Autocross Alignment Settings
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 2,305
Likes: 86
From: Richmond, BC, Canada
Autocross Alignment Settings
OK, I've read the manual re Track settings, and I plan to be close to that for autocross, but .......
Every alignment instruction I've ever read/seen says to do Toe OUT for the front.
But this C8 says to do minimal Toe IN. Wha ???????
And, while I'm here, I also see someone is saying to do Rear Caster at 1.6, whereas manual says 0.0.
Speed Phenoms' .... https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...xperience.html
I was planning on doing -2.5 to -2.8 front camber, and 1/16" Toe OUT (total), and as much caster as I can get.
For rear I was planning on -1.8 to -2.2 rear camber, and zero Toe, and 0.0 caster.
So... Help me please with some good recommendations
Every alignment instruction I've ever read/seen says to do Toe OUT for the front.
But this C8 says to do minimal Toe IN. Wha ???????
And, while I'm here, I also see someone is saying to do Rear Caster at 1.6, whereas manual says 0.0.
Speed Phenoms' .... https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...xperience.html
I was planning on doing -2.5 to -2.8 front camber, and 1/16" Toe OUT (total), and as much caster as I can get.
For rear I was planning on -1.8 to -2.2 rear camber, and zero Toe, and 0.0 caster.
So... Help me please with some good recommendations
Last edited by NTMD8R; Sep 17, 2020 at 12:09 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,760
Likes: 820
From: SUFFIELD CT USA 2023 C8 CORVETTE UN-MODIFIED FINALIST
2023 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
According to all the testing I have seen most autocross tracks won't allow enough speed to make much if any difference between the street or track alignments!
Pro
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 604
Likes: 129
If you autocross much, the alignment will have a big affect on tire wear. With street alignment, you would wear out the outer edge of the tire fairly quickly, so alignment does matter there.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,760
Likes: 820
From: SUFFIELD CT USA 2023 C8 CORVETTE UN-MODIFIED FINALIST
2023 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Ok that makes sense I'm just saying time wise it will only make a diff on the fastest or more open courses.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 2,305
Likes: 86
From: Richmond, BC, Canada
We (before Covid) autocrossed 20-25 times a year (2 drivers, averaging 8-12 laps each per event).
And we drive 25 km to and from the event each time for the last 6-8 years.
And we do hit 125 km in some parts of the courses.
We've been autocrossing Corvettes for 40 years, all over western Canada and the northwest US.
I just think those GM front Toe settings are wrong,
but I defer to those who have autocrossed their C8, to give some advice.
And we drive 25 km to and from the event each time for the last 6-8 years.
And we do hit 125 km in some parts of the courses.
We've been autocrossing Corvettes for 40 years, all over western Canada and the northwest US.
I just think those GM front Toe settings are wrong,
but I defer to those who have autocrossed their C8, to give some advice.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,888
Likes: 230
From: Livingston County, Michigan
Whenever I set up a test n tune course I strive to have a brisk speed maintenance section and a portion that has tight radius 180s with short straights so I can take time splits and work on both.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,888
Likes: 230
From: Livingston County, Michigan
To OP, my C8 had an initial set up with GM track spec camber, very small amount of positive rear caster, GM track spec front caster, and zero toe front and rear. Also lowered about 2/3rds.
Then I used a test session to get the toe settings that seem to work best. I like my front settings (very slight front toe out) but still working on getting the rear to behave as I want. I’ve had both BFG Rival S and Bridgestone RE-71Rs on the car. Bridgestones are mine; borrowed the Rival S. Think that rear toe settings would differ between the two tires because of how different they behave in corner exit/power on situations. I also want to explore effects of rake but rear alignment settings are a pain with the C8, so not an easy test n tune parameter.
Also, don’t forget that the GM track spec is aimed at tracks and not autox. While I haven’t had the C8 out for a lapping day yet, I usually had a smidge of toe in on my C5Z and C6Z for timed lapping days. Both cars usually had zero to 5 mm toe out for autox.
Then I used a test session to get the toe settings that seem to work best. I like my front settings (very slight front toe out) but still working on getting the rear to behave as I want. I’ve had both BFG Rival S and Bridgestone RE-71Rs on the car. Bridgestones are mine; borrowed the Rival S. Think that rear toe settings would differ between the two tires because of how different they behave in corner exit/power on situations. I also want to explore effects of rake but rear alignment settings are a pain with the C8, so not an easy test n tune parameter.
Also, don’t forget that the GM track spec is aimed at tracks and not autox. While I haven’t had the C8 out for a lapping day yet, I usually had a smidge of toe in on my C5Z and C6Z for timed lapping days. Both cars usually had zero to 5 mm toe out for autox.
Last edited by acrace; Sep 17, 2020 at 02:37 PM.
