Hey everyone,

I just burned through my stock pirrelli P6's finally and I am in the market for a new set of tires. I'm going with Goodyear Eagle F1's and I have a question about doing a custom alignment. I have a 2006 Cobalt SS sedan with the FE3 suspension. Everything is stock besides a ZZP downpipe, ZZP catback, Elbrus I06 wheels (17x7.5) and B&M shiftplus. I wanted to know if anyone on the forum could recommend a custom alignment for aggressive daily driving that wouldn't eat up my tires. I got in an accident a few months ago where I lost the rear end of the car on a turn. Granted I had snows on, but I am still wary of taking corners fast. Upgraded front and rear sway bars with moog end links will go on the car in the next 6 months. Thanks for any advice!

 

 

Thanks alot! This is exactly what I was looking for. I pulled the url of that image off your screenshot if anyone else wants to check it out.

http://www.crateenginedepot.com/pdfs/88958710.pdf

I saw that you have a tab open called "check my alignment" off this site. I couldn't find it using the search. Mind giving me a url or sub forum?

 

That is not what you're looking for. That's the alignment specs to use with the upgraded steering knuckles.

You'll be fine with the better tires. Look into upgrading to the FE5 shocks/struts and possibly some better springs if you want to go that far. You don't need to upgrade the front sway bar. For street use you don't need to get crazy on the alignment. There are other ways to make the car handle better.

 

Fair enough. I don't know if I agree with you on the front sway bar though. These cars have SO MUCH body roll. I can't tell you how many of my friends I've scared sh*tless because they thought I was going to lose traction and slide off the road. My buddy has a subaru legacy and that thing is planted to the road on corners.

 

No one runs upgraded front ones, I promise.

Get some better shocks/struts/springs and upgrade the rear bar, and you'll be set. Keep the upgraded rear bar within reason. If you are never going to track it, the Powell Street bar will be plenty.

 

He's right! I've disconnected my front sway to autocross and I run the stiffest rear bar you can get.

 

Ha ha! Alright. I was looking at the Powell hardcore bar for the rear sway bar. I enjoy doing autocross from time to time. It's called "interstate driving". jk Thanks for the advice guys!

 

He?

 

It's not worth it to correct people anymore...

If the pink in the sig doesn't give it away, it's not my problem.

 

Oh my bad! I just go on the assumption that everyone on here is a guy. Definitely not a good generalization to make. Thanks guys and ladies!

 

I run -1.5 camber and 0 toe up front. I would bump the camber up to -2.0 for autocross, but I use the same tires for street so I have to keep the tire wear somewhat even. The powell spherical cabs help a little bit with the camber loss during turns. You can open up the upper steering knuckle hole on the strut to a slot and get around -2.0 deg. You can start opening up the bottom hole in the opposite direction to get a little more. I torqued the bolts to 110. It slipped with the factory 80-something spec.

I run 45front/38rear psi on conti dw tires at autocross because the sidewall is way too soft. 40/38 on the street or I get a bit too much wear in the center of the tire. Definitely going with a different tire next set. The outside corners of my tires are all completely bald because they fold over so bad.

I think you will find that your alignment specs and tire pressures will depend greatly on what tire you use. Use a tire marker to mark the outer corner of your tires and take a few turns at full tilt. If you run up to 45 psi and the tire is still folding over too much, you will need more camber. The steering is much more precise with 0 toe because it reduces the dead zone of the steering. Some people don't like this for daily driving, but I prefer it because I think I'm on a race course no matter where I go.

 

Thanks I will definitely try the tire marker tip! When you go with a new set of tires consider Cooper RS3-A's. I just bought a set and I am in love with them. It's like riding on rails compared to Pirelli P6's. They are considered all seasons, but really they are a set of summers that are very wear resistant.