I now have K-Sport coilovers, FSTB, and RSB. Since I installed the coilovers, it feels like my car has a lot more torque steer and is somewhat unstable(darty) on anything but the smoothest roads. I have Energy Suspension control arm and subframe bushings as well as motor mounts enroute to my house now, but I am wondering what you guys think I can do to steady the car's handling. SFCs?, maybe the Blehmco LTB? or am I possibly overlooking sometihing obvious? Thanks in advance.

 

Did you get the car aligned? That might be the reason for the dartiness, especially. Try to go some place where you can get what specs you want. Slight toe-out, negative camber. Not sure how caster aplies to FWD, but usually you take as much as you can get, especially if you drive aggressively or do track work.

 

Excessive toe-out...

 

yes did u get an alignment

 

When I brought the car to the alignment shop, they basically made fun of the coilovers, saying that the adjustability in them was useless. They told me that they were able to get them into spec, but the funny part is the passenger side camber plate is maxed to the outside of the car, and the driver's side is a little different. I showed them that the top bolts where the coilover mounts to the lower knuckle are elongated, I suppose to get more camber adjustment. I have always thought that the alignment was wrong, but the shop is supposed to be one of the best in Palm Beach County. Were they just dumb at the shop, or has anyone else had this problem with the coilovers. I am planning on getting another alignment at a different shop, but I was going to wait until I install the ES control arm bushings first.

If it helps, my car is lowered the same height as it was on Eibach springs. Are the coilovers designed to be used at a much lower height. I always thought that they were made to work the same at all heights.

 

Did you corner balance it? This could also be the cause.

 

Guessing your toe is outta wack. What measurements did they give you for that before making fun of your coilovers?

I'm just now realizng about the combination of camber plates and camber adjustment bolts in the steering knuckle. Changing at the plate level although easier messes up your SAI measurement. You could have one plate inwards, the other outwards, and bolts opposite each other L/R on the car and still measure even camber at the wheels. I think you gotta get the bolts close first then fine tune at the plates to minimize SAI differences L/R.

I've created my share of bad alignments...

 

I am currently using the stock Nissan strut mount bolts. I don't think the Eibach camber bolts will do much since the top hole on the K-sports is elongated to about 3/4 inch, which is much wider than the bolt. You can just tighten down the bolt with the bottom of the wheel pushed in so the wheel is almost vertical.

I wasn't told what the exact numbers were when they were done with the alignment. Bad story about them scraping my freshly painted lip on the road, so I got a free alignment, but I left without paperwork or a reciept. I always thought that it was a crap alignment job.

About corner balancing, I have thought about it, but could someone explain to me what exactly is involved?, and what is the average price?, will an alignment be included in this price? Thanks everyone for the help. Jeremy

 

If the shop you took them to laughed at you, and botched it up that bad, you should never go there again. Not being familiar with Florida, I don't know where you are in relation to where Grassroots Motorsports HQ is, but they can definitely tell you where you can go, OR, find a reputable race shop in your area. Search for Grassroots Motorsports on the 'Net.

 

he is way, way far away, like 4-5 hours.

 

I agree to get in touch with Grassroots, they might just tell you to
get in touch with the SCCA and other groups that run down at Sebring, but I think they would know one way or the other.

 

Yeah, Ormond is next to Daytona, only about 3 hours away, but still way too far. I wrote a letter to one of the editors asking him for a recommendation for a shop, but I don't think that I will be hearing from him until at least tomorrow.

While I was looking for a shop, I believe that I have found a shop local to me who will custom make SFCs for my car. http://www.chassisengineering.com/

 

It's basically driving onto 4 scales and preloading the springs on various corners to get equal L/R weights (FL+RR vs FR+RL). Get your ride heights farily equal before going and it shouldn't take but 60-90 min of shop time. Some shops do alignments too for another hour of time. After they do my weights then I drive over to Firestone for the align.