I was just reading in the tech articles section about front-end alignment specs. I'm getting ready to install new Bilstein struts and shocks so I'll be needing to get an alignment done as well.
Should I have it set-up with the factory settings, or should I have the alignment guy use the "street" settings.

This car is a street-only car - I might have the rare opportunity to drive at a track but very rare. My main concern is with any wear/handling problems using the "street" alignment settings rather than the original specs - I just don't know if there are major negatives to using the street settings.

Anybody with experience with front-end alignment adjustments, chime in please. Getting ready to change out the shocks/struts in about 3 weeks so I need a plan for alignment prior to then.

Oh yeah, any advice on who to have set up the alignment? Dealer, or elsewhere?

C-Ya
K

 

A shop that does race cars would be good. Or a frame shop--they should have the ability. Call around and see if they will do some custom specs. Make sure you specify the exact specs you want--it's easy to get them perfect on a thirdgen so they shouldn't really care. The stock specs are horrible and will cause the outside edge of both front tires to wear quicker than the rest of the tire.
-.5 camber Left and right
+4 caster on the left
+4.5 caster on the right
1/16 toe
Those should work good on the street(better steering response and better tire wear). If they can't get -.5 camber on both make sure they are equal. For example, if the left only allows -.25 camber make sure they set the right to -.25 camber. On the caster the left should be .5 less than the right

 

Thanks a bunch 82camaro-
I find it interesting that these specs provide better tire wear than the factory specs for everyday driving/street driving.

If I can't find a good "race shop" per se, do you suppose if I take the specs I want to a respectable alignment shop that they might just sort of "do as I say" for me?

If I'm gonna have it done, I want it done right and to specs that I can be happy with both from a performance standpoint and from a wear standpoint - I don't want to set it up so tires wear faster than normal or to cause premature wear on steering/suspension components.

Are you running the specs you listed?
K

 

Mine are currently a bit more agressive with -.8 camber on each side. Tire wear is fine. I've seen many, many third-gens with the outside edges worn with stock specs(used to do alignments for a living). You may not realize it, but even the usual driver corners at least a little bit harder(faster) than they would driving a typical car. Why? The car handles flat and you don't realize you are cornering faster than normal. With positive camber it just kills the tires. Any alignment shop will be OK if you find one that has a decent tech that will do custom specs. Your suspension components will be fine with the altered settings.

 

Any reason for more toe in than 1/16?
I've seen 3/32 given as a good amount of toe for street use. It is only 1/32 more, maybe most places can't get it that precise?? Is that why they just say 1/16?

Also, there's a book out called "How to tune and Modify Your Camaro 1982-1998" - in it they mention the following settings for street use:
Caster - L 5+, R 5.5+
Camber - -1 both sides
Toe in 3/32

The book is generally full of good information if not thought-provoking ideas, but I was wondering about these alignment settings.
Are these settings perhaps too aggressive?