[DeTomaso] Track day wheel alignment specs

[mark skwarek]

JDeRyke
Thanks for the info on alignment. This is the most detailed info. I've gotten. I've modified my upper A-arms as per Pat Mical and it certainly tracks very well. 
Thanks
Mark

-- On Sun, 10/12/08, JDeRyke at aol.com <JDeRyke at aol.com> wrote:

> From: JDeRyke at aol.com <JDeRyke at aol.com>
> Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] Track day wheel alignment specs
> To: ehpantera at yahoo.com
> Date: Sunday, October 12, 2008, 2:28 PM
> Dunno if anyone answered you, but heres what I run on a
> '72 L model:
> *Caster- all you can get which will be around -2.6 degrees.
> Adding offset 
> upper a-arm bushings will increase it to -4.5 degrees and
> shaving 0.060" off the 
> upper ball joint carrier and making an 0.060 shim to
> compensate, will up that 
> to about -5 degrees. Adding offset lower a-ram bushings can
> increase the total 
> to - 6 degrees without altering the ball joint carrier. For
> reference, 
> Corvettes run up to - 7 degrees.
> * Camber- about 1-1/2 degree inward at the top.
> *Toe in- for wide, low-profile tires & poly bushings,
> 1/16" toe. For narrow 
> 70-series tires & rubber bushings, about 1/8" toe.
> 
> Rear settings: caster is not adjustable. Camber- std rear
> subframe collapse 
> usually gives at least 1 or more degrees inward at the top
> so no adjustment 
> needed. 
> Toe in- again, wide 50-profile tires & poly bushings
> need only 1/8" or less. 
> Tall, narrow rear tires need up to 3/16" toe in. 
> Theory: 
> More camber gives a more sensitive feel to the car but
> rapidly wears the 
> outer shoulders of frt & rear tires. Less toe also
> gives more sensitivity but may 
> become unstable at high speeds (over 80 mph). . Poly
> bushings & wide 50 or 
> 40-profile tires need less toe because the whole system is
> less compliant. Proper 
> tire inflation -up to 50psi front & 55psi   rear, will
> also give more 
> sensitivity. Again, don't drive home or to the track on
> these pressures- it'll swap 
> fillings in your teeth! Driving to 'Vegas each year
> (500 miles one way), I use 
> 42 psi front & 45 rear, in 245-50x 15 frts &
> 275-55x 15 rears. 
> These settings will get you close, and then you can
> readjust at the track and 
> see what suits your car and driving style. Good luck- J
> DeRyke
> 
> 
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