Phoenix Performance - Wheel Alignment
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 750
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From: Nutley New Jersey
Phoenix Performance - Wheel Alignment
Considered by many to be a perfectionist, I tend to thoroughly research most of my purchases. When it comes to working on my Corvette, I trust very few shops. With this prelude, I would like to give my highest recommendation to Phoenix Performance in Palm, Pennsylvania.
Approximately a month ago, I had made a decision that I would like to get my Wheel Alignment checked on my 2006 Corvette. This desire came after reading a number of thread postings in which people indicated that the alignment from the factory could possibly be off specifications.
CHOOSING A REPUTABLE SHOP
In searching for a Corvette Shop who specializes in the area of wheel alignment, I came across Phoenix Performance.
With an initial call to the shop, I spoke with Kurt Omensetter (Managing Partner), who was both extremely knowledgeable in Corvette suspensions, as well as, very friendly. Kurt took the time to explain a number of different alignment options from a standard factory set-up to a full performance alignment. He asked me several questions, some of which included what I’m looking to get out of the car, as well as, my driving environment (street, track etc…). By the end of our conversation, my appointment was booked.
The trip to Phoenix took approximately 1.5 hours from Northern New Jersey, driving mostly on Route 78 West…a nice winding highway with many scenic areas. Arriving at Phoenix, I again spoke with Kurt, as well as, technician Brad…who would be performing the alignment. It was decided that I would go more with a the standard specs, with a very slight bump in the Camber and Caster (which would enable better handling in the turns).
THE ALIGNMENT
In working with Brad (technician) during the whole alignment process, he was extremely knowledgable (in Corvette Suspensions), friendly and didn’t mind my participation / questions.
Pulling my Corvette into the bay, we attached the alignment sensors to my wheels to check the initial specifications. Not to my surprise the Factory Alignment was off, all the way around, especially the Rear Camber.
As Brad began the process to re-align my wheels, he started by incorporating my body weight in the drivers seat. This is done to allow a more accurate balance of the car when making the adjustments. Once the weight was distributed, he aligned each of the wheels. During the entire process, Brad explained exactly what he was doing and allowed me to watch. Upon finishing, we reviewed my final specifications together on the computer (prior to taking the car off the lift). After the specifications met my approval, the car was then removed (from the lift) and I was allowed to test drive it (again, for my approval). Talk about customer satisfaction!
My final specifications were:
Front Caster: 8.10 (slight performance)
Front Camber: -0.55 (slight performance)
Front Toe: 0.10 (factory)
Rear Camber: -0.55 (slight performance)
Rear Toe: 0.00 (factory)
All in all, the my experience with Phoenix Performance was a top notch. From the staff’s knowledge, friendliness and performed work, I highly recommend them!
Phoenix Performance is a full service Corvette Shop / Race Shop, and perform many other performance modifications. Their excellent reputation yields a lot of customers from other parts of the country. In fact, while I was at the shop, they were working on a car which was from Hawaii….wow!
For my trip out to Phoenix, I met up with another Forum member Dave S, who also had an alignment performed. Dave is a great guy, and we spoke at length about our interest in Corvettes, Performance Modifications etc…
In closing, the day was a great experience. Should anyone have questions, please do not hesitate to ask.
http://phoenixperformance.net/autocare.html
Dave
Approximately a month ago, I had made a decision that I would like to get my Wheel Alignment checked on my 2006 Corvette. This desire came after reading a number of thread postings in which people indicated that the alignment from the factory could possibly be off specifications.
CHOOSING A REPUTABLE SHOP
In searching for a Corvette Shop who specializes in the area of wheel alignment, I came across Phoenix Performance.
With an initial call to the shop, I spoke with Kurt Omensetter (Managing Partner), who was both extremely knowledgeable in Corvette suspensions, as well as, very friendly. Kurt took the time to explain a number of different alignment options from a standard factory set-up to a full performance alignment. He asked me several questions, some of which included what I’m looking to get out of the car, as well as, my driving environment (street, track etc…). By the end of our conversation, my appointment was booked.
The trip to Phoenix took approximately 1.5 hours from Northern New Jersey, driving mostly on Route 78 West…a nice winding highway with many scenic areas. Arriving at Phoenix, I again spoke with Kurt, as well as, technician Brad…who would be performing the alignment. It was decided that I would go more with a the standard specs, with a very slight bump in the Camber and Caster (which would enable better handling in the turns).
THE ALIGNMENT
In working with Brad (technician) during the whole alignment process, he was extremely knowledgable (in Corvette Suspensions), friendly and didn’t mind my participation / questions.
Pulling my Corvette into the bay, we attached the alignment sensors to my wheels to check the initial specifications. Not to my surprise the Factory Alignment was off, all the way around, especially the Rear Camber.
As Brad began the process to re-align my wheels, he started by incorporating my body weight in the drivers seat. This is done to allow a more accurate balance of the car when making the adjustments. Once the weight was distributed, he aligned each of the wheels. During the entire process, Brad explained exactly what he was doing and allowed me to watch. Upon finishing, we reviewed my final specifications together on the computer (prior to taking the car off the lift). After the specifications met my approval, the car was then removed (from the lift) and I was allowed to test drive it (again, for my approval). Talk about customer satisfaction!
My final specifications were:
Front Caster: 8.10 (slight performance)
Front Camber: -0.55 (slight performance)
Front Toe: 0.10 (factory)
Rear Camber: -0.55 (slight performance)
Rear Toe: 0.00 (factory)
All in all, the my experience with Phoenix Performance was a top notch. From the staff’s knowledge, friendliness and performed work, I highly recommend them!
Phoenix Performance is a full service Corvette Shop / Race Shop, and perform many other performance modifications. Their excellent reputation yields a lot of customers from other parts of the country. In fact, while I was at the shop, they were working on a car which was from Hawaii….wow!
For my trip out to Phoenix, I met up with another Forum member Dave S, who also had an alignment performed. Dave is a great guy, and we spoke at length about our interest in Corvettes, Performance Modifications etc…
In closing, the day was a great experience. Should anyone have questions, please do not hesitate to ask.
http://phoenixperformance.net/autocare.html
Dave
