I've had a set of Pfadt coil overs installed and had it aligned the next day.

With only ~3 months (~2,000 miles) of use, I discovered last week both of my front tires were severely worn to the inside, one with the cords showing. There was no indication that I could feel though the wheel, just happened to be checking under the car when I discovered the problem. So this time, I download the Pfadt recommended alignment specs for street applications and provided the information to the tech for realignment.

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

I had 2 new front Z06 GY's 275/35/18's installed, but mine a '05 with wide booty & OEM Z06 wheels/brakes. As they finished and rolling it off the rack, the tech asked me what year was my Z06 & I said it wasn't one. Another tech got involved in the conversation at this point. My question was (to them), what setting are you using for the alignment....Z06 (FE4 Suspension) or coupe (FE1 or non-Z06)? Turns out they used the "non-Z06" spec's. even though the print out from the 1st alignment shows they used the Z06 (FE4) settings.

I asked, "shouldn't you be using the Z06 (FE4) settings because of the wider tires"? The senior of the 2 said, "no, it's not a Z06". I replied, "but it has the wider OEM Z06 wheels". They said it didn't matter, it's not a Z06 and doesn't have the Z06 suspension.

I said, "your right.....it has coil overs with the OEM springs removed". What if it was a Z06 with coil overs and the OEM springs removed. What's the difference? And again they said, it didn't matter.

So, who's right?

 

IMO - You are.

Here are the specs I used and they seem to be working fine.

 

You need to tell them the exact specs you want. If you don't know, and/or don't tell them, it's a crap shoot. Telling them "Z06 specs" or "base specs" still geves them too much latitude. Try searching- there has been lots of discussion on thes.

 

Right, I agree.....the point is, I don't know what to tell them.

On an alignment machine, what determines a FE1 (Z06) suspension? Is it the wheels? Seem to me it would be because they have to hang the mirror reflectors off of each wheel. And if I hand them a spec sheet from Pfadt (which I did) and say, "set my alignment to those spec's" (which I did), then I left it in their capable hands.

It wasn't until after my car was done and I got the print out this discussion came up. I suppose as the tech in setting up the machine and has to plug in the info (year/make/model) into the computer, it must ask what type of suspension it has. There's the problem.

Last time they assumed it was a Z06, the FEI Z06 suspension is printed on the top of the alignment print out. This time, they used a non-Z06 (base) alignment spec. Again, it shows at the top of the new alignment print out sheet.

I just wanted to see how others with coil overs (and widebody) have done to get there car's properly aligned. Your right. Unless you have the proper info to tell them, it's a crap shoot. I just want to try and get this figured out now before I start trashing another set of tires.

 

Bring a coilover car to a regular alignement shop is wrong, go to a roadrace shop.

 

Mike,,,,"coilovers"??????
SWEEEET!!
I'd love to get me some,,but their a big chunk of change!
Anyways,,how do you like them,and did you get them for any special reason?
I'd love to get them for drag racing.
George

 

I'm confused...what were the actual readings when they were done? were they what you told them to set to...i.e., the Pfadt suggestions? If so, I'm not sure why it would make a difference whether they set the alignment suspension up for a Z06 or non-Z06...that would just drive the target specs for the alignment, which they should've been ignoring anyway if they were targeting the Pfadt specs.

 

Yes, the readings are now set close to the Pfadt recommended settings. Hopefully this will prevent the front tires from wearing to the inside.

But, I'm asking if there is a difference when it comes to setting up the alignment machine. The tech has to input the car information (yr/make/model), the computer must ask "base suspension" or "Z06 suspension". What is the right answer now that I have coil overs & the OEM springs are removed?

It's no longer a "base" or "Z06" suspension, but running OEM Z06 wheels & tires.

 

as far as I know, it shouldn't matter...I think the only reason the make/model/suspension stuff is entered is to give the tech specs to shoot for...those were irrelevant in your case.

 

Interesting read.