Need Some Help with Alignment Specs
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,141
Likes: 76
From: Santa Maria, CA
Need Some Help with Alignment Specs
I just finished rebuilding the front suspension and steering rack on my 85. I did the rebuild because the car wandered and pulled on uneven surfaces. Over the last 5 years my tires had worn perfectly. I installed new poly bushings, ball joints, tie rods and had the steering rack rebuilt by Turn One. I did not replace the upper control arm bushings. They looked to be OK and I didn't want to deal with pressing new bushings in.
I had a local shop do the alignment. The Tech checked caster and camber and left them as is. He adjusted the toe.
Actual LF Camber -0.1 Factory +0.3 to +1.3
Actual RF Camber -0.2
Actual LF Caster +4.9 Factory +2.3 to +3.8
Actual RF Caster +4.7
Actual LF Toe -0.01 Factory -0.10 to +0.10
Actual RF Toe +0.01
I'm curious what others are setting caster and camber to. Should I go with positive camber like the factory specs? And do I need to reduce caster? By the way, this is a street car that I may do some autocross with.
I had a local shop do the alignment. The Tech checked caster and camber and left them as is. He adjusted the toe.
Actual LF Camber -0.1 Factory +0.3 to +1.3
Actual RF Camber -0.2
Actual LF Caster +4.9 Factory +2.3 to +3.8
Actual RF Caster +4.7
Actual LF Toe -0.01 Factory -0.10 to +0.10
Actual RF Toe +0.01
I'm curious what others are setting caster and camber to. Should I go with positive camber like the factory specs? And do I need to reduce caster? By the way, this is a street car that I may do some autocross with.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,065
Likes: 39
Hi, the caster and camber numbers here look like they are designed for performance. These will give you better stability going straight and around corners. Excellent for racing. But, the camber may wear your tires a little faster than it would if it was factory. Your toe is good, and this should be a stiffer ride, and have more stable handling. If you would like to have them to factory go back and make him do it. But these are the specs that I would prefer.
Good luck!
Forgot to mention, what happened with the rear toe and camber results? Did he not do the rear? You always do the rear FIRST in an alignment. The rear alignment specs, if off, can cause a pull too.
Good luck!
Forgot to mention, what happened with the rear toe and camber results? Did he not do the rear? You always do the rear FIRST in an alignment. The rear alignment specs, if off, can cause a pull too.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,141
Likes: 76
From: Santa Maria, CA
Thanks for the reply. The Tech also felt the caster and camber would be better for performance. So I had him leave them as is. He did check the rear. The numbers are below. I had him leave the rear alone because I plan on doing a complete rebuild of the rear very soon.
Actual LR Camber +0.20 Factory -0.10 to +0.90
Actual RR Camber -0.30
Actual LR Toe +0.09 Factory -0.10 to +0.10
Actual RR Toe -0.04
Actual LR Camber +0.20 Factory -0.10 to +0.90
Actual RR Camber -0.30
Actual LR Toe +0.09 Factory -0.10 to +0.10
Actual RR Toe -0.04
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,141
Likes: 76
From: Santa Maria, CA
Those numbers came right out of my FSM. They also came up on the alignment shop's computer. The Tech said he didn't understand why they would specify positive camber. That's why I'm asking the question.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,065
Likes: 39
Okay looks good for handling and corners. It will give your better performance than from the factory, although the ride will be much stiffer and you will definitely feel the bumps more. Tires may have camber wear a little, but that's the price you pay. Other than that, feel free to drive like a maniac, because this car will take it. 
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,141
Likes: 76
From: Santa Maria, CA
Okay looks good for handling and corners. It will give your better performance than from the factory, although the ride will be much stiffer and you will definitely feel the bumps more. Tires may have camber wear a little, but that's the price you pay. Other than that, feel free to drive like a maniac, because this car will take it.
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Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: moraga ca
http://tech.corvettecentral.com/2011...ignment-specs/
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,065
Likes: 39
It's the alignment that will make it feel stiffer. Your caster angles will add better stability, tighter steering, and a stiffer ride. This is because the shock is now more towards the passenger compartment, and with every bump, because of positive caster, is aimed towards the passenger compartment. Negative caster will add looser steering, better steering wheel return-ability, and softer ride because the shock is directed towards the engine bay.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,141
Likes: 76
From: Santa Maria, CA
Something is not right. Check out these numbers...
http://tech.corvettecentral.com/2011...ignment-specs/
http://tech.corvettecentral.com/2011...ignment-specs/
I think for my use, advanced street may be the best specs.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,700
Likes: 1,667
From: moraga ca
If you go with positive camber, your car will look like a 70s VW bug and squeal around corners.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,141
Likes: 76
From: Santa Maria, CA
It's the alignment that will make it feel stiffer. Your caster angles will add better stability, tighter steering, and a stiffer ride. This is because the shock is now more towards the passenger compartment, and with every bump, because of positive caster, is aimed towards the passenger compartment. Negative caster will add looser steering, better steering wheel return-ability, and softer ride because the shock is directed towards the engine bay.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,866
Likes: 60
From: Hellinois
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
I'm guessing 383vette gave you the advanced street specs from VB&P's catalog. I had the shop use those specs on my car and I really like the difference it made. One thing to keep in mind and I know this is going to stir the pot but NEVER and I mean NEVER believe all you read in the fsm! I just got done straightening out a wiring issue because the '85 fsm was wrong in at least a dozen different areas. Gordon Killebrew told GM the book was wrong many times and GM ignored him.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
I used the advanced street specs from VBP on the 86. It didn't make a huge difference but I did like the change. Without checking, the specs 383vette gave look the same.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,141
Likes: 76
From: Santa Maria, CA
Thanks all for the replies. I feel enlightened on the subject. My next step is to completely rebuild the rear suspension with poly bushings, replace the half shaft u-joints and service the differential. I'm looking for a reputable shop to adjust the ring and pinion gear lash.
Once I've finished the rear, I'll have the front and rear aligned to the advanced street specs 383Vette provided. This has been educational.
Vader,
Did you put the engine Jim built into the 88?
Once I've finished the rear, I'll have the front and rear aligned to the advanced street specs 383Vette provided. This has been educational.
Vader,
Did you put the engine Jim built into the 88?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
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St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,250
Likes: 656
From: San Diego Ca
Can we get 3 deg negative with our stock suspension geometry? I forget as my only real autox Corvette was a 94 Coupe that I ran for about a year. I do remember more negative than I could get on a stock height F Body, but I don't remember 3 degree's negative. That would be wonderful at an autox and would quickly kill your tires on the street.
I don't remember ever running more than 2 deg negative on my race car and that could have gotten more and that had zero street miles.
BTW, I like the specs you have now. A good mix of performance and OK for street use.
I don't remember ever running more than 2 deg negative on my race car and that could have gotten more and that had zero street miles.
BTW, I like the specs you have now. A good mix of performance and OK for street use.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,953
Likes: 550
From: Mission Viejo CA
If you want to test this negative caster idea, try backing up fast, turn the steering wheel a bit, then take your hands off the wheel! (Be ready to step on the brakes!!)
