Neilo

Is there a massive difference/gain to be had from being able to adjust both camber and castor settings over just camber settings?

Fuzz

I assume you're talking top mounts.. ??


Yes, steering feel, weight and steer to centre are much improved with more castor, this gives good feedback through the steering wheel and tells you more about what the car is doing or trying to do.

Andy

Neilo

Thanks andy, im just trying to weigh up if i should make a point of getting castor and camber topmounts to go with any coilovers that i get, on some i have the option to, on others i dont. (as far as im aware)

Once ive got it all anyway chances are ill be popping up to you guys to set it up properly!

cmpequeno

the only way to increase castor is to use top mounts? what will be the tire wear? significant? ( on street use )

Fuzz

You can increase castor by fitting the Anti lift kit (this is basically all it does). that will increase by 1/2 a degree. (0,30 mins)
You can also increase castor on aluminum arm'd cars by spacing out the rear mounting.
The limit being stress on the front bush and or the tyre contacting the front bumper.
The better way is to use top mounts as suggested, that way you dont need to run so much static camber and therfore do not wear out the insides of the tyres.
Good top mounts will probably get you around 2 degrees extra.


Andy

marklemac

Boing

Fuzz, I've got the AST Sportline I coilovers.

Will the AST Top Mounts give me that extra 2 degress ?

Fuzz

The AST top mounts are designed to increase camber but can be modified to increase camber and castor. how many degrees extra on an AST top mount in this orientation, I'm not sure... will ask Curt tomorrow.


Andy

marklemac

Nice one Andy. Once I know I can decide whether or not to get them.

Also I hear they are noisier than the rubber standard ones.

Please can someone define noisy...

frayz

iTrader: (7)

I run the Noltec clubsport camber/castor topmounts available here.

Mocom Racing - Performance car and trackday products

These come in 2 variants, street and clubsport. Both are of spherical bearing design but the clubsports run metal in metal. This gives the most accurate steering geometry possible.

These will be the noisy variants of the 2. For my part this is only a slight "ticking" of the bearing when going over very low speed bumps, any higher speed noise cannot be herd at all.
The street varaints are a little more forgiving in that the bearings are mounted in a poly casing giving some dampening propertys and eliminating 99% of any bearing noise.

Just for the purpose of comparison.. my 2002 UK sti runs about 5.5 degrees of castor.

These were one of my single most favorite purchases for the car. The difference in "steering feel" and "turn in" was monumental.

Hope that helps guys

911

Utterly agree with the above.
Adjustable top mounts of this design will make a considerable difference to the car if the rest is correctly aligned to get the balance.

Graham

Andy916

iTrader: (8)

When first fitted I got the impression there's no extra noise ... then after a while you realise there's some extra hummmm at steady motorway speeds. Don't notice it on an A-road, but makes steady cruising a bit noisier.

Andy

911

My Noltecs and then ASTs ball top mounts are quiet as a lamb, but i did/do put a DROP of engine oil into the bearings front and rear (adjustable top mounts front and back on my car.)
I do this every month. (sad!?)
Graham

Fuzz

Nothing sad about a bit of care and attention.
Rather you did that than come back in two years time saying the ***** have siezed up.

Sorry Marc, forgot to ask.
Quieter tomorrow, so should get chance.

Andy