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View Full Version : Trip to a very cool alignment rack..


Steve1968LS2
12-06-2007, 05:35 PM
The guy who did my LS2 tuning recently bought a new alignment rack. This thing is so cool. It can measure bumpsteer, check if the chassis is square to the body and a host of other things. I guess it cost over $50k installed and uses digital cameras on targets. The technology and graphics were stunning.

Anyways, the best news was that my car is perfectly square.. to the hundreth of an inch. :woot:

And even though my car is a bit lower than optimal the bumpsteer is very minimal. Almost none in a rise and very slight to the right on a compression (1 inch each way).

Sorta cool:
http://picsorban.com/upload/bmpsteer.jpg

My thrust angle was at about 2-degrees so we brought that to around zero. Scott was impressed with how easy the LD three-link was to adjust. We went for a good performance street alignment since that's where the car will spend 90% of its life.

The final specs:
http://picsorban.com/upload/finalspec.jpg

The alignment wasn't cheap but I feel it was worth every penny. The car tracks dead straight, doesn't "hunt" the ruts in the roads and feels great. We also did some computer fine tuning and figured out my front squeek. When I had my alt bracket powdered they coated the nub where the idler rides by accident. I cleaned it off, but not good enough thus causing the pulley to ride at a VERY slight angle. This causes the chirp. I will order up a new brackt tomorrow and just paint the damn thing. lol

I also found out that my car runs out of gas at 1/2 tank on the gauge.. don't ask but I need to adjust the sender. :_paranoid

The rack:
http://picsorban.com/upload/pennyrack.jpg

awr68
12-06-2007, 06:44 PM
Man that's one cool machine!!

XcYZ
12-06-2007, 07:52 PM
Yeah, that is really cool.

What do you think of the tires? Does it hook up at all?

rogue
12-06-2007, 10:48 PM
Wow you really can't ask for more. :thumbsup:

Tom.A
12-07-2007, 07:56 AM
Cool picture on the rack. Your pictures make me want to buy a new camera and take some photo lessons :lol:.

Ventoso
12-07-2007, 08:27 AM
Nice rack! :unibrow:

Silver69Camaro
12-07-2007, 08:32 AM
Any idea what the make and model of that rack is? I'd like to see if somebody around here has one.

Mean 69
12-07-2007, 08:51 AM
You know, it's not required to have fancy equipment to do an alignment, but MAN!!!! It sure makes the job a heck of a lot easier, and virtually always more accurate because you eliminate measurement error, etc. That is one very nice machine, with this type of technology available, it'd be silly not to go to a shop that has it.

And, darn it Steve, for the last time, your car isn't "Square," it's actually really cool! (Sorry, a bit slap happy this morning, long day ahead...)

Nice stuff, very nice stuff.
Mark

jannes_z-28
12-07-2007, 09:29 AM
I did my daily driver on one of those recently, it is very cool and has a lot of capabilities. I will do my Camaro in the spring at that place.


Jan

Steve1968LS2
12-07-2007, 09:45 AM
You know, it's not required to have fancy equipment to do an alignment, but MAN!!!! It sure makes the job a heck of a lot easier, and virtually always more accurate because you eliminate measurement error, etc. That is one very nice machine, with this type of technology available, it'd be silly not to go to a shop that has it.

And, darn it Steve, for the last time, your car isn't "Square," it's actually really cool! (Sorry, a bit slap happy this morning, long day ahead...)

Nice stuff, very nice stuff.
Mark

The owner was very suprised.. he said that most cars he gets in that have heavily modified suspensions aren't even close to square. He also liked how easy it was to adjust the thrust angle on your three-link.

mazspeed
12-07-2007, 03:02 PM
Nothing beats a nice rack.

jvike
12-08-2007, 07:04 AM
I did my 'Cuda on a machine like that. Very cool, It currently has a stock suspention so we just used the specs that the alignmentmachine has stored on the 'Cuda. I didn't know you could mesure the car, have to ask my shop about that! :)

My brother has a TCP Coilover front on his 69 Mustang, so we aligned it an stored it on the machine as a profile. So next time he need an alignment check, the machine got it on file, it's just to easy :thumbsup: Sure is a impressive machine!

Roger M
12-08-2007, 07:45 AM
Any idea what the make and model of that rack is? I'd like to see if somebody around here has one.



Hey Matt

I just finished installing the heating system at Renton Honda's new service facility. I believe that this is the same rack that was installed there. I spoke with a couple of the service guys that were using it one day and they really were impressed with it.

Ricochet
12-08-2007, 11:52 AM
Nothing beats a nice rack.


Yeah...What he said ^^^^^^^:D

Brent

TonyG
12-08-2007, 02:24 PM
I had my Cobra done on a machine like that earlier this year but I don't think the guys really knew anything about mustangs or the capabilities of the equipment..lol.

jfaria78
12-09-2007, 02:37 PM
Where is that place located? I am looking to get my car aligned soon. I live in So-Cal as well.

Thanks,

James

Steve1968LS2
12-09-2007, 02:47 PM
Where is that place located? I am looking to get my car aligned soon. I live in So-Cal as well.

Thanks,

James

Ask for Scott Brown..

http://www.vangordonracing.com/Pages/VandBperformancedyno.html

SteveMcqueenRules
12-09-2007, 10:10 PM
I like the sweet ricer graphic on the display! I guess the manufacturer thinks lots of hardcore import guys get alignments.