Hi,

I was told that if you have a proper alignment done, the numbness associated with the corvette would be no more, is it true? i'm really looking for good road translation, I will not track the car any time soon so this will be for street purpose only.

also i am upgrading to 18x9.5" 265-35-18 and 19x11" 305-30-19.

please post specs if possible.

thanks in advance,
CC2

 

there is such a thing as a Z06 alignment...I had it done last time an alignment was done...car feels way more 'darty'...haven't noticed any unusual tire wear, but I don't put a lot of miles on each year.

 

http://www.vbandp.com/index.php?opti...man&Itemid=170
Go to the alignment specs pdf. Doubt any alignment will do what you want but have a look.

 

Mine had the factory negative camber and wore out front tires in about 15K miles on the inside edge. After going through the OEM tires and 1 set of GY GSD3 non-runflats I took it to my local GM dealer and they told me it was a typical complaint and if I wanted they would set it to O (no negative camber). I had read on the forum this would correct the issue and it did. The down side is not as crisp handling. I think the next time I have it aligned I will go with 1/8 degree neg camber. So, yes if you want more road feel do the 1/4 or even 1/2 degree negative camber but be advised you will wear the inside tread pretty quickly, specially if you go the 1/2 degree negative.

 

Our local Corvette shop does a race alignment and it feels much better than the stock alignment. I'm not sure of the specs but I sure like the feel.

 

can I get the c5 z06 alignment with 18" and 19" wheels?

 

You can adjust your aligment settings to provide a bit better turn-in response and lateral grip in a turn. As to whether or not it will improve your numbness perception I do not know.
What do you mean by "the numbness associated with the corvette?" This is the first time I've heard of this condition.

 

absolutely, that is what I am running....you will notice the difference as soon as you pull out of the dealership...to me, that is the best place to have it done as long as they have a Corvette mechanic...he will be familiar with the Z06 settings and probably does them all week long.

 

Front end specialist for over 25 years here.
Ask your alignment tech/shop to use 2004 Z06 specs as this is slightly more agressive than stock C5 while allowing good tire life.
Also ask for the printout before and after the alignment so you can see what you are paying for.
The alignment machine will have these specs in the computer file.
Please note that camber, within reason, will not effect tire wear to the degree that some people say. (camber is tire tilt in/out)
Incorrect caster (caster is tire fore/aft of center line)will effect the twitchey feel at high speeds.
Early tire wear, inside or outside tread, is most always caused by incorrect toe settings. (think of toe as your foot ie. toe in or toe out).
Also you need to have the alignment checked often as you would be suprised by how quickly the settings get out of wack. I do mine every year and the toe is always off enough from the original settings to cause tire wear.

 

for some reason when i drive my corvette i feel disconnected from the road, i feel as if I'm floating and wandering vs connected to ground.

some how, some where, it feels like the road gets lost in translation


its tough to explain. you really cant understand until you drive a car that feels connected like a lotus or a porsche.

 

Are you self medicating?

 

Just have them put the alignment to Z06 specs. Handling will benefit and it won't tear the tires off. I've been running those specs for years.

I'm going to change it some this spring for the coilovers and the 345's on the back.

 

Here's the link to Pfadt's alignment spec's (Pure Street to Dedicated Track Car) :

http://www.pfadtracing.com/docs/camb...t-settings.pdf

Try the "Dual Street/Track" specs.

 

I think there is a strong echo in here...

 

Perhaphs it's time for some new shocks and better tires.

 

Have you purchased your wheels yet?

[quote]
to eliminate that floaty feeling:

1. Wheels should as close to the same size as possible, if not IDENTICAL in all four corners. 18x10 or and 18x11s with 295 fronts and 305 rears

2. Sticker tires, as close to the same size as possible. Rears tires only slightly wider then fronts.
( now dont expect too many miles out of good tires. Mich PS may be OK for 5,000 miles but every other tire, much less then that. Nittos are great sticky street tires, but you get about 3,000 miles out of a set. If you want 10,000 plus miles out a set of tires, then the tires are too hard, and will give you that floaty feeling.

3. Remove the rubber bushings, and go with Duron bushings.

4. Aggressive street alignment, the extreme of the C5Z06

Front
Camber: -1.0*
Toe: 1/32" to 2/32" OUT
Caster: max but equal ~ 6*

Rear
Camber: -0.5* 1/2 of front
Toe: 1/32" IN

No ranges, no cross, EXACT

also run 30 psi Front, 28 psi rear Cold ( just starting out ) in the tires

Too much are pressure will give that floaty feeling


I have driven lots of Porsche, and if you look at the wheels / tires, they are very close in size and an aggressive alignment.

The Lotus is just a small light wt car that is fun to drive. Why do you think Miata's or BMW Mini's are so popular ?

The Corvette is a big brutt of a car, it is raw HP plain and simple. Because of the size it will never be as nimble as a P-car or Lotus. But still can be faster

I have driven lots of different P-cars on road race course. If or when I cover up the speedometer I have more fun. The car feels and responds so quickly. Then I look at the speedo and WTF ?? I am only doing 60-80 mph where in my vett I am doing 90-120 mph

or when I give P-car owners rides in my vett they freak out when I shift from 3 to 4th at Red line, ~100 mph, then roll my right foot to the floor, and they just get driven deep into the passenger seat with all the torque, then they say " CHIT no wonder I cant follow you over 100 mph" That my friends is a GOOD DAY.

 

[QUOTE=AU N EGL;1579591089]




[QUOTE=AU N EGL;1579591089]

 

[QUOTE=AU N EGL;1579591089]Have you purchased your wheels yet?

Planned tire is Michelin pilot Super sport. will this alignment really kill my tires in 5000 miles?

 

You can take AU N EGL recommendation to the bank! His alignment specs will not kill your tires, but you will feel a positive difference in its handling.

 

Thanks Mike!

That's probably what I'm going to do.