Full Alignment / Corner Balance setup advice / and pics of the new car!

[citizen_insane]

Where are you guys measuring rake from? My car has already been lowered on coilovers and I don't really trust the wheel arch locations. Anyone have a 0 rake measurement from the LCA & RTA (or subframe) mounting locations?

[Digitalwave]

The pictures show the car as 4 lug. E36 5 lug probably changes things a lot, I know the geometry is less than ideal.

[cocofunk]

Ill double check on the bolt locations to see if I can increase the camber. And yes... GC e36 coilovers on the front (Ground Control's "Bastard" kit - all 96+ components, control arms, AKG offset bushings).

And what did you do for the rear to simplify access to the eccentric bolts? I had a BMW specific shop tell me that they would have to drop the subframe, cut the subframe bushing, and bash the underbody to gain more space to the rear toe bolt. I told them that I would drive it home and do that myself. Is this what you all had to do for the rear?

[Jb325is]

So it's E36 5 lug on the front?

[Digitalwave]

There is something wrong then. I have over 2* front camber on stock diameter springs! Backed off just enough that the spring perches don't bind on the strut towers. GC plates typically have multiple sets of holes for the camber bolts, it sounds to me like you just need to move the bolts (or there is some other issue being missed).

[cocofunk]

How much did you get out of the front? With coilovers you should be able to get 3.5 in front without bending the struts. Did you try moving the camber plate bolts into a different set of holes?

I have not played much with the camber plates to be honest. I was hoping the shop would do that (correctly hopefully).

I've never had trouble getting over 4* using GC plates with 2.5" springs. I think we're running ~4.3 or so now in the front

Seriously? How? I know I am going to add 2mm shims to the front short bolts connecting the strut to the spindle. I know that will give me some camber - I am hoping the shop can get me at least 3 deg with that. I am at -1 deg in the fronts right now and he says I am "maxed out".

[Jb325is]

I've never had trouble getting over 4* using GC plates with 2.5" springs. I think we're running ~4.3 or so now in the front

[Digitalwave]

How much did you get out of the front? With coilovers you should be able to get 3.5 in front without bending the struts. Did you try moving the camber plate bolts into a different set of holes?

[ak-]

IE offers +1.25* strut bending service that isn't listed on their site I think, but you can always call.

edit: nvm, they do advertise it. Up to +1.5*

http://www.iemotorsport.com/bmw/item/02strutc1.html

[cocofunk]

I took my car to an alignment shop and they said they would not be able to give more neg camber in the front due to it being "maxed-out" already. How do you all achieve -3.5 in the front?

My rear end is a different story. I am toe'd out at the passenger side rear (a lot) - shop says they "can't get to the trailing arm bolt". So I need to drop the rear subframe, bang the chassis underbody out a bit, and cut the subframe bushing to get more access to the toe eccentric bolt.

I am on GC coilovers, 600F/800R, IE 22m sway front, stock sway rear, 5 lug conversion, GC camber plates, eccentric bolts in the rear with z3 reinforced subframe and trailing arms.

[1990m3]

Spring rates: 700/900 and ditch the rear sway bar. My cars weighs 2470 with driver and 50/50 cross weight balance. Handling is perfect, I have the same MCS shocks you have.

[Jaxx_]

with the factory steering rack I like to run a lot of toe out. My car is primarily used for autocross, so I like it quite twitchy. I am at 2 degrees of total toe out up front.

[TobyB]

1/8" toe out F / 1/8" toe in R

That looks like a quick- turning car. I run about 0 toe in the front, about that in back.

I started at 0 rake, and have been adding it in 3/16" spring shims. Which is about
5/16" increments at the wheel. I'm at 4 shims right now, and may take one out....

t

[Digitalwave]

I have not run without a rear bar, but like Jb I've been dialing out rake on my car and I am liking it better. That also sounds like too much toe. I was running 0 toe in the front, and my last alignment moved to 0.04" toe in. The car is feeling better with a little toe in. The rest sounds good.

[GThomas]

Thanks!

current spring rates are 600/750 (normal rear)