Progress update:

• Finally uploaded V5.1 as a "beta" version because I could not sort out the few helicopter that wouldn't fly properly, along with a plethora of other changes.
• This "beta" version is so I can receive some constructive feedback and perhaps a solution to some problems.

Below is the update log:

V5.1:

• Numerous bug fixes as a result from V5.01a.
• Small changes in grip, especially with braking distances to give the AI, with their limited detection field, a boost while still keeping the distance somewhat believable.
• Re-tweaked shifting characteristics and engine inertia of each vehicle to accomodate ikt's new update of the Manual Transmission mod which now relies on the clutch speed for both up and down shifts.
• Re-tweaked suspension for SUVs and offroaders.
• Re-tweaked some anti-roll bar biases and settings for certain vehicles for better driving dynamics.
• Re-tweaked suspension for better ride height and suspension travel in many vehicles to react more realistically.
  • This is a request by prince_linus and he has won me over, since the tweaked vehicles ride better and looks better (especially some cars with a lot of negative camber)
  • As a result of this re-adjustment, some vehicles will have their wheels clip the fenders, but the alignment introduced in this version help alleviate the clippings somewhat.
• Added proper wheel alignment (camber, toe, castor, etc.) to all vehicles with 2 wheels per axle (essentially all cars and trucks, 417 vehicles total)
  • Looks especially good on racecars and supercars, like the Tyrant or the LE-7B, plus classic sportscars such as the Savestra or Turismo2.
• Re-worked motorbikes and some planes to be more manageable.
• Added better transmission and gear ratios for trucks and other vehicles.
• Overhauled helicopters to behave more like battlefield games.
  • The Akula, Hunter, and Valkyrie1 are bugged, so AI have a difficult time piloting it, but can be managed by the player.
    • This is the reason why V5.1 is essentially a beta until the helicopters are sorted out, so if you find a fix, please let me know and I will credit you for the fix.

The update is more or less finished, but the Akula, Hunter and Valkyrie are bugged and I cannot seem to fix it yet atm, so will probably release what I have now and fix the bug at a later update. Surprisingly, the MOD 0 Valkyrie is not bugged, only the regular one is.

After a few more changes and testing, I will upload the update.

Finally found a way significantly overhaul all helicopters to handle/feel somewhat similar to the Battlefield games.

This means:

• no more fixed axis/tilt limit found in the vanilla game
• pilots now have much more control of the helicopter
• you can finally fly upside down and perform tricks like front-flips, back-flips, side-flips, etc.
• With the removal of the fixed axis, you now have a much more accurate and realistic helicopter aiming and shooting (like the Battlefield games)

Currently still in beta phase and testing, but should be released shortly as V5.1 for my handling mod, along with other tweaks with suspension height and plane optimizations.

Will post a video of what I mean once it's ready.

Videos are to be uploaded next to showcase the mods

Finally, after a long hiatus, it's finally updated to support the latest DLC. Both the sound swap and handling are pending approval (if not already approved).

Yet another update and still not finished...

Anyways, turns out that the custom formula to tend to the gear ratios was a complete failure. I have changed the gear ratio instead and use the speed of each gear to attain the ratios and acceleration my mod was meant to have. This all means that my base handling file now have same acceleration as intended even when using the real gear ratios. So its fixed at last.

Additionally, been primarily tweaking suspension and rollovers of a few vehicle based around the different advanced handling flags, since been softening the spring rates and testing these at the new Nordschleife mod. Due to curb boosting (and the ring is very bumpy), seems like all vehicles are about 1 minute faster than their real life counterpart after timing a few cars (sentinel, pfister811, tempesta so far). Might just include the GP portion of the track to compensate for the increased speeds due to curb boost, but overall cars feel great and visceral on track.

Also figured out that the advanced handling flag for the curb boost fix isn’t really a curb boost fix as cars will still over-speed their set limit (tested on a flat road) and only slows the car down by smacking the rpms to redline each time it hits a bump. This makes it feel that curb boost isnt working, and does make acceleration more to what was set to on a flat road, but top speed will still go over what was intended. I will probably leave this version in the final version for you guys to tinker with, but main version will probably include this flag.

As far as an ETA, who knows as my workload has been ramping up in the workplace, and with almost no time to work on the mods...

Update:
Well... I completely missed my original deadline since I didn’t realize how much work was left in terms of just the sheer amount of vehicles to update... but anyways, the core handling file is ~90% complete. Just editing some details here and there. Some of that time also included toying with the idea of implementing the curb boost fix that rockstar has added, but not much advancement in that topic.

As for what else took a ridiculous amount of time is creating real gear ratios for any and all vehicle I can find (so far, got about 350 ground vehicles, all withn 95% accuracy) (gear ratios are applied through ikt’s custom gear ratios mod). But I’ve noticed is that when you change the vehmaxvel value in the xml file, the acceleration and top speed seems to be affected, so had to come up with a custom formula to modify the handling.meta in order to compensate for the change.

Essentially, there would be 2 core handling.meta file, one meant to work with the real gear ratios (require separate script mod) and one without it. There might also be an experimental handling.meta where I will try to implement the curb boost fix, but will see.

As for the sound swap mod, its been finished and just need to re-compile and maybe see if I want to change any other vehicle sounds.

For other mods, not much progress, but since OpenIV has updated to include opening more carcols files, might resume tinkering with the customization mods once handling is finished.

For fun, I want to generate a statistic for lap times on all vehicles in the nurburgring gp track or any other track and 1/4 mile times/acceleration times to show the differences between each vehicle, but that would require a tremendous amount of time and effort, so would probably need some people to help build data (probably needing a steering wheel/controller and a few specific mods (mostly ikt’s mods, including manual transmission, gear ratios, inverse power, and map/lap timer mods. PM if you are interested and I can send you the details and associated files. I can also send you some files for beta testing if interested.

Update:
Not sure if people still follow this thread/mod after basically half a year hiatus, but it seems that Rockstar has released their final DLC. I will resume progress on both my handling, sound swap, and maybe my other mods, though when it will finish is anyone's guess. I am hopeful that the handling and sound swap will be finished before the end of the year, as my game is almost up and running after the update, but anything goes at this point.

Not sure how many of you guys are still following this mod and my other mods, but I can assure you it is not dead yet, just that I haven't had enough time to update/change the things that I wanted in it just yet. Was about 3/4 of the way finished on the last DLC, but new DLC just dropped so it will probably take a few more months (assuming I find time since haven't played anything in the past 2 months due to work and life...)