I'll be having the SPC rear camber arms and toe bolts installed along with the Cusco front A-Arms in the next few days (come on UPS) and need to know if I need to drive around on the newly installed suspension components before I get an alignment.

I understand that if I get new springs that I need to let the springs 'settle' but I'm not getting new springs.

My guess is an alignment can be performed right away, but I wanted to check in w/ some of the suspension guru's out there before waisting my hard earned money.

TIA

 

+1 ^^^

I'm installing the same exact things this coming weekend so I'm very curious to see what kind of responses you get. My guess would be no, you don't have to wait, since there's really nothing that needs to 'settle', but again it's just a guess.

 

I'm no suspension guru but logic would tell me there is nothing to 'settle' like springs. Should be good to go to get an alignment after installing.

 

Do they have to remove the springs or compress them to get the 'upper' A-Arms in the right place? If so, maybe I should wait and get the alignment a few days later???

Someone has got to know. I'd read the instructions but I don't read Japaneese.

Gsedan35 or someone please help.

 

I think the only need to remove the spring/shock assembly to install the arms is to get enough room to remove the upper two bolts and/or get a torque wrench in there to tighten them up. Even so, you don't have to compress the springs to remove them, only to remove the piston rod top nut once removed from the vehicle. I'm meeting with an alignment guy later today and I'll ask him if there is a recommended waiting period to get an alignment after installing a-arms, but I hightly doubt there is.

 

I found after installing springs, shocks, a-arms, and the toe kits the suspension was so out of whack that a alignment was neccesssary. (tried to garage align it with a tape measure to be close) After the alignment and driving around for a few months I had it rechecked. The result was the toe was still perfect and the camber had moved 0.05 degrees on the drivers rear side only. The Nismo springs I installed had settled just fine. Can't say the same about the rest of the springs out there. The ride height had changed a few millimeters (drivers side again) in the rear (after a week) and a quick adjustment on the shocks brought it back up to match the passenger side (Koni).

The result says to align the camber short by 0.05 degrees on the drivers side and drive away worry free. As a normal maintence item, I do a alignment check every spring.

Hope that helps

 

Usually a lot of people get an alignment right after the installation and then get an alignment check a week or two later to see the changes. If the numbers changed dramatically enough, you should get another alignment.

 

Well I installed my Cusco control arms today and it turned out I did have to remove the shock/spring assembly to get room to remove the two upper pivot bolts, but I still don't think I have to wait to get alignment. I didn't have to compress the springs to remove them and I'm pretty sure they've already settled all they're going to since it's been more than 2 weeks since I installed them. Tomorrow I'll be installing the SPC camber arms and toe bolts, then I'll get her aligned sometime next week. I'll post before/after numbers once it's all done. Here's a few pics of the install.

 

I just lowered my G about to weeks ago about half inch fender to tire gap all around, currently too thinking about SPC rear camber arms and toe bolts ordered with the Cusco front A-Arms. Is Cusco control arms good as 350Z adjustable control arms? Thanks

 

If you are talking about the 350 EVO A arms then no, the Cuscos are not as good. The 350 EVO A arms have more adjustment range and for better performance has a mono ball and spherical bearings to maintain suspension geometry. But then again it all depends on what you are trying to do. The 350Evo A arms are a lot more expensive than the Cuscos and are overkill for someone who just wants to correct some camber on his lowered street ride. The 350 EVO arms are more for the track person. If you have a significantly lowered ride, the Cusco arms may not offer enough positive camber adjustment and you may need to resort to the 350Evo or Stillen A arms. I myself am planning to get the Cusco A arms since my ride has a moderate drop and I would like a little more negative camber for track days.

 

Neffster,

Why did you have to install front control arms if your on Z-H-techs? Is the camber out?

I've heard some ppl are out and some have no problems in the front w/ the Z-H-techs.

Basically, in your opinion, the rear camber kit is required w/ any drop right?
The camber will probably be out w/ any drop. I believe this is why your recommending it.

 

will you let me know if your suspension mods yield you better times at the track...I've always wondered if my 3 degrees of camber in the rear screws with my launch (because less rubber is touching the ground at first)...thanks.

 

It's definately effecting your launch traction. Plus adding in suspenion compression because of squat and you've got more then 3 degree's at launch. I would reduce it for sure. These car's are front camber hungry more so then rear camber hungry. Though I'll admit to being unwilling to run what I need to in the front.

 

if going straight, i'd setup the car with maybe -0.8 camber on the rear.

at one time i had my car setup at -1.3 on the rear, but the tail kept
breaking loose inconsistently while going through fast turns so on my
setup the rear has more camber to gain margin from that break point.

i dont drag race the car nor have any aftermarket power mods so
the -2.6 does not do harm for my application.