Zed car Alignment

[bluerat]

Howdy guy's after reading the comments on the 'Zed's in the wet', I thought it might be handy to have a page where some basic and safe road settings could be published, both front and rear. I sure would be handy for the newcomer to have a starting point? Eg toe, camber, caster for both front and rear and if it's different between the two seaters and 4 and 280zx's as well?

 

Race set-up's might be a mine feild, but again a basic, what works well, set up might be a handy thing? If only for a starting point. Also what can you get, toe, caster, camber wise with a std set up and what's a good plan of attack for doing mod's.

 

What do you think?

 

Hodgo

[gav240z]

Sounds like a great idea and would be happy to have a sticky post on this subject. I personally know very little in this area and would love to learn more about setting up a Z properly - since I feel my own suspension could use some proper adjustment.

 

Here are 2 good books I've been thinking of ordering...

 

http://www.amazon.com/dp/0912656468

http://www.amazon.com/dp/0912656093

[acf321]

I bought that book Gav, "how to Modify your 510/240Z Engine and Chassis" from the US, and whilst it was not cheap ($US100), it is a genuine July 73 print, and has the Bob Sharp Factory Race sticker on the front. It is an amazingly detailed book with absolutely every aspect of engine, transmission, brakes, handling, racing and so on. If you want to know how to make an L series car run and run extremely well, its a must ..

[bluerat]

OK, anyone got a good starting point? I could write page's of suggestion's for the 1600, but the Zed to me is an unknown.....

 

On the 1600 there is a front and rear 'magic' ride hight number, is there one for the Zed, or do you aim to get the suspension arms horizontal to the ground, then work on your bumpsteer etc from that?

[MaygZ]

I know this is an old thread but .....  it seems like a very valuable thread topic that deserves some input.  So what caster/camber/toe settings/ride heights are you guys running?  Track and/or road?  Road tyres/semis/slicks?  These will help people set up their cars - obviously lots of factors are involved including personal preference - but they will provide a starting point for people starting from scratch.  Will stop them re-inventing the wheel    Should give some good debate also.

 

240/260/2+2/280

road/race

springs - std/lowered/coilovers

Spring rates Front/Rear

Wheels - Front/Rear

Tyres - size and type and pressures

 

Front:-

Toe

caster

camber

 

Rear:-

Toe

caster

camber

[Roberto]

I can't believe no one has anything to add to this.  :-\

 

I have just opened up a shop called " Roberto's DIY wheel alignment" (not really) and checked my settings.  My toe settings on the front are pretty good (3mm total toe-in) although a bit too much toe-in on the rears (7mm total).  I have the TTT control arms so I will get them to zero. I have heard that 2mm toe-in per wheel on the rear is better for cornering on race cars??, but I am not the best person to advise on this.

 

Fronts like a bit of toe-in for straight line stability, but i have no idea for racing. 

 

Simon, if you aren't racing, just go for 2 to 5 mm total toe on the fronts and if you have adjustability on the rears, go zero. They are the factory specs and will give best tyre life.

[DAZDA]

From a racing point of view - whatever makes the best use of your tyres (temperatures & wear rates). 

 

Seriously, it depends on a few things...

• Weight of the car and spring rates
  
• Personal preference (high speed stability, easy to turn in, etc.)
  
• Track conditions
  

Your aim should be to find the right compromise for optimising the overall tyre wear (across all aspects braking, cornering and acceleration!).

 

As a starting point ONLY and is fairly generic (static at normal ride height);

 

Front

Toe:  0 to 2mm Toe In

Camber: -2° to -3.5°

Castor:  3° to 6°

 

Rear

Toe: 2 to 4mm Toe In - depends a lot on personal preference

Camber:  -1° to -2.5°