Track alignment question

[Ponyboy]

I have a track weekend coming up and would like some NSX trackaholics opinions. I've seen some alignment settings but would like to get a wider consensus on this subject. The goal is for max performance at the track. For this event, I couldn't care less for streetable comfort and stuff.

Currently, I'm running:
1. Koni SA shocks
2. Eibach springs
3. Dali Street/Race sways
4. Kumho Ecsta V700
5. Close as possible to stock alignment settings
6. novice driver w/ about 8 hours of track seat time.

I've read that some are running between 1.25 and 2.5 degrees of camber up front and 2 and 3 degrees in back. Caster is between 6 and 8 degrees. Toe out is between 3-4mm up front and rear toe in is 1-4mm also.

This may be a personal issue meaning that the alignment suits your driving style. I understand this. But I'd still like to get some kind of baseline (other than stock settings) that will get me "on the track" (note sly sense of humor) to max performance.

Thanks,
Shawn

 

[Ponyboy]

Hello out there? Anyone? Help.

 

[Lud]

You are asking a question nobody but you can really answer very well. We don't know how you drive, what tracks you are driving, or exactly how your car behaves with your current suspension.

In general to reach your stated goals I would start with maybe 4mm toe out up front, 4mm toe in rear, stock caster. Camber really depends on a lot of things, and a stock car cannot get more camber than you would want. Since yours is lowered you will be able to get more. Try 2-3 degrees front camber, 2.5-3.5 rear in roughly that proportion.

However those are just general starting points and will need to be tailored to your setup and driving. Further, if you have only 8 hours of track time, I do not think those settings are likely to be right for you.

You need to judge the feel of the car and check your tires to see if you to adjust various settings. Don't forget tire pressure, sway bar settings, shock settings, etc. all tie into it. A pyrometer is one of the best ways to judge how you are using the tires. Then you can adjust various settings to help you use as much of the tires as possible as much of the time as possible.

There will certaily be experienced guys at any track event you go to who can make suggestions as to what you might want to adjust based on your pyrometer readings or what you are feeling in the car.

[This message has been edited by Lud (edited 24 April 2002).]

 

[Ponyboy]

Thanks! That's all I was asking. Just wanted to get a baseline.

Shawn
Greencountrymotorsports

 

[nsxtasy]

My car has a stock suspension and I use the original '91 alignment settings, if that's any help to you.

 

[Ponyboy]

Yeah, that helps. That was my original baseline but I wanted to see what some of the track people were using. I wanted a something more aggressive and wanted some feedback and a different starting point. Yes, I checked out the FAQ.

*this just in, the dealership can't get my lowered car on their alignment machine. But can't explain why they could do it last time. Arrghhh!*


[This message has been edited by Ponyboy (edited 25 April 2002).]

 

[Lud]

If their only problem is getting the car ON the machine, a couple pieces of 2x4 in front of the ramp usually helps. A tech used to dealing with lowered cars would probably know this, but one used to regular cars might not think of it.

 

[Ponyboy]

That's what I explained to them! That's how I jack the car up - place two 2x4's under the rear wheels. They said something about a lip at the front yada yada yada.

Anyway, it got done eventually. It took the tech, who's been working on NSX's for 12 years, about 6 hours to complete. Wow, that's a long time. Hey, I have a '91 and it's only 11 years old How can he be working on it for 12 years then?

 

[nsxtasy]

Originally posted by Ponyboy:
It took the tech, who's been working on NSX's for 12 years, about 6 hours to complete. Wow, that's a long time. Hey, I have a '91 and it's only 11 years old How can he be working on it for 12 years then?

The NSX was first introduced around September 1, 1990 as a 1991 model year car. That was 11 years 8 months ago. You could round it to 12 years.

It's also possible that some training of techs took place shortly before the introduction.

 

[Ponyboy]

Yes, thanks Ken.

Here are the alignment spec's I decided upon.
Cast. 7 degrees
Cam: -2.5 front and -3mm rear
Toe out: 3.5mm front
Tone in: 2.5mm rear

Just SOTP, the car feels much more planted and settled in the corners.