Er, what's the hot spec for alignments?! I guess I want something pretty aggressive - the current is pretty boring.

The other issue, I'm trying to pick a rake, I want to set the relative hieght of the front and the back.

Anyway, suggestions appreciated. This is a reasonably high power car with stiff suspension, fyi.

 

see what emilio suggests.

 

As far as rake, Shaikh at FCM told me 1/2" was ideal when I was installing his suspension goodies.

He also told me that the driver side should be roughly 1/4" higher than the right side and that would be pretty close to perfectly corner-weighted.

As far as alignment, that is personal preference.

 

 

not to be confused with:

 

now thats a nice rack

 

so is this

 

.

 

That's kinda funny, I corner weighted my car once and the driver's side was indeed 1/4" higher.

 

sweet!





















someone is getting a parts express order

 

Glad to see it holds truth

 

Will do - on his web page?

Ah, very good info, that should be enough to let me set the ride heights. Doing this on my freind's lift was the best thing ever did.

I have one SERIOUS complaint about all this, everyone references the ******* fenders. Fenders bend. They hang OFF the important part. I do my measurements on the bolts where the A-arms connect to the "frame". Sure, that can bend, but if it does you've got bigger issues. What I don't know is how a 1/4" on the fender translates, but I guess I'll do my best.

One bit of clarification: 1/2" rake means.... the front is 1/2" lower (fender tip to ground/hub) than the rear?

And about the "personal preference" That's what I'm wondering - what do you high hp, limited slip guys like?

Thanks all.
-Abe.

 

I'm also wondering about alignments for my Daily Driven miata. I've checked out Emilio's page, I don't really meet his requirements. (I care a little about tire wear, and I have the stock springs)
Can anybody offer insight on stock springs and tire wear for Emilio's suggested alignment?

 

Suggestions for stock springs? Do yourself a favor, use ANYTHING else. :-P

Actually, for a lark, I cut some springs a while ago on my car, I kinda liked it. It was a bit much for OEM shocks, but not terrible.


I should post the alignment I got, it seems a good compromise. Maybe when I get home.

 

I'd like new springs, but they're all so expensive. I don't like my car being stock height. I've heard rumors that the AGXs I've got don't play well with very many aftermarket springs, either.

 

They don't play nicely with cars. :-) I had a set, they were an upgrade, nowhere near what you can do.

You really want to get adjustable perches. A freind got some for a civic on ebay for like $200 with 500/375 springs. Something like that. Just do it, you'll be better off.

In the mean time, take your springs, cut an inch off. They will drop the car a bit less than what you cut off, and they get stiffer directly proportional to how much you cut. I.E. Shorten the spring 20%, that's not 4/5 as long, and the spring will be 5/4ths as stiff, or +25%. Not going to compete even with FM lowering springs, but it's cheap and easy.

I did this as a joke, and kinda liked it. And with the AGX's on there you will have enough shock to keep up.

Hell, if you're extra good and promise me chocolate pie and beer I might send you my already cut ones.

 

I haven't had any unusual wear with Emilio's settings but I also don't have a stock setup.