Suspension Springs, struts, coilovers, sway-bars, camber plates, and all other modifications to suspension components for Cooper (R50), Cabrio (R52), and Cooper S (R53) MINIs.

Suspension AutoX and road alignment, need suggestion.

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  #1  
Old 07-31-2007 | 04:25 AM
eurazn's Avatar
eurazn
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AutoX and road alignment, need suggestion.

I just lower by 2" and want to set my car for autox and road use. I do not know the specs so the mechanic did these specs:

Front: -1 camber, 32 degree toe out
Rear: -1.5 camber, 32 degree toe out

Do you think it is alright?

BTW: I just have RSS Sport coilovers and 22mm sway bar (middle).

Thanks
 

Last edited by eurazn; 07-31-2007 at 04:39 AM.
  #2  
Old 07-31-2007 | 04:53 AM
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You might want to re-check those numbers for toe out. 32 degrees sounds like a measurement you might get after hitting a post at high speed!
 
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Old 07-31-2007 | 05:15 AM
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eurazn
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I will give him a call and recheck the numbers. However, do you have any advice on the specs that I can do. I have an appointment today for realignment since the dealership realign my car back to stock specs when I brought it in for service last time. Thank you in advance
 
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Old 07-31-2007 | 06:21 AM
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I don't have any experience setting up a lowered car, so I'd suggest that you re-post your question in the Solo II/Autocross forum. Lots of folks there will be able to tell you what works for them.
 
  #5  
Old 07-31-2007 | 02:50 PM
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meb
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AutoX and road alignment specs are two completely different animals...and as MINI_xs is hinting, be careful with the mods you make if you are racing in a specific class.
 
  #6  
Old 07-31-2007 | 03:36 PM
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snid
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From: Burlington, VT
I'm guess the toe numbers were 1/32"

And I have no idea what to do when lowered 2".

The best answer is to drive it, figure out what you like and what you don't like about it, then figure out what to change to fix the bad without messing up the good (if possible).
 
  #7  
Old 08-01-2007 | 10:01 AM
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Yes it is 1/32. I just got it done yesterday and the car is much smoother and handles better.
 
  #8  
Old 08-01-2007 | 12:51 PM
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For track I have 2.75 degrees camber front, 1 degree camber rear, 1/8" toe out in front and 0 toe out in back. I also have a 22mm sway bar in back, set all the way loose.

I'm sure this isn't perfect, but it's pretty good. With less camber I was pushing too much and eating my front tires. This is giving more grip and the car will rotate. If anything, an autox setting might be more aggressive, but I'd try something like this first. For autox you want LOTS of grip in front, and not so much in back so you can rotate. You also don't want to compromise braking and acceleration too much. 2.75 degrees of camber is a reasonable compromise. The pyrometer is telling me that this is just about perfect on the race track. For the way I drive my car.
 
  #9  
Old 08-01-2007 | 04:56 PM
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eurazn
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Sadly I do not have enough budget for camber plates and control arms to do those specs. Although I am looking to install them in the future. Seems like M7 have sold me on their quality products but somewhat expensive. So, I have to save up for a few months with my volunteering allowance. I want to be in STS class, but I am sure I have to rejust a few things to be qualify.
 

Last edited by eurazn; 08-01-2007 at 05:22 PM.
  #10  
Old 08-03-2007 | 08:23 AM
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If you are concerned with handling I would first raise the car. Lowered 2" you will have put your front control arms at adverse angles that will cause you to lose camber when cornering. This kills your front grip and leads to lots of understeer.
 
  #11  
Old 08-04-2007 | 08:49 PM
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What can I do to compensate for this? Can aftermarket control arms and camber plates help? I agree with you that the car understeers, but only bad when I had stock alignment. My current alignment is not that great, but performs similar to stock suspension, if not better. I lowered because I don't like the car leaning too much when turning. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks
 

Last edited by eurazn; 08-05-2007 at 07:18 AM.
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