Assetto Corsa Competizione has launched it’s latest game changing update, where big physics and tyre model changes are present. With this V1.8 update, it was time for the Coach Dave Academy team to produce a brand new FAQ aimed at answering some of the key questions surrounding the update, as well as offering some driving and setup tips for existing setups.
This FAQ will continue to grow as the team get to grips with this new update.
Has the naming structure for the V1.8 updated changed?
For all V1.8 bundle releases, the naming structure for the setups will remain the same with the new acronym designation being CDA3 to signify the setup has been developed from V1.8 onwards on the new physics/tyre model. For more information on our naming structure you can visit here:
On V1.8 what is the tyre pressure range?
Slick Tyres:
For V1.8, in multiplayer, there is no longer a tyre compound difference where GTWC circuits run DHE and BGT/IGTC tracks use DHD2. From now on ALL tracks run the DHE tyre in multiplayer which means the optimum tyre pressure window is now 27.3-27.9 for all circuits.
Wet Tyres:
For V1.8, there are no changes to the wet pressure window, it still remains at 30 psi as an optimum target.
Please bear in mind that for V1.8, tyres are much more sensitive with grip loss when out of the desired pressure windows. Keeping them in the pressure window will reap huge rewards now and falling outside you will experience a lot of grip/time loss.
Please allow up to 5 laps to adjust your pressures on V1.8, tyres take a lot longer to build up pressure/grip level and are now influenced by your driving style much more. Therefore up to 5 laps gives you enough time for the tyre pressures to adapt to how you drive.
What track conditions are the V1.8 setups made in?
For our dry bundles, the setups are created using a multiplayer static server. The air temperature is 24c and the track temperature is 33c. They are sunny conditions and it is set to 1pm in the afternoon.
What do I receive with my V1.8 bundle?
For the new V1.8 update for all existing setups, we are tweaking what we offer for customers based on an evaluation of feedback and research/testing. From now on, all new bundles for V1.8 will include:
120L full tank race setup
10-15L qualifying setup with fuel for 3 hotlaps
Full 3 lap motec run data from the race setup
Motec run data from the qualifying lap
In addition, all hotlap videos will be uploaded to the Coach Dave Academy YouTube channel for free as before with HUD enabled and steering wheel visible.
Youtube channel is situated here:
What are the ideal tyre temperatures in the V1.8 update?
Slick tyres: As was the case with V1.7, slick tyres have an optimal temperature range, however keeping the tyres in that range is now much harder given the new tyre model is more sensitive to driving inputs and track conditions.
75c-90c is still the optimum range for the slick tyre in Assetto Corsa Competizione on V1.8. However in hotter track conditions or on tracks with a lot of lateral loads like Brands Hatch or Zandvoort, it will not be uncommon to see tyres peak between 95c and 100c. This is something everyone will have to deal with and the smoother you will now drive, the better off you will be on longer stints.
Wet tyres:
Are less temperature sensitive, they will work between 30c-70c. Not much has changed in that regard with V1.8. Keep them green and keep them properly pressured in the window and they will perform very consistently across a stint.
Brake ducts, what’s changed for V1.8?
This is one of the biggest changes for V1.8. For the new update, brakes overheat much faster than before using lower ducts. The overall function of ducts has also changed. They now have minimal effect on tyre temperatures and so the emphasis is solely generally on keeping brake temperatures under control. You will have to raise them for V1.8 to keep the brakes in the window.
What window?
When it comes to peak temperatures in V1.8, you want to aim for 600 degrees and under for your front brakes and 450 degrees and under for your rear brakes. Fade will happen if you exceed 600 degrees regularly for the front brakes and 520c or over on the rear brakes.
Brake Pad 1 window:
Front: 300c – 600c
Rear: 260c – 450c
Brake Pad 2 window:
Front: 300c – 600c
Rear: 200c – 450c
As before Brake Pad usage is as follows:
Pad 1: Up to 90 minute races safely
Pad 2: 90 minute – 12 hour lifespan, can be dependent per car and BB settings.
Pad 3: Rain pad, ONLY use if ducts are very open or it’s very cold. In almost all cases use 2
Pad 4: Avoid
How has the effect of camber changed in V1.8 in ACC?
Camber has a much more pronounced effect on the setup direction you choose in V1.8. There are many more factors that camber influences when driving around the circuit. These are as follows:
Tramlining: Higher camber values will now result in a tramlining effect of the tyre, where it will hunt for cambers/bumps in the road, or be dragged around kerbs. Under braking, higher camber values will also create rear instability under braking and the rear end of your car will move around a lot more. Lower values will reduce this effect and improve braking consistency/feeling from high speed.
Tyre heat generation: With the new tyre model, tyre heat plays a much bigger part in pace and consistency. Higher and more aggressive camber values will lead to a higher spike in tyre temperature on the inside shoulders of the tyre now, where over longer stints, higher wear and temperatures will cause a bigger pace drop off compared to a more conservative value.
My Advice:
From all of the testing I have done so far, it is clear that camber plays a really important role now, not only in car balance and performance, but also longevity and consistency.
In race conditions, most race setups will now need much more conservative camber values, as much as 0.3-0.6 degrees lower in some cases to improve kerb handling, tyre temperature and reduce the effect of tramlining and braking consistency on heavy fuel.
The difference in lateral grip is quite noticeable with the new slip angle of the tyre being narrower. So it is a driver’s discretion how much they feel it needs to be backed off to maintain optimum tyre life whilst also not sacrificing too much performance laterally in high speed. This window will also change based on the type of track. Bumpy circuits or circuits with lots of high speed may need more of a compromise than others.
In Qualifying, higher camber values definitely still work for peak performance over 2-3 hotlaps. You WILL experience higher braking instability and nervous car behaviour as the tyre moves around more, however there is a big performance gain to be had. If you can handle that increased movement, you will be faster on higher camber values.
This latest V1.8 physics/tyre model feels more understeer biased!?
The big overhaul with V1.8 has drastically altered how you need to drive based on how the new tyre model works. The new model has a much narrower slip angle compared to before, which means that it is far easier to exceed it. Steering angle/input has a much greater impact now on car balance. Over speeding on entry or excessive steering angles will push the new tyre model past the desired slip angle and will generate much more understeer than before.
The new model also has a lot less tolerance to lateral load than before. In V1.7, the tyre would simply slide when laterally overloaded and give you additional rotation when you got back on the throttle. Now in V1.8, when the tyre becomes laterally overloaded it will stop responding and simply the whole car now loses grip. This means when you want to get on to the power with too much steering angle applied you will now get a lot more power understeer or snap oversteer through understeer induction.
My biggest takeaway is PATIENCE. Build the lateral load up of the car more progressively, use the braking phase more to turn and rotate the car and get it straighter earlier so less steering angle is needed. Smooth is fast and aggressive inputs will now be severely punished.
Simple Setup Tricks For Existing Setups on V1.8?
Reduce camber: To improve consistency under braking/reduce the tramlining effect as well as keep tyre temperatures under control over longer stints.
Open your brake ducts: Brakes overheat far easier now on V1.8, make sure to open up the ducts to stop that happening. All existing ducts will no doubt be too low.
Stiffen the front of the car: From testing so far, a lot of the cars now on V1.8 respond well to stiffening the front of the car to improve response. If you feel the front end of the car too lazy now since the update, look at increasing the front ARB/spring rates to build some response back into the car
Play with bumpstops/rake: With V1.8, came a big upgrade as to how bumpstops and their damping effect now works in game. This means in some cases you can afford to run with lower rake, but compensate with a higher bumpstop range and a stiffer bumpstop rate to build pitch into the car more progressively without sacrificing traction.
The other way also works depending on driving style, where you can soften the rates and lower the range, whilst increasing the rake of the car slightly. This bumpstop update offers a big opportunity to fine tune the kerb behaviour at tracks like Suzuka and Zolder. Use these two in combination as a powerful tool to fine tune balance (response/traction).
How much is a subscription?
The subscription will be $9.99 a month, to find out more details click here:
How long does a subscription last?
For the duration you have an active subscription, there is no time limit.
What happens when I cancel my subscription?
You will be unable to access your setups in the download section until you resubscribe.
Do I have to buy the new bundles at full price?
No, If you are an existing bundle owner and want to upgrade to the new CDA3 bundles we will offer you a 50% discount when the car bundle is launched.
For example if you currently own the CDA2 Ferrari Evo setups and want to upgrade to CDA3, we will email you a 50% coupon that can be used to upgrade to the new setups.
This coupon will work for tracks and bundles only, we cannot offer a discount on our new subscription plan.
If I am a subscriber, is there a download limit?
Yes there is a download limit of 5 individual track downloads per day, 10 individual downloads per week and a maximum of 30 per month.
How do I access the terms and conditions of the Coach Dave Academy subscription model?
The terms and conditions are situated right here on this page:
Alternatively they can be viewed on the subscription page itself underneath the “subscribe now” button.
How Do I Make My Free Update Suggestions To Existing CDA2 Setups?
We have created a Google Form which allows existing customers to provide detailed descriptions of CDA2 setups that can be eligible for free updates on V1.8. These suggestions will be looked at by our dedicated update team and then hotfix setups released that make the existing philosophy better to drive on V1.8.
To submit these suggestions, please visit the form here:
Is the subscription service linked to previous bundle purchases?
No, the subscription is a separate service to the bundle purchases you have completed individually. If you cancel your subscription your existing separate bundle purchases will stay in your account.
I am having some slight balance issues with my car how can I solve them?
You can find our “fixing Understeeer and Oversteer” blog post right here which gives advice on how to tweak your Coach Dave Academy setup to your personal tastes:
In what order are the existing cars being updated for V1.8 and CDA3 Setups?
The order will be the following:
Ferrari Evo – DoneMcLaren 720s – DonePorsche 991.2 GT3 R – DoneAston Martin V8 GT3 – DoneMercedes AMG Evo – DoneAudi R8 Evo –DoneLamborghini Huracan – DoneBentley – DoneLexus – Done- Honda – In Progress
Nissan – Done
Where can I find the correct steering rotation for each car?
For those on console where the soft lock feature is not present, you can find all the correct steering rotations for each car right here:
- (BMW M4 GT3 565 degrees)
When will the wet setups for the BMW M4 be completed?
As was the case with the V1.7 CDA2 updates and creating the Mercedes EVO and Ferrari EVO wet setups, the BMW M4 wet setups will be created once all dry CDA3 bundles have been created for existing cars.
Existing wet setups for all the other cars will be tested afterwards and changes made if necessary.
Are you having trouble with your ACC subscription?
We have assembled some tips to fix your subscription right here:
What tyre pressure windows do the new cars in the Challenger DLC use?
The following cars that have been added to the Challenger DLC require the following optimum pressures:
- Ferrari 488 Challenge EVO – 27 psi
- BMW M2 CS Racing – 27 psi
- Lamborghini Super Trofeo ST 2 EVO – 27 psi
- Porsche 992 GT3 Cup Car – 27.6 psi
- Audi R8 GT3 EVO 2 – 27.6 psi
If you continue to have problems, please feel free to ask in the discord.
