The Paranoid Tourist Posted Apr 12, 2011, 4:17 pm	Hello again, everyone. It's your old pal PT here, back with another comparison of component abilities. This time we are testing the relative acceleration of various vehicles with identical engines, weight, tires, driver, and track. The idea of this is to see if any chassis have a better acceleration characteristic than others, and to see if any have a stronger low gear, high gear, etc. So here it goes: For this test, each vehicle was given a 3.2L engine at 100%, standard tires, and was outfitted however necessary to weigh exactly 3823 uhh...units. How I came to that number is really anyone's guess, but with it I was able to make a Flash and Apache weigh the same amount (lightly A-armored Apache and fully loaded C-armored Flash with a Reinforced Ram and Flechette Gun in the trunk). Before rambling on, I'll just give the results. From this we can see that most of these vehicles have the same characteristics throughout the test, and all of them hit 100 mph at right around the 20 second mark. There are a couple of unique cases, though. The Hotrod, probably as no surprise to anyone, came in at the top of the pack for acceleration. The Sunrise had slightly better numbers than the field, and the Buccaneer did significantly better. I certainly can't tell the reasons for this, but it is something to keep in mind when you're building your next racer. Another very interesting point comes at the very beginning of the test. The Chomper and Apache both accelerated from 0 to 21 mph in just one second, nearly doubling the ability of the rest of the chassis. Apparently, this is the "low gear" that some of the pickup-style chassis get to give them better offroad ability. The Pickup shows a similar characteristic, matching the Apache almost exactly through the graph, but hits only 18 mph through the first turn, rather than 21. While hard to see in the above graph, this zoomed-in view should make it a bit clearer. This "low gear" puts the Chomper and Apache ahead of the crowd for much of the test. The Chomper begins to fall back to meet the crowd after about 15 turns, though, while the Apache stays about a turn ahead throughout the test because of its head start. This means that if an Apache and a Phoenix of equal weight have a drag race from a dead start, the Apache will win within the timeframe of this test. However, if the two started the race rolling, the Phoenix would likely win, though not by much. Okay, now to the muscle cars. This test was done in exactly the same fashion as the above test. Nearly all of the muscle cars have been run, now. The McFly and Buccaneer currently lead the pack in acceleration, but none of the cars shows a tremendous advantage over the others. The biggest surprise in this test to me was how slow the Osprey was compared to the rest. I suppose this is something that the Osprey haters will use as evidence and the Osprey lovers will find as a tradeoff. Well, another addition. Since there was talk of different armors producing different aerodynamics, etc, I tested them. Each of these was a Phoenix with a 4L engine and standard tires that weighed 3020. The only difference was in the armor. According to this there is no major difference between armor grades, at least not on this chassis or at these speeds. The B armor took a slight advantage in the trial, but the difference was well within any margin of error that is likely in this style of testing. Incidentally, I had to run some of these trials twice, because I managed to injure my ganger during one of them. (Don't ask) The good news is that I found there is also no measurable difference in the ability of a driver at 100% and one at 80% when it comes to acceleration. I had always assumed that, now there is some proof. As always, I hope you find this interesting and helpful, and let me know if you want anything specific tested. I'll see what I can do. Credits: Thanks to Marrkos for the loan of the Roadrunner for the test. Thanks to Rev. V for the use of the Moray. Thanks to Sagal for loaning me his McFly for a day.
johnny go Posted Apr 12, 2011, 4:29 pm	Nice! Uncal buck for the win!
Juris Posted Apr 12, 2011, 5:01 pm	The Paranoid Tourist said: As always, I hope you find this interesting and helpful, and let me know if you want anything specific tested. I'll see what I can do. PT, you are a post-apoc Consumer Reports How about testing the larger vehicles - buzzer, fire engine, etc? A 'best muscle' test would also be cool - with a 4L or 3.2 v-8.
The Paranoid Tourist Posted Apr 12, 2011, 5:05 pm	The best muscle test I can do, as I own most of them, though I'll probably just use 3.2L engines in those, as well, because I own a cache of them and won't have to re-test those that I've done for this test. I don't have a Buzzer in SS, nor any place, really, where there would be a track suitable to testing these. I no longer own a fire engine, either. Maybe someday I'll get my hands on some of those and be able to give them their due. The other problem that sticks out in my mind with those, though, is the sheer size discrepancy. Would I put a 4L engine in each of them, including the Fire Engine and Trash Truck?
Karz Master Posted Apr 12, 2011, 5:46 pm	Cool graph. Now get to work on a regression system for us analytical geeks
FireFly Posted Apr 12, 2011, 5:49 pm	I hope you have a stormer
The Paranoid Tourist Posted Apr 12, 2011, 6:03 pm	Karz Master said: Cool graph. Now get to work on a regression system for us analytical geeks Argh. I really don't want to do that. hehehe
The Underking Posted Apr 12, 2011, 6:07 pm	If not I'd be happy to donate one
The Paranoid Tourist Posted Apr 12, 2011, 8:20 pm	I filled in the gaps on the first test and added a preliminary study of the muscle cars.
*Rev. V* Posted Apr 12, 2011, 8:30 pm	I'll loan you a Moray if you'd like...
Marrkos Posted Apr 12, 2011, 8:33 pm	I'll loan you a Roadrunner.
*Longo* Posted Apr 12, 2011, 8:37 pm	Anything else you need to test look in my garage you can borrow if needed.
johnny go Posted Apr 12, 2011, 8:51 pm	*puts on fake mustache* what a kind offer, can i borrow your mcfly?
d0dger Posted Apr 12, 2011, 9:17 pm	Interesting to see the Osprey results... though 8 mph difference after 20 rounds of straight on acceleration doesn't amount to much of a difference.
Zephyr Posted Apr 12, 2011, 9:48 pm	Awesome work, Tourist! This is the kind of thing I've been wanting to do for a while now but haven't had time. Excellent procedure there. Would be interesting to see if the other racing chassis (mackenzie, turin, etc) have that super accel like the hotrod; I would expect they would have an even steeper curve. Re: aerodynamics. Sam has said that aerodynamics of the chassis types plays a part, but this graph seems to indicate that that is not the case. It is interesting to see that the Corghette and the Apache's acceleration curves are, largely, identical. I wonder if the A-armor on the apache made a difference? Sam has said in the past that a-armor also gives a vehicle a boost to its aerodynamics.
d0dger Posted Apr 12, 2011, 9:52 pm	Zephyr said: Awesome work, Tourist!  This is the kind of thing I've been wanting to do for a while now but haven't had time.  Excellent procedure there.  Would be interesting to see if the other racing chassis (mackenzie, turin, etc) have that super accel like the hotrod; I would expect they would have an even steeper curve. Re: aerodynamics.  Sam has said that aerodynamics of the chassis types plays a part, but this graph seems to indicate that that is not the case.  It is interesting to see that the Corghette and the Apache's acceleration curves are, largely, identical.  I wonder if the A-armor on the apache made a difference?  Sam has said in the past that a-armor also gives a vehicle a boost to its aerodynamics.  Would probably be possible on an apache to test A,B,C armor all at the same total weight.
The Paranoid Tourist Posted Apr 12, 2011, 10:05 pm	Zephyr said: Awesome work, Tourist!  This is the kind of thing I've been wanting to do for a while now but haven't had time.  Excellent procedure there.  Would be interesting to see if the other racing chassis (mackenzie, turin, etc) have that super accel like the hotrod; I would expect they would have an even steeper curve. Re: aerodynamics.  Sam has said that aerodynamics of the chassis types plays a part, but this graph seems to indicate that that is not the case.  It is interesting to see that the Corghette and the Apache's acceleration curves are, largely, identical.  I wonder if the A-armor on the apache made a difference?  Sam has said in the past that a-armor also gives a vehicle a boost to its aerodynamics.  Oh No! A variable I didn't lock down!!!  I had no idea there might be a difference. I guess that'll be another bank of tests. That said, all of the muscle cars accept for the Phoenix and Sunrise had A armor. Those two had B. To those willing to loan me a vehicle: I'm all for it and need each of those chassis in SS. I promise no damage but know that I may need to make some changes to it for it to make weight. I'll do my best to put them back as they were when I got them when I'm done. PM me if you want to put your car in the test. I'll give you credit.
Marrkos Posted Apr 12, 2011, 11:07 pm	Acceleration Talk Acceleration
The Paranoid Tourist Posted Apr 13, 2011, 12:41 pm	OP edited with Roadrunner stats. Thanks, Marrkos.
The Paranoid Tourist Posted Apr 13, 2011, 3:09 pm	OP edited again. This time I've added the Moray thanks to Rev. V. Also, I've added information regarding the effect of armor type on a chassis, as well as the effect of ganger activity level.
*Rev. V* Posted Apr 13, 2011, 3:18 pm	Wow, while nothing seems to be able to touch the Buccy, it's nice to see my favorite chassis is right up there at the top of the heap!!!! Go Team Moray!!!
FireFly Posted Apr 13, 2011, 4:17 pm	Do the stormer!
Sagal tr7man27@hotmail.com Posted Apr 13, 2011, 4:42 pm	Paranoid Tourist, I can loan you a mint McFly, a 57, and a Stormer for your tests. Let me know. Sagal
d0dger Posted Apr 13, 2011, 4:51 pm	The Paranoid Tourist said: Incidentally, I had to run some of these trials twice, because I managed to injure my ganger during one of them. (Don't ask) The good news is that I found there is also no measurable difference in the ability of a driver at 100% and one at 80% when it comes to acceleration. I had always assumed that, now there is some proof. At what skill level? 80% of 50 skill (40 vs 50 effective skill level) might not show any difference but I would bet that 80% of say 200 (160 vs 200 effective skill level) would show a recognizable difference.
The Paranoid Tourist Posted Apr 13, 2011, 6:21 pm	Yeah. It was 80% of a level 49 driver. I still feel like acceleration is not effected by skill, though. Have you ever seen a driver without jumpstarter or slipstreamer accelerate markedly faster than the NPCs he's racing against? I'll take any loans of vehicles that I've not yet tested. Just PM me and put them on the market. You'll probably have them back well within 24 hours.
The Paranoid Tourist Posted Apr 13, 2011, 8:58 pm	I've got a McFly and Bullet in hand and I'm bringing my Stormer, Eaton, and '57 from out of town. I think that's the lot. I could also test the "racier" cars: McKenzie, Turin, Cougar, DeVille, and, if anyone has one, the Squadcar. I own none of those. They're also more optional, as they wouldn't typically be put nose to nose with one of the muscles.
Sagal tr7man27@hotmail.com Posted Apr 13, 2011, 9:59 pm	Didn't see a flail, I don't have a mint one. Sagal.
The Paranoid Tourist Posted Apr 14, 2011, 4:19 am	Ah, the Flail. I used to have one in SS, don't currently. Any loaners?
The Paranoid Tourist Posted Apr 14, 2011, 4:51 am	OP edited with McFly stats, thanks to Sagal. The McFly came in faster than average, but still can't beat the Buccy.
The Paranoid Tourist Posted Apr 14, 2011, 3:19 pm	Added Fiftyseven stats. Thanks to...... ME!
d0dger Posted Apr 14, 2011, 4:54 pm	The Paranoid Tourist said: Have you ever seen a driver without jumpstarter or slipstreamer accelerate markedly faster than the NPCs he's racing against?. Absolutely, not only the NPCs but the other player drivers. Race against Wanda 'Custom' Riddle or Tim 'The Wheelman' Willis some time and you'll see it in action.
*Rev. V* Posted Apr 14, 2011, 4:58 pm	Still need to borrow a flail?
d0dger Posted Apr 14, 2011, 5:00 pm	*Rev. V* said: Still need to borrow a flail? HAHA that thing gathering dust in your garage finally going to get some real use?
*Urban Decay* Posted Apr 14, 2011, 5:07 pm	After you get all the chassis at same general weight covered, Really need to see the difference in chassis at proper race weight. such as say 5 points of A armor on all sides or a little less. Don't need to use max engine on all, but a decent engine for the group that can be shared for comparison would be nice. Have you thought into the writeup to go along with final graphs for the wiki page yet?
*Rev. V* Posted Apr 14, 2011, 5:15 pm	I've taken it out a time or two..... It needs a skin with a sunroof.
The Paranoid Tourist Posted Apr 14, 2011, 5:21 pm	UD said: After you get all the chassis at same general weight covered, Really need to see the difference in chassis at proper race weight. such as say 5 points of A armor on all sides or a little less. Don't need to use max engine on all, but a decent engine for the group that can be shared for comparison would be nice. I don't know if I'll do that or not. My goal was to find standardized numbers for chassis and (in my other thread) engines. Determining the fastest car by chassis weight, armor, engine capacity, etc, if beyond the scope of what I want to do. It is also something too open to variables and player choice, in my mind. That said, it is also something that is largely possible to determine by extrapolating the data that I have put down. Knowing, for instance, that the Buccaneer is faster than a Moray lets you know which would make the faster racer. They both have the same chassis weight and engine capacity and their armor weighs the same amount, so the Buccy would be faster. This doesn't, however, take into consideration the handling aspects of each vehicle, which is something entirely too complicated (and subject to personal choice) for me to try to study. UD also said: Have you thought into the writeup to go along with final graphs for the wiki page yet? Nope.
The Paranoid Tourist Posted Apr 14, 2011, 5:21 pm	Yeah, Rev. I could use a Flail.
The Paranoid Tourist Posted Apr 15, 2011, 10:37 pm	Royal Eaton and Stormer added. I also re-tested the Buccaneer, as its results seemed to stick out a bit too much. Sure enough, tested again, the speed came down considerably, though it is still on the higher end of the graph. I must have made some sort of mistake when I brought the car up to weight the first time. I think the Flail is the only one left.
thepez Posted Apr 18, 2011, 7:46 am	No love for the moose??? (sorry I know its coming just thought I'd have some fun...)
FireFly Posted Apr 19, 2011, 1:30 am	Hmm, really thought the stormer would do better than that given the record I set with it, and seeing a 3.2lv8 one keeps up with 5l's with little effort... Oh well, still handles better than that bunch