Parts-Fidelity in RealCarSimRig: Real Car Parts, Real Feel

**TL;DR:** At RealCarSimRig, “parts-fidelity” means using *real car components* — pedals, gearbox/shifter, stalks — wherever possible. Sensors (Hall/potentiometer, microswitches) feed an Arduino HID, so the game sees clean USB inputs. Goal: *authentic feel* at *lower cost*, using parts you already have from the donor car.

The philosophy: Use real car parts wherever possible

The idea behind REALCARSIMRIG is simple:

Use as few off-the-shelf sim-racing peripherals as possible.

The only pre-made component will be the servo base — the force-feedback steering motor.

Technically, yes, I could build that too. But it’s beyond what I can do, and buying a used base is cheaper than trying to engineer my own. And I promised to keep things simple.

The most asked question: “How much does a simulator from car cost?”

Break down the name:

RealCarSimRig = a simulator built from a real car. Let's assume you already have a donor car dedicated to the project. If not, you may have an extra cost.

I’m not counting the cost of the car, nor the hidden administrative costs — like deregistration fees or paperwork in your country...
Ultimately, the cost depends on: your needs, your creativity and your problem-solving skills.

Sure, you can do it cheaply:

• remove the stock pedals, drop in a Thrustmaster set,
• remove the steering column, mount the servo base where the wheel was…

Boom — you’re driving inside a real cabin for pocket change.
But we’re not stopping there. 
Actually you will not get a fast exact answer to this question, because only your imagination sets the upper limit on the costs, and based on many conditions: your needs, raw materials, components, construction method, which in some cases even depends on the car you choose.

So it’s not about “How much does the real car sim rig cost?” The real question is:

What can you build with the budget you have?

My mission is to show how to build a fully functional, real-car-based sim with minimal spending. And since we already have a whole car to work with, nearly all peripherals are right in front of us.

Using real car parts for real feel

We obviously won’t need the engine. But the gearbox?  Oh yes — we’re keeping that. We’ll use the real transmission to provide authentic mechanical shifting. It will serve no purpose other than being a massive, heavy, tactile mechanism.  The Shifter — the interior shift lever assembly requires only: a few microswitches, and a controller board (like an Arduino).

The pedals (clutch, brake and throttle) will work similarly:

• each pedal gets a potentiometer,
• the signals go through an Arduino or merged controller.

The handbrake — as I made it earlier — will also use a potentiometer and Arduino.

The servo base will connect to the steering column — ironically, it will be the easiest part of the build.

Stalk Switches, Small Extras & Electronics. Most racing sims don’t require stalk switches, not every game supports them, but we still want them functional.

I’m no longer making or selling stalk-switch kits for servo bases, but I will show you, how to integrate the stalks into the game.

We’ll also handle the small extras:

• center console buttons,
• audio,
• miscellaneous switches.

Nothing complicated — just finding the right connection points and routing them through a controller. 
In the end, the shopping list is tiny:

• a few Arduino boards,
• connectors,
• wires,
• switches,
• potentiometers_.

FAQ – Parts-Fidelity (quick answers)

• What does parts-fidelity mean here?
  Using real car parts (pedals, gearbox/shifter, stalks) instead of simulator peripherals wherever possible, plus simple sensors to talk USB HID.
• Do I need an expensive FFB base?
  It's not the price that matters, it's the quality. A car's steering wheel has a greater mass than a steering wheel made for the base, and it has to withstand a greater load, including the steering column.
• Can I skip buying a pedal set?
  Yes. You can convert real pedals with Hall/potentiometer or load-cell, wired to Arduino HID.
• How much does it cost with a donor car?
  It depends on the donor and electronics, but far less than premium sim sets; many parts you already have.

_{Check your local laws regarding dismantling vehicles and managing hazardous automotive waste.}