Factory (BG) alignment question
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 8,243
Likes: 4,617
From: Southwest Florida
Factory (BG) alignment question
I have a base (Stingray) coupe I am trying to find out if the alignment set by the Bowling Green factory is optimized for every day driving or set up for track use. I have searched then read countless thread and have not heard this question answered.
Additionally, I have not been able to find an “official GM” alignment spec which is optimized for good handling and tire longevity.
Additionally, I have not been able to find an “official GM” alignment spec which is optimized for good handling and tire longevity.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 921
Likes: 345
any decent tire place should be able to align your corvette for what you desired use within the general corvette specs. Who you choose make sure they can do rear wheel caster. This is important for highway speed control. If they say the corvette doe not allow for rear caster go to the next place.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,009
Likes: 2,707
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Generally, the more an alignment is set for performance (cornering), the worse is will be for tire life.
You can go all out for tire life, or all out for cornering, or pick some middle ground and get reasonable-but-not-perfect results for both.
My idea of a reasonable compromise is negative camber about -0.5' front and rear, very slight toe-in.
If you just cruise the interstates, this combo will wear the inner edges a little more. If you do a lot of canyon carving or autocross, this combo will wear the outer edges a little more.
If you want best tire life, set the camber to 0.
The rear caster spec is 0' and it needs special equipment to measure and set, an alignment rack can't measure or adjust it. Not many dealers have both the proper tools and someone who knows how to use them. Ask detailed questions before committing. The Tech must write the rear caster numbers on your sheet by hand.
Enjoy!
You can go all out for tire life, or all out for cornering, or pick some middle ground and get reasonable-but-not-perfect results for both.
My idea of a reasonable compromise is negative camber about -0.5' front and rear, very slight toe-in.
If you just cruise the interstates, this combo will wear the inner edges a little more. If you do a lot of canyon carving or autocross, this combo will wear the outer edges a little more.
If you want best tire life, set the camber to 0.
The rear caster spec is 0' and it needs special equipment to measure and set, an alignment rack can't measure or adjust it. Not many dealers have both the proper tools and someone who knows how to use them. Ask detailed questions before committing. The Tech must write the rear caster numbers on your sheet by hand.
Enjoy!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,044
Likes: 9,808
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
The alignment is set for street performance not track performance. That doesn't mean it is set like an Impala's alignment would be set but like a Customer would want their Corvette setup so the car handled like a sports car not a sedan. The GM track alignment recommendations are more than double what are shown in the factory service manual for street cars. For instance a Stingray Coupe may have front camber set anywhere from -0.7 to -1.0 while they recommend -2.0 front camber for the track.
Bill
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Bill
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