6sigma

I just got my 03 aligned for the first time since new. I've got about 10 days of HPDE on the factory alignment and felt it was pretty neutral. But, ever curious and always cheap, it seems that a more aggressive alignment might be the next step to faster laps. I took it to the shop with the Honda UK optimum specs as a target, but it turns out the guys had never done a S2000 before and therefore I think they had some trouble getting it exactly right. Anyway, here is what I ended up with according the printout from the alignment system (all units in degrees):

Wheel / Setting / Before / Now

Left Front / Camber / -0.4 / -1.0
Right Front / Camber / -0.5 / -1.0
Left Front / Caster / 5.7 / 6.6
Right Front / Caster / 5.4 / 6.5
Left Front / Toe / .26 / .03
Right Front / Toe / .28 / .01

Left Rear / Camber / -1.2 / -2.4
Right Rear / Camber / -1.2 / -2.4
Left Rear / Toe / .56 / .03
Right Rear / Toe / .68 / .11

Rear camber is at maximum adjustment allowed on the suspension. What about rear toe? Anything look to out of whack here? I'll be on track next week to see how it goes.

silversprint

Everything looks ok. But I think that the rear toe may be a little low. It all depends on what kind of track you are driving on. It may not be concern on low speed corners or autoX. The car will turn better, be more responsive.

But if you have too little toe (IN) then under cornering the alignment may go to toe (out). This makes the car spin on its axis like a top. It will also be less stable at high speeds. Take the car to the next event with the current alignment and see how it feels. If you like it then keep the current setting. If the car is too loose then add more rear toe.

Were you sitting in the car when they aligned it?

You have the stock front sway bar, correct?

6sigma

Thanks, that helps me understand what rear toe does. I was not in the car when it was aligned. I have completely stock suspension, including sway bar. Also, I'm running S02 street tires. I've tested it on the street and it seems pretty stable at high speeds (100mph) in a straight line, but it is a little more 'twitchy'. The rear toe is concerning, spinning like a top is not what I want to do going into a fast turn! I could take it back and ask them add a little toe in if needed.

One thing I'm confused about, the UK target specs from Honda list specs in degrees and minutes (I think), like rear toe at 0 degrees 20". But the alignment computer used decimal degrees - like .11 degrees or -2.4 degrees. So, if target rear toe is 20" then is that the same as .20 degrees? If not, what is the conversion ("/60?) How many degrees rear toe is a suggestion?

silversprint

I think the UK specs for rear toe are +.16 deg each side and +.32 deg for total toe. Anything from +.16 to +.20 deg should be fine. But again it all depends on your driving style.

I think .15 deg is 0.06 inch.

6sigma

For those doing future research, I'll comment on the on-track performance of these specs vs 03 stock settings. Overall cornering ability was noticeably better, felt like I could push it harder through the turns with no give. I liked it better than stock. Turn in felt sharper, and I could apply power earlier on exit. Downsides are that is is noticeably less stable at high speeds (>100 MPH) and much less stable under full braking. It would wander and twitch under full brake where it was completely stable with OEM specs. Overall, a good setup for track duty, but I think I'm going to switch back to stock settings for street duty. Tire wear is noticeable on the inside after just a few hundred miles (well, a lot of those were on track).

Wildncrazy

I weigh 190 and when I sat in my car to have it aligned we found that added .2 degrees negative camber so now I just have my drivers side aligned .2 less than the passenger side so I get a truly balanced alignment.

We saw no difference in the toe with me in or out.

silversprint

Camber and toe on the front are fine. The tire should were fine. You have slightly too much camber on the rear. You can lower the camber to 2.0 on the rear to decrease tire wear. Adding toe on the rear helps stability. You could go to .20 to .25 on the rear and still be ok with handling.

C6400hp

I weigh 220 and I found the exact same thing. If you're getting inside tire wear and doing lots of track duty on those alignment settings just push it a little harder in the corners and the wear will even out nicely.