Sarah7

iTrader: (7)

Just installed KYB AGX's and Tanabe GF210s and Mazdatrix toe eliminator bushings on the FC. I went and got an alignment check and I'd like some assistance on the interpretation of these numbers. Also, sadly, the tires are now rubbing on the front springs I've posted a question in the wheel/tire fitment thread already but any more help would be much appreciated. I'll change whatever (different tire size, pick up some adjustment plates) as long as I do not roll the fenders or do any other body work. I want to take this opportunity to get the alignment right the first time for street/autox.

I wish I knew what settings to put these on but my sensitivity as a driver isn't really quite enough to have developed a preference at this point. Again, any help/suggestions would be very much appreciated.

88WIDEBODY

iTrader: (1)

Its hard to really say what alignment will work the best for you. It really does come down to preference as a driver and how aggressive you want your car setup. On my car personally I run about 3.5 degrees neg camber front and about 3.0 degrees in the rear. My front toe is 1/16 toe out, and the rear is set to 0.
Caster you just want as much as your car will give evenally that will provide a positive and snappy return to front feeling.

I don't autoX much mainly I run big tracks, willow springs, buttonwillow etc. I also daily drive my car with those settings. Because of the toe out which gives a great turn in reaction, my steering wheel vibrates a lil when driving straight, I just deal with it. Also tire wear is a lot more noticable mainly camber wear but also some diagnol scuffing in front from the toe out. Again I just deal with it, its my trade off for kick *** handling.

What group do you autoX with. An old coworker of mine is an avid autoX'er and we are both semi local to you. He could be very helpful to you with setup and driving pointers and you might even be running in the same events already. I don't remeber exactly what groups he runs with right now but I can find out for you if you like.

Also what changes did you make that are causing the tires to rub your springs? What wheel, tires and springs are you running? What type of set up? Stock style struts with aftermarket springs? Or a full adjustable coilover system?

j9fd3s

iTrader: (3)

for the rubbing i'd try a 1/4" spacer, they are usually stocked at most auto parts stores. changing wheels and or tires would work too, but seems drastic...

since you're just starting out i assume you don't have the camber plate/link stuff yet, which is fine, its actually kind of good because you can play with toe and learn what the car does.

camber, you want as much negative as you can get, on a stock FC, the strut top is eccentric, so you want to rotate it so the shock is at the inboard rear, or maximum camber and castor. the range of adjustment is teeny here, you're lucky to get -.5

castor. its pretty subtle, and the range of adjustment is teeny, so don't worry about it

toe. this is where you get to play. i have found on the rear of the car that toe has a big effect. stock is very stable and has lots of toe in, as you remove toe in the car turns in better, but it also increasingly wants you to be on the gas to plant the rear. on a street car, you cannot always be on the gas @ the apex, so i go for 1/16" toe in. but try some different settings, the bolts have hash marks on them so you can mark where it is and make even changes. see what you like

in the front i've found it effects steering feel more than anything else, @zero toe the steering feels great. in theory you loose a little stability on the freeway, but its hardly noticeable. toe out is supposed to help turn in, but i didn't really notice it. again the tie rods have flats, so you can adjust an equal number of flats on each side. we use toe plates.

also feel free to play with the shocks, you probably want them on the softer side, the car should react when you use the steering.