First, thanks to everyone that has given me some good feedback and advise on a couple of my posts recently. What are you guys typically running for camber with your summer set-up? I have historically maxed out the stock bolt and wondering if there's any better set-up (with stock struts/eibach prokit)? Should I even go that far negative? I'm also throwing adjustable bolts in the rear, any thoughts on that? goal is good cornering, but more of a focus on straight line stability. BTW- don't know if this helps, but I'm running 225/40/18 with 45 offset... I've attached an oem spec sheet....
The factory numbers are a joke, but most places will not align your car to 'out-of-factory-spec' values. Higher camber will net better "stick" on that end....notice the factory specs call for higher values in the rear....understeer! That is definitely for the lawyers I am running -1.5* in the front and -1.2* in the rear (couldn't get less) on my STi. I would say that anything less than ~-2* will be fine for wear, toe is a bigger contributer. The less in the rear (to a point), the happier you will be with regards to handling. If you are looking for straight line stability, camber will not affect it under nominal conditions, but once the road gets bad, the car will track all over the place! It comes down to compromise.... I think a reasonable compromise would be 1.25-1.5* in front and -1* in the rear. The only reason to have bolts in the rear is if you cannot get to -1*.... That should answer your questions....let me know if it didn't.
thanks! It reconfirms my thoughts on the camber FYI: The guys over at Tires Plus in EP are real cool and said they will adjust to any custom spec a customer wants.
How much they want for the custom... curious.. my guys will too... but you need to have your own specs... and usually custom alignments are a little more $$$
we just did shane86 with 50pound bags in his front seat (4 of them) but usually to have a weighted alignment you would go to a BMW dealership or somewhere like that..
I called recently and the guy I spoke to said no extra charge as long as I have the desired specs in writing. $69.99 However, most shops I've asked will charge about $110, depending on the specs you want. Last fall the same Tires Plus did a great job on my alignment (but a simple 0 degree cross toe was enough to impress me. lol)
Corner weighting is pretty expensive, but you can get it done at leightons garage They quoted me $200 for corner weighting, and $400 for a custom race alignment (they actually work out the numbers). Otherwise, there is Courtney Truck Service and AutoEdge. i haven't asked them for quotes yet... but i will..
That may be with a stock suspension setup though... i know a guy who used to work at that one in particular, and said that if your suspension is modified, they won't even put you on the rack.
If you want to get a non oem tires plus alignment, you basically have to have an in with the guy doing the alignments or the manager. Most of the time they don't want to do them becuase when they get it up on the rack the person wants settings the car wont get or it takes a lot of difficulty to get those settings. I have heard the guy who used to do my alignments at tires plus gripe about the unrealistic settings people woud come up with. Some people are asking for rear camber that is stupid and unadjustable (WRX doesnt come with rear camber bolts) or have problems with their cars (too many inital D curb confrontations) to even get a decent stock alignment, but hand them a sheet that says -3 front, -2 back and 6 degrees of caster :roll: -1.5 on stock camber bolts on a WRX is unrealistic. You might get it, but I doubt it. And then evening out both sides to that is going to be a PITA too so. I have seen WRX's that max out a -.7 to -1 usually. On caber plates my GD chassis RS (same as WRX) could barely push -2.
You're probably right when talking about the Tires Plus deal, but when I recently asked, which was over the phone they still said they would do it. (Maybe they're just nice guys ....who knows...) However, I'm sure if I walked in there with some crazy specs as you mentioned they would probably tell me to go fly a kite...or worse...
Those numbers are what I got on the STi without any grinding.... YMMV on the WRX, though. I have an in for my alignments, good buddy of mine is a mechanic at Tires Plus. Still have to pay, though....
Noah did mine last year at Speedlab for around $300. This included corner balance, custom alignment, changing brake fluid and pads. He closed his shop in Hopkins and says he is working out of a secret location. Whatever that means. Anyway, he did a nice job on mine and double checked it to make some small tweaks after a couple of weeks at no charge. Email him here: [email protected] I run -3.0 on mine fyi. Auto Edge does great work too. They did my SVT. Really nice guys. They do tons of track setups on Porsches.
