OBSSD

I just took my car to get it aligned yesterday, asking for the following setup:
Camber: -0.5
Caster: 4.5 to 4.8 range
Toe: 0 to slight toe-in

My suspension is completely stock and they worked on it for 1.5 hours but couldn't get any negative camber without throwing the caster out of whack. From what I've seen on the boards, I can't imagine they'd have a problem getting at least some negative camber.

Does anyone know what other alignment shops have done to get negative camber with stock suspension?

Thanks,
Cy

trackbird

iTrader: (4)

Most of the cars with those specs are lowered. That will make a difference, I'm suprised it was that much of one, but I guess it is very possible.

mitchntx

iTrader: (14)

I would have thought 4.5 was achievable as well.

I've seen folks drop the lower A-Arm and add about 1/8" to the mounting "slot" for more camber.

How much caster were they able to get with -0.5 camber?

OBSSD

I don't know if they ever even got it down to -0.5. They did mention that when they went negative with the camber, they were only able to get the caster up to about 3-3.5.

Being predominantly Porsche guys, they're not very familiar with Camaros...I wonder if there was an adjustment they may have overlooked.

Thanks for the feedback so far...keep it coming. Has anyone out there been able to get negative camber with stock suspension? I'd be curious to see how many have and how many haven't.

mitchntx

iTrader: (14)

Oh crap ... I just saw where your car isn't lowered. Too much skimming and not enough reading ...

From this site ...
http://www.f-body.org/faq/4/4_5.htm#ch4_5c

Maybe that will hellp

trackbird

iTrader: (4)

Mitch, Mitch, Mitch.....first I make a mistake....now this???

OBSSD

Thanks guys...I guess I'll just have to wait until I'm ready for my suspension mods to finally achieve negative camber.

30thWS6

Why are you so concerned with "throwing the caster out of whack" as you put it? A little more caster never hurt anyone.

Eugenio_SS

iTrader: (2)

I'm pretty sure that to get the -0.5' camber, he is sacrificing caster, ie, having less than +4.5' caster.
So I ask the question that was already asked:
How much caster on the -0.5' camber ?
If it's around 4' than I would keep it, since it would be a fair compromise with the stock suspension.

Eugenio_SS

iTrader: (2)

I was under the impression one would get the most negative camber with the caster around +4.5'
Maybe that is the case with the Prokits only... oh well, :dunno:

JasonG

iTrader: (1)

OBSSD,

I would have hoped that they could have gotten you some negative camber. I have pretty much a stock suspension; Bilstein HD's revalved and a 35mm front swaybar. I had the local Goodyear shop get me:
L R
-.4 -.5 camber
5 4.5 caster
and 0 toe.
All they had to do was use some muscle and a small pry bar to get some leverage. Obviously they told me they couldn't warrantee my allignment but they got me pretty much the specs you want. As previously stated you can sacrafice some caster for more negative camber but I agree that you'd only want to do that to a point. Mine was at least 4.5 caster then told them to get me the most negative camber they could. I watched them do it and they adjusted for as much caster as they could get first, then went to getting camber while watching the caster. Hope this helps.

JasonG

Sam Strano

iTrader: (41)

You don't mention how much camber you acutally got.... Camber and caster are inter-related on the 4th gen. More postive caster costs you some negative camber. I have -.8 and -1.0 and about 4.3 caster in my stock height 2001. You have to "persuade" it to that (crush the bushings)....

You *have* to use a big prybar. If you use a small one, it doesn't take up the space between the arm and subframe. What happens is you don't get outward leverage, but more up or downward leverage (depending on which way you're prying).