Alignment questions

[BrentW]

Hi Everyone,

I'm new on here and would like to introduce myself. My name is Brent Wonsch and I've attended a few SoloII events this year and last year. I'm driving a Black 02 Celica GT-S, which has stock suspension.

I'm wondering if I should get a more aggressive autox alignment on my car. I just picked up new Yoko ES100 rubber the other day from the wheel and tire zone.
Keep in mind this is my daily driver as well, so I'll be using these tires for the rest of the autox season(I'll be picking up Rs next year)

So should I get a more aggressive alignment or should I stay with the stock specs so I don't kill the tires with excessive camber during street driving.....

I feel my car understeers like a pig during the SoloII events, but that is mostly likely from my poor driving skills :eek:

Any advise would be much appreciated :D

[tanney]

To remain in BSS for the regional series (the GT-S is a BSS car with no additional points) you must have a stock alignment.

A non-stock alignment is a 1 point mod (section 6.1.3) which would bump you to BSP

[Keith-02Accord]

My advice is as follows:

Stay with your stock suspension and alignment for now. Learn how to drive your car to the limits while it's still stock. I would get an alignment done but keep it within the manufacturer's limits. (For example if the Toyota spec for your are a -/+ 1 degree of camber...set it to -1 degree (if camber is adjustable on your car) or if the toe specs are +/- 1 degree...set it out toe out to the max allowed) So long as you don't actually add any components and stay within the stock specs, it shouldn't cost you any prep points. Tom/Wes, please correct me if I'm wrong.

If you think you're car understeers like a pig, take a look at my car, it's a sedan! :rolleyes:

The more modifications you do to your car, the harder it will be to learn it's limits.

The best advice is work on the driver first. Once you think you've got as much as possible out of yourself and the car, then worry about mods. Seat time, seat time, seat time.

Glad to see you've come out to the sport.

BTW, how do you like your ES 100's? I just bought a set for the street and really like them.

[BrentW]

Great, thanks for the quick advise guys!
I definetely do not need to get bumped into an even higher class at this moment.

If it's allowed I'll get the alignment done within Toyota's spec but at the outer specs of the toe and cam range as you said Keith.

Well I really haven't had a chance to push the new tires yet, but they definetelly feel a little squishy at this point, but that's because my old yokos were pretty much bald and very responsive obviously. I'm just happy I won't be aquaplaning this weekend :D and hopefully I won't destroy them in the upcoming events. I want them to last for at least another summer....

[tanney]

Tire pressure adjustments should help the handling, some.

[J.C.]

Hi Brent, I have not really seen you run so this comment may not be helpful but if you hear or feel your tires scrubbing slow down to speed up. Scrubbing may feel like its faster but it isn't and it will hurt your times.

[BrentW]

Originally posted by J.C.
Hi Brent, I have not really seen you run so this comment may not be helpful but if you hear or feel your tires scrubbing slow down to speed up. Scrubbing may feel like its faster but it isn't and it will hurt your times.

That's my biggest problem I think :o
I don't slow down enough for the tight corners and I end up pushing wide.
Thanks for the advise, I will try the slow in / fast out approach. *must have patience*!!!!

[StewPiddass]

Oh Crap! Brent's here, there goes the neighbourhood!

Hey Brent, JC's right slow to go fast, I've ridden with you and know how much you love that Lift (VVT-i).

[ice/solo racer]

With a front driver you have a few more options than rwd,like Wes says air pressure to reduce the rear contact patch after first optimizing the front can reduce the understeer.If less understeer is still desired than running a slightly smaller rear tire or a harder compound rear tire will help as well.
Smoother inputs to the steering wheel/brakes/gas all have a major impact on how the car reacts,watch the fast guys and you'll notice they don't usually look all that fast.The car simply doesn't pitch and roll as violently and therefore those tires have an easier time of doing what your asking.

[Marsh]

Wow all these great replys and nobody answered his original question.

Brent, your stock alignment settings have a range of acceptable values. For example my OE front toe setting is 0 + or - 2mm. What you do is find a GOOD alignment guy and tell him you want -2mm. The car is still within spec and therefore stock, but the tiny bit will help a little. You want to toe out all for wheels to the limit of stock, and adjust the camber to as negative as stock allows.

Of course as the others have suggested you're a rookie and there is a lot more to be gained by working on your self and not the car. I get my car aligned every spring and I would suggest this be something you do next spring too. No point messing around with possible extra tire wear your rookie year, you probbably wouldn't even notice the difference right now anyway.

[Keith-02Accord]

Originally posted by Marsh
Wow all these great replys and nobody answered his original question.

Brent, your stock alignment settings have a range of acceptable values. For example my OE front toe setting is 0 + or - 2mm. What you do is find a GOOD alignment guy and tell him you want -2mm. The car is still within spec and therefore stock, but the tiny bit will help a little. You want to toe out all for wheels to the limit of stock, and adjust the camber to as negative as stock allows.

Of course as the others have suggested you're a rookie and there is a lot more to be gained by working on your self and not the car. I get my car aligned every spring and I would suggest this be something you do next spring too. No point messing around with possible extra tire wear your rookie year, you probbably wouldn't even notice the difference right now anyway.

Hey Marsh, I guess you didn't read my post :mad: I must not be important enough :rolleyes: :D

[Marsh]

Originally posted by Keith-02Accord
Hey Marsh, I guess you didn't read my post :mad: I must not be important enough :rolleyes: :D

DOH! Sorry Keith :o I did skim it, I can't believe I missed that. I read the first sentence of that paragraph "Keep it stock for now..." then skipped to the next paragraph.

[BrentW]

Thanks everyone for all the helpful tips!!!!
and Tod for...:rolleyes:

See ya at the double header next weekend!

[ice/solo racer]

So you'll be at the double header eh,you realize that both Wes and I our are in your class along with Todd?
You know that your not allowed to outrun a competitor in your class after receiving advice from said competitor for a min. of 3 events right?Its right in the rules isn't it Wes?

All joking aside see you there,any friend of that stewpiddass is a friend of mine(unless you put up some crazy fast times,then we'll have some issues!)stop in at the copper corolla and say hi.

[StewPiddass]

I won't be there this week-end Brent so that's 1 position higher for you... lol

I'm gonna regret that when you get faster than me... if you get faster than me!!!

Tom, I went to high school with this guy (Brent) and I never would have thought he'd get into autocross cuz I didn't know he knew a.m. existed.

[tanney]

Its right in the rules isn't it Wes?
Teehee, ummmm, I mean, Yes it is in the rule book!;)

[BrentW]

Originally posted by ice/solo racer
So you'll be at the double header eh,you realize that both Wes and I our are in your class along with Todd?
You know that your not allowed to outrun a competitor in your class after receiving advice from said competitor for a min. of 3 events right?Its right in the rules isn't it Wes?

All joking aside see you there,any friend of that stewpiddass is a friend of mine(unless you put up some crazy fast times,then we'll have some issues!)stop in at the copper corolla and say hi.

No worries there, I think it'll take more like 3 years to even get times close to yours! I still can't believe my stock Celica is thrown into such a crazy class! Hell, I can barely change the setup of my car without going into the BSP.

I'll be sure to say hello this weekend :)

[ice/solo racer]

I know how you feel-I can't do a single thing to my corolla either without going to SP(he he he),unless of course I put something back on first.:D