Zapper's car pack
Zapper's car pack is based on all the original cars in 4D Sports Driving / Stunts. It was made by Zapper and was released initially in 2002 and ultimately in 2025.
Overview
The cars contained in this pack have their filenames changed (the car filename codes start with "Z", e.g. "ZFGT" instead of "FGTO" for Ferrari GTO) in order to avoid file collisions with the original ones. Also, each car has a defined "z" suffix for the in-game fastest time record table and the car descriptions state "Tuned For Real by ZAPPER".
In 2002 release, all modifications were limited to only the car parameters which includes:
- Torque curve;
- Idle, Max and Shifting RPM values;
- Max speed (adjusting mass);
- Gear ratios;
- Gear console pattern coordinates;
- Analog speedometer and rev counter needle coordinates;
and exclude the 3D shape and dashboard graphics. These modifications were made using the Car Blaster program.
In 2025 release, the car pack took a full evolution from previous release making use of Stressed and CarEdit3 to change all car parameters, 3D modeling of car shape using Anim8or and dashboard elements modification using PaintSho Pro.
The car's parameters have been precisely adjusted following information from official sources and reliable reviews, which include:
- Car width, height and length;
- Wheel positions (base and track);
- Ride height;
- Mass;
- Breaking;
- Grip;
- Gear pattern and shift RPM in automatic.
The car's 3D model and dashboard images have been modified according to blueprints and photos and official data researched for the specific car model and year, ensuring at best their correct proportions and respective key elements. Also all cars have few more paint jobs options to choose from with certain aerodynamic shape variations.
Cars
The car pack is formed with modified versions of all the original cars in the game but also contains two new cars:
- Audi Quattro TDI - A pseudo variant of the Quattro model that has the performance of a big V10 turbo diesel engine. It also makes use of the Corvette's dashboard with its 6000 RPM tachometer and 6-speed gear pattern.
- Porsche 911 Turbo (version 1.0) - A new version based on the original 911 Carrera 4 with performance and physics specifications providing 320 HP and rear wheel drive.
Table showing modifications made to the original cars:
| Car | Acceleration | Max Speed | Rev Limiter | Gear Ratios | Speedometer | Tachometer | Gear Console (*1) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audi Quattro Sport | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Lamborghini Countach | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Ferrari GTO | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Corvette ZR-1 | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Lancia Delta | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Jaguar XJR9 | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Lamborghini LM-002 | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Porsche 962 | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes |
| Porsche March Indy | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Porsche 911 Carrera 4 | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Honda (Acura) NSX | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
(*1) All gearbox consoles were corrected to show a perfect manual gear pattern and their shift points (@ RPM) were adjusted to each car's torque curve to be optimal in automatic mode.
Audi Quattro Sport
(comparison new model on left VS original game on right)
Modification key points:
- The 3D shape has been stretched in length in contrast with the original game version who's seems based on a limited short wheelbase version of the car for rally homologation purposes.
- The dashboard remains with analog dials in contrast with optional digital ones from later models mainly found in European spec cars so it has correction on dials lettering, and gear knob.
- The Performance was tuned according the 1989 DOHC 20 valve engine, and all terrain grip.
Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary
(comparison new model on left VS original game on right)
Modification key points:
- The 3D shape was fixed in several gaps found, got the same body kit as the deriving "5000 QV" model version and mainly got fixed the wing that was missing in race model (CAR1).
- The dashboard's got a mild unstretching due to base aspect ratio differing from other game's cars, mainly seen on steering wheel height. The steering wheel got a higher position to increase dial visibility to the dials in witch got dark background with light green lettering orange needles (*2) and a dark leather gear gnob to comply with 25th Anniversary version. Windscreen whippers are now visible.
- The performance was tuned respecting the European version of the V12 5.2L engine with 4 valve per cylinder and fuel carburated instead of US fuel injection version witch has 455HP versus 420HP respectively. By opting for the carbureted engine, the rev limit is less perceptible due to natural power band drop.
Honda NSX
(comparison new model on left VS original game on right)
Modification key points:
- The 3D shape was fixed in several aspects found like gaps and asymmetric form, rear wheels positioned out of body shell and missing read wing in race model (CAR1) of the original game's version.
- The dashboard dial needles got in red (*2), speedometer in MPH and intentionally based on original Japanese layout witch is in KPH.
- The performance involved torque tuning and rev limit set to 8000 RPM.
Porsche 911 Carrera 4
(comparison new model on left VS original game on right)
Modification key points:
- The 3D shape got a retractile rear wing which being characteristic high speed only, was restricted to in race model (CAR1).
- The dashboard got the correct dials replacing the original game's 930 based ones, gained reddish/orange needles (*2) and correct non "dog leg" gear pattern of the 4WD transmission.
- The performance involved torque tuning.
Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1
(comparison new model on left VS original game on right)
Modification key points:
- The 3d shape got corrected the long and proportional bonnet size of the original game's model, correctly placed third stop read light from 1990 model year. Unfortunately the characteristic all around horizontal black body stripe could not be managed to be rendered due to game's faces limitation.
- The dashboard got corrections on steering wheel turn right mask, change of cluster gauges and LCD display and gear box console from 1990 version including a rev counter scaled to 8000RPM and a needle colored in orange (2*).
- The performance was tuned as 375HP LT5 Engine from 1990.
Ferrari 288 GTO
(comparison new model on left VS original game on right)
Modification key points:
- The 3D shape modified to correct some missing features like the front spoiler and daylight/turning side lights and the horizontal black body stripe in race model (CAR1). Unfortunately no characteristic bonnet grills included due to due to game's vertices limitation.
- The dashboard got raised, Windscreen wippers visible and the gauge cluster is represented equally with the same orange (and most reddish available in game's 256 color palette) color on both the tachometer and speedometer lettering, also extended to needles color(*2). The gear box console got narrower and it's knob shows lettering only.
- The performance was tuned mainly in gear box ratios.
Lamborghini LM-002
(comparison new model on left VS original game on right)
Modification key points:
- The 3D shape got corrections on missing front headlights of race model (CAR1), bumpers, tail box and roof bars, and bonnet bulges characteristic of the carbureted engine.
- The dashboard received orange gauge needles (*2), 8,000 RPM tachometer scale, main speedometer scale intentionally converted to MPH and secondary green scale to KPH (switched), as well as a visible bulge on the hood.
- The performance was tuned in line with the carbureted V12 engine with 444HP from European specification, so the rev limit is less noticeable due to natural power band drop. It has a more pronounced feel of a heavy SUV.
Lancia Delta HF Integrale 16V
(comparison new model on left VS original game on right)
Modification key points:
- The 3D shape gained the missing wing bulges, it's characteristic asymmetric double headlights a bulge on bonnet and the black striped bumper
- The dashboard is totally created from 1988-1991 model (before "EVO" version) using same viewpoint as original wrongly taken from Lancia Thema 8.32. With dials have yellow/orange needles (*2) and the rev counter is based on real photos although official brochure uses an layout rotated 90 degrees clockwise ((perhaps it was corrected in production for better readability).
- The performance correctly tuned with the characteristic mid range turbo boost torque, and all terrain grip.
Porsche/March Indy (90P)
(comparison new model on left VS original game on right)
Modification key points:
- The 3D shape got specific characteristics from 1990 CART season "90P" model including two "Quaker State" livery and gained a optional "speedway" low drag aerodynamic package in specific color option available to choose.
- The dashboard based on the 90P-005 chassis with it's round analog rev counter with yellow needle (*2) and a digital speedometer intentionally shown on the "Bosch MSP DIS08" multi information LCD display.
- The performance got tuned for the 725 HP Porsche V8 Indy used in 1990 CART season, and grip was changed for a more realistic non-tarmac surfaces.
Jaguar XJR-9
(comparison new model on left VS original game on right)
Modification key points:
- The 3D shape got form of the 1988 IMSA season model and includes "Castrol Jaguar IMSA" team and "Silk Cut Jaguar" WSPC team liveries being the later presented with a "speedway" low drag aerodynamic package on rear wing.
- The dashboard in carbon fibre with offset steering wheel got visible front wings, a 5 speed "dog leg" gear pattern and a digital speedometer intentionally present in one of the existing LCD displays.
- The performance got tuned as the 670 HP Jaguar V12 in 6.0L iteration for IMSA 1988 cars and intentionally not the later 7L + engines revisions ('88 WSPC and IMSA following years) in order to stay under 700HP and maintain competitive other IMSA car, the Porsche 962. Also grip was changed for a more realistic non-tarmac surfaces.
Porsche 962
(comparison new model on left VS original game on right)
Modification key points:
- The 3D shape got based on various models that competed in the IMSA seasons 1987 and 1988 (chassis 120, 121 and 122) contanting 3 liveries from "Blaupunkt", "Havoline" and "Dyson/Royal Crown" teams associated with different aerodynamic package options (rear diffuser and/or front side wing flares).
- The dashboard got a composition of several aspects of the different 962 chassis (102, 120 and C04), with an offset steering wheel and visible front wings, a 5 speed "dog leg" gear pattern, an yellow needled (*2) rev counter and and an intentionally added digital speedometer where in fact there is a digital compressor discharge temperature gauge.
- The performance got tuned as the 695 HP Porsche air cooled single turbo 3.0L SOCH used in IMSA 1988 cars. Also grip was changed for a more realistic non-tarmac surfaces.
(*2) Only shown when using Needle colour mod applied and present in Stunts 1.1 Mod 1.0 recompiled version
NOTE: All cars got CGA and EGA color palette calibration on dashboard graphics for both better in game image quality and readability.
Developments
3D modeling
3D shapes where modeled taking original cars as base models, and using blueprint images as background reference to set position of vertices and form new shapes always within the limit of almost 255 for both.
Dashboard drawing
All dashboards went through changing in best effort to reproduce with fidelity all cars interior aspects, that sometimes were missing like Ferrari 288 GTO central air vents, sometimes almost completely off like IMSA offset driving position and by inspiration of original game's design team present on all racing cars.
Here is an example of development iterations on replacing the wrong dashboard from Lancia Thema 8.32 of the original Lancia Delta Integrale 16V, starting from scratch by an real photo of the interior. (Dashboard's top windscreen whippers and steering wheel on final iterations not represented here)
Braking tests
Braking tests went measured in a track containing long straight road elements taking "Dragstrip testing" measuging technics described in Car testing page Stunts Wiki, i.e., "a tile amounts to 204.8 feet".
Braking distances were mostly set with very good precision in "60 MPH - 0" tests (0-1.55 m deviation at most) and "100 - 0 MPH" generally in all cars except in the case of the Lamborghini LM-002, which resulted in a considerable deviation of almost 20 m.
Grip test
Changes made to the grip parameters were extensively tested to take reference values in order to be corrected in the best possible way, taking into account the measurements of real car models and their respective wheel traction, curb weight and balance defined by engine layout and stability control equipment (exclusive to the Honda NSX).
Grip tests occur in dedicated test tracks both with symmetric layout and different surface road types, but one with high speed corners, and the other with short low speed corners.
-
Zapper's Car Pack - Grip test track Drift -
Zapper's Car Pack - Grip test track Drift2
For better comparison testing, in order to avoid the game's easier steering bug on left turns, these two "Drift" grip test tracks have been given a mirrored version to ensure better grip tuning sessions.
-
Zapper's Car Pack - Grip test track DriftM -
Zapper's Car Pack - Grip test track Drift2M
These values are the result of "base grip" multiplied by their respective asphalt, dirt, ice and grass coefficients. Next to each car grip values are the respective lap times for track and type of surface path taken (ordered by fastest DRIFT asphalt lap times).
Contributions
Special mention for Duplode and Marco for their contribution on internal testing of all cars before release of the pack to the community.
External links
Download Zapper's car pack from ZakStunts
MARCO : STUNTS - ZAPPER CARS (PC-DOS) from Youtube Channel - MARCO PLAYS DOS GAMES
