What numbers for alignment? And other setup questions

[cashxdr]

I have a 2006 Elise. This car is driven very hard daily when I am home. Update, I just purchased adjustible shocks

I need to get a alignment and am not sure what numbers to use. My plan was thave it set to the sport option configuration. I do know that the car has been out for a while and was curious if there are any tweaks to the alignment that I should know about.

I do not have adjustible shocks, so I do not believe that it can be corner balanced. But I do believe I could have it ballasted. Correct?

What are the options for tweaking the touring pack?

I am currently on deployment and have limited internet access, so that hampers my ability to read the 100's of post on this subject.

Thanks in advanced.

Darrin

[apk919]

Originally Posted by cashxdr

I have a 2006 Elise with the touring package. This car is driven very hard daily when I am home.

I need to get a alignment and am not sure what numbers to use. My plan was thave it set to the sport option configuration. I do know that the car has been out for a while and was curious if there are any tweaks to the alignment that I should know about.

I do not have adjustible shocks, so I do not believe that it can be corner balanced. But I do believe I could have it ballasted. Correct?

What are the options for tweaking the touring pack?

I am currently on deployment and have limited internet access, so that hampers my ability to read the 100's of post on this subject.

Thanks in advanced.

Darrin

The easiest and most effective thing you can do without replacing/modifying parts is to remove the front camber shims, which depending on tolerances should give you about -1.0º of front camber. Set the rear to about -2.5º of camber. For toe, set the front to zero or slightly toed out, and set the rear toe to 1.5mm of toe in each side (3.0mm total toe in). If you're ambitious you might increase caster by moving the washers on the upper control arms (you can probably get about 4.0º of caster this way).

Don't bother trying to balance with ballast, you're better off being lighter and slightly off on corner balance than heavy and perfectly balanced.

EDIT: When aligning the car, ballast the car with your weight (or sit in it while measurements are taken)... the front toe is particularly sensitive to vehicle weight/ride height.

[cashxdr]

So whould this be the same alignment with adjustable shocks? I would think so.

So what is the prefered ride height now that I will be able to corner balance and adjust the height.

[apk919]

Originally Posted by cashxdr

So whould this be the same alignment with adjustable shocks? I would think so.

So what is the prefered ride height now that I will be able to corner balance and adjust the height.

Yes, other than personal preferences, the alignment is the same with adjustable shocks. As far as ride height, if you're running stock pieces (i.e. steering arms, rack plates, uprights) the minimum front ride height is around 120mm. Most people like to run 5-10mm of rake for improved aero, which would put your rear ride height at 125-130mm.

[cashxdr]

Thank you so much for the info. I cannot go much lower that 125mm on the front due to the curb on my drive

[Confidential]

Originally Posted by apk919

The easiest and most effective thing you can do without replacing/modifying parts is to remove the front camber shims, which depending on tolerances should give you about -1.0º of front camber. Set the rear to about -2.5º of camber. For toe, set the front to zero or slightly toed out, and set the rear toe to 1.5mm of toe in each side (3.0mm total toe in). If you're ambitious you might increase caster by moving the washers on the upper control arms (you can probably get about 4.0º of caster this way).

Don't bother trying to balance with ballast, you're better off being lighter and slightly off on corner balance than heavy and perfectly balanced.

EDIT: When aligning the car, ballast the car with your weight (or sit in it while measurements are taken)... the front toe is particularly sensitive to vehicle weight/ride height.

+1 This is a good starting point.

[agirls]

Is ballasting a car normal procedure for aligning a car?

[apk919]

Originally Posted by agirls

Is ballasting a car normal procedure for aligning a car?

It should be, especially for lighter cars. Some alignment shops don't bother.