Forza Horizon 5 and earlier games allow you to install different transmissions that unlock forward and final drive gear tuning. As you upgrade other parts, you may find that the old gears no longer match the new power band. In the right situation, a new gear tune can dramatically improve your lap times and make the engine’s power more usable.
You want to choose gears that keep your engine spinning in a sweet spot known as the power band. This gives you the best acceleration from your engine even as you change vehicle speed.
What is the Power Band?
The power band is the range of rpm values where you maximize acceleration. It starts where maximum torque happens and typically goes up to the maximum engine speed.
When engines have max torque at a low rpm, the power band is much wider. It’s the type of engine that will throw you back in your seat immediately, like a big V8 or a quickly spooling turbo. And if the engine can breathe well, that acceleration will keep pulling until you shift.
For these engines, it is less important to get gearing perfect.
When Gearing Matters Most
The engines with a max torque rpm much higher in the rev range are the ones where gearing is especially important. Classic examples would be Honda engines like in the S2000. Fall out of the power band and you will have trouble keeping up with a minivan.
Can You Tune Gears By Hand?
It is possible, and the general idea is to pick a final drive and 1st gear that give you a good launch. Then pick a top gear and final drive combination that reach your top speed. From there you can adjust the gears in between to be somewhat evenly spaced.
But few find it worth the time and hassle, especially now that our free tuning app includes a gearing calculator.
Recommendation: Use a Gearing Calculator
ForzaTune (both the free and pro versions) features intelligent gearing formulas that give you a smooth, fast gearing setup with only a handful of details about your vehicle. This is one of the most-used features of the apps. Download ForzaTune or ForzaTune Pro here.
