NC Alignment... No racing
Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2022 12:01 am
Finally getting new tires on 06 NC. Passed on the Michelin and Conti Max performance Summer tires for Kumho Touring tire that has slightly less dry/wet performance for half the price. And much better wear rating. I'm just a spirited driver. No track/race in immediate future.
FM Stage II suspension. 300/200 spring rates. Right front is my highest at slightly less than 14".
So last set up was with real nice Conti's and FM suggested alignment:
Camber F/R: -1.0/-1.5
Toe: slight toe in both front and rear
Caster: FM suggestion was 5.0, but 5.5 is all we could get.
No major problems with that. Seem to have outer edge wear, suggesting I need more negative camber. Turn in was fine, but it pushes for sure.... when cornering I have to constantly turn more. And the back end never looses grip unless I turn TCS off. To me it seems that their lawyers told them to promote these understeer specs so limit liability. And that's ok, but I think I want to push it a little harder. I have very little Interstate driving at high speed, but definitely don't want a jittery car.
So my plan for new alignment is as follows:
Toe: Going for 0 deg to very small toe in front. Very small toe in rear.
Camber: To combat the understeer I think my front camber should be equal, if not greater than my rear. -1/-1.5 does't cut it. It seems the rear ramps up negative camber faster than the front under compression. I'm torn between one Goodwin recommendation of -1.2 all around and another Goodwin recommendation that gives some bias to the front: -1.8/-1.5. The later makes sense given the more progressive ramp up of negative camber on the rear.
Caster: Most suggestions for spirited drive are max out caster or something around 6-6.5. I don't see any negatives to more caster, and don't understand why FM recommendation are for 5.0 (and only 5.5 is available). I have power steering!
So based upon the headache induced findings many other threads, I'm going to ask for this (assuming Tires Plus techs are accommodating):
Toe: 0-slight toe in Front. Slight toe in rear. 0 F/.015 deg R (.075 deg per side)
Camber: -1.8F/-1.5R
Caster: 6-6.5. Previous posts state it's not much of a difference.
I don't care much about tire wear. They will dry rot before it's an issue. My only concern is if the set up is overly aggressive for me. I surely don't want the back end sliding out when I don't expect it, but maybe it would be nice for it to oversteer once in a blue moon.
FM Stage II suspension. 300/200 spring rates. Right front is my highest at slightly less than 14".
So last set up was with real nice Conti's and FM suggested alignment:
Camber F/R: -1.0/-1.5
Toe: slight toe in both front and rear
Caster: FM suggestion was 5.0, but 5.5 is all we could get.
No major problems with that. Seem to have outer edge wear, suggesting I need more negative camber. Turn in was fine, but it pushes for sure.... when cornering I have to constantly turn more. And the back end never looses grip unless I turn TCS off. To me it seems that their lawyers told them to promote these understeer specs so limit liability. And that's ok, but I think I want to push it a little harder. I have very little Interstate driving at high speed, but definitely don't want a jittery car.
So my plan for new alignment is as follows:
Toe: Going for 0 deg to very small toe in front. Very small toe in rear.
Camber: To combat the understeer I think my front camber should be equal, if not greater than my rear. -1/-1.5 does't cut it. It seems the rear ramps up negative camber faster than the front under compression. I'm torn between one Goodwin recommendation of -1.2 all around and another Goodwin recommendation that gives some bias to the front: -1.8/-1.5. The later makes sense given the more progressive ramp up of negative camber on the rear.
Caster: Most suggestions for spirited drive are max out caster or something around 6-6.5. I don't see any negatives to more caster, and don't understand why FM recommendation are for 5.0 (and only 5.5 is available). I have power steering!
So based upon the headache induced findings many other threads, I'm going to ask for this (assuming Tires Plus techs are accommodating):
Toe: 0-slight toe in Front. Slight toe in rear. 0 F/.015 deg R (.075 deg per side)
Camber: -1.8F/-1.5R
Caster: 6-6.5. Previous posts state it's not much of a difference.
I don't care much about tire wear. They will dry rot before it's an issue. My only concern is if the set up is overly aggressive for me. I surely don't want the back end sliding out when I don't expect it, but maybe it would be nice for it to oversteer once in a blue moon.