Advanced street alignment question?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,451
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From: Owensboro Ky
Advanced street alignment question?
On Vette Brakes web site it give a front caster of 5-7 degrees pos for advanced street setting? Is this a variable number or will I have to decide where I want it before going for alignment in the morning? The car is an '88 coupe will stock factory height, wheel size, and all stock suspension for now? Any advice would be appreciated. THANKS :seeya
Racer
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 412
Likes: 0
From: corvallis or
Re: Advanced street alignment question? (ZAD54)
The higher the caster the harder to turn at low speeds, however the higher caster gives you more stright line stability especially at high speeds. Mercedes for example runs 8+degrees and rock solid at high speeds. I have my 84 set at 5.75 after playing with it a little bit seeems to be most comfortable.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,451
Likes: 0
From: Owensboro Ky
Re: Advanced street alignment question? (jefft84)
So what you're saying is, the higher the caster the better for high speed and the lower is better for slower speed turning? If I set my at 6 that should be a happy medium between the settings suggested on the Vette Brakes webpage. I'd be interested to hear what others with an '88 running the Z-52 suspension and the advanced street alignment have there caster set at. And for that matter, anyone running the advanced street settings. I need to figure this out before morning, any ideas guys? :cheers:
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 3,570
Likes: 3
From: Austin, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Houston, Dallas, Hong Kong, Elgin, etc.. Texas
Re: Advanced street alignment question? (ZAD54)
In my opinion, you will not feel the difference between 5 and 7 degrees, so 6 degrees would be fine.
If you are not aware, caster is the angle of the king pin. However, kingpins went out with the straight axle cars. Anyway, another way to visualize it is a bicyle front fork angle. The more angle, the more it wants to go in a straight line. The less angle, the easier it want to turn.
If you are not aware, caster is the angle of the king pin. However, kingpins went out with the straight axle cars. Anyway, another way to visualize it is a bicyle front fork angle. The more angle, the more it wants to go in a straight line. The less angle, the easier it want to turn.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,451
Likes: 0
From: Owensboro Ky
Re: Advanced street alignment question? (Mez)
Thanks for the advise and finally clueing me in on what the heck caster is. :lol: I guess I'll go with 6 tomorrow, should be a happy medium. Thanks alot for the help. :cheers:
Racer
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 428
Likes: 0
From: Dallas Tx
Re: Advanced street alignment question? (ZAD54)
In addition, Caster also has the effect of changing the camber angle when you turn the wheel. Positive camber increases the camber (more negative) on the outside wheel. This tends to offset the negative camber decrease caused by body lean.
For a demo, raise the hood and turn the wheel all the way left or right. Notice the tilt on the outside tire. In a corner you want the tire to be nearly vertical. If the stock camber is zero, with body lean the tire would tilt out. So positive caster helps keep the tire vertical.
The less body lean there is (as on a Z51 suspension), the less camber (negative) and caster is needed to keep the tire vertical in the turn. Also, the higher the speed and harder you corner (higher g forces) the more lean you get, and the more caster is generally required.
Ultimately, a skid pad or track testing (using tire temperatures taken across the tread width) is needed for perfect setup. The temps should be even across the tread.
For a demo, raise the hood and turn the wheel all the way left or right. Notice the tilt on the outside tire. In a corner you want the tire to be nearly vertical. If the stock camber is zero, with body lean the tire would tilt out. So positive caster helps keep the tire vertical.
The less body lean there is (as on a Z51 suspension), the less camber (negative) and caster is needed to keep the tire vertical in the turn. Also, the higher the speed and harder you corner (higher g forces) the more lean you get, and the more caster is generally required.
Ultimately, a skid pad or track testing (using tire temperatures taken across the tread width) is needed for perfect setup. The temps should be even across the tread.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 428
Likes: 0
From: Dallas Tx
Re: Advanced street alignment question? (tkrussell)
Oops, sorry. The second sentence should read " Positive caster increases the camber (more negative) on the outside wheel"
One day I'll learn to proofread.
One day I'll learn to proofread.
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