C8 Tech/Performance Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: CARiD

C8 track alignment vs street

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 30, 2021 | 05:17 PM
  #1  
dtnorthern's Avatar
dtnorthern
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 32
Likes: 13
Default C8 track alignment vs street

Just became a member at Spring Mountain and I want to take the C8 out pretty often. My issue is street vs track alignment. Are people actually switching back and forth? I anticipate going at LEAST once a month. Has anyone had any success with a middle of the road alignment? If I set the track alignment then put the camber washers back in after track use to reduce negative camber, will this mess up the toe?
Reply
Old Jan 30, 2021 | 09:44 PM
  #2  
pksjc's Avatar
pksjc
Racer
 
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 299
Likes: 161
From: Texas
Default

Originally Posted by dtnorthern
Just became a member at Spring Mountain and I want to take the C8 out pretty often. My issue is street vs track alignment. Are people actually switching back and forth? I anticipate going at LEAST once a month. Has anyone had any success with a middle of the road alignment? If I set the track alignment then put the camber washers back in after track use to reduce negative camber, will this mess up the toe?
There's a YouTuber names Speed Phenom that tracks his C8 a lot and has his C8 on the track aligament all the time. He just put up an update video that has his Vette at 17k miles and the tire wear was one of his viewers top questions. He reports no uneven wear. Here's a link to the video.


Reply
Old Jan 30, 2021 | 10:15 PM
  #3  
NoMatter's Avatar
NoMatter
What’s Next
Supporting Lifetime
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 1,293
Likes: 834
From: Reality
Default

Definitely a personal preference. I’ll be leaving mine at track setting for I always have. Especially tracking once a month. I pawn it off as regular maintenance and wear and tear. If I get 7-10K miles a set I’m happy. Part of the hobby. Pick your poison. I’m sure middle of the road will help a good bit but it depends on how hard you drive and your limits. I want the most out of my cars and have them set at the best results and drive to those limits. If you adjust any parameters of the suspension the toe will change. Doesn’t take much toe out to wear very quickly.
Reply
Old Jan 31, 2021 | 10:10 AM
  #4  
dtnorthern's Avatar
dtnorthern
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 32
Likes: 13
Default

Maybe with that level of track use, the track wear outside edge and street wear on inside edge will balance out... lol. Guess I'll just go track alignment and we'll find out.
Reply
Old Jan 31, 2021 | 11:58 AM
  #5  
Poor-sha's Avatar
Poor-sha
Track Rat
Supporting Lifetime
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,466
Likes: 3,464
Default

Will you be tracking on the same tires or do you have a dedicated set of track tires? If it is the same tires then I wouldn't worry about it as you'll wear them out on track long before any effect of street miles. If you add the washers back in the toe will change and too much toe is a bigger killer of tires than camber.

I tried the GM track alignment and found the car to be too loose with it. I ended up going with a mid-way alignment that is closer to what I run on my C7 (-2.5/-2.1 camber) and I also lowered the rear two turns. These changes along with the Goodyear 3R tires were on huge improvement. I "daily" drive my C8, which isn't really daily any more but it is my main road car, and I've not seen any adverse wear from road use including a couple long road trips.

Here is some on track video of the car after the changes.

Last edited by Poor-sha; Jan 31, 2021 at 12:08 PM.
Reply
Old Jan 31, 2021 | 03:22 PM
  #6  
dtnorthern's Avatar
dtnorthern
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 32
Likes: 13
Default

Good call, kind of forgot that I am running separate track wheels, don't know how it slipped my mind. I saw your posts in a few threads in my research so far. Running 21/20 on the street. Having some wheels made right now to accept stock size tires for the track. The track tires will get 750 miles put on them per track day so maybe a balance there.

The street tires are then the ones I'm scared for, as they will see only street use, so no track use to balance the inside edge wear on the street?? What kind of toe are you running on your setup?
Reply
Old Jan 31, 2021 | 03:59 PM
  #7  
Poor-sha's Avatar
Poor-sha
Track Rat
Supporting Lifetime
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,466
Likes: 3,464
Default

Originally Posted by dtnorthern
Good call, kind of forgot that I am running separate track wheels, don't know how it slipped my mind. I saw your posts in a few threads in my research so far. Running 21/20 on the street. Having some wheels made right now to accept stock size tires for the track. The track tires will get 750 miles put on them per track day so maybe a balance there.

The street tires are then the ones I'm scared for, as they will see only street use, so no track use to balance the inside edge wear on the street?? What kind of toe are you running on your setup?
I am running 2 mm total toe in front and 4 mm toe in rear. Mind you that i do my own alignments and that is measured with strings.

Realistically how many street miles do you plan to put on the car in year?
Reply
Old Jan 31, 2021 | 04:04 PM
  #8  
dtnorthern's Avatar
dtnorthern
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 32
Likes: 13
Default

8-10k on the street tires. If I go to SM monthly then that's 9000 more on the track tires going back and forth. Lol. Sounds like a lot now.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-5

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Feb 8, 2021 | 10:39 AM
  #9  
savage's Avatar
savage
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 262
From: swoyersville pa
Default

Originally Posted by Poor-sha
Will you be tracking on the same tires or do you have a dedicated set of track tires? If it is the same tires then I wouldn't worry about it as you'll wear them out on track long before any effect of street miles. If you add the washers back in the toe will change and too much toe is a bigger killer of tires than camber.

I tried the GM track alignment and found the car to be too loose with it. I ended up going with a mid-way alignment that is closer to what I run on my C7 (-2.5/-2.1 camber) and I also lowered the rear two turns. These changes along with the Goodyear 3R tires were on huge improvement. I "daily" drive my C8, which isn't really daily any more but it is my main road car, and I've not seen any adverse wear from road use including a couple long road trips.

Here is some on track video of the car after the changes.
2:02.88 Lap of VIR Full in a C8 Corvette - YouTube

I’m going to give these a try for track sprint this year , I bumped up the size in front a little.
Reply
Old Feb 11, 2021 | 02:20 AM
  #10  
Jeff Eikenberry's Avatar
Jeff Eikenberry
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 468
Likes: 67
From: El Dorado Hills, CA
Default

What diameter 305 are you running in the rear, 27.2” or 28.5”? The photo wasn’t sharp enough to detect. The 265 front is 26.4”, making the differential front to rear 0.8” if you running the 27.2” rear diameter, and 2.1” running the 28.5” rear. They differ from the stock differential, of 1.4”, by - 0.6” (27.2”) and + 0.7” (28.5”).

I’m concerned with running a differential of more than 0.4” from the stock 1.4”, due to the electronics, including ABS, Mag Ride, and other dynamics lurking out there. The +/- 0.4” was arrived at from people running C6 and C7’s. I haven’t read anything relating to the C8. What are your thoughts, or what did your research find?

Do you have prior experience with the Supercar 3’s?

Thanks much!
Reply
Old Feb 11, 2021 | 09:11 AM
  #11  
savage's Avatar
savage
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 262
From: swoyersville pa
Default

Originally Posted by Jeff Eikenberry
What diameter 305 are you running in the rear, 27.2” or 28.5”? The photo wasn’t sharp enough to detect. The 265 front is 26.4”, making the differential front to rear 0.8” if you running the 27.2” rear diameter, and 2.1” running the 28.5” rear. They differ from the stock differential, of 1.4”, by - 0.6” (27.2”) and + 0.7” (28.5”).

I’m concerned with running a differential of more than 0.4” from the stock 1.4”, due to the electronics, including ABS, Mag Ride, and other dynamics lurking out there. The +/- 0.4” was arrived at from people running C6 and C7’s. I haven’t read anything relating to the C8. What are your thoughts, or what did your research find?

Do you have prior experience with the Supercar 3’s?

Thanks much!

Here you go ( the 305/35/20 is too tall you are correct) I’m running 265/35/19 and 305/30/20 and the only experience I have is knowing they can handle more heat than other 200- 240 TW racing tires . The c8 throws tons of heat on front tires. My R71R’s never got faster as the day went on . Are supercar 3’s good cold ? No !!!! I plan on keeping them warm by running my car between runs ( with A/C on ) I found the c8 loves being run between runs even with a-c on .
Reply
Old Feb 11, 2021 | 10:40 AM
  #12  
Jeff Eikenberry's Avatar
Jeff Eikenberry
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 468
Likes: 67
From: El Dorado Hills, CA
Default

I’m assuming you run the stock wheels, or at least the stock width rims. Any concerns with using the 8.5” rims for the 265’s?

Well, if the Supercars like heat, they’ll get it where I AX. The average AX day’s temp was probably 90-95 in the afternoon. One event saw 105!

Thanks again, and good luck this season!
Reply
Old Feb 11, 2021 | 11:28 AM
  #13  
savage's Avatar
savage
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 262
From: swoyersville pa
Default

Originally Posted by Jeff Eikenberry
I’m assuming you run the stock wheels, or at least the stock width rims. Any concerns with using the 8.5” rims for the 265’s?

Well, if the Supercars like heat, they’ll get it where I AX. The average AX day’s temp was probably 90-95 in the afternoon. One event saw 105!

Thanks again, and good luck this season!
I ran 275/35/19 R71R on my stock 8.5 front wheels and not only myself but co drivers like it . I wasn’t able to roll fronts over like I like/want so when I got my 18/19 setup I went with 265/35/18 on 8.5 wheel and 305/30/19 on rear 11 inch wheel. Scca legal class SS , now I’m going to use stock wheels for supercar 3’s and I believe the 265/35/19 is perfect on 8.5 wheel , remember the 265 will have better heat sink that a 245 or 255 and more tire with all the heat blowing on it is better. Just make sure you have a big boy alignment and your rear caster is set correctly/ many alignment shops tell you they can do alignment on c7/c8 but they have no clue .




Reply
Old Feb 12, 2021 | 11:30 AM
  #14  
Jeff Eikenberry's Avatar
Jeff Eikenberry
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 468
Likes: 67
From: El Dorado Hills, CA
Default

Well, you’ve sold me on the Supercar 3’s. I’m going with the 265/35/19 and 305/30/20. Hopefully, the difference in diameters, front to back, won’t confuse the electronics. Stock is 1.4” and this configuration is 0.9”.

What tire pressures are you starting with, and do you have an experimenting protocol you use with a new tire set up?

Thanks again!

Reply
Old Feb 12, 2021 | 01:12 PM
  #15  
savage's Avatar
savage
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 262
From: swoyersville pa
Default

Originally Posted by Jeff Eikenberry
Well, you’ve sold me on the Supercar 3’s. I’m going with the 265/35/19 and 305/30/20. Hopefully, the difference in diameters, front to back, won’t confuse the electronics. Stock is 1.4” and this configuration is 0.9”.

What tire pressures are you starting with, and do you have an experimenting protocol you use with a new tire set up?

Thanks again!
0.9 will work fine . Personally I like the tire as soft as possible so it rolls over on its edge . More contact path but of course there’s a limit before you feel like your on ice. With the R71R’s I started at 32 front 30 rear and slowly worked my way down to 28 front 26 rear because that’s exactly where all 4 tires roll over to where I want them for most contact patch grip. Remember depending on what alignment anyone runs determines what pressure they need . Factory alignment with far less negative camber that I have would require more air so you would destroy outside tire edge and sidewall before the rest of the tire . I get even tire wear tracking/ autocross/ track sprint with max negative camber and correct pressure. Tires rolling over in turns.

These are 295/30/20 R71R’s- to skinny for me on a 11 wide wheel but look at tire wear , it’s perfect and this is with 2.6 degrees negative camber and 1/4 toe in and driving them to and from events 2 hours away.the fronts were so nice my son stole them and put them on his camaro.
Reply
Old Feb 12, 2021 | 07:25 PM
  #16  
Jeff Eikenberry's Avatar
Jeff Eikenberry
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 468
Likes: 67
From: El Dorado Hills, CA
Default

Glad you were able to keep them in the family.

I ordered the Supercar 3’s today, from tire rack. I believe I got one of the last complete sets. COVID has hit all tire mfgs and they are prioritizing their production capacity to satisfy the automotive industry’s immediate assembly line requirements.

Glad I got mine today...... and that was not without drama. First they said they had no Supercar 3’s. Then they said they did. Turns out they were 3R’s. Then they “found” the correct set. Oh, well, all’s well that ends well.

It’ll be interesting to see how the Supercar 3’s perform. Will definitely go for -3 on camber, up front
Reply
Old Feb 12, 2021 | 11:08 PM
  #17  
savage's Avatar
savage
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 262
From: swoyersville pa
Default

Originally Posted by Jeff Eikenberry
Glad you were able to keep them in the family.

I ordered the Supercar 3’s today, from tire rack. I believe I got one of the last complete sets. COVID has hit all tire mfgs and they are prioritizing their production capacity to satisfy the automotive industry’s immediate assembly line requirements.

Glad I got mine today...... and that was not without drama. First they said they had no Supercar 3’s. Then they said they did. Turns out they were 3R’s. Then they “found” the correct set. Oh, well, all’s well that ends well.

It’ll be interesting to see how the Supercar 3’s perform. Will definitely go for -3 on camber, up front
exactly why I ordered mine earlier than usual, my friend has been waiting for factory tires that came on his 2017 zo6 and it’s nearly a year with no promises when ? Ok good luck I will be talking to you when the race season starts.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To C8 track alignment vs street

Old Feb 12, 2021 | 11:40 PM
  #18  
Jeff Eikenberry's Avatar
Jeff Eikenberry
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 468
Likes: 67
From: El Dorado Hills, CA
Default

You’ve got it! The first AX will be late March! Of, one of front coolant fans failed last week. The car remains cool. Replacement part came in, so should have it replaced in the next week or so.

Talk to you once the season gets rollin’

i like your car’s color. A friend also has a white. Mine is Ceramic Matrix Gray Metallic . Vin number 0610 and was produced in mid March.
Reply
Old May 23, 2021 | 12:34 PM
  #19  
okaythen's Avatar
okaythen
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,187
Likes: 173
From: Nevada
Default

Originally Posted by Poor-sha
Will you be tracking on the same tires or do you have a dedicated set of track tires? If it is the same tires then I wouldn't worry about it as you'll wear them out on track long before any effect of street miles. If you add the washers back in the toe will change and too much toe is a bigger killer of tires than camber.
What if I am tracking it twice a year and with the same set of tires? definitely change the alignment back to street alignment?
Reply
Old May 23, 2021 | 02:17 PM
  #20  
NoMatter's Avatar
NoMatter
What’s Next
Supporting Lifetime
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 1,293
Likes: 834
From: Reality
Default

Originally Posted by okaythen
What if I am tracking it twice a year and with the same set of tires? definitely change the alignment back to street alignment?
I would in that case.
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:04 AM.

story-0
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE