HooliganX

My alignment shop has asked if I want to do a corner balance on the car when it goes in for alignment. I’ve never had this done before and would like to get some opinions.

The car is a 2004 GT3, stock except for roll bar, seats, harness, etc. It is used 3-4 days a week street driving and around 1 weekend a month for DE track events.

Did you notice a difference in handling after the CB? What are your overall impressions/comments?

If you had the car balanced for your weight in the driver seat, does having someone else in the car upset it? One of the events I’m going to next month I’ll have an instructor in the car. I’m wondering if that will negatively effect handling? Or will it still be better than without corner balancing?

The shop says that unless I make drastic changes to alignment in the future, this corner balance should last a long time. So it seems that there is no downside to having it done except for the cost of doing it?

Thanks in advance for any advice you can provide!

911 silverback

Not had it done yet myself, but out of interest how much will the corner balance cost? the price in the UK is about £700..

...rob

RayGT3

One of the biggest diferences you would experience is in braking, at least it did seem that way to me. The car will actually feel better balanced under hard braking. It was quite confidence inspiring, I felt more comfortable going deeper into turns before braking. Also there seemed to be less surprises when braking. In general, just felt better about the car. In my case it was a good investment. I guess it depends how out of balance your car was to begin with as to how much change you will experience.

DanH

Is it really that much? I think JZM corner balanced when they did my geo. Was about 500 squid...

JBH

Wow - that is expensive. In the States a full alighnment and cornerbalance will run $400 - $500. It is really not that hard, but it takes time and some patience. Here's a useful link that provides more information

GT3 Chuck

ahhhhhh...the weakest link...or is that the missing link?

HooliganX

I am being quoted about $800 for the balance and full alignment. I know the shop is very good but am I getting a sucker price?

Can you repost the link? I don't see it in your post.

DanH

I thought it was pretty expensive too, but not much choice in the UK and they all keep their setting pretty hush! They do give good service though, and they do it twice. i.e. they set it all up. Take it for a drive, and then recheck/adjust again to make sure it has all settled correctly. I may be paying the sucker price, but haven't really got much choice!

GT3 Chuck

Call Steve Alarcon in Torrance at 310-370-6301 or Arling at Lucent, either one will tell you if you are getting hosed and Steve can do the alignment and corner balance for you...good luck

mooty

800 for alignemnt and balance? they better MAKE SURE you win le mans with that kind of price. you got taken. call steve alarcon, possible THE best in entire CA.

DavidNR

JBH is about right on cost, more like what I've paid. The alignment is usually more a set price and the corner balance by the hour.
Braking, high speed stability, left/right turn symmetry, on/off throttle stransition, all improved. More confident feel on the track. The differences you will feel will depend upon how close your car was to start with.
No negative effects, all positive. Sure a passenger will change the weights but not to the point of upsetting things.
My car was substantially improved. In my case we found the alignment and balance off quite a bit. Well worth every penny to me.

VECCA

Steve did my alignment - he was great. Arling has always been a great help too. If you're in Southern CA, you have two really good choices.

Blacksport350

Locally, a good GT3 alignment and corner balance costs as little as $200 and as much as $500 depending on who you go to. At $800, someone is very proud of their work!

HooliganX

Thanks for the input guys. I haven't had it done yet, so I will try and negotiate the price down or go somewhere else.

I've heard good things about Lucent and Alacon but I'd rather pay a sucker price than go up to LA.

Does anyone have any experience with Orange County alignment shops? Places like Vision, GMG or Hergeshimer?

Blacksport, where in the world does someone do a GT3 alignment and corner balance for $200???

GT3 Chuck

call Fabryce at GMG...they race em...