Just wondered if the clutch is modeled realistically? For example if a Car IRL has automatic clutch, does that override any setting you put in the game. Been doing Bounty Hunter this week in the Viper, and the gear changes seem to be smoother sounding when not using clutch.
Any thoughts on this?
Shifting with the clutch always sounds a little rough. Just how it is. The only issue would be is if you’re pinging the rev limiter like crazy between shifts.
The clutch in the game is to add difficulty and the result is an increase in acceleration after each upshift. There is an acceleration increase for using manual, but it is not as much as you would get if you used clutch.
However, using the clutch in the highest classes doesn’t give as much of a boost as in lower classes, but the benefit is still there. This is the reason why manual and automatic (assuming excellent driving ability) can keep up on the leaderboards and win in an average lobby.
Use what you like, but just know you’re probably losing time.
In testing in FM4, there were only a handful of cars that were faster with manual. Not sure if such has been tested in this game, but when in doubt, do whatever the top guys are doing.
If you don’t shift at the right point, manual with clutch will give an audible indication that you didn’t get it right. When you do get the right shift point, it will sound pretty smooth and it will be quicker accelerating than just manual.
Bottom line answer to your question is absolutely not. Forza has three options for transmission type - automatic, manual, and manual with clutch. IRL the manual mode (without clutch) is known as a dual clutch transmission. It is used in most high-end sports cars and virtually all race cars and is commonly referred to as a floppy paddle when the actuators are located on the steering wheel. Here’s where Forza varies from real life, there is no way shifting with a floor-mounted-foot-operated clutch would be faster than the fraction-of-a-second computer controlled and operated dual clutch transmission. If it were, they’d still be using them in formula 1 and Lemans prototypes. If manual with clutch mode were accurately modeled, 99% of the people using that mode would find themselves on the side of the track with blown engines/transmissions - instead they enjoy virtually no clutch lag which results is a time benefit depending on track length of up 2-3 seconds a lap.
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What Oitzubob said, right on every count IMO.
Manual with clutch is way faster in FM, you accelerate faster and get better engine braking effect on the way down the gears allowing better differential settings.
Here’s how I have mine set up:
RT: Accelerate
LT: Brake
LB: Gear UP
RB: Gear Down
A: Clutch
In options you have to reverse the gear shifts to get the LB /RB button combo and find the option that puts the clutch on ‘A’
The reason for my layout is that in general you are changing ‘up’ while accelerating, and ‘down’ while braking, so you are only using on finger per hand to operate Accelerate, Brake, Upshift and Downshift, with your thumb operating the clutch.
Hope this helps, but find the way you are comfortable with.
P.S. Turn on ABS and TCS while learning to use the clutch, that way you don’t have to concentrate on not locking the brakes and spinning.