Eibach (SPC) front camber kit.

[Chris_F]

I picked up my front camber kit yesterday from undergroundimports. Turns out the eibach kit is just SPC (even came in SPC boxes).

As you can see it's a ball joint type camber kit that replaces the OEM one and slots into the upper control arm.

from the comptech website which also onsells the SPC kit.
http://www.comptechusa.com/store/media/160-070t2.jpg

the top nut, top washer are a different size and colour on the SPC kit and the grease boot is also red.
http://www.comptechusa.com/store/media/160-070.jpg

I'm having it fitted thursday afternoon so I'll post a follow up with more pictures and some initial impressions then.

The two reasons why I bought the kit:

Improve front end grip around corners

Tuck the top of my wheels in slightly so I can lower the car an extra 10mm without rubbing.

It has -1.5 to +1.5 degrees of camber adjustment and I'll be trying it at the maximum setting before getting an alignment to an optimal setting for the car.

So yea, I'll let you guys know how it goes.:thumbsup:

[yfin]

Nice one Chris and thanks for the pics. :thumbsup: What are your plans for rear camber settings? Are you going to change those? I am still unsure what I am going to do - have the Ingalls kit but not sure whether to fit. Still no inner rear tyre wear and I don't want to worsen handling by reducing rear camber.

[Chris_F]

Nice one Chris and thanks for the pics. :thumbsup: What are your plans for rear camber settings? Are you going to change those? I am still unsure what I am going to do - have the Ingalls kit but not sure whether to fit. Still no inner rear tyre wear and I don't want to worsen handling by reducing rear camber.

For rear camber settings I'll probably go with -1.5deg or keep it at -1deg the front will end up being close to -2deg initially. I'm going to discuss it with the alignment place and see if they have any recommendations. Mr. Heeltoe on tsx.acurazine seems to think excessive tire wear can be avoided with more aggressive camber settings if toe settings are kept in spec so hopefully that's the case.

Would the handling be worsened by reducing rear camber? If anything it may make the car less prone to understeer but I'm not sure.

I'm just hoping some more negative camber in the front will help the car turn in on sharp corners. The euro is great on long smooth bends but seems to easily understeer in tighter corners (with my setup anyway)

[TypeG]

car does look good like that ---> //-----\\

[yfin]

Would the handling be worsened by reducing rear camber? If anything it may make the car less prone to understeer but I'm not sure.

There is some good discussion on alignment settings in this article for a vehicle with understeer tendencies. They suggest increasing rear negative camber once you have dealt with front lateral grip (like you are doing now).

http://autospeed.drive.com.au/cms/article.html?&A=1653

[Chris_F]

car does look good like that ---> //-----\\

hehe yea the car looks more sure footed with a bit more neg. camber especially at the front.


There is some good discussion on alignment settings in this article for a vehicle with understeer tendencies. They suggest increasing rear negative camber once you have dealt with front lateral grip (like you are doing now).

http://autospeed.drive.com.au/cms/article.html?&A=1653

Thanks for that link reading through it now

[sendok]

front camber surely have a good feel.. thanks for the pics chris.. btw, can u send more pics of ur car before and after putting camber kit? thx :)

[TypeG]

also how much is this little thing?

[Chris_F]

front camber surely have a good feel.. thanks for the pics chris.. btw, can u send more pics of ur car before and after putting camber kit? thx :)

yea I'm really hoping it makes the car more responsive in tight corners

Yep I'll be posting some before and afters... I'll take some new ones after its fitted then just post some of my old ones so you can compare.


also how much is this little thing?

This was the first one underground imports has got in and I paid $320. When Trav is officially taking orders they may be a bit cheaper or a bit more expensive - he should have a thread in his trader section for it soon tho.

[TypeG]

woooo that is very exy for this little thing
naughty

[Chris_F]

lol yea its not cheap...

just came back from having it installed and lowered 10mm got a 1 finger gap at the back and nearly tucking tyre at the front... much lower than i thought

i got an allignment booked for first thing saturday morning because damn! i got a lot of toe in right now and probably about -2 deg or more camber at the front

[BiLL|z0r]

Pics?
2 degrees sound a bit excessive. I'd love to get the kit as well if only to save the outside of the front tyres. Should pay for itself after a couple front tyres.

[Chris_F]

Pics?
2 degrees sound a bit excessive. I'd love to get the kit as well if only to save the outside of the front tyres. Should pay for itself after a couple front tyres.

yea -2 is with the kit set at maximum negative camber. I think it looks more extreme than it is because of the toe but I'd like to have about -2 deg. flat at the front with minimal (probably 0) toe in to stop tyre wear on the inner edge. I'm going to a track day at warrick in a week to test it out too :D (finally)

You'll be at the dyno do yea? if i cant get pics today I'll just show you then :thumbsup:

[Chris_F]

well after more driving it turns out the extra lowering wasnt such a great idea...

the top bolt of the camber kit was hitting the fender (it reduces clearance compared to the stock balljoint by at least 1-2cm)

I just finished raising the front of the car back up 10mm but ill need to test drive it a bit longer to make sure the problem has gone...

I'd suggest if you're looking for a front camber kit and want to have the car lowered 2 1/4" + to go for something like spoon which replaces the stock upper control arm and should keep enough fender clearance

when my little saga is over ill get round to taking pics and impressions of what its like driving around with a bit more camber at the front :P

[BiLL|z0r]

Thanks for the feedback Chris. Might look at the new rear anti-sway bar first then.

Re: camber though, I doubt I'd drop the car that much anyway as I hate hitting stuff and the driveway's at work at a bit steep/sharp.

[Chris_F]

Thanks for the feedback Chris. Might look at the new rear anti-sway bar first then.

Re: camber though, I doubt I'd drop the car that much anyway as I hate hitting stuff and the driveway's at work at a bit steep/sharp.

No worries.

Yea lowering can be a pain when you don't want to have to worry about ground clearance.

I'm confident raising the front will solve my clearance problem, if not, the camber kit may be up for sale if your interested... i don't wanna raise it up anymore hehe

[Chris_F]

thanks for taking the time to reply with a thoughtful post

To combat tyre wear I'll be rotating the tyres regularly about every 3000km and also remounting the tyre from left to right as necessary.

About the internet myths - yes I did a lot of research on the net but I also spoke to an alignment specialist and we'll be working together to get the car to an ideal setup over the next few weeks.

but more on topic...

The reasons why i bought the camber kit:

1. To increase tyre sidewall clearance with the edge of the fender given the width/offset of my rims and my reduced ride height.

2. To experiment with the handling benefits (or lack there of ;) - still determining what the best set up is) of running a bit more negative camber up front.

so far the increased camber seems to have reduced the cars understeer tendency

I understand what your saying and some of it I hadn't thought about before so thanks!

In saying that, each application is going to be unique and I'd much rather have the ability to adjust camber than not :) - one day I'll hit a sweet spot with my suspension set up ! haha

[Chris_F]

Great to have your input and thanks for the words of encouragement!

I'll update the thread with the settings I'm running as time goes on

[EuroAccord13]

Hurry up with the Piccys Chris! I wanna see the wheel angle...

[Chris_F]

this picture from the dyno day might give you some idea
http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/8313/27sz9.jpg

[EuroAccord13]

Thanks!

It's really not that much... But I like!!! Might get one for myself too...

[Chris_F]

hehe yea its still quite subtle even at just under -2 degrees, though some angles its really quite noticeable... if you keep the car at or above a tight two finger gap at the front you wont run into any problems with clerance.

[Chris_F]

Well i just got back from the allignment place for the second time

heres the alignment details (couldnt be bothered scanning)

the front camber is now set at -1deg36minutes and -1deg40minutes ( -1.6 and -1.7deg)

the rear is at -1deg10minutes and -1deg31minutes ( -1.2 and -1.5)

front is set at 1mm toe in either side and rear is about the same.

Given the 'softer' spring rates of the TEIN SS (comapred to racing coilovers) I'm hoping the camber will keep the tyres flat around corners.

will get to test it out at morgan park raceway this saturday (first time tracking the car so I'm pumped tho it's a non-timed event)

will provide some detail of the handling characteristics after then

[EuroAccord13]

Your car should take corners faster now :D

Have fun at the track and let us know how you went!

[tony1234]

Well i just got back from the allignment place for the second time

heres the alignment details (couldnt be bothered scanning)

the front camber is now set at -1deg36minutes and -1deg40minutes ( -1.6 and -1.7deg)

the rear is at -1deg10minutes and -1deg31minutes ( -1.2 and -1.5)

front is set at 1mm toe in either side and rear is about the same.

Given the 'softer' spring rates of the TEIN SS (comapred to racing coilovers) I'm hoping the camber will keep the tyres flat around corners.

will get to test it out at morgan park raceway this saturday (first time tracking the car so I'm pumped tho it's a non-timed event)

will provide some detail of the handling characteristics after then
They seem like "moderate"camber settings,shouldn't affect tyre wear.I'd be int.to know how it handles on the track.:)

[TypeG]

i cant see any camber......

[Chris_F]

if you drove my car you'd be able to FEEL it ;)

Though it's actually quite noticeable from some angles - i'll take some new pics eventually so you'll be able to see :P


edit: some track impressions to come..