jwfisher

I've been thru a lot of the threads here on front camber... but after reading >100 of them that mostly go all over the place, I'd like to get some basic questions answered.

The subject is a 350Z for open track (roadrace) use. With springs & shocks TBD the height will be a tiny bit lower than stock. Also, the stock camber isn't suitable for track use, we need to optimize it. We want to get front camber down to the -2 degree range, and maybe more.

This lack of adjustability is probably the biggest negative point about this car.

Problem: the front camber isn't adjustable. Just lowering the car a bit will in fact make it worse.

Question for the board: how do you adjust camber?

I thought I had seen a concentric bolt that would replace 1 (or 2?) of the upper or lower arm mounting bolts. Does this exist? Turn the bolt, and the camber can be easily changed. Most other double A-arm cars have this type of adjustment capability standard.

What does the dealer do if the front end needs a camber adjustment?

I've also seen one complete replacement for one of the control arms... but this is expensive. And, the one I saw looked fabricated... not "production" strength. And, from past experience, I have serious doubts about using poly in bushings on cars that will also be used on the street occasionally.

So, what is the current thinking on this major issue?

Note: I am interested in the front only in this thread, not the rear.

FLY BY Z

The dealer does not adjust front camber no matter how badly it needs to be done. There are two available solutions.
www.kinetixracing.com
www.350evo.com

Both are stonger than stock, if you care about the way your a-arms look then go with 350evo. If you care about price, go with kinetix. I have the Kintetix A-arms in the garage waiting for intallation. Just IMO.

EnthuZ

iTrader: (2)

Jeff, I'll attempt to answer a few of your concerns. Offset bushings won't allow enough adjustment for you, or me for that matter. If I could add a sketch it would help, but, since I can't, I'll try to explain. Our Z's upper A-Arm is mounted higher on the chassis than many other cars. Think of the distance from the front axel/ wheel centerline to the inner A-arm pivot. If our arms were closer to this centerline, a 1/4" offset in the front inner arm bushing MIGHT change the camber 2 degrees. With our arms further away from the centerline, the same 1/4 inch offset only changes the camber, say 1 degree. I think BJ & the Australian outfit concurred the same after testing prototypes. Soooooooo, our only option is to replace the arms.

The good news is arms will be available very soon. So far, I've found: BJ's, PerformanceNissans, Mines, lsdunique's, & K-MAC (the Aussie company).

As to why Nissan didn't include adjustability........ .....I'll guess cost was a major consideration, and maybe a little cockiness.

"Problem: the front camber isn't adjustable. Just lowering the car a bit will in fact make it worse".

Actually, lowering will increase our negative camber somewhat....a good thing.

Not sure which set I'll purchase.

BTW......I found a camber gauge for about $40.00, accurate within 1/8 degree! And pyrometers are available for less than $100.00.


Darn.......another red Xer beat me.

jwfisher

Excellent reply... this is the level of detail that I was hoping to get!

Any URLs you could provide here for evertone's sake would be appreciated... and they'll also be on this forum permanently.

EnthuZ

iTrader: (2)

Thanks.....I even confused myself writing it!

Here's one link without a picture:
http://www.k-mac.com.au/

Performance Nissan is a site sponser......shouldn't be hard to find......I'll include a pic.

Can't find the link to Mine's arm, but it looks similar to PN's....but I'll bet a lot more money........

The drawback with lsduniques arm, is that it requires disconnecting the ball joint everytime a change is made.

jelledge

Can you tell me where you got the $40 camber gauge at? I need one too.

thanks

azrael

jeff, you didn't get a Z did you?

if not, how's the Cobra these days?

EnthuZ

iTrader: (2)

I was looking for race #'s, and linking around, found this, haven't bought it yet, but it sure looks like a deal.


http://www.solotime.com/default.asp?page=1694

dwnshift

iTrader: (1)

350EVO front control arms ....
These are the arms we have been develoing and testing thorugh Endurance racing in the Grand Am Cup series. They will come with mono ball inserts of you can use your OEM bushings. They will be avaialbe within three weeks and when we return form Daytona we will be running a pre order special on them.

dwnshift

iTrader: (1)

With our arms if your car is lowered about an inch from
-0.3 to - 3.5 and more.
Adjustment is simple and require a 10 mm socket or gear wrench and camber gauge and jack.
The final product will look even better than this!
Endurance racing makes a great test ground.

freezeg35

iTrader: (3)

I was also looking into camber solutions and was told by one speed shop here in vancouver that they have done many z and g's with springs and got the camber to factory spec. Puzzled, i asked how and was told it takes about one hour per wheel and they grind out the two lower bolt holes(dont know which ones) so they are elongated or slotted. Then they use a tapered steel wedge once the desired camber is dialed in and tighten everything up. Seems kinda whiskey but they say they have done many this way and its totally safe and acceptable. What do you think?

jwfisher

I'm working on a project!@

jwfisher

So, dwnshift, just to confirmt hat these are *not* available right now?

Also, these are CNC, right?

dwnshift

iTrader: (1)

Correct..these will be available very soon.
The final product will be anodized black and have more material removed. They are a full cnc piece....absolutley 100 % top quallity.
The pre order special sign up will be on MY350Z soon........
The key in the front arms is the area outside of the ball joint. The arms in compression actually fit into a dug out part of the chassis under the fender. We have maximized this space with the ball joint design we use on our arms.
The mono ball inserts are ideal for smooth suspension travel.

EnthuZ

iTrader: (2)

I made a BIG mistake in naming the available A arms. It's NOT Mine's.......I meant to say Esprit. Sorry, my bad. Also, I think Stillen is working on them too. Any others?

Here is a pic of the Esprit arm:

jwfisher

The Espirit arm has solid bushings, and apparently adjust camber by inserting shims/spacers?

dwnshift

iTrader: (1)

Correct.
The 350EVO arms adjust camber on a sliding plate. Adjustment is very simple and fast.

zwindsor

iTrader: (6)

Do you have a link or source for the Esprit?

EnthuZ

iTrader: (2)

Sorry to interrupt BJ, but here is "A" source:

http://www.bulletproofautomotive.com...il.php?ID=1167

.

zwindsor

iTrader: (6)

Thank you. I asked K-Mac for a picture. I need to see all options before selecting.