Time for change.. (alignment experience needed)

[smoosh]

Alright so I've decided to switch it up a bit.. Been playing the low game for a year or so and want to start really driving the car. So it's time for another alignment and for the car to come up a bit. With what I've been reading its seeming like ideal camber specs are around:
-2 front
-1.7 rear with a bit of toe in..

I know there's a million threads on this but seems a lot of them are older.. So looking for experience some have had now that time has passed on.
I do a lot of backwoods and highway driving so I don't want anything too crazy and would only track it a few times unless I really get the bug for it.

So my question is this..
With driving a minimum of 40miles a day and the mini being my only car. What's a good range I should look for when getting it aligned that will make me very happy with its responsiveness and not kill my tires?

[cole9953]

I'm -2 front, -1.5 rear. I like it, went -1.5 to help with over steer, with IE fixed plates and a RSB and that alignment the car is pretty neutral.

I still get some inside ware though, here in texas everywhere i go is in a straight line, so i try to push through the corners hard to try and keep the tires even. I was very happy when they opened up a roundabout that I noe get to go around everyday.

[smoosh]

thank you! those numbers seem to be pretty close with everything ive been reading. how many miles till you need new tires? even ballpark replies are welcome

[cole9953]

hummm, Ill get back to you on that. need to check the discount tire receipt to see how many miles i had when i got the tires

[07BPB]

Originally Posted by cole9953

I was very happy when they opened up a roundabout that I now get to go around everyday.

Come to Australia... we have heaps!

[maxmini]

You are in the ballpark with those numbers. I would not go more than -2 on the front for a daily driver. I run - 1.8 daily and -3 for special days ie: track / cyn . The rears stay at 1.5 .

Randy

[smoosh]

And how's the wear at those levels? Any toe in or out?

[iDiaz]

The camber numbers people are proposing sound good. Don't forget about toe, though. Toe has about as drastic an effect on cornering speed and more of an effect on response to inputs than does camber. Do you have a limited-slip differential? Optimal toe settings will differ depending on the answer to that question.

[MartijnGizmo]

Adding to that ^^ : toe also has more influence than (a decent amount of) camber.

I'm running -2.15 front (fixed camber plates from Dr Krumm) and -2.3 rear, with stock toe-settings. Looking to bring the rear back to -1.5 with Eibach/SPC-camerarms. Tire wear seems to be pretty even, with quite some highway miles...

[smoosh]

No LSD. Have IE race plates up front and h-sport arms.
Will look into all this more. The car was crashed into last night while in front of my house and awaiting to see what the insurance adjuster says.. :/
I may be without a mini

[iDiaz]

Originally Posted by smoosh

No LSD. Have IE race plates up front and h-sport arms.
Will look into all this more. The car was crashed into last night while in front of my house and awaiting to see what the insurance adjuster says.. :/
I may be without a mini

Ouch, sorry about that.

If it does live, without an LSD, try 0 toe up front and 1/16" toe-in rear. That's a good compromise between tire wear, performance, and stability. If you're willing to give up a little tire wear, try 1/16" toe-OUT up front and 1/16" toe-in rear.

As always though, make sure you test your car's handling in a safe place before and after a custom alignment. Ensuring that your car is stable and safe is ultimately your responsibility.

[smoosh]

So it finally happened. Bumped up my ride height a bit and finally got aligned
-2* camber up front and -1.7* in the rear
.31 toe total up front
.25 toe total in the rear