Got a serious question here since I plan on buying these items right after everyone chimes in.

Of the camber/caster plates that are out there for the non-SE FB cars, this will be for the '83 GS, which manufacturer has the best kit regarding everyday usage vs. straight track car-only tuneability? How much chopping and welding would be involved with that kit? What dealer has that now?

Please, only the folks who have actually bought, installed and ran camber plates, please... No "..my friend", "I know of someone...", "I heard that..." or "I read that..."s...IOW.

 

Camber plates should fit all FBs, GSL-SE's strut top is exactly the same. For me, I like the ground control plates more than the respeed one. I like the respeed plates, but when I was adjusting it, they don't slide back and forth as smooth, you have to make sure that you are moving it straight. With the ground control plates, the sliding is much easier. It doesn't really matter what plates you have, you just set it to the camber you want and then just tighten it at that spot.

 

No issues with my Respeed plates at all. No problems like Justin describes above.

I don't know if any of the others give you this option, but with the Respeed plates you are able to (but not required to) enlarge the main opening at the top of the strut tower to allow for even more camber adjustment.

Another thing to consider is, unless you have coilovers the amount of adjustment available to you will be limited. I still noticed a vast improvement when I was running my RB springs, but with the new coilovers (also Respeed) the amount of adjustability is much greater. I seriously doubt I'll even need to enlarge the hole at any point in the future to gain that added amount of camber...

 

How much camber do you have right now? I have -2.5 planning to move to -3.

 

I've never actually measured it, either with the RB springs or with the new coilovers (installed after last race of season). Right now, the car is pretty much in parts for major upgrades while we're snowed in...

 

I have no experience with the respeed, but have been running ground control and have been quite happy. The only thing I do not like about the ground control is customer service, I've tried to order some replacement parts and have not gotten a response to date (tried phone, email, etc). Actually, come to think of it, the other thing I don't like about the ground control is adjustment of caster is very difficult without having the car up in the air.

and to add, we've tried different camber settings, with my current setup (375lb front/175 rear with coilovers and 13x7 on v710s, -3 degrees was too much. I'm currently at -2.5 degrees. I'm waiting to see if the new rear suspension setup will make any difference...

 

RESPEED FTW!!

www.re-speed.com

 

Ooof-da....$265 for the Ground Control vs $175 for the RESPEED...it would seem a no-brainer except the components like bearings and such are stated clearly as Made in America for the Ground Control kit, which is critically important to me in any of my big purchases...I studiously avoid anything made in china when I can, it's just a damn shame so many American companies carry the junk to better their bottom line, that it makes it nigh on impossible to stay on the true path.

The RESPEED kit says bearings not included, so is this an extra cost and are those components American-made?

 

I have ReSpeed camber plates, they work fine but I would rather have hex bolts and thread plates instead of Bolts and lock nuts.( Just my preference.
ReSpeed doesn't supply the "needle" Bearing, the main bearing that goes around your shock shaft is supplied.
Quote:
NOTE: Since the introduction of our coil over kits, we no longer include the needle bearings with the camber pate kit. They are standard with the coil over kits. We will however supply them if needed.

NOTE: Stock struts will need to be turned down to .625". If you are using aftermarket shocks, please let us know the shaft diameter so we can supply you with the proper spacer.

 

I heard that a friend of mine read that someone knows a guy that uses...

 

Respeed is the way to go IMO.

Just curious please dont take this as flaming, but since its a japanese car, is it not super hard to find made in america parts for it? wouldnt most everything be not made in america? (live in canada so honestly dont know, nothing is ever made here lol)

 

Use the Tokico BZ1086 struts, they are the first gen MR2's rear strut. It will fit in the camber plate.

 

The bearings used in our kits are FK brand, high quality pieces. The needle bearings that sit on top of the upper spring seat were moved in the coil over kits. If you plan to run the camber plates with the stock upper spring perch then request the needle bearings when you place your order. I will include them.

-billy

 

lol...OK, head over and post in the DoO sub-board in the Lounge so you can get the proper thrashing you so richly deserve...

Just find a topic, post and then prepare to be the baby seal on ice during Canuck hunting season...

djessence---> Aftermarket parts for cars will typically fall under Made in America, made in china, Made in Japan or Made in Thailand....but it is possible to find American products for any car you own if you look hard enough. Domestic manufacture parts would, of course, come solely from Japan and perhaps that's what you're getting confused about...I ain't no JDM guy, I assure you...


Well, the FK website says they're in Connecticut and they state this, "Within our state-of-the-art facility, we carefully craft our products...", which seems to suggest it, but they never actually state that their bearing line is made in America...they almost sound like a warehouse deal. Are the bearings stamped with country of manufacture? Do they massage product or make product?