steering/suspension questions

[EvoX8168]

I have owned my Evo X for close to 4 years. Believe it or not, it is the most reliable car I have owned. I'd like to improve the following two areas for a DD:

1. Compared with my last two cars (a BMW and a Corvette), Evo X inspires less confidence on winding road. There is an S-shaped off-ramp/on-ramp connecting two freeways in my area. I am not pushing the Evo X to its limit. But the car just feel less controlled. My last two cars felt much more sure footed.

2. Again, compared with my last two cars, the Evo X feels more jittery on a rough street. Ironically, the Evo X feels more floaty on freeway.

Let me know how I can address these two issues. Thanks.

[stEVOlution Z]

Originally Posted by EvoX8168

I have owned my Evo X for close to 4 years. Believe it or not, it is the most reliable car I have owned. I'd like to improve the following two areas for a DD:

1. Compared with my last two cars (a BMW and a Corvette), Evo X inspires less confidence on winding road. There is an S-shaped off-ramp/on-ramp connecting two freeways in my area. I am not pushing the Evo X to its limit. But the car just feel less controlled. My last two cars felt much more sure footed.

2. Again, compared with my last two cars, the Evo X feels more jittery on a rough street. Ironically, the Evo X feels more floaty on freeway.

Let me know how I can address these two issues. Thanks.

tires, proper alignment

[GSXRiderK6]

What tire pressure are you running?

[EvoX8168]

I run 33psi all around. In addition to the OE Yokohama ADVAN A13C tires, I have tried Continental DW and Hankook V12 evo tires. I can tell the difference in the steering feel among these tires. But my main issue is the rear of the car does not seem to stay put. All three tires have such problem.

When I make a sharp turn, the rear strikes me that it wants to continue the sway. This makes me think the car is less sure footed. So I stop pushing the car further and slow down. This is what I mean that it does not inspire confidence.

Should I increase the negative chamber of the rear tires? I remember that my BMW had almost zero chamber for the front but very pronounced negative chamber for the rear tires.

Thanks.

[Exyia]

just get alignment numbers and come back and post

ANY handling thread needs to start with tires and alignment spec, otherwise it's just a page full of unnecessary posts

some/most shops should offer you a free alignment check to upsell you on an alignment

[boarderofsnow86]

Originally Posted by Exyia

just get alignment numbers and come back and post

ANY handling thread needs to start with tires and alignment spec, otherwise it's just a page full of unnecessary posts

some/most shops should offer you a free alignment check to upsell you on an alignment

The sears by me has one of those alignment checkers on the floor. It takes them like 5 minutes to do it. I guess it allows them to be able to show you your alignment whenever you bring a car in to them. They did show me my numbers for free though.

[EvoX8168]

Thanks all for the comments. I should just go get an alignment for my Evo X. My car drives straight and has no uneven tire wears. But I can visually tell that the four wheels have different camber levels.

I have read through the alignment specs thread. I plan to do zero toe for the front and negative toe (0.12) for the rear. But for camber, what should I do?

(A) -1 front and rear
(B) -1.5 front and rear
(C) -1.5 front and -1 rear
(D) -1 front and -1.5 rear

Does 0.5 degree make any difference at all?

Finally, would you take your car to Sears Auto for alignment? I live close to one....

Thanks again!

[Exyia]

Originally Posted by EvoX8168

Thanks all for the comments. I should just go get an alignment for my Evo X. My car drives straight and has no uneven tire wears. But I can visually tell that the four wheels have different camber levels.

I have read through the alignment specs thread. I plan to do zero toe for the front and negative toe (0.12) for the rear. But for camber, what should I do?

(A) -1 front and rear
(B) -1.5 front and rear
(C) -1.5 front and -1 rear
(D) -1 front and -1.5 rear

Does 0.5 degree make any difference at all?

Finally, would you take your car to Sears Auto for alignment? I live close to one....

Thanks again!

I recommend:
Front Toe: 0.00
Front Camber: 2.00 - 2.50
Rear Toe: 0.00
Rear Camber: 1.50 - 2.00
Caster: won't be adjustable on stock top-hats

Front camber will probably be limited at -2.0 if you're stock

I really dislike using toe in/out on this car. There are so many other ways to adjust stability/balance than dealing with slight toe scrub

The car comes alive at -2.0 (or more) camber up front. I wouldn't go any less, and the tire wear difference is practically nothing (only starts to come into affect at past -2.5)

The rear is practically perfect at -2.0 with a 27mm Swaybar (so you would need even more without one, but I'd advise against that). A lot of owners want to be conservative and go -1.5; I don't agree since the tire wear difference really isn't noticeable. Or if your rear bolts are worn out, I would stop at -1.5 and consider getting Lower Control Arms (Kozmic has the cheapest and most effective ones) to get to -2.0

I would just watch the Sear's people work on the car - see if they have any idea what they're doing or just turning shit till they see green on the computer. I know not everyone is privileged enough to have a performance-oriented alignment shop

[mac11wildcat]

eyxia where did you get yours done? im going to be needing an alignment after my spring install.

[EvoX8168]

Thanks Eyxia. My Evo X is a DD and I don't autocross. Do you still recommend the same settings?