Motion is one of the most exciting upgrades in sim racing—and one of the easiest ways to create expensive problems if you plan it late.
This checklist is written for people running (or considering) a Sim-Lab P1X style cockpit (P1X, P1X Pro, P1X Ultimate) and for builders looking at SIMGASM’s motion-capable tiers like SIMGASM Sport simulator and SIMGASM Pro simulator.
Step 0: decide what “motion” means for you
Not all motion systems are the same. Your mounting and monitor strategy changes depending on whether you want:
- Seat mover (more compact, moves you, not the whole rig)
- 2DOF/3DOF platform (moves more of the cockpit)
- 4-actuator systems (full rig motion, often the most demanding on structure)
Start with your space, your noise tolerance, and whether you need the rig to roll away when not in use.
1) Rig rigidity: more than “profile size”
The P1X family is built with high-end rigidity in mind, and SIMGASM Sport/Pro are designed to handle serious loads too. But motion readiness depends on:
- Base squareness (a twisted base becomes worse when actuators move it)
- Joint stiffness (corner brackets and plates must be torqued evenly)
- Accessory leverage (monitors, shifters, and keyboard trays add twisting loads)
Quick test: with the rig on the floor, apply strong left-right force at the wheel rim and watch for movement at the upright joints. Motion will amplify whatever you see here.
Related: Rig maintenance: re-torque and silence.
2) Monitor strategy: the motion “fork in the road”
Decide early: will the monitors move with the rig or stay still?
- Monitors move with the rig: integrated mounts look incredible and keep geometry consistent relative to your eyes.
- Monitors stay still: freestanding stands reduce mass on the moving platform and can simplify alignment.
If you’re unsure, a freestanding stand is usually the flexible option: Apex freestanding triple monitor stand. If you’re committed to an integrated look, the Apex integrated triple monitor stand is built for integrated triple setups.
Related: Integrated vs freestanding monitor stands.
3) Center of gravity and seat position
Motion systems are happiest when the rig’s center of gravity is predictable. Two practical tips:
- Mount heavy items (PC, amplifiers, power bricks) in a consistent location, ideally close to the center.
- Don’t run an extreme seat slider position where the seat is all the way forward or back—keep adjustment range around a balanced midpoint.
Seat choice matters too. A bucket seat keeps you “locked in” during motion and helps your body interpret the motion cues.
Recommended seating for motion-style builds:
- Atlas GT bucket seat for most GT driving positions.
- Atlas Formula bucket seat if you run a more reclined formula/hypercar posture.
4) Cable management: motion multiplies failure points
Motion turns minor cable mistakes into constant disconnects. The essentials:
- Use strain relief at every moving joint.
- Leave service loops so cables never go tight.
- Keep an “electronics zone” and run one clean trunk route to the PC.
Related: Cable management for Sim-Lab and 8020 rigs.
5) Safety and comfort basics
- Emergency stop: plan where it will live so you can hit it instantly.
- Foot clearance: motion changes how your feet move under braking.
- Noise and vibration: check what your floor and room can handle (especially in apartments).
Recommended SIMGASM cockpits for motion planning
- SIMGASM Sport simulator if you want a cockpit designed for serious hardware with a clean cable-routing mindset.
- SIMGASM Pro simulator if you want the flagship 160x40 platform with maximum adjustability and “no compromise” rigidity.
Not sure which tier fits you? Start on the https://simgasm.com/pages/guide-tour.
FAQ
Can I add motion to an 80x40 rig?
Sometimes, yes—especially for lighter motion solutions. For full-rig actuator systems, a larger and more rigid base makes planning and tuning easier.
What’s the biggest “motion regret”?
Building a beautiful triple monitor setup, then discovering you need to rebuild it when motion arrives. Decide integrated vs freestanding early.
Continue reading: Motion-ready sim rig guide.
