Reduced traction after alignment

[bender128]

Hey everyone. I had some camber plates installed, and got the alignment set to -2.7 front and -2.4 rear.

I thought -2.4 in the back wasn't too crazy but I have a noticeable decrease in traction when i accelerate in a straight line.

This is 128i with a 3sim so about 230 lb-ft of torque.

I use this car for daily + autocross, for those that have run similar set ups, is this reduced traction normal?

[ShocknAwe]

I'd stick to -1.5 to -1.8 rear. If you don't mind me asking why do you want to much rear camber?

Could also be that you have zero toe, or that toe isn't symmetrical.

[bender128]

Toe was symmetrical from what I remember, can't find the alignment sheet right now.

I got the negative camber figure from another thread. If -1.5 would be sufficient for autox and occasional track days I'll get it realigned, I'm not a fan of the way it is now.

[bender128]

Found the sheet with alignment specs

[iminhell1]

Different sidewall stiffness's will like different camber settings. There's no one size fits all.

[N55e82Simon]

Doesn’t seem like anything too crazy. How are your tires? What psi are you running?

Also as the suspension compresses when the rear loads up under acceleration you will go more negative camber.

[bender128]

Originally Posted by N55e82Simon

Doesn’t seem like anything too crazy. How are your tires? What psi are you running?

Also as the suspension compresses when the rear loads up under acceleration you will go more negative camber.

About 30psi.

[bender128]

Got alignment booked for Tues, thinking to keep everything the same and just change rear neg camber to -1.5.

Appreciate all suggestions, feel free to let me know if i should change anything else.

[tracer bullet]

I am not an alignment expert but I'll throw in that the rear toe is slightly more than normal. I feel like it's typically more like .1 or so, perhaps even slightly less. I'd let others weigh in before actually asking to change it. And I doubt it affects grip very much anyhow.

[ShocknAwe]

I usually go zero toe for front and 1/8 total toe IN for the rear

[HP Autosport]

Originally Posted by bender128

Hey everyone. I had some camber plates installed, and got the alignment set to -2.7 front and -2.4 rear.

I thought -2.4 in the back wasn't too crazy but I have a noticeable decrease in traction when i accelerate in a straight line.

This is 128i with a 3sim so about 230 lb-ft of torque.

I use this car for daily + autocross, for those that have run similar set ups, is this reduced traction normal?

That is way too much negative rear camber. No more than -1.5 unless have a particular driving style. Such as getting the power right after apex with the car nearly sliding sideways. You will want to maximize outside tire grip in that case.

if your rear toe is good, check the toe arms. Deflections in the toe arm bushings will reduce available traction.