C5 Tech Corvette Tech/Performance: LS1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Sit in Car during Alignment

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 20, 2008 | 08:29 AM
  #1  
Benpup's Avatar
Benpup
Thread Starter
Race Director
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 18,401
Likes: 3
From: Retired but working
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Default Sit in Car during Alignment

I have a friend that does alignments and I bet him 20 bucks that sitting in the car during the alignment will change the alignment slightly.
He aligned my Vette without me in it, then again with me sitting in the DS.
It did change. Slightly, but it did change. I bought him a couple of 6 packs with his own money.
Fact is that I used to drive sprints and they really get out of alignment pretty quick and the suspension is such that a driver in the car changes it drastically.
The next time you have your Vett aligned ask the person doing the work to let you sit in the car especially if you track it.
There is a bit of a difference.
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2008 | 09:46 AM
  #2  
MKeller's Avatar
MKeller
Racer
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 283
Likes: 0
From: Pasadena Texas
Default

Same with my work truck, tech said bring it loaded like you drive it daily
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2008 | 10:07 AM
  #3  
Dave68's Avatar
Dave68
Race Director
20 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
Default

Of course, that depends on your weight and the "spring" design. A 250 lb guy will tend to skew the alignment somewhat, but 150 lb person shouldn't make much of a difference, IMO.
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2008 | 11:30 AM
  #4  
thetaxman's Avatar
thetaxman
Race Director
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 16,513
Likes: 4
From: Official Dirty Dozen Member
Default

that should be common knowledge

but

how many shops want the liability of having someone in the car while doing work ?
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2008 | 11:42 AM
  #5  
mqqn's Avatar
mqqn
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 7,788
Likes: 6
From: Winchester TN
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'11
Default

Originally Posted by Dave68
Of course, that depends on your weight and the "spring" design. A 250 lb guy will tend to skew the alignment somewhat, but 150 lb person shouldn't make much of a difference, IMO.
Hi Dave -

So what are you trying to say??


- I guess I could stand to lose 20 lbs lol.......

Benpup - thanks for the advice -

I suppose this falls under corner-weighting and other such suspension fine-tune tweaks.

Most people would never notice or need it, but it is nice to know about if you do use the car to it's capabilities on a track.

best regards -

mqqn
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2008 | 12:44 PM
  #6  
Last C5's Avatar
Last C5
Safety Car
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,904
Likes: 28
From: Vancouver Washington
Default

Originally Posted by thetaxman
that should be common knowledge

but

how many shops want the liability of having someone in the car while doing work ?
My alignment shop loads the driver's seat with weights equal to the driver's weight.
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2008 | 02:27 PM
  #7  
LoneStarFRC's Avatar
LoneStarFRC
Team Owner
15 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Default

Originally Posted by Benpup
I have a friend that does alignments and I bet him 20 bucks that sitting in the car during the alignment will change the alignment slightly.
He aligned my Vette without me in it, then again with me sitting in the DS.
It did change. Slightly, but it did change. I bought him a couple of 6 packs with his own money.
Fact is that I used to drive sprints and they really get out of alignment pretty quick and the suspension is such that a driver in the car changes it drastically.
The next time you have your Vett aligned ask the person doing the work to let you sit in the car especially if you track it.
There is a bit of a difference.
My guy lets me sit in the seat while he does the alignment.
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2008 | 04:26 PM
  #8  
thetaxman's Avatar
thetaxman
Race Director
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 16,513
Likes: 4
From: Official Dirty Dozen Member
Default

Originally Posted by Last C5
My alignment shop loads the driver's seat with weights equal to the driver's weight.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-4

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-5

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Mar 20, 2008 | 04:27 PM
  #9  
thetaxman's Avatar
thetaxman
Race Director
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 16,513
Likes: 4
From: Official Dirty Dozen Member
Default

Originally Posted by LoneStarFRC
My guy lets me sit in the seat while he does the alignment.
even better !
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2008 | 04:33 PM
  #10  
jirasvet's Avatar
jirasvet
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 881
Likes: 2
From: hill billy hell
Default

Originally Posted by thetaxman
that should be common knowledge

but

how many shops want the liability of having someone in the car while doing work ?

Especially a dealership, and if your not racing that is why they make a
+ or - tolerance for the adjustments
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2008 | 05:42 PM
  #11  
AU N EGL's Avatar
AU N EGL
Team Owner
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
Default

That is why I do my own alignments. Put 200 lbs of old brake rotors in the drivers seat. adjust the ride height then alignment.

Need to get scales for corner balancing.
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2008 | 08:33 PM
  #12  
Randy@DRM's Avatar
0Randy@DRM
Former Vendor
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 9,615
Likes: 13
From: Burlington NC
Default

During a flat out scale job, we use the rotor trick, or lead bags, or any to add up to the driver weight. Then once we are very close, we throw in a person, it does make a very little difference, but needs to be dealt with.

Randy
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2008 | 08:44 PM
  #13  
TTPMatt's Avatar
TTPMatt
Supporting Vendor
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 529
Likes: 0
From: Little Falls NJ
Default

We have performed numerous custom alignments and corner balancing. Driver and any additional weight (Fuel, etc.) is crucial for precise measurements.

Both of these Vette's in the underneath are setup for road course. Driver weight and average fuel is taken into consideration.

The C5 sits on hyperco composite leaf springs, shocks, and t1 sway bars. The C6 sits on hyperco full coilovers and t1 sway bars also.







Reply
Old Mar 20, 2008 | 09:38 PM
  #14  
Quick Silver Z's Avatar
Quick Silver Z
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Veteran: Navy
St. Jude 15 Year Donor
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 35,096
Likes: 2,086
From: Right Corner Pocket of Illinois
No-IL Events Coordinator
2026 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C6 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
2019 C6 of Year Winner (appearance mods)
2018 C6 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '26
Default

I bought him a couple of 6 packs
I hope you gave him the beer AFTER the alignment!
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2008 | 09:56 PM
  #15  
thetaxman's Avatar
thetaxman
Race Director
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 16,513
Likes: 4
From: Official Dirty Dozen Member
Default

Originally Posted by AU N EGL
That is why I do my own alignments. Put 200 lbs of old brake rotors in the drivers seat. adjust the ride height then alignment.

Need to get scales for corner balancing.
they are under a grand nowadays
I love mine
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2008 | 10:32 PM
  #16  
Mike Mercury's Avatar
Mike Mercury
Team Owner
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 180
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
Default

Originally Posted by thetaxman
that should be common knowledge

but

how many shops want the liability of having someone in the car while doing work ?
My local Corvette mechanic places weights in the drivers seat to match your weight.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Sit in Car during Alignment





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:37 PM.

story-0
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-2
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

Slideshow: 5 most and least popular Corvette model years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-08 13:25:01


VIEW MORE