goin to Watkins Glen with rear toe-OUT :D

[ZDan]

Alignment is a bit wonky after misunderstandings w/ local shop in RI that installed Whiteline rear subframe bushing stiffeners! This is a good shop, but honestly they are not used to requests for track-specific alignments... Anyway,

Before (near ideal!):
front toe: 0.00/0.00
front camber: -3.34/-3.39
rear toe: +0.03/+0.04 (+0.07 degrees total rear toe-in, fine!)
rear camber: -2.73/-2.93

After bushing install, with my specific request to not f**k with front camber just check the toe, and to just adjust rear toe as needed for 0 to 0.1 toe-in:
front toe: +0.03/-0.03 (no biggie, still zero front toe)
front camber: -2.94/-3.07 (dammit, I told them not to adjust front camber!)
rear toe: +0.01/-0.04 (OK, -0.03 so some toe-out)
rear camber: -2.63/-3.04 (a bit asymmetrical, but not adjustable so whatevs)

I sent it back because I didn't wanna lose front camber. Told 'em to maximize front left camber (the limiting side) and match that on the right, and zero toe. Did not notice the slight rear toe-out. Result:
front toe: +0.01/0.00 (legit)
front camber: -3.33/-3.95 (dammit, they just maximized both sides!)
rear toe: -0.01/-0.04 (-0.05 degrees toe-OUT)
rear camber: -2.83-2.90 (fine!)

Anyway, I was hanging out while they were re-adjusting in case there were questions, but they just brought the car around and at that point I had to get going anyway, so I got what I got...

I'm not worried about running this alignment, but damn! I'm planning to run some laps on Monday and then take it to a local shop in Watkins Glen and let them at least equalize the front camber and zero rear toe.

I might make another post on this to tout my alignment shop in Atlanta, Gran Turismo East. Every time I've been there, told 'em what I want (with them *literally* completing my sentences for me because they fricking *know*) for the track, they'll come and get me, have me sit in the car while they tweak things, and come to a final setting with me literally approving it while sitting in the driver's seat. Hard to find a shop like that...

[Tokay444]

This is exactly why I do my own goddamn alignments.

[Decep]

My alignment shop has a form you fill out so there's no confusion.. next time get it on paper

[marco_mc22]

It's not that bad, I used to run some toe out in the rear with stock shocks and It was really nice!

[Decep]

In fact when i got 2013, stock suspension, both front and rear were toed out like -0.2 degrees. Probably bad for tire wear but it felt pretty good in the corners haha.

[Capt Spaulding]

At the risk of pissing in your shop's post toasties, I'm not sure good is an adjective I'd use to describe them.

The end purpose of the alignment is not all that relevant to the tech. They just need to hit the numbers you spec'd. Their inability to do that is worrisome. The wide variation between sides would give me pause about using them in the future.

[NoHaveMSG]

I had a little toe out last year, it wasn't awful but not ideal. I asked for specific alignment setup and they prioritized camber. There was not enough adjustment in the toe arm to get toe to zero in the rear. Ran it like that a couple times until I could get toe arms with enough adjustment.

[Icecreamtruk]

Miata cup cars some some very slight toe-out on the rear. Will just make the car a bit more willing to rotate on entry and corner exit. If you are used to sliding the rear about, its fine. If oversteer scares you, change it before then.

[ZDan]

It was no big deal, as expected. midway through 2nd day I did adjust front right camber to make it closer to the left side.

What *was* a big deal was when the VSC warning light came on, and then the front left locked up hard braking into turn 6 :O Had an off, damaged front bumper, hood, front right fender, headlight :'(

Bandaged back together by friends at the track, continued the event. Ultimately had to remove the bigger 40A ABS fuse to prevent getting the warning light after a few laps, which was always followed by bizarre front brake lockups, like the ABS was going nuts.

Ultimately ran a 2:14.002 in the time trial, had been hoping for low 15s/high 14s going into the event, so decent times for me! Must now see about bodywork...