I'm planning on getting coilovers, but im confused about one thing. SHould i just set the coilovers on where i plan to have them permanently , and then go and get it al;ligned at that height? And does that mean if i lower it or raise it more it would then be out of allignment?

 

It really depends on whether or not you are going to go with a camber kit or not. The reason for this is that when you raise/lower your car it changes the camber. This is designed so that when the suspension is compressed it develops more negative (when the top of the wheels are tilted in like this / \ ) camber so that the contact patch is optimized for best tire wear. Therefore lowering your car will cause negative camber. When the vehicle is raised the tires will look more like this \ / , gaining posotive camber. This is controlled by the length and angle of the controll arms and is called a "camber curve". I believe a camber curve could be defined as the rate at which the camber angle changes in relation to zero degrees camber (the wheel being straight up and down).

Camber on our cars is not adjustable unless you get a camber kit. If you do not get a camber kit then when you lower your car you are stuck with the negative camber. With a camber kit you can of course change it. If you raise/lower your car with your coilovers it will change the camber (how much depends on the camber curve and is a relation of how much you raise/lower it). Sorry I dont know the values to this. To accurately adjust camber you would want an alignment rack. I dont believe it would justifiably effect toe or caster when you raise/lower to need another alignment. Hope this helps. Any questions just ask.

doh! In the midst of all my babbling I forgot to answer your original question-yes get the alignment where you want the car to be permanently. After that if you raise or lower it the above would apply.


[Modified by nugget8000, 8:37 PM 7/29/2001]


[Modified by nugget8000, 4:28 AM 7/30/2001]

 

I have Ground Control Coil Overs and am running into the same problem. Wheter to get an alignment. Hope this helps Bro!
Heres a website that may the #'s and degrees you are looking for
http://www.ingallseng.com/faq.htm

http://www.ingallseng.com/performance/camberchange.htm