Starting first project with SFX-150 as a base

Hey everyone!

Long-time lurker, first post here. I'm finally pulling the trigger on a motion sim build and wanted to get some feedback before committing to anything.

I've landed on the SFX-150 as my base. The extra 50mm over the SFX-100 seems like a no-brainer at this point same build, marginal cost difference, and noticeably better on tracks with real elevation changes. Happy to be told I'm wrong though!

The idea is to build it in phases rather than going all-in at once:

Phase 1 — Standard SFX-150 (4 actuators, servo + ballscrews). I'm planning to go Thanos AMC from the start rather than the Arduino route, mainly for SimRacing Studio and motion compensation in VR.

Phase 2 — Add a traction loss / yaw axis. Haven't settled on the best approach yet — dedicated 5th actuator on a pivot plate seems most common but I'd love to hear what's actually worked for people.

Phase 3 — Layer on top: G-Seat, active belt tensioner, tactile, maybe wind sim. The idea is to not ask the SFX to do everything and let each device handle what it's good at.

A few things I'm wondering about:

1. Is SFX-150 still the go-to DIY choice in 2026 for ~1500-3000€, or has something better come along?
2. Cleanest way to add traction loss to an SFX build?
3. SFX + G-Seat + belts + tactile — does this combo make sense or is there redundancy I'm not seeing?
4. Any gotchas with Thanos + SimRacing Studio, especially with a Direct Drive wheel and EMI?

Thanks in advance, excited to finally be at this stage!

there are really good affordable alternatives around like eracing or lebois. I strongly recommend Simhub instead of srs.

Also Motion4Sim has an new really good alternative to the Thanos controller with the possibility to use canbus servos, no emi headache.

instead of all things at point3, Surge axis!

I would build the gseat first. Once you nail that you will know what to package on the chassis. Also a gseat is much better data than a chassis rig.
I would skip traction loss.

Motion4sims new controller introduces ethercat control which has reportedly better motion. (Canbus hardware is implemented but I thought not supported yet with software). But he only has the incredibly cheap stepper online servos working right now. I would use that if I was building again today.

As for emi, any large high voltage motor will dump emi into the room. Vr and other gear is often sensitive to it. But a large ferrite on the vr cable usually solves the problem.

Check out my gseat build thread in my signature for a good example of a gseat for racing.