Alignment - RSVP

[skyguy]

No flames plez!

I did a search and reviewed the FAQ section on alignment. I will be installing Bilsteins on upper perch with H&R springs, (1.5" lowering.) I am running 215/40ZR17 fronts & 265/35ZR18 rears, on a 91 NSX.

I am after max tire life since I don't track the car and don't street race the car, (Occasional "spirited" moments however.)

I guess my question is basic. What should be the appx toe/camber/caster be if I want max tire life? *I understand this is a very complex issue and may not be answered with one quick answer and or it is subjective at best, but any recommendations are welcome.

Thanks,

Sky :smile:



FAQ sez:

set the front toe to zero and camber to -0.3 (minimum). This will *almost* even-out the front wear, at the expense of less crispness in extreme maneuvers and on the track. The toe-out was removed to zero-toe. Yes "zero". The car understeers a little bit more now but the wear on the tires are even and I'm probably reaching 20k miles with 1/3rd the tread left.

Rear: Decrease rear toe to the '93+ specs.
I checked with my tuner and he showed me the specs of the alignments on my rear wheels. He reduced the factory toe-in to almost 0. I think it was 0.005 at the most. He said this is what he has found over the years to give the best performance on track (or street).
Some factory settings on certain models had up to 8mm toe in. This was to keep the car more stable. The tire wear was very high and many owners complained about it, so the next year they went back to lower settings in the 4-6mm range.

[HM] Front Toe: Factory spec.
Front Camber: All the negative you can get out to stops (1.3 to 1.5 if you're lucky.)
Front Caster: Move it from 7.5 factory to what ever takes, even 8.0 to 9.0 because more caster usually rewards you with aditional negative camber.
Rear Camber: 2.0 negative
Rear Toe: Old factory setting (6 mm total). Grinds up tires but best for racing.

 

[nis350]

No flames plez!

I did a search and reviewed the FAQ section on alignment. I will be installing Bilsteins on upper perch with H&R springs, (1.5" lowering.) I am running 215/40ZR17 fronts & 265/35ZR18 rears, on a 91 NSX.

I am after max tire life since I don't track the car and don't street race the car, (Occasional "spirited" moments however.)

I guess my question is basic. What should be the appx toe/camber/caster be if I want max tire life? *I understand this is a very complex issue and may not be answered with one quick answer and or it is subjective at best, but any recommendations are welcome.

Thanks,

Sky :smile:



FAQ sez:

With 1.5 in. drop, you won't be able to set the F & R camber within oem spec. So adjust the camber to the minimum.

As for the toe, keep both the toe out (F) and toe in (R) to the minimum of the OEM spec.

You can probably set the caster within the oem spec.

The tech. should be able to pull up the aligment spec. for you.

 

[asylum]

Right, with a 1.5'' drop I think it is not possible to get less than 1.5 ° negative rear camber. So go to the minimum camber at the rear. At the front, I wouldn't go to the minimum you can, rather 0.5 ° less negative than rear (not more different).

For toe, a little bit out front (-0.01° to -0.05°). A little bit in rear (less than +0.05°).

 

[skyguy]

nis350

With 1.5 in. drop, you won't be able to set the F & R camber within oem spec. So adjust the camber to the minimum.

As for the toe, keep both the toe out (F) and toe in (R) to the minimum of the OEM spec.

You can probably set the caster within the oem spec.

The tech. should be able to pull up the aligment spec. for you.
nis350 is offline Report Post

Asylum

Right, with a 1.5'' drop I think it is not possible to get less than 1.5 ° negative rear camber. So go to the minimum camber at the rear. At the front, I wouldn't go to the minimum you can, rather 0.5 ° less negative than rear (not more different).

For toe, a little bit out front (-0.01° to -0.05°). A little bit in rear (less than +0.05°).

nis350 & Asylum,

Thanks guys. This really helps a lot. I have a better understanding where I stand with regards to my quandry.

Sky :smile:

 

[nsxtasy]

I would set all the specs as close to factory spec as possible, with the exception of rear toe, which I would set to 2 mm rather than the 4 mm spec.

 

[skyguy]

I would set all the specs as close to factory spec as possible, with the exception of rear toe, which I would set to 2 mm rather than the 4 mm spec.

Thanks Ken! :smile:

 

[DocL]

Here are the specs of my alignment just done this past weekend.

Front Camber
(L) -1.3 (R) -1.2

Front Caster
(L) 7.6 (R) 7.4

Front Toe
(L) -0.14 (R) -.13

Rear Camber
(L) -2.5 (R) -2.7

Rear Toe
(L) 0.14 (R) 0.16

Thrust Angle
-0.01

How do these numbers look with a 1.25 drop?

-TIA

 

[asylum]

Here are the specs of my alignment just done this past weekend.

Front Camber
(L) -1.3 (R) -1.2

Front Caster
(L) 7.6 (R) 7.4

Front Toe
(L) -0.14 (R) -.13

Rear Camber
(L) -2.5 (R) -2.7

Rear Toe
(L) 0.14 (R) 0.16

Thrust Angle
-0.01

How do these numbers look with a 1.25 drop?

-TIA

Camber angle is pretty big for a street use, correct if you want to track the car. But if the handling is seems good for you, keep these angles.

Your toe values are pretty big wich could cause a fast tire wear, especially at the rear. Check the tire wear in the next kmiles.