Getting an alignment...
 

when i get the alignment done, should i be in the car to set it up for the specs i want...?

with me out of the car, will it change the settings once i add my 210 pounds to the car... or will it not really make a difference...?

I pla on going with, minus 1.5 - 1.7 degrees of camber up front with minus .5 in the rear, and 0 toe all around...

Should not make a difference. I've always been out of the car when I've got my alignments done, besides your ride is low and stiff enough 210lbs won't make that much of a difference. IMO

I'll have to disagree with that. I had an alignment done by a local Porsche mechanic/racer lately. I watched as the specs changed when I sat in the car compared to when I was out. Also, I weigh about 180. 210 is going to make a difference. Will it be significant? I'll let you decide, but in my case I went from -1.68deg camber up front down to like -1.4something on the RF side. I'd recommend you sit in the car (with helmet if this is an autox alignment).

Joe

http://www.joe250.com

Given Diesel's suspension setup (Cusco coilovers) I don't think it would matermuch. At the point where you need an alignment done so precisely, mind as well have it corner weighted as well to mximize performance. SHould be a few places in PA that do it.

yep, should not matter unless you're in SCCA competing for first place standings. The camber may change a little with you in it, but not enough to make a difference. If you want to dial in more oversteer I suggest getting a Cusco rear swaybar. It does wonders for the EVO, I have one.

:) Just having a new alignment will make you :) The alignments from :mitsu: aren't that accurate.

If you are planning on doing some autocross, then you can get a little more serious about what you want to do. For the street, a good alignment is all that you'll need.

If you really want a dead-on accurate alignment, yes you need to sit in the car. 210 pounds of weight will lower the car about 1/4 inch. That will usually have a measurable effect on camber angles, depending on the inclination angle of the strut.

Unless you are a competitive racer or autocrosser, it's probably not a big deal, but it certainly can't hurt.

i just got my alignment this weekend (after driving on tein basics for 1k miles).. it made a world of a difference. Before i brought my car in i was so mad at the suspension setup. but once i got my alignment, it handled like a dream.

Check your local listings of Race shop and see if they offer corner weighing and balancing on suspension setups. It is essential to do so in order to get the maximum performance out of your coilovers and your car.

Just give you an idea here, most of the corner weighing and balancing in CA runs about $200-300.
http://www.customalignment.com/
http://www.nsxprime.com/FAQ/Performa...nerbalance.htm

So does that mean that the driver should be in the car when getting it corner balanced as well???

awfully hard to cornerweight without the driver in the car.....

So does this mean that when the Evo left the factory, its suspension was calibrated with someone in the car? If so, what were this person's dimensions (height, weight, etc)? If Mitsubishi was determined to build the perfect driving machine, they would have calibrated the suspension with someone inside, or did they? These are things that we'll probably never know, but what we do know is that the Evo handles great from the factory.

Even if he isn't inside the car, it doesn't mean that the car will not handle well. It will handle well, if his specs are well-thought out and researched, and appropriate for his driving style.

What if Diesel gains or loses weight? Does that mean his settings will be thrown off? Then, must he go back and calibrate his suspension again? A person's weight changes as often as the seasons, so must he be a constant customer at the alignment shop? Is it all worth it?

It all depends really. Diesel, do what you do man. Whatever you decide is all good.

Since Diesel has coilovers he should use them fully which means to set corner balance. To do a proper alignment on coilovers the car must be set with a full tank, drivers weight and on a perfectly flat floor. Pro race shops use a alignment machine that requires a completely flat floor, usually installed with the machine. I have done race car alignments on street cars using this machine with incredible results.


Cheers,

Winston

Diesel,

Only if you where in Arizona, I would do the alignment and you wouldn't believe how good your car would feel. :D

Cheers,

Winston

I think we are missing the most crucial part of D's set up...that 0.5 on the rear....Don't do it...in my opinion it makes the evo handle like a 15 year old chevy!!! I like some opposite lock action from time to time, but with the 0.5 it messes everything up...IMO I would stick with the factory recommended -1.0 on the rear.....
If you wan't some rotation I would look into an adjustable sway bar