Camber - Caster Setting on 1970 Corvette
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
Camber - Caster Setting on 1970 Corvette
I have rebuilt my control arms and now I am installing the uppers. I purchased a set of shims. I did save my old shims per front/back - right/left, but I was wandering if there is a starting point (default set of shims) to start the initial setup with my new shims. I do have power steering. Will be adding a new Steeroids Rack/Pinion steering. Looking forward to hearing from some of you knowledgable people.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,886
Likes: 9
Shim placement depends on the accuracy of the origional welding of the frame, it's service life, and how much the cradle has bent inwards in the last 40 some odd years. Can't tell from here.
Street settings:
Caster w/power steering= 1 3/4 degrees to 2 3/4 positive, equal both sides. (Try 2 1/4 first.) More caster can improve highway stability at the expense of greater steering effort.
Camber = 3/4 degree positive, equal both sides. (IMHO, better at 1/4 positive to 0), and
Toe in = 3/16 to 5/16 inch in. (IMHO, better at 1/8 to 3/16 in)
Street settings:
Caster w/power steering= 1 3/4 degrees to 2 3/4 positive, equal both sides. (Try 2 1/4 first.) More caster can improve highway stability at the expense of greater steering effort.
Camber = 3/4 degree positive, equal both sides. (IMHO, better at 1/4 positive to 0), and
Toe in = 3/16 to 5/16 inch in. (IMHO, better at 1/8 to 3/16 in)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,200
Likes: 3
From: Lehigh county Pennsylvania
The Steeroids R&P requires its own alignment specs...
For street driving:
0 to .25 degree negative camber
2.5 to 5 degree positive caster--the more, the better.
0 to 1/8" toe in
The required caster will have zero or one shim on the front upper control arm shaft bolt and lots on the rear one. The most positive caster I could get on my SBC '69 was 4 degrees. But it steers very well. To get any more would require longer rear bolts.
I would also recommend installing a spreader bar before you have it aligned.
For street driving:
0 to .25 degree negative camber
2.5 to 5 degree positive caster--the more, the better.
0 to 1/8" toe in
The required caster will have zero or one shim on the front upper control arm shaft bolt and lots on the rear one. The most positive caster I could get on my SBC '69 was 4 degrees. But it steers very well. To get any more would require longer rear bolts.
I would also recommend installing a spreader bar before you have it aligned.
Last edited by 69 Chevy; Mar 30, 2014 at 12:43 PM.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
The Steeroids R&P requires its own alignment specs...
For street driving:
0 to .25 degree negative camber
2.5 to 5 degree positive caster--the more, the better.
0 to 1/8" toe in
The required caster will have zero or one shim on the front upper control arm shaft bolt and lots on the rear one. The most positive caster I could get on my SBC '69 was 4 degrees. But it steers very well. To get any more would require longer rear bolts.
I would also recommend installing a spreader bar before you have it aligned.
For street driving:
0 to .25 degree negative camber
2.5 to 5 degree positive caster--the more, the better.
0 to 1/8" toe in
The required caster will have zero or one shim on the front upper control arm shaft bolt and lots on the rear one. The most positive caster I could get on my SBC '69 was 4 degrees. But it steers very well. To get any more would require longer rear bolts.
I would also recommend installing a spreader bar before you have it aligned.
Can't add spreader bar because I have the 454 w/AC
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,200
Likes: 3
From: Lehigh county Pennsylvania
