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Just bought a mostly stock 2021 GT4 on Cars & Bids. It has Dundon/Valvetronic exhaust and tune but no suspension mods.
Obviously I will need track pads and fluid but I assume also some LCA shims and rear toe links to get started. What shims do I need for up to -3*? Or can you get that w/ shims alone? This will be driven on the street too BTW.
This will be my fourth Cayman and I have a set of OZ track wheels that I have used on my 987.1, 987.2, and 981. Both 987s had "Big Red" front calipers. The wheels are 9x18 and 10x18. I have generally run 245-40 and 275-35 tires. I see that the stock GT4 tire widths are 245 and 295 but I'm not sure about 295s on a 10" rim. What say you? The closest 18" tires are 245-45 and 285-40.
Not sure on the tire question, but you can get right around -3 front camber with just shims. You'll need a bunch. I have about 14mm shims per side and camber plates to run -3.5. IME, -3 camber with zero toe is not too bad on tire wear for a dual use car but YMMV.
For pads most people run Ferodo 1.11 or 3.12 on these.
You cant run 18"s without doing a performance brake/caliper upgrade, so tires are the least of your concern.
Most of us GT4 guys are running 19's, 265/305 - all you need is camber plates and toe links to get to where you need alignment wise with those sizes, or run a 255 front without plates, but you will still need to add a good amount of camber for clearance
I'd check the plates on the car, takes 5-10 mins ... I wouldnt be surprised if camber plates were installed but not discussed in the full details of the sale - Ive seen this a few times so you might be one of the lucky ones!
Well, crap, I did not realize that the front rotors are 380mm. I used these wheels w/ 350mm, don't suppose I can go down to 350, huh? I have some 19" Kinesis street wheels, I hope they'll fit. (I don't have the car yet.)
Find out what their offsets are and refer to APEX website to see what they run. They might fit, or you may need a 3-5mm spacer if the offsets are slightly different to clear the front of the calipers. You'll get it sorted!
Not sure on the tire question, but you can get right around -3 front camber with just shims. You'll need a bunch. I have about 14mm shims per side and camber plates to run -3.5. IME, -3 camber with zero toe is not too bad on tire wear for a dual use car but YMMV.
For pads most people run Ferodo 1.11 or 3.12 on these.
Correct, every car is a little different, but you should be able to get at least -2.5 up front with just shims and probably also -3. That said, your caster will be way out of wack. So at a minimum you will need adjustable caster pucks too, assuming you don't want to do camber plates.
Shims increase front track width, whereas camber plates do not. Both ways have their pros and cons. For example, while you don't get a wider track with plates, you could in theory fit wider tires with that option.
You will be caster limited up front if you dont do camber plates and / or pucks, but to answer your question on shims, you will need roughly 12-14mm up front and 10mm rear to achieve your targeted numbers. Be sure to check your front toe rod thread engagement as you approach 14mm of shim as well.
I'm working up a shopping list. FWIW looks like Flat6 has the best prices on 3.12 pads.
Are these front calipers like the ones on my 981 Cayman S in that you have to remove them to change pads? I.e. studs are in order? The GT3 calipers on my 987s did not so require. I could change pads in 10 mins./side once jacked up.
W/ shims alone, how much camber can you get before you need caster pucks?
I'm working up a shopping list. FWIW looks like Flat6 has the best prices on 3.12 pads.
Are these front calipers like the ones on my 981 Cayman S in that you have to remove them to change pads? I.e. studs are in order? The GT3 calipers on my 987s did not so require. I could change pads in 10 mins./side once jacked up.
W/ shims alone, how much camber can you get before you need caster pucks?
Calipers do have to come off, so studs are recommended. I suggest calling Apex Performance in SC to source your pads. Ferodo prices just went up ..again.
I ran 265/35-19 up front on my GT4. If you think you might want to go that direction Id suggest you go ahead and do the camber plates to gain camber and also fender clearance for the larger tire. I went with the Porsche Motorsports parts, which were surprisingly competitive with the aftermarket on price at the time. That was 5 years ago
With just camber plates, rear toe links, inner LCA caster pucks, and shims you can get these specs - just came back from the alignment shop.
Anything over -3 upfront and you will want to add caster pucks to keep that value in check - hovering around 9. Although I have adjustable caster pucks, I decided not to request the shop to touch them (added cost) bc to my surprise, we nailed the DIY install and those numbers were close enough for me, all while everything else had tight tolerances matched.
With just camber plates, rear toe links, inner LCA caster pucks, and shims you can get these specs - just came back from the alignment shop.
Anything over -3 upfront and you will want to add caster pucks to keep that value in check - hovering around 9. Although I have adjustable caster pucks, I decided not to request the shop to touch them (added cost) bc to my surprise, we nailed the DIY install and those numbers were close enough for me, all while everything else had tight tolerances matched.
Honestly, you want the caster puck even at -2.5 front camber. On my 981 GT4, caster ended up around -10 without the puck and that amount of camber. Plus, the steering feel is MUCH better with the puck with no discernable NVH increase, so might as well go for it.
@bldn10 your alignment shop should be able to provide the shims, but 5-6mm adds something like .5 camber from memory, very roughly.
Honestly, you want the caster puck even at -2.5 front camber. On my 981 GT4, caster ended up around -10 without the puck and that amount of camber. Plus, the steering feel is MUCH better with the puck with no discernable NVH increase, so might as well go for it.
@bldn10 your alignment shop should be able to provide the shims, but 5-6mm adds something like .5 camber from memory, very roughly.
Prior to the adding the pucks, my caster side by side was ~9.35 with -3 degrees of camber in the front. Adding the caster pucks made sure I could control caster now that I have increased negative camber to -3.3. The bonus is getting rid of the soft OEM bushings, and the stock drop links are incredibly flimsy compared to what Tarett offers.
I added the 60nm Swift springs and F/R drop links during the caster puck install. The feel just on the street is noticeable, in a good way. The car feels better balanced front to rear, and steering input as you mentioned is sharper. She goes to track for two days this weekend.
Vantage, I replied to your message. Tell me about the wheels.
Sorry, my Apex VS-5RS and OEM wheels are both now sold. The former were 19" x 9" and 19" x 10.5 " (less wide than stock because I was running the TPC rear toe link, which will not clear 19" x 11").
If 19" clears your brakes, they are the way to go vs. 20". More/better tire options, less expensive, and lighter.
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