camber plate differences - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

KenT · 05-12-2007, 06:11 AM

I plan to put camber plates on my 2000 Boxster S. I see a number of choices (TRG, EVO, Epiq, Racer's Edge coming out with some) with a wide range of prices. Can someone fill me in on the differences? Why is one set worth twice the price of another set?

Thanks.

2000SoCalBoxsterS · 05-18-2007, 07:11 PM

I can't help you on this question but you can help me.

What is a Camber plate?
What does it do for the car?

Sammy · 05-20-2007, 05:50 PM

I'm sure someone will have a better and more "technical" explanation but a camber plate adjust the suspension geometry as you turn the steering wheel. It keeps the contact patch as large as possible when the wheels are turned. I've never been hip to using these (meaning I don't know how to use these for the best results) but I believe I read this somewhere in a vehicle dynamics book?

On a similar note I have noticed that my R compound tires are wearing quite rapidly on the outside of my front tires (all I do is autox). Is this the result of not enough camber?

racer_d · 05-21-2007, 05:41 AM

Camber plates allow greater adjustability of Camber. Almost always, it is more NEGATIVE camber that is desired to reduce wear on the outside edges of tires.

Sammy, in your case yes, they would help you reduce excessive tire wear on the outside shoulders of your tires.

The stock 986 front suspension seems to allow between -0.8 and -1.2 degrees of negative camber. "R" compound tires typically ask for -2.0 to -2.5 degrees of negative camber.

While I haven't reviewed all brands available, most differ in materials and overall design, although their goals are the same. Also consider some brands have more experience in certain component designs and it is even possible that 2 are actually alike, only "branded" differently.

KenT · 05-21-2007, 06:18 PM

As stated before, camber plates will let me adjust the camber more. Camber is the tilt of the wheels from vertical, in towards the center of the car is negative camber. (Tilt back/front is caster).

Yes, the outside edges wearing in hard driving is a result of not enough camber. I have the same problem. With my 030 suspension I can get a maximum of -.5 to -.75 degrees. I have -1.5 degrees in back and have no problems. I hope to get -2.0 in front and -2.5 in the rear.

racer_d · 05-21-2007, 06:28 PM

The only item that is keeping me from putting some on my car is the class penatly I would pay for my local autocrossing. Camber plates would put me in the improved or modified class.. and well.. that might not be best.

Then again, $300-500 bucks on Camber plates eliminates $500 chunks of money spent for new tires that become needed more frequently than desired.