shiners780

I'm cross-posting this here from the Racing/DE Forum since it appears everyone there is at the track this weekend

I'm getting an alignment and corner balance on Monday, and trying to determine what specs to use. I have made a bunch of mods this winter, so I'm basically starting from scratch on handling issues. Suspension now includes Leda coilovers, Blaszak control arms, all solid bushings, camber plates, using 225/50/16 MPSC tires all around, no torsion bars, manual steering conversion, and solid motor mounts. Track use only.

This is what I'm thinking (please offer up opinions):

Front:
Camber -2.5 (although in rethinking, I'll probably go -3.0)
Caster 3.5
Toe 0 (or just a hair out to 1/64 total)

Rear:
Camber -1.5
Toe in 1/64 (1/32 total)

Ride height 25" to fender lip all around with driver and 1/2 tank fuel.
Setting the adjustable Ledas at 12 (out of 24) to start out.
Weltmeister sways 28/22 set full soft front, med. stiff rear.

Anything look out of whack?

mjensen

This is my 951 track settings:
Ledas 600/550
12 "clicks" clockwise
16 x 8 245/45/16 TOYO RA1
front ride height 120mm from ground to BOTTOM of castor bolt heads
(on my car the fender-to-ground clearance is 24.5")
-3.5 degrees camber(important/recommended for TOYO's)
zero toe/cannot remember caster!

rear ride height 220 mm from ground to BOTTOM of torsion plate(lowest point)
(fender-to-ground is 25.5")
-2.5 camber
1/64" toe
M030 30mm front/ 19mm rear sway bars...

shiners780

Torsion bars removed?
You using 8" wheels all around?
Did you notice any/much settling of the suspension when it was brand new? I'm concerned with the car not street legal that it may settle in after the alignment and corner balance. I won't be able to drive it before the work is done. I removed the headlights as well, so I can't even do a late night recon mission around some of the back roads here to settle everything in.

Thanks for the info.!

mjensen

My car runs 16 x 8's at all fours. My torsion bars are "machined" with no usable spring in them. My car did not change after two days at Blackhawk. The car was a dream to drive, felt like nothing like the stock suspension. I will continue to tune the suspension but for just showing up and running the setup as listed I was extremely pleased. One chassis change I need to look into is the left/rear tire psi has a 3-4 rise higher than the other tires. I need to address the track(clockwise layout) and possibly change the balance on that corner...

OriginalSterm

Where are you getting the alignment done Jim? I've taken my car to Mac's II and they are familiar with 944s as well as race cars.

Redlineman is a great resource from what I've heard as well.

MPD47

I will NEVER goto Mac's II again, didnt bother aligning my car, gave me a faulty print out and left the ecentrics finger tight. It's worth the drive to me to go down to John's (Redlineman) shop.

shiners780

Hey guys,

I went to Mac's to talk to them once a couple months ago. They didn't seem real comfortable with the idea of working on a 951, so I left. Maybe it was just the 2 guys I talked to.

Since I don't have time this week to drive the 2 hours to John's, I'm taking it to Ecksten's. They are familiar with the 944s as well, and do a lot of BMW race car preps. They just got a new alignment machine, so I'm going to give it a shot. Keep your fingers crossed and wish me luck!

I hate the fact that any time I take my car somewhere, I feel that I have to check all the fasteners torque values afterwards. You shouldn't have to do that! I have yet to find anyone in the area that I am comfortable handing my keys to. But, it's gotta get done, and I can't do an alignment and CB myself.

I'm kicking myself for not taking a side view pic of the car with the stock suspension. I'll take some after the alignment/corner balance is done. It would have been fun to compare. As it is, the car looks much lower with the new suspension...looks nasty!

Two weeks 'till WGI!

OriginalSterm

I wasn't aware Ekstein's got an aligment machine. I would absolutely trust them to work on my car, and have in the past taken the M3 to them for a clutch. They are cool with you bringing in your own parts as well. I'll be taking my car to their dyno in a week or so.

As for Mac's II, I called them once about an alignment before I went to the track to schedule an appointment and get a price. When I showed up, one of the guys knew that the rears on a 951 were a huge pain and required extra labor. Knowing that upfront was encouraging. Car definitely felt better as the alignment was horrible.

We'll be at the Glen the 10th and 11th!

MPD47

Ecksten's is very good also! I'm jealous of you guys, I'm running... but not completely yet. Maybe I'll be able to join you towards the end of the month.

shiners780

You gonna be ready for the Niagara DE May 10/11 at WGI? If you need any help with anything, let me know! Business is busy as **** right now, but I'll help if I can.

MPD47

Probably not I havent worked on the car in a few days, still need to get it aligned and tune it... and I'm not signed up yet (and I assume it's sold out).

shiners780

Bummer you won't be there, I'll take a couple laps for you , but...

If anyone else wants to sign up for a DE at Watkins Glen May 10 & 11, go to www.niagarapca.com to register. AFAIK, there are still spots open. This event has always sold out, but because the date has been moved it's filling slower than usual.