Vehicle Tuning

Complete guide to the vehicle tuning and customization system.

📹 Video Tutorial: An 8-minute video demonstrating all tuning categories with before/after comparisons would be very helpful here.

Overview

The DUSA Mechanic tuning system allows you to modify vehicles with:

  • Performance Upgrades - Engine, transmission, brakes, handling

  • Cosmetic Modifications - Body kits, paint, lights, accessories

  • Stance & Fitment - Wheel offset, camber, suspension height

  • Engine Swaps - Complete engine replacement

Tuning provides:

  • Real-time visual preview

  • Instant application

  • Save/load presets

  • Professional-grade customization

Accessing Tuning Menu

Requirements

Before opening the tuning menu, you must meet ALL conditions:

  1. ✅ Have mechanic job (active duty if required)

  2. ✅ Be in a vehicle as the driver (not passenger)

  3. ✅ Be inside tuning zone (mechanic shop area)

  4. ✅ Have mechanic tablet item

If any requirement is not met, tuning option will be grayed out.

Opening Tuning

Method 1: Via Tablet

  1. Get in vehicle as driver

  2. Drive into tuning zone

  3. Open tablet → Mechanic app

  4. Click "Tuning" tab

  5. Tuning interface opens

Method 2: Quick Access (if enabled)

  1. While in vehicle in tuning zone

  2. Use quick-access keybind (if configured)

  3. Tuning menu opens directly

Method 3: Work Order

  1. Create work order for tuning

  2. Open order details

  3. Click "Open Tuning"

  4. Tuning interface opens with order linked

Tuning Zone

The tuning zone is defined in shop configuration as a specific area:

Typical tuning zones:

  • Inside garage building

  • Designated tuning bay

  • Around lift area

  • Specific marked zone

Visual indicators:

  • Zone may be marked on ground

  • Blip may show on map

  • On-screen notification when entering

  • Tablet tuning button becomes active

Zone radius: Usually 20-30 meters from center point.

Tuning Interface

Menu Layout

Interface elements:

  • Category Tabs - Switch between tuning types

  • Category List - Subcategories within tab

  • Preview Window - Live vehicle visualization

  • Cost Display - Current modification price

  • Action Buttons - Preview, Apply, Cancel

Navigation

Browse categories:

  • Click tab to switch (Performance, Cosmetic, etc.)

  • Click subcategory to expand options

  • Use arrow keys (if enabled) to navigate

View modifications:

  • Click mod to see preview

  • Vehicle updates in real-time

  • Price shown at bottom

Apply changes:

  • Select desired modification

  • Click "Preview" to test

  • Click "Apply" to purchase and install

  • Or "Cancel" to revert

Performance Tuning

Improve vehicle performance with mechanical upgrades.

Engine Upgrades

Engine Tuning Levels:

Effects:

  • Increased acceleration

  • Higher top speed

  • Better throttle response

  • May increase fuel consumption

Recommendations:

  • Level 1-2 for daily drivers

  • Level 3 for sports cars

  • Level 4 for race vehicles only

Turbo Upgrades

Turbo Options:

Turbo characteristics:

  • Adds boost pressure

  • Improves acceleration significantly

  • May affect handling balance

  • Distinctive turbo sound

Best for:

  • Drag racing

  • Highway performance

  • Thrill seekers

Transmission

Transmission Types:

Manual vs Automatic:

  • Manual: More control, skill-based

  • Automatic: Easier to drive

  • Selection may be locked to vehicle type

Gear ratios:

  • Can adjust final drive ratio

  • Affects acceleration vs top speed balance

  • Lower ratio = better acceleration

  • Higher ratio = higher top speed

Brakes

Brake Upgrades:

Effects:

  • Shorter stopping distance

  • Better brake feel

  • Reduced brake fade

  • Improved control

Essential for:

  • High-performance vehicles

  • Racing applications

  • Heavy vehicles

Suspension

Suspension Upgrades:

Effects:

  • Lowered = better cornering, worse bumps

  • Raised = better off-road, worse handling

  • Stiffness affects comfort vs performance

Suspension tuning:

  • Spring rate

  • Damper stiffness

  • Ride height

  • Anti-roll bar strength

Drivetrain

Drivetrain Conversion:

Conversion availability:

  • Not all vehicles can convert

  • Major modification (expensive)

  • Changes handling characteristics completely

Differential:

  • Open: Standard, best for street

  • Limited Slip: Better traction, sporty

  • Locking: Off-road, track use

Cosmetic Modifications

Visual customization without performance impact.

Body Modifications

Front Bumper:

  • Stock

  • Aftermarket options (varies by vehicle)

  • Wide-body compatible bumpers

  • Racing bumpers with splitters

Rear Bumper:

  • Stock

  • Aftermarket designs

  • Diffuser options

  • Racing bumpers

Side Skirts:

  • OEM style

  • Aftermarket ground effects

  • Carbon fiber options

  • Wide-body skirts

Spoilers:

  • No spoiler

  • Lip spoiler

  • GT wing

  • Ducktail

  • Custom options

Hoods:

  • Stock hood

  • Vented hoods

  • Carbon fiber

  • Ram air hoods

Fenders:

  • Stock fenders

  • Flared fenders

  • Wide-body kits

  • Bolt-on flares

Roof Accessories:

  • Roof scoop

  • Antenna delete

  • Sunroof/moonroof

  • Roof rack

Lighting

Headlights:

Taillights:

  • Stock

  • Smoked/tinted

  • LED upgrade

  • Sequential turn signals

  • Euro-style

Underglow/Neon:

  • Multiple color options

  • RGB custom colors

  • Breathing/flashing modes

  • Zone control (front/rear/sides)

Interior Lighting:

  • Dashboard lights

  • Footwell lighting

  • Ambient lighting

  • Custom colors

Paint & Colors

Paint Types:

Color Selection:

  • Primary Color: Main body color

  • Secondary Color: Accent color (if applicable)

  • Pearlescent: Adds shimmer/shift

  • Custom RGB: Enter exact color codes

Paint finishes:

  • Gloss (shiny)

  • Matte (flat)

  • Satin (semi-gloss)

Liveries:

  • Racing stripes

  • Decals

  • Sponsor logos

  • Custom wraps

Wheels & Tires

Wheel Categories:

  • Stock

  • Sport wheels

  • Luxury wheels

  • SUV/Truck wheels

  • Off-road wheels

  • Racing wheels

Wheel customization:

  • Rim design: Hundreds of options

  • Rim size: 17" to 24" (vehicle dependent)

  • Wheel color: Primary and secondary

  • Tire type: Street, sport, off-road

Tire Smoke Color:

  • White (stock)

  • Black

  • Blue

  • Red

  • Custom RGB

Bulletproof Tires:

  • Cannot be popped

  • Expensive upgrade

  • Essential for certain roles

Windows & Trim

Window Tint:

Trim Color:

  • Chrome (stock)

  • Black

  • Carbon fiber

  • Body color

Stance & Fitment

Advanced wheel and suspension positioning.

📹 Note: Stance tuning is advanced - video demonstration recommended.

Wheel Fitment

Offset Adjustment:

  • Negative offset: Wheels pushed out (wider stance)

  • Positive offset: Wheels tucked in (narrow stance)

  • Range: Usually -50mm to +50mm

Track Width:

  • Front track: Front axle width

  • Rear track: Rear axle width

  • Wider = more stable, aggressive look

  • Narrower = less stable, compact look

Wheel Size:

  • Diameter: 17" to 24"

  • Width: 7" to 13"

  • Larger = better looks, worse ride

  • Wider = more grip, worse fuel economy

Camber Adjustment

Camber is the angle of the wheel:

Effects:

  • Slight negative (-1 to -3°): Better cornering

  • Extreme negative (-5 to -10°): "Stance" look, worse handling

  • Positive camber: Off-road use only

Front vs Rear:

  • Adjust independently

  • Balance affects handling

  • Match to driving style

Suspension Height

Ride Height Adjustment:

Considerations:

  • Lowered looks good but scrapes bumps

  • Raised handles off-road but looks truck-like

  • Adjust front/rear independently for rake

Stance Presets

Popular stance styles:

Hellaflush:

  • Maximum negative camber

  • Lowered as far as possible

  • Wheels flush with fenders

  • Stretched tires

VIP Style:

  • Moderate drop

  • Large chrome wheels

  • Slight negative camber

  • Luxury look

Track Setup:

  • Lowered suspension

  • Slight negative camber

  • Wider track width

  • Performance focused

Off-Road:

  • Raised suspension

  • Zero/positive camber

  • Narrower track (sometimes)

  • Clearance focused

Engine Swaps

Complete engine replacement - the ultimate upgrade.

⚠️ Warning: Engine swaps are permanent and expensive. Choose carefully!

Available Engines

I4 (Inline 4-Cylinder):

V6 (V6 Engine):

V8 (V8 Engine):

V10 (V10 Engine):

V12 (V12 Engine):

Engine Swap Process

  1. Select Engine Swaps tab in tuning menu

  2. Choose new engine from available options

  3. Review specifications:

    • Power output

    • Torque curve

    • Weight impact

    • Handling changes

    • Cost

  4. Preview (can test drive if enabled)

  5. Confirm purchase - THIS IS PERMANENT

  6. Engine installed immediately

Engine Swap Effects

Performance changes:

  • Acceleration

  • Top speed

  • Braking distance (due to weight)

  • Handling balance

  • Fuel consumption

Handling impact:

  • Heavier engine = more front weight

  • Affects steering feel

  • May cause understeer/oversteer

  • Suspension may need retuning

Example: Compact car with V8 swap

Choosing the Right Engine

Consider:

  • Vehicle size: Small cars + big engine = unpredictable

  • Purpose: Racing? Daily? Show car?

  • Handling: Will you enjoy the new characteristics?

  • Budget: Can you afford it + other needed upgrades?

Recommendations:

  • Compact cars: I4 or V6 max

  • Sedans: V6 or V8

  • Sports cars: V8 or V10

  • Supercars: V10 or V12

  • Trucks: V8 for towing power

Tuning Presets

Save and load complete tuning configurations.

Saving a Preset

After configuring a vehicle:

  1. Click "Presets" tab

  2. Click "Save Current Setup"

  3. Enter preset name:

  4. Select what to save:

  5. Click "Save"

Preset saved for:

  • This vehicle model (applies to same model)

  • Your account (personal presets)

  • Shop (if manager, shared presets)

Loading a Preset

Apply a saved configuration:

  1. Presets tab → "My Presets"

  2. Browse saved presets

  3. Select preset

  4. Preview changes

  5. Click "Apply Preset"

Costs:

  • You still pay for parts

  • Preset is just the configuration

  • Instant application (no installation time)

Sharing Presets

Share with customer:

  1. Save preset

  2. Click "Share"

  3. Generate code: PRESET-ABC123

  4. Give code to customer

  5. They can load your configuration

Shop presets:

  • Managers can create shop-wide presets

  • All employees can use them

  • Great for package deals

  • Consistent results

Popular presets:

  • "Daily Driver Special"

  • "Track Day Ready"

  • "Show Car Build"

  • "Off-Road Package"

Advanced Features

Custom Handling Editor

⚠️ Advanced users only - can make vehicle undriveable if used incorrectly.

If enabled by server, direct handling editing:

Editable values:

  • fDriveInertia: Acceleration rate

  • fInitialDriveMaxFlatVel: Top speed

  • fBrakeForce: Braking power

  • fSteeringLock: Turn radius

  • fTractionCurveMax: Grip level

  • Many more...

Warnings:

  • Incorrect values can break vehicle

  • Changes are immediate

  • No undo (except reload preset)

  • Test in safe area first

Dyno Mode

Test vehicle performance:

  1. Click "Dyno Test" in tuning menu

  2. Vehicle automatically tested:

    • 0-60 mph time

    • 0-100 mph time

    • Quarter mile time

    • Top speed

    • Braking distance

  3. Results displayed

  4. Compare before/after tuning

Uses:

  • Verify performance gains

  • Compare to stock

  • Showcase to customers

  • Quality assurance

Pricing & Costs

Base Prices

Default pricing (configurable per server):

Price Modifiers

Factors affecting price:

  • Vehicle value (% of vehicle worth)

  • Part rarity

  • Shop markup

  • Customer discounts

  • Bulk packages

Example:

Package Deals

Many shops offer packages:

Basic Package ($5,000)

  • Paint job

  • Window tint

  • Basic wheels

  • Lowered suspension

Performance Package ($15,000)

  • Engine level 2

  • Sport transmission

  • Upgraded brakes

  • Sport suspension

Complete Build ($50,000+)

  • Full cosmetic overhaul

  • Max performance mods

  • Custom stance

  • Engine swap (optional)

Tips & Best Practices

For Mechanics

Before tuning:

  • ✅ Discuss options with customer

  • ✅ Explain costs clearly

  • ✅ Show previews

  • ✅ Document agreed changes

  • ✅ Get approval for additional work

During tuning:

  • ✅ Work from customer preferences

  • ✅ Stay within budget

  • ✅ Make balanced modifications

  • ✅ Test before delivery

  • ✅ Save configuration as preset

After tuning:

  • ✅ Test drive with customer

  • ✅ Explain new characteristics

  • ✅ Provide driving tips

  • ✅ Offer maintenance advice

  • ✅ Save before/after photos

For Vehicle Owners

Planning your build:

  • Research options first

  • Set a budget

  • Prioritize performance vs looks

  • Consider resale value

  • Think long-term

Choosing mods:

  • Start with suspension/brakes for performance

  • Balance looks and function

  • Don't skip critical upgrades

  • Quality over quantity

  • Test incrementally

Working with mechanics:

  • Communicate clearly

  • Be realistic about budget

  • Trust expert advice

  • Approve changes

  • Test drive after

Troubleshooting

Tuning menu won't open

Solutions:

  1. Verify you're in tuning zone (drive around shop area)

  2. Check you're driver, not passenger

  3. Ensure mechanic job is active

  4. Try exiting and re-entering vehicle

  5. Restart dusa_mechanicv2 resource

Mods not applying

Solutions:

  1. Check you have sufficient funds

  2. Exit and re-enter vehicle

  3. Ensure vehicle network ownership

  4. Verify mod is compatible with vehicle

  5. Check server console for errors

Vehicle handling broken after tuning

Solutions:

  1. Load stock preset

  2. Revert suspension settings

  3. Check handling editor values (if used)

  4. Remove engine swap if recent

  5. Contact admin for handling reset

Preview not working

Solutions:

  1. Ensure vehicle is in render distance

  2. Check graphics settings

  3. Try different camera angle

  4. Close and reopen tuning menu

  5. Restart client

Next Steps

Now that you understand tuning:

  • Practice with different vehicle types

  • Create presets for common builds

  • Learn customer preferences and build reputation

  • Explore Shop Management to price your services

Need help? Check Troubleshooting or consult your shop manager.

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