Alignment
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 17,982
Likes: 1,074
From: Lansing MI
Depends on what your going to do with the car.
A street only car will drive best, and get the best tire wear with about one tenth of one degree (.1) positive camber, and zero toe in. Set castor to whatever the factory spec is unless there's a pull for some reason.
A street only car will drive best, and get the best tire wear with about one tenth of one degree (.1) positive camber, and zero toe in. Set castor to whatever the factory spec is unless there's a pull for some reason.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 17,982
Likes: 1,074
From: Lansing MI
Well there ya go then.
The alignment debate always seems to center itself around the camber spec.
It seems these cars are set up at the factory with more of a track spec for camber.
Don't buy into that nonsense if you are not going to the track. Go with a tenth of a degree positive camber and live happily ever after.
Ive done hundreds of alignments over the years and that's why I'm qualified to speak on this issue.
The alignment debate always seems to center itself around the camber spec.
It seems these cars are set up at the factory with more of a track spec for camber.
Don't buy into that nonsense if you are not going to the track. Go with a tenth of a degree positive camber and live happily ever after.
Ive done hundreds of alignments over the years and that's why I'm qualified to speak on this issue.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 25,583
Likes: 16,942
You'll get a lot of different answers here.
For best handling performance, the settings posted below are the preferred settings, and they are within factory specs. The primary difference is that the factory specs specify a broad range for each parameter, within which the car is considered "in spec." The DSC settings below are precise.
The other thing to keep in mind is that rear caster settings are very important for predictable handling, and many dealers don't have the tool, and/or don't know how to adjust rear caster. A performance alignment shop is usually the best bet.
If max tire longevity is your main goal, and you're doing mainly straight-line highway mileage, you'd probably want to dial back on the camber. However, even in street driving one can benefit and enjoy best handling. I know I do. I live in an area with a lot of twisty rural roads, and my car is really dialed in on the "street/occasional track" specs published below. I carve the twisties almost every day on my way to and from work.
DSC recommended specs in attached PDF file below.
For best handling performance, the settings posted below are the preferred settings, and they are within factory specs. The primary difference is that the factory specs specify a broad range for each parameter, within which the car is considered "in spec." The DSC settings below are precise.
The other thing to keep in mind is that rear caster settings are very important for predictable handling, and many dealers don't have the tool, and/or don't know how to adjust rear caster. A performance alignment shop is usually the best bet.
If max tire longevity is your main goal, and you're doing mainly straight-line highway mileage, you'd probably want to dial back on the camber. However, even in street driving one can benefit and enjoy best handling. I know I do. I live in an area with a lot of twisty rural roads, and my car is really dialed in on the "street/occasional track" specs published below. I carve the twisties almost every day on my way to and from work.
DSC recommended specs in attached PDF file below.
Last edited by Foosh; Jan 29, 2021 at 12:19 PM.
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Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 719
From: Northeast MA & Mad Beach FL
I don't know if the Base car is setup any different than a Z51.
Regardless of what setting someone wants, the Factory alignments can be hit or miss as far as being properly aligned.
When I had my Z51 alignment checked I wanted it set to DSC specs for Street/Occasional Track.
When the tire shop checked it, it was already set that way from the Factory.
It was not dead on, but was surprised it was close enough it didn't need adjustment.
And after 14000 miles I don't see any noticeable tire wear.
YMMV
Regardless of what setting someone wants, the Factory alignments can be hit or miss as far as being properly aligned.
When I had my Z51 alignment checked I wanted it set to DSC specs for Street/Occasional Track.
When the tire shop checked it, it was already set that way from the Factory.
It was not dead on, but was surprised it was close enough it didn't need adjustment.
And after 14000 miles I don't see any noticeable tire wear.
YMMV
Last edited by Dif; Mar 21, 2018 at 12:12 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 25,583
Likes: 16,942
Dif is correct.
Alignments are done quickly at the factory, and often are not very precise. For a Z51/GS/Z06, the factory alignment should be close to the DSC Street/Occasion Track spec, IF it was done correctly.
Alignments are done quickly at the factory, and often are not very precise. For a Z51/GS/Z06, the factory alignment should be close to the DSC Street/Occasion Track spec, IF it was done correctly.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 17,982
Likes: 1,074
From: Lansing MI
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 4,754
Likes: 1,651
I read in a “Ask Tadge” thread where Tadge states that there are 2 speciality tools most dealers do not have access to in their shop necessary to perform the rear alignment. The Digital Angle Gauge and Adapter tools are available to all Chevy dealers as Chevy has a loaner program and they will overnight these tools to any dealer that needs them. More info can be found here in this thread.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-problems.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-problems.html
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 4,754
Likes: 1,651
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 17,982
Likes: 1,074
From: Lansing MI
Last edited by PatternDayTrader; Mar 21, 2018 at 12:40 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,568
Likes: 264
From: Near Charlotte NC
I had mine('17 Z51) done at 700 miles.I could tell it wasn't "square".
It was within specs....but the specs are very wide.
As Foosh said,The DSC street specs are right-on.The dealer charged me $89.Well worth it,IMO.
\db2
It was within specs....but the specs are very wide.
As Foosh said,The DSC street specs are right-on.The dealer charged me $89.Well worth it,IMO.
\db2
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 25,583
Likes: 16,942
As I said above, it depends upon how you use the car. If most of your driving is in a straight line, you can go back to more neutral camber, because you won't be needing or using the best handling package.
However, if you enjoy a lot of twisty road driving, you'll be missing out on superior handling. About half my daily commute is twisty roads, and the other half city/highway. The OEM PSS tires on my '14 were showing perfectly even wear when recently traded at 15K miles (all street), and it was set early on to the DSC Street/Occasional Track specs @ -1.2º front camber.
Last edited by Foosh; Mar 21, 2018 at 01:14 PM.