Alignment done, big difference.
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,703
Likes: 1
From: Defending the US Constitution in Northern CA
On a stock ride height C6, that amount of Camber should be fine when accompanied with that much caster. With more caster, your front wheels will actually lean into the corner, so you don't need to run as much negitive camber for optimum cornering. One thing to keep in mind is that with 8 degrees (or more) caster you will have a tendancy to overheat your power steering system on a road race course if your car doesn't have a power steering fluid cooler.
All aggressive front end alignments are a compromise. For you to get more negitive camber in the front you would nee to give up some of your positive caster.
Look up on the upper "A-arm" mounts and see if there are washers between the cross shafts and the frame of the car. If there are (like the C5 Z06) you can take them out (especially on the rear mounting point of the upper A-arm) and pick up some more negitive camber without giving up any caster. If so you will need to reset the toe.
Lowering the car will also allow more negative camber.
All aggressive front end alignments are a compromise. For you to get more negitive camber in the front you would nee to give up some of your positive caster.
Look up on the upper "A-arm" mounts and see if there are washers between the cross shafts and the frame of the car. If there are (like the C5 Z06) you can take them out (especially on the rear mounting point of the upper A-arm) and pick up some more negitive camber without giving up any caster. If so you will need to reset the toe.
Lowering the car will also allow more negative camber.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,254
Likes: 0
From: Ft. Liquordale Florida
So what would the "suggested" alignment specs be for a Z51 that is "driven with spirit" on the street only?
Seems with the replacement of left/rear suspension components by the body shop, I'll be in for an alignment also. Wonder if I can get them to drop it an inch too?
Rick
Seems with the replacement of left/rear suspension components by the body shop, I'll be in for an alignment also. Wonder if I can get them to drop it an inch too?
Rick
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,030
Likes: 9,786
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
If your car is out of alignment with less than 12K miles GM will usually pick up the cost of the alignment. Have had the dealer do special settings on my C5 several times. After one trip the alignment tech said why don't you do this yourself and save yourself some money? He then proceeded to show me how to do it at home. It is not all that hard to understand but is hard work to do at home without the alignment rack. The new racks make the job a breeze and just about anybody can do the job in an expert manner.
Bill
Bill
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,254
Likes: 0
From: Ft. Liquordale Florida
Originally Posted by Bill Dearborn
If your car is out of alignment with less than 12K miles GM will usually pick up the cost of the alignment. Have had the dealer do special settings on my C5 several times. After one trip the alignment tech said why don't you do this yourself and save yourself some money? He then proceeded to show me how to do it at home. It is not all that hard to understand but is hard work to do at home without the alignment rack. The new racks make the job a breeze and just about anybody can do the job in an expert manner.
Bill
Bill
Unfortunately, 2 dealers told me 7,500 miles is the magic number for my C6. Over that is considered "normal wear and tear" (and no longer a warranty freebie)...
Rick
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Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,703
Likes: 1
From: Defending the US Constitution in Northern CA
Originally Posted by FLC6
Anyone?
Technician to set a car to "Z-51 specs" is still a broad stoke of the brush.
Just keep in mind that the more reserved that your driving style, the less negitive camber you wnat to run for best tire life (say - 1/4 degrees). Make sure that they set the caster the same on both sides, and make sure that they set the Camber the same on both sides. We like to run approx 1/4 less negitive camber on the rear than on the front (ie if the front camber is set at -1/2 degrees then set the rear at -1/4).
Go big or don't go...
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,569
Likes: 1
From: Georgetown TX
I just took my C6 at 2500 miles in for adjustment and oil change at the DEALERSHIP.
asked the service manager
1. to get before/after alignement specs
2. wanted to see, touch and smell the oil that came out of the vehicle
Both were delivered on and at the time two c6 vette's were in for service and at least four C5s were getting service (1 was z06).
No rear alignment was done. There was no-charge for this work. I believe there is a difference between Z51 and non-Z51 alignment as the before/after specified is different for some reason. The before numbers were accurate to the link tht HalJensen posted (c6/z51 alignment specs).
Vehicle drives better and wheel is level and car rides *straight.* Steering also feels more responsive...
Joshua
asked the service manager
1. to get before/after alignement specs
2. wanted to see, touch and smell the oil that came out of the vehicle
Both were delivered on and at the time two c6 vette's were in for service and at least four C5s were getting service (1 was z06).
Code:
Before settings were: Front Left Front Right Actual Specified Actual Specified -1.0 -1.1 CAMBER -.5 -1.1 5.9 7.3 CASTER 5.5 7.3 .13 -.05 TOE .12 -.05 After settings Front Left Front Right Actual Specified Actual Specified -0.5 -1.1 CAMBER -.5 -1.1 7.0 6.5 CASTER 7.4 6.5 .06 -.05 TOE .01 -.05
Vehicle drives better and wheel is level and car rides *straight.* Steering also feels more responsive...
Joshua
Last edited by jkonkle; Jul 6, 2005 at 03:10 AM.
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,530
Likes: 1
From: Houston TX
Get it Done!!!
Since I want to set mine up for autocross at -1.5 deg, I did not even think to try the dealer for the freebie alignment.
Front Camber -1.5 deg
Front Caster 7.1 deg (could not get any more on one side)
Front Toe -.04 degL -.05 degR(total toe -.1 deg)
Rear Camber -1 deg
Rear Toe +.01 deg (total toe +.03 deg)
Most forum folks probably won't run such an aggressive alignment, but get yours done to factory specs - especially if you still can get the freebie. There is no excuse! I can tell you, the factory settings on mine were (*^$#@#-UP!
Originally the front had -.5 deg cross camber and 0.7 deg cross caster.
The tech evened these both out to 0.
Orginally the rear had a -.08 deg thrust angle ...the tech evened it out to 0.
With the front cross camber and caster evened out, my car drives much better now. It tracks straighter with less "floatiness". I cannot wait to autocross it next month.
Front Camber -1.5 deg
Front Caster 7.1 deg (could not get any more on one side)
Front Toe -.04 degL -.05 degR(total toe -.1 deg)
Rear Camber -1 deg
Rear Toe +.01 deg (total toe +.03 deg)
Most forum folks probably won't run such an aggressive alignment, but get yours done to factory specs - especially if you still can get the freebie. There is no excuse! I can tell you, the factory settings on mine were (*^$#@#-UP!
Originally the front had -.5 deg cross camber and 0.7 deg cross caster.
The tech evened these both out to 0. Orginally the rear had a -.08 deg thrust angle ...the tech evened it out to 0.
With the front cross camber and caster evened out, my car drives much better now. It tracks straighter with less "floatiness". I cannot wait to autocross it next month.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 932
Likes: 50
Taking the vette in for a alignment
Sorry I've been off-line since my cornea transplant. Nate Dogs suggestions...
...are very streetable conservative track settings that should work well in all kinds of driving and give reasonable tread wear on the street. For auto-x you will probably want more neg camber both front & rear, but this is a great place to start.
And yes these are reasonable values for a lowered C5 and C6 as well.
...are very streetable conservative track settings that should work well in all kinds of driving and give reasonable tread wear on the street. For auto-x you will probably want more neg camber both front & rear, but this is a great place to start.
And yes these are reasonable values for a lowered C5 and C6 as well.
----------------------
This is what I set it to:
L-front camber .... -0.8
R-front camber ... -0.8
L-front caster ... 7.9
R-front caster ... 7.9
L-front toe ... .10
R-front toe ... .10
Total front toe ... .20
L-rear camber ... -0.6
R-rear camber ... -0.6
Total rear toe ... 00.00
-----------------------
So these are good specs for a 2007 Z51 ??.
