50% online 50% offline

    Votes: 163 14.6%
  • 25% online 75% offline

    Votes: 308 27.6%
  • 100% offline racing

    Votes: 442 39.6%
  • Something else, explain in comment

    Votes: 4 0.4%
Back
Top