Question on alignment specs?

MJ86GT · 04-26-2003, 12:40 PM

I've just finished up installing a complete sn95 brake conversion, front and rear, on my 86 GT. The whole conversion was done with factory ford parts including pads. Also installed poly front control arm bushings and MM aluminum rack bushings.

Had it aligned:
front caster +0.68 +0.12
camber +0.36 +0.48
toe -1/16 -1/16
total toe -1/8
rear camber -0.60 +0.32
toe +1/16 -7/32
total toe -3/16
thrust angle +0.28

The guy based the car on 86 GT specs, but the car seems to want to dart. This is my first car with this wide of a tire so not sure what to really expect. I'm going to order the ford motorsport caster camber plates Monday so maybe this will take care of darting. Does anyone know what specs I should have my car aligned for? It's mainly street driven as a daily driver and autocrossed once a month. So tire wear is my main concern along with ease of driving.

Marcell

blue00gt · 04-28-2003, 10:56 AM

If you give the car more positive caster it will be more stable going straight and positive caster also turns into negative camber as you turn the wheels, so you can get better handling without having a bunch of negative camber and wearing the insides of the tire out faster. Most folks recommend around 5 deg. positive caster.
Big tires also tend to want to follow irregularities in the road more.

MJ86GT · 04-28-2003, 02:10 PM

Thanks for the info, been doing alot of research today and most people are saying between 3-5 degree postive on the caster. I think i'll split the difference and go with 4 to start with and 1 degree negative on the camber with -1/8 total on the toe.

Thanks

Marcell

drudis · 04-30-2003, 10:05 PM

IMOHO, get as much caster as you can. Doesnt hurt performance, and only helps (center the wheel) on street driving.

The camber is up to you, and watch for tire wear. At -1, its ok, -2 is agressive street, and -2.5 to -3 is agressive track settings. I personally run -2.7 degrees.

Toe in at 1/8 is good. I have run zero, and even toe out. That gets good turn-in, but squirlty under _really_ hard braking at the track.

MJ86GT · 05-02-2003, 10:03 PM

Thanks to all who have helped me on this brake conversion. I going to try and finally put pictures with my car in readers rides with the conversions.

Just have one final question, the specs that were given are total of both sides right, or are they totals per side? Example: +3 caster per side or total of both sides?

Still learning about suspensions and settings, sorry if questions seem so elementary.

Thanks again

Marcell

drudis · 05-03-2003, 10:10 AM

http://www.longacreracing.com
articles on Caster / Camber... (better reading than I can quickly do here)

04-26-2003, 12:40 PM	#1
MJ86GT Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 32	Question on alignment specs? I've just finished up installing a complete sn95 brake conversion, front and rear, on my 86 GT. The whole conversion was done with factory ford parts including pads. Also installed poly front control arm bushings and MM aluminum rack bushings. Had it aligned: front caster +0.68 +0.12 camber +0.36 +0.48 toe -1/16 -1/16 total toe -1/8 rear camber -0.60 +0.32 toe +1/16 -7/32 total toe -3/16 thrust angle +0.28 The guy based the car on 86 GT specs, but the car seems to want to dart. This is my first car with this wide of a tire so not sure what to really expect. I'm going to order the ford motorsport caster camber plates Monday so maybe this will take care of darting. Does anyone know what specs I should have my car aligned for? It's mainly street driven as a daily driver and autocrossed once a month. So tire wear is my main concern along with ease of driving. Marcell

04-28-2003, 10:56 AM	#2
blue00gt Mustang Addict Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: McKinney, TX Posts: 1,294	If you give the car more positive caster it will be more stable going straight and positive caster also turns into negative camber as you turn the wheels, so you can get better handling without having a bunch of negative camber and wearing the insides of the tire out faster. Most folks recommend around 5 deg. positive caster. Big tires also tend to want to follow irregularities in the road more. __________________ Strike down the unroadworthy! 2000 GT Atl. Blue: '03 Cobra motor - 465rwhp/473rwtq, T-56 6-speed, full MM TA/PH & tubular K-member suspension, Saleen body, 17" Torq-Thrust II's, M/T ET Street radials, and lots more '94 Rio Red Cobra: All the bolt-ons, 3.73s

04-28-2003, 02:10 PM	#3
MJ86GT Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 32	ALIGNMENT SPECS Thanks for the info, been doing alot of research today and most people are saying between 3-5 degree postive on the caster. I think i'll split the difference and go with 4 to start with and 1 degree negative on the camber with -1/8 total on the toe. Thanks Marcell

04-30-2003, 10:05 PM	#4
drudis Moderator Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Livonia, MI, USA Posts: 1,194	IMOHO, get as much caster as you can. Doesnt hurt performance, and only helps (center the wheel) on street driving. The camber is up to you, and watch for tire wear. At -1, its ok, -2 is agressive street, and -2.5 to -3 is agressive track settings. I personally run -2.7 degrees. Toe in at 1/8 is good. I have run zero, and even toe out. That gets good turn-in, but squirlty under _really_ hard braking at the track. __________________ Darius Rudis, Moderator Corner Carvers Delight 1989 Mustang LX - Open Track Car http://www.dariusrudis.com

05-02-2003, 10:03 PM	#5
MJ86GT Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 32	alignment specs Thanks to all who have helped me on this brake conversion. I going to try and finally put pictures with my car in readers rides with the conversions. Just have one final question, the specs that were given are total of both sides right, or are they totals per side? Example: +3 caster per side or total of both sides? Still learning about suspensions and settings, sorry if questions seem so elementary. Thanks again Marcell

05-03-2003, 10:10 AM	#6
drudis Moderator Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Livonia, MI, USA Posts: 1,194	http://www.longacreracing.com articles on Caster / Camber... (better reading than I can quickly do here) __________________ Darius Rudis, Moderator Corner Carvers Delight 1989 Mustang LX - Open Track Car http://www.dariusrudis.com

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