I had my car aligned 6 weeks ago by a local dealership mechanic. After the alignment, my car seemed extremely darty and unsteady. I had her up to 170 on the Arkansas...I mean, Mexican highway, and she was highly unstable. Scared the sh*t out of me which almost never happens. Todd Knighten also noticed the problem when he drove her. The problem was that the wheels were toed out which contributed to the tendency to drift. Todd said he could recommend the proper settings.

Well, after the 360 incident on highway 10 (did 2 360's on the highway at 70 mph) https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...d.php?t=100033 I decide to re-align and corner balance her.

I took her to Sam Shalala who has an independent Porsche shop and is highly respected in the racing community. He did an alignment and a corner balance. MAN is she ROCK SOLID now! The difference is night and day! It was expensive ($380 for corner balance, 190 for re-alignment)

The analogy given by Joel Weinstien of an improperly balanced stool is absolutley noticeable in my car.

The bottom line is that I highly recommened corner balancing, especially if you like to travel at very high speeds.

 

too true. few seem to be able to do it properly though, be careful before you guys get this done. go to a shop with proper motorsport experience if possible.

 

Sean where exactly is Sam's shop?

 

Chris,

Sam is on Murphy road, comming from 59 go left about 3/4 of a mile down.

 

All too true. Many times guys have asked on here if a CB is necessary after suspension swap. My answer is always YES!!!

Alignment is not enough IMHO. Why do 90% of the job and not do the final 10%?

 

I just had mine aligned and corner balanced as well, night and day difference. It is quite expensive, 700 over here....I think it was worth every penny

 

Technically, this would have to be classified as a 720 incident

 

LOl...I almost needed your namesake on that one. I avoid water at all costs nowadays.

Took her out for a spin tonight....she was just PLANTED through a highway sweeper at 90.

 

Yup. cornerweighting and the proper alignment are critical in these cars. I'd recommend picking up a couple books on chassis dynamics. One is called how to make your race car handle, by fred Puhn and the other is Chassis Dynamics. Forget who the author is.

Learning the whole "caster, Camber, Tow, static vs. dynamic, slip angle, bumpsteer" thing will make you a better driver, and better understand what the car is doing and why.

I used to design chassis parts for another platform, and have some articles in published form. Spending time this past spring in a windtunnel opened yet another door to areas for experimenting. Problem is that the 996TT is already so damned aerodynamically advanced, that I'll have to play with aero on my other project car!

Mike

 

I always use Sam Shalala, wouldn't go anywhere else, knows his **** and a great character, he'll keep ya there talking all day too if ya let him

Directions: http://www.protechnik.com/aboutus.html#Directions

 

were you supplied with before and after weights and cross weight%.

it would be interesting to see how far off the factory alignment #s are from a stable cars #"s are.

 

Interestingly enough I've talked with several guys who have had their GT3s checked right after purchase and the alignements were horribly off. Getting your car set up with you sitting in it and the corner balancing done is the best way to go for sure.

I'd also take advantage of the slotted upper tower holes on the front shock settings. Get a front street and front Track alignment that will allow you to DIY it yourself before and after an event... It's three bolts per side on the shock towers and takes about 5 minutes per side, including jack-up time.

Mike

 

I picked up the car friday at 5 OClock...Sam was gone but I will discuss these issues w/ him. Sam is a decent sized guy, I am 223. I will be putting on new tires soon and will have him prep the car before the Supra nats in March (where I will be tracking, doing the mile...hopefully 190 plus, and the 60-130 comp).

I will be doing 2 60-130 comps and maybe a highway run or 3 in "Mexico" in the meantime and she is good to go for that.