C5 Coupe daily driver, no intention of track time at all. Lowered on stock bolts all the way, still retain stock front bushings. Recently installed new wheels/tires (18x9.5f/19x11r).

Looking to get the car aligned by a local shop, and assuming they would use OEM specs as their guideline right? Being lowered doesn't that require different specs instead?

Do I just let the shop get the car to whatever is closest to factory specs, or do I need something else? I had found the Pfadt street specs online, but wasn't sure what they would do for me?

I basically need some guidance as to what I should be asking the shop to do before I spend my money.

 

Being lowered doesn't require any special specs. You can use stock specs. I have had customers use the pfadt street specs.

 

+1 for the OEM or PFADT street specs.

 

What should one expect out of the Pfadt street specs versus OEM?

 

They're fairly similar.

Make sure they set things equal side to side. At most, the only difference should be a little more caster in the right front to compensate for road crown.

The factory specification range is too wide. You could set it with both rear wheels pointing to the right and still be within spec, for example.

 

pfadt street specs are going to handle better and still wear even, use them, also promote more rear end stability with the toe in vs the factory which does not toe in the rear. makes corner exit throttle a lot more controllable with some rear toe in

 

Thank you all for your responses. I think I will try out the Pfadt street specs. The shop I am planning to take it to was also recommended by the local forum members and their website states they will accept custom specs upon request.

 

Could anybody post the spec?

 

Pfadt Corvette Alignment Recommendations
Performance Street
Front min max
Camber (deg) -0.7 -0.9
Caster (deg) 7.5 8.5
Total Toe -1/16" (0.17°) 0 (0°)
Rear
Camber (deg) -0.4 -0.6
Total Toe -1/16" (0.17°) 0 (0°)
Notes
These settings will provide good performance and good tire wear
Performance Street - Track Use with Street Tires
Front min max
Camber (deg) -1.1 -1.3
Caster (deg) 7.5 8.5
Total Toe -1/16" (0.17°) 0 (0°)
Rear
Camber (deg) -0.7 -0.9
Total Toe -1/8" (0.33°) -1/16" (0.17°)
Notes
These settings will provide good all around performance. The tires will wear the inside edges
in street use and the outside edges on the race track. This is a good dual purpose alignment.
Performance Street - Track Use with Race Tires
Front min max
Camber (deg) -1.6 -1.8
Caster (deg) 7.5 8.5
Total Toe -1/16" (0.17°) 0 (0°)
Rear
Camber (deg) -0.9 -1.1
Total Toe -1/8" (0.33°) -1/16" (0.17°)
Notes
These settings will provide great track performance. The tires will wear the inside edges
in street use, and the car may tend to grab the lanes of the road. Race tires will wear well
at the track and provide high levels of grip. This alignment is compromised towards track use.
Dedicated Track Car - DOT Tires, poly bushings
Front min max
Camber (deg) -2.8 -3.0
Caster (deg) 6.5 7.5
Total Toe -1/16" (0.17°) 0 (0°)
Rear
Camber (deg) -1.5 -1.7
Total Toe -1/8" (0.33°) -1/16" (0.17°)
Notes
These settings are a good starting point for a car with polyurethane or stock control arm
bushings. This alignment requires DOT race tires to function appropriately.
This is a starting point only, testing and monitoring tire temperatures and pressures are required
to optimize any setup.
Dedicated Track Car - DOT Tires, Spherical Bearings
Front min max
Camber (deg) -2.4 -2.6
Caster (deg) 6.5 7.5
Total Toe -1/16" (0.17°) 0 (0°)
Rear
Camber (deg) -1.2 -1.4
Total Toe -3/16" (0.50°) -1/8" (0.33°)
Notes
These settings are a good starting point for a car with mono-ball or spherical control arm
bushings. This alignment requires DOT race tires to function appropriately.
This is a starting point only, testing and monitoring tire temperatures and pressures are required
to optimize any setup.
Dedicated Track Car - Race Slicks, Spherical Bearings
Front min max
Camber (deg) -3.0 -3.2
Caster (deg) 6.5 7.5
Total Toe -1/16" (0.17°) 0 (0°)
Rear
Camber (deg) -2.0 -2.3
Total Toe -3/16" (0.50°) -1/8" (0.33°)
Notes
These settings are a good starting point for a car with mono-ball or spherical control arm
bushings. This alignment is designed and tested with race slicks, not DOT tires.
This is a starting point only, testing and monitoring tire temperatures and pressures are required
to optimize any setup.

 

you have a local firestone? they typically have hunter laser racks and are half the cost of "corvette' shops.

the c5 is stupid easy to do an alignment on

there are often web coupons for an entire alignment in the 60-80 dollar range, hell mine even lets me do my own specs while i'm sitting in the car for a proper weight balance

 

Are those type of racks (hunter laser) lowered corvette friendly?

I have a Firestone very local here where I live as with the stealership.

 

depends on how low, my Z is half an inch down and it fit fine

also depends on the techs and if they want to grab some 2x6s to help shoe horn your car on the rack

i'd go in and talk to them to see what you think, mention your concerns and what alignment you want.

they also have a lifetime alignment which i get on all my sports cars, allows you to align the car anytime you need to for free, no gimmicks attached

cost was less than $200 for life, think i paid 169 for the corvette and 149 for the integra

 

Damb... you can't can't beat that deal with a stick. Thanks for the info bro!!