Allignment and Geometry set up

[simonprelude]

I have been thinking about this for a while and getting a full professional check and set up done.

The S2000 guys have had this done by Chris Franklin from Center Gravity who is no stranger to dealing with standard and non standard set ups on both Road and Race cars.

http://www.centergravity.co.uk/



Center gravity's geometry and suspension tuning services are for sports, high performance, club and track cars. center gravity provides chassis tuning for enthusiast, clubman and professionals. factory, optimised and customised chassis setups are supported, from full suspension rebuilds through chassis optimisation to suspension upgrades (springs, dampers, anti-roll bar, bushes, spacers, rims and tyres)

We use our race-bred mobile trailored equipment including race flat, 4-wheel laser alignment, corner weight scales, data-logging at the track-side, paddock, rally stage, sprint, hill climb, workshop and home locations.

Absolute static accuracy is achieved on client cars using our mobile race flat and quality equipment from global automotive suppliers including Intercomp, Beissbarth (Porsche and BMW approved) and Snap-On for absolute perfect repeatable results.

Enthusiasts benefit in quicker, safer a to b times from techniques of minimising weight transfer, minimising bump-steer, minimising roll-steer, centre of gravity re-location, corner weight distribution (cross weight ratios), roll-centre adjustment, ride height adjustment, and 4-wheel suspension geometry adjustment (camber, castor and toe).


Anyway, would anyone be interested in attending either an NSX only geometry day or to have a set up done on an existing S2000 organised day.

There are several sessions already arranged, however if we had an NSX only day then there would only be 1 set up charge as this has to be charged for each different type of vehicle.

I ran a day last year at my house in Hemel Hempstead and if we get enough interest I am happy to arrange with Chris to have a day at my house in Wiltshire.

Anyway, thoughts..............

As a rough estimate the price would be between £150 and £200 per vehicle depending on where we get the work done (Chris charges a very reasonable mileage from his base in Leicestershire) and how many vehicles we can get done in a day.

[TheQuietOne]

Another option might be to have this done at my factory at B60 postcode...it is a lot closer to Leicster and there is parking for 20+ cars at a weekend.

Having said that I'll probably use my money to get some rear tires next anyway ;)!

Good luck wiht the aranging Simon - alway helping the group!

[simonprelude]

The rationale behind doing it elsewhere in the country is it's cheaper paying for one vehicle to come to a central place rather than 6 vehicles to go to Leicester or Birmingham.

My place possibly isn't the best central wise for most people, but other suggestions welcomed.
There are a few S2000 owners around Bristol who want this doing and one already arranged in the Midlands that has spaces available.

I can give details to anyone that wishes.

[TheQuietOne]

Absolutely, had thought that too - but my factory is obviously a lot more spacious for a number of cars, and fairly central country wise if not owner wise! Didn't think it hurt to offer - and like I said it isn't something I'm particularly interested in parting with cash for anyway...

[Silver Surfer]

Are they really any better than my or anyones local tyres/suspension garage who does laser 4 wheel tracking costing around £120 for all adjustments from your experience.? I am not talking about Quickfit EEC or Nationals etc.

SS

[simonprelude]

In a word, yes.

Chris is a perfectionist.


Are they really any better than my or anyones local tyres/suspension garage who does laser 4 wheel tracking costing around £120 for all adjustments from your experience.? I am not talking about Quickfit EEC or Nationals etc.

SS

[mytse]

I think many initially doubt the importance of alignment/geometry. At the end of the day, it's about optimising tyre contact patch by adjusting camber/castor/toe. More rubber on the road, more grip, go round corner faster and safer.

Below are a few links from the s2000 owners club and their comments.

http://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=469724

http://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=468125

[reg]

Please let me know when and where. I would be very interested as long as the costs are not outrageous. Any specialist is going to be a. more conscientious and b. do a better job than the average quick fit type place IMO.

[Silver Surfer]

Alright, sold.

Where and when and how much.

SS

[mytse]

I've spoken to Chris from Center Gravity.

He suggests to invite one nsx to come along one day, and at a flat fee of £150 at CG's Workshop to do baseline and full alignment/geometry setup.

The idea is to gain an understanding of the car, so that for any future alignment meets, Chris will be able to judge how many nsxs' he will be able to do in one day without compromise. Chris takes a difference approach and likes to get the customer involved in the process, helping them gain a better understanding of their pride and joy.

This is by no means 'an experiment'. Like many other people have said, Chris is a perfectionist. The whole point of this is to improve his understanding & efficiency in the process. The more car Chris can do in a day, the cheaper it will be for each club member.

In return for this special offer, Chris would like to take this opportunity to build on his portfolio of case studies.

So who's the lucky one? First come first served, I guess to be fair.

[amo]

mate i might be up for this but not this side of summer

thx amo

[simonprelude]

I'll be up for it, just not sure when.
So if anyone else fancies doing it first then don't wait for me.

[mytse]

Most weekend is currently booked up, next available weekend is 28th/29th April. Available most weekdays and could also do evenings. Chris is quite flexible.

[Silver Surfer]

I'll wait until the 'group allignment' as my weekends are also booked up until late May/june.

Got to work for my 'V power' during the weekdays. :-|

SS

[mytse]

Any takers?

[Nick Graves]

I had mine done the other week at an S2000 day at Honda Slough. If that's any help for a location.

It was very windy. Try to get a place round the back if you organise it.

I cannot recommend Chris highly enough.

[mutley]

I'd certainly consider this, as my car has bee taken to bits so many times now, it's probably well off the way it should be.

Keep us posted

Jim

[Nick Graves]

That's quite scary; it's essential to try to keep things equal & opposite for consistent handling. Rear toe in is critical to breakaway characteristics. Quite important in a 170 mph car.

I should recommend a geo check at least every couple of years. At least the car will feel like new again.

BTW, lubricate your adjuster bushes with Plus Gas a few weekends leading up to the session. I've heard that NSXs are also afflicted with seized adjusters. Which they will be, if they've not been done since 1906!

[mytse]

Special offer still available.

Flat rate of £150, and you will get a whole day's time 1-on-1 with Chris Franklin consultation.

[Rob_Fenn]

I don't want to sound like i'm shamlessly plugging Plans Motorsport but i would say if you're in the South, it would be criminal not to take it there.

Sure, they are much more expensive than £150 for a geometry setup, but they have experience of NSXs already. You also get to try out the car on the track to make sure it is right for you.

Perhaps you could get a deal if a few people went?

[kowalski]

I agree with Rob, Plans are great at setting up the geometry and the track is always a good option. Mines in at Plans at the mo, will be collecting tomorrow!

leigh

[mytse]

Hands down, Center Gravity cannot provide a dedicated track to test on. Nevertheless, there are local roads that Chris knows very well, with strange cambers etc...

I do not want to go down the route of who's better who's not.

However, advantage comes in if you are interested in getting involved in the process. Chris is a great teacher and it is part of his work to educate the customer about his/her car. The customer is encouraged to put gloves on and be part it.

Chris is a specialist in porsche and as many others have mentioned, a perfectionist.

Anyway, plansmotorsport looks very respectable and I'm sure they will do fantastic job too. The option is there.