How To: Satisfy Your Need for Speed with This DIY Arcade-Style Racing Cockpit

Satisfy Your Need for Speed with This DIY Arcade-Style Racing Cockpit

Racing games are always better when you have a steering wheel instead of just a handheld controller. And those old-school arcade racing cockpits? Even better. Matthew Boyer decided to bring the feel of a racetrack into his living room with this insanely awesome DIY arcade racing cockpit.

He built the frame out of plywood and a real racing seat, then added LEDs, surround sound, and a 32-inch flat screen. The pedals, shifters, and steering wheel are laid out to match the measurements in his real car, and the seat is even adjustable.

An Aura AST-2B-4 Pro Bass Shaker that Matthew installed under the seat makes the car rumble based on the audio in the game, and the cockpit can play most of the major racing games out today, including popular series Forza and Gran Turismo.

Want to make your own? Check out more details at Popular Mechanics, as well as a parts list. If you're not into racing games, try this MAME-based arcade machine instead, or learn how to beat those annoying claw machines.