Sim Racing: Finding Your Ideal Torque Range

From humble 2–3 Nm entry-level wheels to the monstrous 39 Nm beasts that promise to “feel every millimeter of the asphalt,” the range is vast and so is the confusion.

The truth is, there’s no universal answer. The ideal torque depends on your gear, your physical comfort, the type of simulator, the cars you drive, and even how long you race.

Still, there’s a clear logic behind why more power doesn’t always mean a better experience.

What Is Torque in Force Feedback?

Torque, measured in Newton-meters (Nm), represents the rotational force that the motor in your wheel can generate.

In simple terms: the higher the torque, the more resistance and detail you can feel. But also, the more demanding it becomes physically and mechanically.

Force Feedback (FFB) systems aim to replicate what real drivers sense through the steering wheel:

• Grip and loss of traction,
• Road surface textures,
• Weight transfer in corners,
• Impacts from curbs or bumps.

All of this is transmitted through electric motors that translate in-game physics into tangible sensations.

Force Feedback Systems and Torque Ranges

Before diving into numbers, it’s important to understand that the type of system you use matters just as much as raw power.

There are three main categories:

• Gear-driven systems: affordable but somewhat coarse. Think Logitech G29/G920, around 2–3 Nm.
• Belt-driven systems: smoother and quieter, like the Thrustmaster T300, usually 4–6 Nm.
• Direct Drive (DD): the kings of realism, connecting the wheel directly to the motor shaft. Torque ranges from 5–8 Nm entry-level DDs to 20–39 Nm professional units.

The “More Is Better” Myth

When you hear specs like “39 Nm of torque,” it’s easy to imagine that level of power will teleport you straight into a GT3 cockpit.

But in reality, after a certain point, extra torque doesn’t necessarily add realism.

Many sim racers agree that between 8 and 12 Nm is the sweet spot for most setups.
That range gives you enough strength to feel detail and resistance, without turning every race into an upper-body workout or needing a reinforced cockpit.

“More torque gives you headroom to avoid clipping, but it doesn’t automatically make FFB more realistic.”

In fact, several racers who upgraded from 8 Nm to 20+ Nm bases admit they rarely use full power.

Most end up running around 60–70% output to maintain comfort, control, and endurance especially during long races.

When the Wheel Fights Back

I’ve personally tested everything from 2 Nm budget wheels to 15 Nm direct drives.
And I’ll never forget my first session with a 15 Nm base at full force it was equal parts thrilling and terrifying.

Every corner felt like arm-wrestling physics itself, and small mistakes hit like a jolt of electricity.

After a few hours, it clicked: it’s not about how much you can resist, but how much you can interpret.

The best Force Feedback doesn’t overpower you it communicates with you.

When the wheel starts speaking in sensations rather than sheer force, your brain syncs with the car. That’s when the magic of sim racing truly begins.

The Physics of Realism

In real-world cars, steering torque varies drastically by vehicle type:

• A GT3 car typically produces around 10–12 Nm at the wheel.
• A Formula 2 car can exceed 30 Nm.
• But a street car rarely goes beyond 6–8 Nm.

That means even mid-range DD wheels can provide realistic sensations for most vehicles.
With proper software calibration, an 8–10 Nm base is more than enough to feel every nuance of tire grip and suspension movement.

Finding Your Ideal Torque Range

User Type	Recommended Torque Range	Typical Examples
Beginner / Casual	3–6 Nm	Logitech G Pro, Thrustmaster T300
Intermediate	6–10 Nm	Fanatec CSL DD, Moza R9
Advanced / Competitive	10–15 Nm	Fanatec DD1, Simagic Alpha Mini
Professional / Hardcore	20+ Nm	Simucube 2 Pro, Moza R21–R25

 

Tip: If you race in VR, you might want slightly higher torque, since your brain perceives physical forces differently without real-world reference points.

Happy Racing!