Umai Kakudo
05-06-2008, 10:50 AM
Here is what ART has to say about using construction grade laser's for alignment: http://www.advancedracing.com/constructionlaser.php
Apparently they do not shoot a consistent, straight beam accurate enough for a 4 wheel alignment.
Toe plates and other alignment tools that measure the difference in toe between 2 wheels apparently are only accurate if your car has started off with a proper 4 wheel alignment in the 1st place.
I really want an ART Laser String II setup (http://www.advancedracing.com/products2.php?prod=string2) but at $2500 I can't justify it since I have several race prep shops in the area that will to a 4 wheel alignment to any spec for $80 on a Hunter alignment machine.
I'm planning on settling with the Smart Strings setup http://www.smartracingproducts.com/alignment.htm. I was leary of it at first but if it is good enough for Steve Mitchell's MWorkz customers its good enough for me.
Sure you can set up a string alignment ring on the floor for less money but the big advantage of this setup is the car can be rolled and settled without disturbing the string setup. One could be made from hardware store parts but I'm short on time and would rather pay for a proven setup at this point.
http://www.smartracingproducts.com/images/align_smartstrings.jpg
http://jdm-insider.com/Blogs/Eric/?p=362
Mike Kajoma's car getting setup at Mworkz by Steve Mitchell
http://jdm-insider.com/Blogs/Eric/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/b153.jpg
For camber/caster I'm planning on either the SmartCamber products
http://www.smartracingproducts.com/images/align_smartcamber.jpg
or the Longacre comparable product (http://www.longacreracing.com/catalog/item.asp?id=1299&catid=5)
http://www.longacreracing.com/images/products/setup/78295.jpg
I have access to a set of Longacre Scales through my autocross club so with these three items I should be able to get accurate results with an acceptable amount of setup time for a low enough cost for quality, accurate equipment.
I really need to corner weight and adjust my static weight distribution. I'm tired of my S13's front passenger tire locking up under braking before the drivers side does.
Apparently they do not shoot a consistent, straight beam accurate enough for a 4 wheel alignment.
Toe plates and other alignment tools that measure the difference in toe between 2 wheels apparently are only accurate if your car has started off with a proper 4 wheel alignment in the 1st place.
I really want an ART Laser String II setup (http://www.advancedracing.com/products2.php?prod=string2) but at $2500 I can't justify it since I have several race prep shops in the area that will to a 4 wheel alignment to any spec for $80 on a Hunter alignment machine.
I'm planning on settling with the Smart Strings setup http://www.smartracingproducts.com/alignment.htm. I was leary of it at first but if it is good enough for Steve Mitchell's MWorkz customers its good enough for me.
Sure you can set up a string alignment ring on the floor for less money but the big advantage of this setup is the car can be rolled and settled without disturbing the string setup. One could be made from hardware store parts but I'm short on time and would rather pay for a proven setup at this point.
http://www.smartracingproducts.com/images/align_smartstrings.jpg
http://jdm-insider.com/Blogs/Eric/?p=362
Mike Kajoma's car getting setup at Mworkz by Steve Mitchell
http://jdm-insider.com/Blogs/Eric/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/b153.jpg
For camber/caster I'm planning on either the SmartCamber products
http://www.smartracingproducts.com/images/align_smartcamber.jpg
or the Longacre comparable product (http://www.longacreracing.com/catalog/item.asp?id=1299&catid=5)
http://www.longacreracing.com/images/products/setup/78295.jpg
I have access to a set of Longacre Scales through my autocross club so with these three items I should be able to get accurate results with an acceptable amount of setup time for a low enough cost for quality, accurate equipment.
I really need to corner weight and adjust my static weight distribution. I'm tired of my S13's front passenger tire locking up under braking before the drivers side does.