1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

More Front End questions, Usefulness of performance parts

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Old Aug 2, 2002 | 03:34 PM
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More Front End questions, Usefulness of performance parts

I looked at Racing Beat's Adjustable control arms. They say it's for adjusting Camber, up to negative 4.4 deg and positive 1.something...

There are also Caster/Camber adjustment kits that mount to the top of the strut tower and strut. They allow you to adjust 3 degrees positive or negative.

Which would be more useful in occasional road racing or autocross application? It'd be primarilty a street car, but occasional "recreational" use will be in effect.

I know that a few degrees of negative camber will counteract understeer in hard turns. I also know that if used too much, it will wear the inside edge of my tires. Which is why I want adjustable, so I can change the settings.

I don't wanna look like a ricer riding on the inner sidewalls all the time, and I don't wanna buy parts I won't get any use out of...

I've been watching too much Initial D... Need to go flying around curves... Must satisfy urge...
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Old Aug 5, 2002 | 01:00 AM
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Aww... C'mon...
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Old Aug 5, 2002 | 08:04 AM
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From: 3OH5
Get both.
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Old Aug 5, 2002 | 09:01 AM
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Both is really too much.....I had both on one of my old autocross cars....you can only use one or the other effectively. I would suggest the upper ones because the ease of adjusting back to street settings. Both work great but like I said, if you use both, what are you going to do with -7 deg. of camber???? -3 to -4 would be the most you would ever need.
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Old Aug 5, 2002 | 10:04 AM
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Originally posted by 1st7heaven
Both is really too much...
I was being sarcastic. Sorry for the confusion.
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Old Aug 5, 2002 | 11:09 AM
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I was hoping you would come back with that....hehe.

Could you imagine both parts installed and set to the maximum neg. setting!! You would have about a 2" contact patch
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Old Aug 6, 2002 | 04:01 PM
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Originally posted by 1st7heaven
I was hoping you would come back with that....hehe.

Could you imagine both parts installed and set to the maximum neg. setting!! You would have about a 2" contact patch
You mean like the Ricer that I said I wasn't...

I already said I don't wanna be riding on the inner sidewalls...

Hmmm... Okay. I'll go for the upper ones.. But I wonder if you can adjust camber independantly of caster...

I'm still not so clear on how Caster works of how it affects handling. It's how far the wheel moves back or forth in the wheel well during turns, right?...
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Old Aug 6, 2002 | 04:36 PM
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Originally posted by Pele
I'm still not so clear on how Caster works of how it affects handling. It's how far the wheel moves back or forth in the wheel well during turns, right?...
No not really... if your wheel's moving back or forth in the wheel well durings turns you have a slight problem.

Castor is basically the angle of the strut when looking at the side of the car. By having the strut top angled back ie. positive castor, it in effect increases the dynamic camber when cornering. Think of how the front wheel on a motor bike leans into a corner because of the angle of the forks... that's castor. AFAIK, the only real draw back with increased castor is heavy steering.
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