My suspension setup: Breakfast Blend for the angry panda

[Tamago]

Originally Posted by Loren

I've not laid hands on an xA, but don't they have about the same hood/windshield/top shock mount geometry? Doesn't look like the upper strut mount clearance under the hood would be much different.

well, let's put it this way. i can remove my struts easily without taking off the wiper tray :) we have a 3-bolt upper mount as well, which aids in camber plate useability.

how would you get a camber plate to work on your single-bolt setup anyway? :curious:

[Loren]

Originally Posted by Tamago

how would you get a camber plate to work on your single-bolt setup anyway? :curious:

Damned if I know! There are bolt holes they use for the strut tower brace that might be usable. Or do a completely custom weld-in camber plate, or drill some holes to bolt to.

Never really thought about it because it just doesn't seem feasible due to space constraints, and I don't feel that I need it, anyway.

[Tamago]

Originally Posted by Loren

Damned if I know! There are bolt holes they use for the strut tower brace that might be usable. Or do a completely custom weld-in camber plate, or drill some holes to bolt to.

Never really thought about it because it just doesn't seem feasible due to space constraints, and I don't feel that I need it, anyway.

you really don't. a slotte strut or camber bolt is just fine, but i like the idea of being able to run -3degrees up front on race day and dial it back for tire life wihout having to hit the alignment rack every time. can't really do that very well with camber bolts IMO

[kngrsll]

Originally Posted by Loren

Damned if I know! There are bolt holes they use for the strut tower brace that might be usable. Or do a completely custom weld-in camber plate, or

drill some holes to bolt to

.

Never really thought about it because it just doesn't seem feasible due to space constraints, and I don't feel that I need it, anyway.

this is what i would do. i thought about trying the general application Ground Control mounts before, but i am with Loren, we don't really need travel and we can get camber below. It would be nice to have some caster, but we could also do that with an offset LCA bushing in the rear most portion like the subaru anti-lift kits.

http://www.ground-control-store.com/...p/II=136/CA=97

http://www.perrinperformance.com/pro...ory=8&model=26

[Tamago]

the problem with drilling holes is....

you're no longer legal in most SCCA classes besides Prepared/Modified etc.

not a place for a 1wd 100hp econobox :(

[Loren]

I drove cross country 8,000 miles with almost 3 degrees of front camber without tire wear issues. I wouldn't stress about it. The amount of time and money you'll spend trying to make it easily adjustable is far more than the minimal extra wear you'll put on your tires.

If you autocross/track on your street tires (I know, you don't), you'll balance out the tire wear with your track miles. If you run dedicated street tires, you probably aren't buying super-expensive ones, and what's the cost of a pair of front tires... $150? You might shorten their life by 1/4... what's that... $35-40? Not worth a lot of extra modification if you ask me.

[Tamago]

Originally Posted by Loren

I drove cross country 8,000 miles with almost 3 degrees of front camber without tire wear issues. I wouldn't stress about it. The amount of time and money you'll spend trying to make it easily adjustable is far more than the minimal extra wear you'll put on your tires.

If you autocross/track on your street tires (I know, you don't), you'll balance out the tire wear with your track miles. If you run dedicated street tires, you probably aren't buying super-expensive ones, and what's the cost of a pair of front tires... $150? You might shorten their life by 1/4... what's that... $35-40? Not worth a lot of extra modification if you ask me.

you're slowly convincing me :)

[Loren]

It's not camber that kills tires, it's toe. You can have LOTS of camber, as long as you have zero or very near zero toe, you'll be fine.

You'll find a lot of "hardcore" autocrossers will show up at an autocross, bolt on their race tires and make a quick toe adjustment (front and/or rear) for competition, and change it all back at the end of the day.

The guy I bought my Miata from a good long while back brought two wrenches with him to each autocross to change the front toe. He just adjusted one tie-rod exactly two turns to get the toe out that he wanted for autocross, and turned it back exactly two turns for the drive home. His steering wheel was off-center while he was autocrossing... but that's not the kind of thing you'll notice on course!

[Tamago]

Originally Posted by Loren

It's not camber that kills tires, it's toe.

that all depends on how much you spin your tires ;)

[Loren]

Tire spinning is another matter, entirely.

[PHXDEMON]

Impressive work

[Shroomster]

god the info....there is soooo much awesomeness here....


anyways is there going to be a top perch fitment issue or am I mis-reading somewhere?

[kngrsll]

Originally Posted by Shroomster

god the info....there is soooo much awesomeness here....


anyways is there going to be a top perch fitment issue or am I mis-reading somewhere?

i think its coming, yes.

[Tamago]

my front parts are here! gotta get back to jury duty :( but here's a teaser pic

[Loren]

The show & shine boys are gonna love you!

[Tamago]

Originally Posted by Loren

The show & shine boys are gonna love you!

[Loren]

Seriously, it looks good. I know the cool contrasting colors and chrome are just incidental. Can't wait to hear how it works for you.

What rate are those springs? They look pretty stiff.

[Tamago]

400lb springs. i'm afraid they're too tall, by the math the car will be sitting higher than stock. i'll be modifying the upper perches to accept the koni strut rods.


just got pulled for jury duty so i won't have much time to work on this til much later :( ahhh irony..