Alignment Specs Question
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,457
Likes: 297
From: corpus christi Texas
Alignment Specs Question
To the guys with a shop manual:I would like to know what the specs are on a BASE corvette,i know that the Z51,Z06 & the ZR1 are not the same.Thanks 
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,352
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From: Ventura County, Calif
Base, F55 and Z51 are the same:
I was going to say Dog walking as well. However, dog walking or suspension adjustment will not affect the HUD so I am assuming you are using the HUD as a reference to tell the car is moving the way you describe. It could be something as simple as the thrust angle needs to be a little closer to 0. Just because somebody says the alignment is in spec doesn't mean it is right. The specs are wide and if the alignment guy is lazy you will get a bad alignment.
If the thrust angle is off so the general thrust of the rear wheels is to the right the car will feel like it is turning left under acceleration and then turning back right with off throttle. It could be that just one of the rear tie rod needs adjusting or that the camber adjusting cams on one or both of the rear lower control arms has slipped. I had this happen after one alignment due to the tech not tightening them sufficiently. The =/- .2 degrees of thrust angle can be felt and visually noticed and should be set a lot closer to zero.
If the thrust angle is off so the general thrust of the rear wheels is to the right the car will feel like it is turning left under acceleration and then turning back right with off throttle. It could be that just one of the rear tie rod needs adjusting or that the camber adjusting cams on one or both of the rear lower control arms has slipped. I had this happen after one alignment due to the tech not tightening them sufficiently. The =/- .2 degrees of thrust angle can be felt and visually noticed and should be set a lot closer to zero.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,457
Likes: 297
From: corpus christi Texas
Yes: i have read many threads on the specs they recommend,but i want to know what the GM specs are,the reason is i had a 07 base 2lt & it had 32000 miles on it when traded in,still had good tire wear.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Daytona Beach FL
I suspect it's a 2011 SM because I have 2006 and 2010 manuals, and the specs in that chart are very slightly different from my two model year manuals, and mine are both slightly different from each other (and the 2006 doesn't have the FE5 ZR1 specs of course).
Sorry, but the Z51 is a base Vette!!
Like you say, Z51 is just an option on the base Vette. The FE1/2/3 specs are all the same. The FE1 is the standard base Vette, the FE2 is a base with F55, and the FE3 is the base with Z51.
The FE4 is the Z06/GS, and the FE5 is the ZR1.
So.....Z51 has the same alignment specs as the other base Vettes, and factory alignment specs have changed slightly several times over the years.
Bob
Last edited by BEZ06; Jan 16, 2012 at 08:36 PM.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,457
Likes: 297
From: corpus christi Texas
That chart in post# 2 is directly from the Corvette Service Manual.
I suspect it's a 2011 SM because I have 2006 and 2010 manuals, and the specs in that chart are very slightly different from my two model year manuals, and mine are both slightly different from each other (and the 2006 doesn't have the FE5 ZR1 specs of course).
Sorry, but the Z51 is a base Vette!! Like you say, Z51 is just an option on the base Vette.
The FE1/2/3 specs are all the same. The FE1 is the standard base Vette, the FE2 is a base with F55, and the FE3 is the base with Z51.
The FE4 is the Z06/GS, and the FE5 is the ZR1.
So.....Z51 has the same alignment specs as the other base Vettes, and factory alignment specs have changed slightly several times over the years.
Bob
I suspect it's a 2011 SM because I have 2006 and 2010 manuals, and the specs in that chart are very slightly different from my two model year manuals, and mine are both slightly different from each other (and the 2006 doesn't have the FE5 ZR1 specs of course).
Sorry, but the Z51 is a base Vette!!
Like you say, Z51 is just an option on the base Vette. The FE1/2/3 specs are all the same. The FE1 is the standard base Vette, the FE2 is a base with F55, and the FE3 is the base with Z51.
The FE4 is the Z06/GS, and the FE5 is the ZR1.
So.....Z51 has the same alignment specs as the other base Vettes, and factory alignment specs have changed slightly several times over the years.
Bob
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Race Director
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From: Daytona Beach FL
Are you saying that chart in your post (reposted by Rick T in post# 2) is from an '08 manual?
That chart has the FE5 ZR1 specs, and the ZR1 didn't come out until '09!!
Below is the chart in my '06 manual:
You can see that those specs in my '06 manual are pretty much the same as those in your '07 manual, except for some slight differences in tolerances, and the caster is definitely different.
So.....specs vary slightly from year to year, and owners shouldn't be getting all worried about 5 hundredths of a degree!!!
Bob
Tech Contributor
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From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Bill
Race Director
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From: Austin Texas
GM alignment specs are great IF you ignore the PLUS or MINUS factors and set the specs dead on.
Yes, it takes more time and a skilled mechanic to get to exact tolerances. That's why a GOOD PROFESSIONAL alignment takes an hour and costs $125.00. And it also explains how Bowling Green gets the alignment "within specs" in a couple of minutes and the the Dealer does an alignment free.
Accuracy costs time and $$.
Yes, it takes more time and a skilled mechanic to get to exact tolerances. That's why a GOOD PROFESSIONAL alignment takes an hour and costs $125.00. And it also explains how Bowling Green gets the alignment "within specs" in a couple of minutes and the the Dealer does an alignment free.
Accuracy costs time and $$.
Racer
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
From: Holliston MA
That chart in post# 2 is directly from the Corvette Service Manual.
I suspect it's a 2011 SM because I have 2006 and 2010 manuals, and the specs in that chart are very slightly different from my two model year manuals, and mine are both slightly different from each other (and the 2006 doesn't have the FE5 ZR1 specs of course).
Sorry, but the Z51 is a base Vette!! Like you say, Z51 is just an option on the base Vette.
The FE1/2/3 specs are all the same. The FE1 is the standard base Vette, the FE2 is a base with F55, and the FE3 is the base with Z51.
The FE4 is the Z06/GS, and the FE5 is the ZR1.
So.....Z51 has the same alignment specs as the other base Vettes, and factory alignment specs have changed slightly several times over the years.
Bob
I suspect it's a 2011 SM because I have 2006 and 2010 manuals, and the specs in that chart are very slightly different from my two model year manuals, and mine are both slightly different from each other (and the 2006 doesn't have the FE5 ZR1 specs of course).
Sorry, but the Z51 is a base Vette!!
Like you say, Z51 is just an option on the base Vette. The FE1/2/3 specs are all the same. The FE1 is the standard base Vette, the FE2 is a base with F55, and the FE3 is the base with Z51.
The FE4 is the Z06/GS, and the FE5 is the ZR1.
So.....Z51 has the same alignment specs as the other base Vettes, and factory alignment specs have changed slightly several times over the years.
Bob
Tech Contributor
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From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Bill
Race Director
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From: Daytona Beach FL
When I posted the earlier statement I was just thinking that the Z06 and GS were both wide bodies and have the same suspension, but that's not correct.
The GS has essentially the same suspension as the base Vette, not the Z06 (for instance, the way the rear upper A-arms are attached are the same as the base, which is different from the Z06 and ZR1.
The GS can be ordered with the Z51 suspension - that would be the FE3 RPO code.
Of course the GS can be ordered with the F55 suspension also.
I don't know what the Suspension ID is for the Z06 with MSRC.
So, I think my earlier statement is incorrect - thanks!!
Bob
Last edited by BEZ06; Jan 18, 2013 at 09:34 PM.
Racer
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 253
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From: Holliston MA
Along with the FE3 code, my glove box codes had the Z51 listed also. I have to believe that the Z51 is probably a standard feature of the GS model.
Does any one have the official GM alignment specs for the 2011 GS FE3 suspension?
Does any one have the official GM alignment specs for the 2011 GS FE3 suspension?
SUBVETTE
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,841
Likes: 90
From: San Diego CA
If you are looking for the best alignment specs for your car, go to www.pfadtracing.com click on support, technical information, and then corvette alignment. There you will find an alignment chart with specs tailored exactly to the use you intend for the car. The specs in the GM shop manuals have such wide parameters (+/-) that they are useless. The Pfadt specs have been used successfully by many on this forum.
Racer
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
From: Holliston MA
My codes have FE3 with XFA. also have YFJ, and Z16. These are all standard codes for the 2011 GS.
XFA= Tires, front P275/35ZR18 Eagle F1 Supercar, run flat
YFJ = Tires, rear P325/30ZR19 Eagle F1 Supercar, run flat
Z16 = Z16 Performance Package, performance-oriented package for the
Gymkhana/Autocross enthusiast; includes extra cooling, stiffer springs and
stabilizer bars, specific shock absorbers, larger brakes with 6 piston front
and 4 piston rear cross-drilled rotors, specific tires and Z16-specific 6-speed
manual when ordered with 6-speed manual transmission or (GU2)
performance axle ratio with 6-speed paddle shift automatic
XFA= Tires, front P275/35ZR18 Eagle F1 Supercar, run flat
YFJ = Tires, rear P325/30ZR19 Eagle F1 Supercar, run flat
Z16 = Z16 Performance Package, performance-oriented package for the
Gymkhana/Autocross enthusiast; includes extra cooling, stiffer springs and
stabilizer bars, specific shock absorbers, larger brakes with 6 piston front
and 4 piston rear cross-drilled rotors, specific tires and Z16-specific 6-speed
manual when ordered with 6-speed manual transmission or (GU2)
performance axle ratio with 6-speed paddle shift automatic
Last edited by Steve Zaino; Jan 21, 2013 at 10:45 AM.