alignments, handling, steering, and the C6 Z06

[Eric_Rav]

Hi all, I had an experience I'd like to share. It may not be news to manyo f you, but it was very interesting.

A few weeks ago I had a slight deer collision that dinged up my front bumper. No big deal in the grand scheme, but in the process i hit a dirt pile on the side of the road that gave the car a jolt - kind of like an inverse pothole.

After the repairs I took the car in for an alignment, and asked them to give the car as much negative camber as was allowed by the GM spec, and to put everything else at ideal. This was done at the dealer, by one of the nicest tech's I've met in my life.

To make a long story short, I have the car back now and have been driving it for a couple of days... and its like a new car.

The feeling of the car on higher speed turns (like cloverleafs) is transformed. From can-go-fast-but-feels-twitchy to very solid and reassuring. Around corners the "active handling" snaps on far less - and several corners that its come on every time so far it doesn't unless I push the speeds higher than I'd driven them previously. The steering feels less vague - and again, just more ocnfidence inspiring and solid.

The car feels smaller, lighter, more confidence inspiring, and its just plain alot more fun to toss around. The gap of handling refinement between Z06 and Porsche is GREATLY reduced, and my Z06 is about as fun as anything I've owned to toss around.

The lesson, apparently, is that this car is really sensitive to alignment.

Something to keep in mind. Honestly, its like a different car.

[vant]

I think the factory alignment specs are intended for maximum tire tread life. You can definitely improve the handling characteristics of the car with a certain amount negative camber, but your tires will not last as long. Keep an eye on the wear for the inside edge of your tires.

And thanks for sharing.

[Eric_Rav]

I hear you vant, and I'm sure this will cost me some tire life.

But... tire wear be d@mned! lol Cost of new tires = $1,000 or whatever, value of having more fun driving the funnest car I've ever had = priceless.

Whats surprised me is that he car seems to put the power down in a straight line as well as it ever did - no apparent penalty from the negative camber.