Hello, I just installed the Tanabe GF210 springs (kept stock shocks), I'm about to get the vehicle aligned and am curious from 'those in the knows' input. Currently the car is handling just as good as before, actually feels better, but as it is common knowledge, best to get an alignment done after changing the suspension.

I have the stock front/rear alignment specifications from the shop manual. Questions:

1) Should i tell the alignment shop to just match up with the stock settings?
2) Let the alignment shop determine 'what they believe is best'?
3) Since car already feels great, skip the alignment (probably not the best idea).

I am curious what settings others have went with that have changed their springs/suspension . I do not plan on tracking/autoXing much (else i would've installed more than just springs ). So a setup i prefer would be more tailored to "street", which leads me to believe that i should inform the alignment shop to I appreciate your time, thanks!
Edgardo

 

most shops will align a car according to the factory settings. most shops will use Hunter equipment that already has specific manufacturer settings. they'll just try to get the car as close to factory settings as possible.

it may ride fine and go straight. but that doesn't mean you'll get even tire wear. lowering the car will put more negative camber. camber, caster, toe effect each other.

 

Biggest problem with dropping the car is it will change the toe . The camber change isn't that big of a deal usually...but the toe changes a lot if you drop it. Excess toe will cause really fast tire wear...so get an alignment...

 

Thanks for your help Im_DANomite dannobre,

Just got the RX-8 aligned this morning at http://www.speedwaremotorsports.com/ a local shop. They seemed pretty nice/informative.

If curious here are the details to the alignment before/afters (numbers are in degrees unless specified):

Left Front | Right Front

Actual |Before |Actual |Before
-1.6 | -1.4 |-1.5 |-1.4 = Camber
6.6 |7.6 |6.9 |6.9 = Caster
.03" |-0.11" |.03" |-.12" = Toe

Left Rear | Right Rear

Actual |Before |Actual |Before
-1.5 | -1.7 |-1.5 |-1.9 = Camber
.04" |-0.17" |.08" |-.13" = Toe


I'm guessing there are no Caster settings for the rear? How do these specs look, would there be a concensous these are okay alignment settings?

Thanks again!
Edgardo

 

Thats a lot of camber in the front. The most I was able to get was -1.0, but then again I just put on shocks not springs. Here are my general settings

front -1.0 camber 1/8" toe out 6.5 caster
rear -1.5 camber 1/8" toe in

This is for auto x, no lowering for me...