Racing Alignment on stock suspension

[Saudin801]

Originally Posted by thstone

Yes, its definitely worth doing a track alignment even with the stock suspension. Here is the series of events that I have followed over the past 16 months (new is in bold). As Topless said, its not a slippery slope, its a cliff!

1. Stock suspension, standard stock alignment, street tires. Fine for beginning track driver. As I got better/faster, I had extreme wear on the outside 1/3 of front tires.

2. Stock suspension, track alignment yielding max -1.2 deg camber in front, street tires. Much improved handling and improved grip. But again as I got better/faster, I had extreme wear on the outside 1/3 of front tires.

3. Stock suspension, track alignment yielding -1.2 deg camber in front, Nitto NT-01 race tires. Much improved grip due to the stickier tires. but the camber alignment limit casued premature/extreme wear on the outside 1/3 of front tires. Forum members (noteably Topless and Brad) predicted this would happen and they were correct.

4. Stock suspension, adustable GT-3 lower control arms, track alignment yielding -2.25 deg camber in front, Nitto NT-01 race tires. Started out with even tire wear. but as I got faster, I still have too much wear on the outside 1/3 of front and rear tires.

Next month....

5. PSS9 upgrade with adjustable sway bars, adustable GT-3 lower control arms, track alignment yielding -2.5 to -3.0 deg camber in front, Toyo RA-1 race tires. This is the Spec Box setup and I expect (hope for) better handling, more grip, and fairly even tire wear.

To the OP: sounds like you're about where I was around Step 3 so the track alignment will definitely improve things. Then prepare yourself for Step 4 or Step 5...

This is too good! I really appreciate the info.

Adjusting the stock suspension -as you clearly know- was well worth it. The car felt completely different driving home from the dealership. It has a lot more bite in the corners.

Final camber for the LF was -1.4 and RF -1.4.
Rears came in at LR at -2.4 and RR -2.6.

Who knows maybe the GT3 control arms are next.

[san rensho]

Originally Posted by Saudin801

This is too good! I really appreciate the info.

Adjusting the stock suspension -as you clearly know- was well worth it. The car felt completely different driving home from the dealership. It has a lot more bite in the corners.

Final camber for the LF was -1.4 and RF -1.4.
Rears came in at LR at -2.4 and RR -2.6.

Who knows maybe the GT3 control arms are next.

Why are you running so much negative camber in the rear? Unless I am mistaken, to dial out understeer, the idea is to get the rear camber less than the front.

[Saudin801]

Originally Posted by san rensho

Why are you running so much negative camber in the rear? Unless I am mistaken, to dial out understeer, the idea is to get the rear camber less than the front.

To be honest they didn't do what I asked or they simply misunderstood me. In any case I'm happy with it, feels great.

I have lowering springs, that might be why I got -1.4 out of the stock suspension. Everything apart from the springs is stock.

[MaxD]

You should be fine with those camber settings.

What did you set toe at?

I run -3.0 and 0" toe front and -2.0 1/16" toe in rear. I do have GT3 arms.

I signed up today for the DE and the time trial. Also I can point you to a reliable SLC place that can do alignments for a lot less than $169.

[Saudin801]

Originally Posted by MaxD

You should be fine with those camber settings.

What did you set toe at?

I run -3.0 and 0" toe front and -2.0 1/16" toe in rear. I do have GT3 arms.

I signed up today for the DE and the time trial. Also I can point you to a reliable SLC place that can do alignments for a lot less than $169.

Innovative Garage? Let me know who you're referring to.

Seeing how this will be my first HPDE I'm sure it will work for my skill level.

Rear tow is .10 LR and .13 RR.

How do you like your settings? Is this just something you went with our is it your final setting after many. Also how much do GT3 arms cost?

I didn't register yet but I plan to. I'm going to the autocross event towards the end of the month as well. I should also add I originally wanted to have it done by Russ alignment but they're booked for sometime. They're normally who I've used for sometime now

[Jittsl]

Rear tow is .10 LR and .13 RR.

Which equals 1/10 + 3/20 = 5/20 = 1/4" = way too much toe in. You cannot get that much camber in the rear without having too much toe whilst still using the stock suspension. I do not believe you are going to love your new setup nor what it does to your tires. I suspect that it is going to push like a bulldozer and destroy its rear tires.

Laurie

[MaxD]

Since we don't know whether those specs are in degrees or inches let's stop the bulldozer talk. In degrees it's fine. .23" of total toe would be a bit more than desired but is not going to kill the fun or the tires immediately. On most cars when power is applied the rear tends to toe out. If everything is solid back there (spherical bearings) that would really be a big deal, but it's a stock car with rubber bushings of unknown age running Hoosiers.

No matter what the settings, a stock Boxster is going to plow and that is what Porsche intended.

The alignment place is Ability Automotive, just off 3900 S. About $80 for whatever specs you want.

[san rensho]

Originally Posted by Saudin801

This is too good! I really appreciate the info.

Adjusting the stock suspension -as you clearly know- was well worth it. The car felt completely different driving home from the dealership. It has a lot more bite in the corners.

Final camber for the LF was -1.4 and RF -1.4.
Rears came in at LR at -2.4 and RR -2.6.

Who knows maybe the GT3 control arms are next.

You were able to get -1.4 out of the stock suspension? Wow, thats a lot I hope i can get that much when I change mine.