We are excited to see that many Camaro5 enthusiasts have now installed performance coil springs and handling packages.
We've noticed quite a few threads with questions about height and alignment for our products and others. We've put together a list of our testing numbers and experiences in order to help answer some of the more commonly asked questions. We are using numbers and images from our R&D and testing on customer cars. Due to the numerous Camaros we have modified and tested, we have built a nice data base of chassis variances and build tolerances. The bottom line is, the car is built with very tight tolerances. When compared to the earlier Camaros, the 5th gen is in a whole new league for fit and finish.
Perhaps some of the other shops and vendors can post their alignment advice as well, and this thread can be useful when speaking with alignment shops and dealerships. We want you to have the best experience possible with Hotchkis, from install to racetrack. If you find you have a question that isn't answered above, PM or call us. We want your input.
Our quick facts:
· With stock and our sport coils we have seen minute ride height variances, with most cars at or under 1/16” and only one with a corner measurement variance of 1/8”
· Even after 1000’s of punishing street and track miles we have not seen our sport coils settle. We design our coil springs to be low stressed and spec high tensile excellent quality steel to eliminate any possibility of material fatigue. Our coils are preset during manufacturing, compressed to coil bind to ensure proper load height, shot peened to relieve material stress and most important, are made in the USA.
· Below is a picture of the slotted strut mount standard on all Camaros. A good amount of camber adjustment is available without grinding or alignment hole modifications.
· So far we have not found it necessary to grind out any alignment holes to achieve a proper street/track performance alignment.
Alignment specs for the 2010 Camaro SS:
STOCK SPECIFICATIONS-STOCK SPRINGS
FRONT:
· CAMBER: 0° to -1.6°
· CASTER 6.70° - 7.10°
· TOE: 0 TO 1/8” TOTAL TOE IN
REAR:
· CAMBER: 0° to -1.0°
· TOE: 0 TO 1/8” TOTAL TOE IN
MEASUREMENT MINIMUMS & MAXIMUMS FOR HOTCHKIS SPORT COIL EQUIPPED VEHICLES
NOTE
These are not our recommended alignment specs. They represent the alignment range possible with our sport coils installed.
Note that increased neg. camber of the lowered car is beneficial to performance handling.
FRONT:
· CAMBER: -0.4° to -2.6°
REAR:
· CAMBER: -0.7° to -1.8°
HOTCHKIS PERFORMANCE STREET SETUP
FRONT:
· CAMBER: -1° to -1.4°
· CASTER 7.00° - 7.50°
· TOE: 1/16” TOTAL TOE IN
REAR:
· CAMBER: -0.8°
· TOE: 1/16” to 1/8” TOTAL TOE IN
HOTCHKIS TRACK DAY/STREET SETUP
FRONT:
· CAMBER: -2.0° to - 2.5°
· CASTER 7.00° - 7.50°
· TOE: 0 to 1/16” TOTAL TOE IN
REAR:
· CAMBER: -1.0° to - 1.25°
· TOE: 1/16” to 1/8” TOTAL TOE IN
We determined our recommended alignment settings through street and track testing using the stock Pirelli tires. These settings are a great place to start, offering acceptable tire wear and grip in a variety of performance driving conditions. Driving styles, track condition, tire selection, tire pressure and most importantly tire temperatures across the face of the tire are the determining factors of final alignment settings.