Front alignment, bump steer kits, lowered front

So comments on al this....along with front tires.

I was thinking about this http://www.spohn.net/?action=product&pid=1802 kit.

and going with a MT sportmans front designed for the heavier cars....

any thoughts, I also want to know where some of you guys are running for caster/camber and how much toe in your running if any.

I need to do mine again...the a-arms keep moving :(

So comments on al this....along with front tires.

I was thinking about this http://www.spohn.net/?action=product&pid=1802 kit.

and going with a MT sportmans front designed for the heavier cars....

any thoughts, I also want to know where some of you guys are running for caster/camber and how much toe in your running if any.

I need to do mine again...the a-arms keep moving :(

I'm not an expert on bump-steer, however, one of the Pro-Mod guys I know was having a big issue with bump-steer in the first 330. He was out-of-control with first being back on the wheelie-bars (light load on the front-end) and then the down track transition with the front loaded-up.

Here's the funny part. One of his Pro-Mod competitors is the local front-end and chassis alignment guru (David, the guy that did my alignment). And, he wouldn't talk with David to get some help (he fought the problem for months). David goes down the track straight every time and that is something to be said for a Pro-Mod car.

All I remember on my front-end alighment now is; the toe-in (left & right) is set to -.005. I could call David about the castor and camber setting on my car, he has a high-tech digital alignment system.

WD

All I remember on my front-end alighment now is; the toe-in (left & right) is set to -.005. I could call David about the castor and camber setting on my car, he has a high-tech digital alignment system.

WD

I have the tools and a few shops with good alignment racks....and talked with a few chassis shops/ builders and everyone has a different opinion. I know about where I need to be......and the guy that did it last time showed me how to set it up. I just wanted opinions.

What do you think about that bup steer kit? I have a stock rack and spohn k-member. The tie rods are way out of line with the front fenders 26.5" to the ground.

I also want to keep the car a little les violent taking off. Maybe limiters are next

Why are you switching to the heavy front tire? Do you street drive the car ever?

Top secret front alignment specs here, however you can plot your own bumpsteer with a laser (home depot)hung off your front hub and a piece of graphboard posted on a wall in front of your car. Its a little bit of work, but you'll learn a ton.

Bumpsteer kits are pretty cheap spend the dime if you need it.

I am running the kit. Helped ALOT!

You can plot bump steer with a protractor and a jack ;)

I spent some loot at a circle track place today.

got the longacre stuff and adapters to do the alignmant. I have turn plates.


Tom...PM me somewhere to get close, I might pay you.

I'm going to order the bumpsteer kit. Just won't have it til nmext week.

I thought those tires would help.....They are for heavier cars and this car is right over 3k. The tires on it look like they are about to bust all the time with 50 psi in them

I thought those tires would help.....They are for heavier cars and this car is right over 3k. The tires on it look like they are about to bust all the time with 50 psi in them

I'm running the regular Goodyear front-runners (26" tall) and typically have about 46-48 PSI in them. They don't look too overloaded, and they are very light (less rotating mass).

WD

http://shutter14.pictures.aol.com/data/pictures/17/00A/7B/7E/E3/EE/SmcMo0zq70k34ejHj0AKY0F+HzBY3pPP0300.jpg

I am running the kit. Helped ALOT!

You can plot bump steer with a protractor and a jack ;)

how did the car feels afterwards?

Mine feels like the steering gets really loose when you leave then gets tight after the tires come down. I'm thinking this kit should fix that

So with a low 10 or 11 second car, how much reduction in et are we talking about? Less than a tenth, or a decent amount, which I would consider about 2 tenths. :think:

So with a low 10 or 11 second car, how much reduction in et are we talking about? Less than a tenth, or a decent amount, which I would consider about 2 tenths. :think:

no way your going to get 2 tenths.....

I would guess a few hundreths, witch is alot imo

no way your going to get 2 tenths.....

I would guess a few hundreths, witch is alot imo

Your a die hard then, and I am not. But thanks for replying.

Your a die hard then, and I am not. But thanks for replying.

when you do an entire car and find 10 or 15 things it all starts to add up.

I will take what I can get.

when you do an entire car and find 10 or 15 things it all starts to add up.

I will take what I can get.

I lowered my ride-height by 1-1/2", took 60 pounds off the front and realigned the front-end and my trap MPH increased from 120 to 123+.

Several of those little things that add-up. :D

WD

I understand the small details add up. But with limited time and money I might find a better route to go. One example would be, wait until I can buy an aftermarket k member, then worry about applying this added knowlegde.

I ahve the k-member and every thing up front allready.....I'm just trying to get it all "tuned in"

Z-rated, rolling resisistance is massive with these cars and any time/effort spent will be beneficial towards making you stuff go better. Thats what separates the fast from the faster cars around these part.
Depending where your front end alignment specs are now I could see a solid tenth hiding in spending one after noon with a set of wrenches.
People will say what they want about how quick my car has been and say what they will about actual and perceived advantanges it has but the major factor is that I pay attention to detail where the others didn't and haven't yet to date. My car rolls by itself just by looking at it funny. Sure I've done some trick stuff but the money spent hasn't been that much, its been time and refinement.

Z-rated, rolling resisistance is massive with these cars and any time/effort spent will be beneficial towards making you stuff go better. Thats what separates the fast from the faster cars around these part.
Depending where your front end alignment specs are now I could see a solid tenth hiding in spending one after noon with a set of wrenches.
People will say what they want about how quick my car has been and say what they will about actual and perceived advantanges it has but the major factor is that I pay attention to detail where the others didn't and haven't yet to date. My car rolls by itself just by looking at it funny. Sure I've done some trick stuff but the money spent hasn't been that much, its been time and refinement.

I understand rolling resistance, as I used to race Karts and there are quite a few tricks as to not scrub off speed going in a straight line.
I also have a neighbor a couple of houses down, that does nothing but alignments at his shop. Low riders, auto cross, raised vehicles, etc. I'll see what he can do for me when the time comes for the k member/pinto rack set-up. Thanks guys.

My performance front-end alignmment is one of those little things that helped me gain some trap MPH.

WD

My performance front-end alignmment is one of those little things that helped me gain some trap MPH.

WD

And if you don't stop things like that, I won't be able to catch you even with the bottle. ;)

And if you don't stop things like that, I won't be able to catch you even with the bottle. ;)

You better not be running a bottle on me, because I run the N/A class only. :no:

WD

You better not be running a bottle on me, because I run the N/A class only. :no:

WD

NA. I'll probably never get close in this lifetime. Time is short, so a little juice to get where I wanna be is needed. Plus that's not really a bad thing, is it?

I'm going to drop the back of my car down a little, and maybe have the front end tweaked the way it sits now. My buddy says maybe he can work with it a little, the way it sits now with all stock parts.

NA. I'll probably never get close in this lifetime. Time is short, so a little juice to get where I wanna be is needed. Plus that's not really a bad thing, is it?

I'm going to drop the back of my car down a little, and maybe have the front end tweaked the way it sits now. My buddy says maybe he can work with it a little, the way it sits now with all stock parts.

The QA-1 coil-overs on the front make height adjusments really easy. The rear ride-height is a little more complicated.

WD

I almost forgot this on the rear springs. Removing the factory rear spring isolators will drop it about 1/2 inch. You can then slip some thin wall plastic tubing over the first spring turn on the top to prevent noise and metal-to-metal contact.

WD

That is my first move, I didn't forget. ;) Somehow over the last few years the back end seems like it's sitting higher. TA has been checked and adjusted, but I think that's when it started. Neg. pinion angle seemed to lift the rear, and when I look at it I see why that would happen. Plus the barely taller tires.

That is my first move, I didn't forget. ;) Somehow over the last few years the back end seems like it's sitting higher. TA has been checked and adjusted, but I think that's when it started. Neg. pinion angle seemed to lift the rear, and when I look at it I see why that would happen. Plus the barely taller tires.

I think a small amount of weigh reduction (150 pounds) will cause F-Bodies to lift the rear static ride-height 1/2 inch.

WD