Autocross alignment...?

[Leigh]

I went in finally to have my alignment checked & get more negative camber put on this week. I'm kind of suspecting the guys were being sloppy though and was told that it was "impossible" to put more negative on the front of the MSP.

Since they didn't give me the toe I asked for on the front either and since I'd been there for 4 hours waiting and it was after 10pm at that point I think this was probably more of an "its late, lets go home the customer won't notice the difference and doesn't know any better" situation.

The rear at least they did what I asked and corrected a toe problem I'd had, but that was done while a guy I sort of knew and worked there was still around (he left before they finished the front end).

So question: how many MSP autoXers are running at least a degree of neg camber & do you know if something special was done to get it? Is there any reason to believe my car is different in some way and its not possible to get more from it? (its running -.7/.5 right now r/l... another annoyance, they didn't even get a pre-existing camber problem fixed)

At least they got the rear end right... though this might have been because it was already set up fine (-1) to start with.

 

[DistantTea]

I'd say almost all MSPs should be able to get right around -1 degree. Some can get -1.2 some are stuck at about -.9... .7/.5 is pretty low.

Having a slightly skewed l/r camber setting from a professional shop is normal. There should always be just slightly less camber on the passenger side because of the weight of the driver. So I think that makes your .7/.5 even more confusing. I'd complain for sure.

 

[mazdaowner123]

How much did it cost ya? I need to get an autox alignment, but I also need to know how much money it is hehe. Thanks.

~brian

 

[DistantTea]

Oh... well... $180 but that included camber bolts and it was done at the best shop (in my opinion) in the nation. The main dude is the chasis engineer for the Audi R8 team. For a normal autocross alignment they only charge $100... but since I didn't have the bolts on hand they got for the purchase and the install (had to get the alignment friday, race day sunday.. no time for thinking ahead). Get those camber bolts or plates on yourself and its usually about $100 at most places for a true autocross alignment.

 

[Fear]

a lifetime alignment at firestone is like 65 bucks. a GREAT investment to ALL auto-xers. i suggest everyone who is serious about their lap times invest.


as far as camber changes, i believe camber bolts are now street touring legal, although i COULD be wrong (probably am, ive had a rough day). and as far as impossible alignment goes, i know all about it. the B15 rear end can only be changed via rear beam bending. also, have you thought about some more toe-in on the front?