I'm just about to install a new set of Dunlop SP Sport A2 tires on my stock 14" Mazda alloys. I'm going to have a four wheel alignment done, and I'm wondering if anyone has any advice/experience with the factory alignment settings:

Do they work fine for sporty driving? Is there a known modification to the factory settings that improve handling?

thanks,

Rex

 

Stock settings work fine.... If you want a little better handling, do the shock tower mod. This involves removig all 4 nuts on your front shock towers (both sides), jacking the car up, pulling the entire strut assembly out of the body and turning the shock tower mounts so the little marker points toward the firewall and the motor. (Do a search for more involved directions).This gives you some negative camber and a little more caster angle. When tightening the nuts back down,,, try and keep the studes toward the motor in the holes, this slop might add a little more camber. Alighn the rest to stock spec.

~Mike...........

 

as for front tow settings. Well, to make your tires live the longest, try to have zero tow. A little tow out in front can help a little with cornering, because it give you a better ackerman angle. basicly, this means that in a corner, the inside wheel turns a little more then the outside one. You would want this because the inside wheel follows a tighter radius. but even half a degree will cause some pretty good tire ware. I wouldnt recomend this unless you autoX a lot. It can make your car 'darty' too. Its also arguable how much good this does too, since most of the forces act on the outer wheels. But if you want to experiment... by all means...

as for camber, you cant do to much with out the plates except for the above mod.