A 40x160 sim racing cockpit is a frame built on aluminium profile that is 40 mm wide and 160 mm tall. It is the strongest common profile size in sim racing, and it only becomes overkill when your hardware stays light. For wheelbases above 40 Nm, hydraulic or very firm load cell pedals, motion and heavy add ons, it is simply the right tool.
Many racers ask this question on Reddit in 2026, often with the same worry: do I pay for strength I never use? This guide explains what the numbers mean, where the real limit sits and how to decide in a few steps. First, see the SIMGASM Pro in a short product showcase without speech.
What does 40x160 actually mean?
The two numbers describe the cross section of the main beam, so let us break them down.
Width, height and why height matters most
The first number is the width of the profile in millimetres. The second number is the height. A 40x160 profile is therefore four times as tall as a basic 40x40 profile. Height is what resists bending. When a wheelbase pulls up and down on the front of the frame, a taller beam flexes far less than a short one.
In simple terms, think of a ruler. Lay it flat and it bends easily. Turn it on its edge and it barely moves. A 160 mm profile works like the ruler on its edge, which is why flagship rigs use it for the main base.
Where the SIMGASM Pro uses it
The Pro sim racing cockpit from SIMGASM uses a 40 x 160 mm main profile. It measures 580 x 1320 x 750 mm (W x L x H) and adds heavy duty steel reinforcement at critical mounting points. The rated braking load at the pedal deck is 300 kg, and the frame is motion ready with integrated cable passthroughs.
SIMGASM | Pro Aluminum Sim Racing Cockpit - White
Is a 40x160 cockpit overkill for most racers?
For many drivers the honest answer is yes, and that is good to know before you buy.
The torque ladder in the SIMGASM range
SIMGASM links each cockpit to a torque range. Hobby suits wheelbases up to 16 Nm. Club suits up to 26 Nm. For wheelbases above 26 Nm and up to 40 Nm, SIMGASM recommends Sport or Pro. Once output goes above 40 Nm, Pro is the recommended platform. Not sure what your base delivers? Our direct drive torque guide explains the Nm numbers in plain words.
So if you race a 12 Nm or 20 Nm base with standard pedals, a 40x160 frame gives you reserve you rarely feel. Even SIMGASM founder Johan Akkerman races on a Sport cockpit with a Formula Atlas seat, virtual reality and motion. That says a lot: a smaller profile is often enough.
When the extra height pays off
Pro still makes sense below 40 Nm when the whole simulator is demanding. Think of firm hydraulic pedals, a handbrake plus sequential shifter, a button box, a keyboard tray and a flight stick on the same frame. Each part adds force and weight. Together, they ask more from the base than wheelbase torque alone.
SIMGASM | Pro Aluminum Sim Racing Cockpit - Black
What do you feel on track with a stiffer frame?
The difference shows up in small details, not in a dramatic change.
With a strong base, a flexing frame steals detail. You feel the wheel deck move on a big kerb strike, and under hard braking the pedal plate bends away from your foot. On a 40x160 frame that movement disappears. Kerbs feel sharp, and your brake pedal stops at the same point every lap. That consistency matters most in long endurance stints, when you rely on muscle memory.
Customers describe it the same way in the reviews shown on the Pro product page. One driver wrote that the pedal deck felt impossible to flex. Another praised the angle and height adjustment of the pedal plate, for both Formula and GT positions.
How was the Pro developed?
The design comes from years of racing and testing, not from a catalogue.
Johan Akkerman started sim racing in 2008 and won the 2019 Project CARS 2 world team championship with VP Gaming. At Trak Racer he helped develop the TRX chassis before he founded SIMGASM. Development of SIMGASM began in January 2026, and the Dutch company was formally incorporated on 27 February 2026 in Wijk bij Duurstede. Every product is tested as part of a complete simulator. Read more about how a high torque sim racing cockpit is developed and tested.
SIMGASM | Pro Aluminum Sim Racing Cockpit - Orange
How do you decide between 40x120 and 40x160?
Use three quick checks to make the choice clear.
First, check your wheelbase torque, today and in two years. Second, count the heavy parts you plan to mount, such as hydraulic pedals, shifters or flight controls. Third, check your room: at 580 mm wide and 1320 mm long, the Pro fits many rooms, but measure first. If your torque stays below 40 Nm and your setup stays simple, compare it with the Sport in SIMGASM Sport or Pro. Still looking at the bigger picture? Browse every aluminium profile sim rig SIMGASM builds.
Questions about 40x160 sim racing cockpits
Here are short answers to the questions racers ask most.
Is a 40x160 cockpit heavier than a 40x120 cockpit?
Yes. The taller profile and the steel reinforcement add weight, which also helps the frame stay planted on the floor.
Do I need a 40x160 frame for a 25 Nm wheelbase?
Not always. SIMGASM recommends Sport or Pro from 26 Nm up to 40 Nm. At 25 Nm a Club or Sport usually does the job, unless your pedals and add ons are very heavy.
Is the SIMGASM Pro ready for motion?
Yes. The Pro has native motion platform readiness and integrated cable passthroughs.
Does the Pro come with a seat?
No. Seats and seat sliders are sold separately, so you choose the seat that fits your body.
Want to learn more? The SIMGASM experts are happy to help.
