Best camber plate for my needs

gOt_rally? · 03-06-2008, 09:20 AM

Criteria

Must be able to achieve -3 camber with camber bolt and plate combined

Achieve as much caster as possible

Does not raise front ride height, preferably lowers.

Price is not a issue i believe in paying for quality

Must be compatible with stock springs, and TIC coilovers

pharo · 03-06-2008, 09:35 AM

Well if you want to lower, I would say look at RCE lowering plates. They will definitely work with stock shocks. I see you want -3 front camber. Is that on stock shocks, because if so, that might be very difficult just due to the physical limitations.

I am not sure how the RCE plates fit with the TIC coilovers, but if I were going with TIC coilovers I would definitely look at the Vorshlag plates. But... Vorshlag plates will not work well with stock shocks. Honestly see what your end goals are, because trying to find optimal camber plates for a fixed perch solution and coilovers will land you with neither setup being at its best.

gOt_rally? · 03-06-2008, 09:37 AM

What im trying to do is run -3 camber with alk on stock spring this year then next year move up to the real deal and buy TIC's coils

pharo · 03-06-2008, 09:42 AM

I take it you are road racing, not autoxing (based on your alk)? I am in a similar situation so I am going with PDE camber plates. This will increase my ride height now, but once I get coilovers that won't be an issue.
If someone knows about the compatibility between RCE plates and c/o that could really make the decision easier for you. Their plates are excellent, the lowering plates will reduce ride height without the usual issues of lowering on stock shocks, and can be used with their Tarmac IIs.

**SWortham** · 03-06-2008, 09:43 AM

I'm not sure if there is a camber plate available that would meet all of those goals.

- PDE plates would satisfy everything except that they raise the car.

- RCE non-lowering plates would satisfy everything except that they don't have separate caster adjustability.

- RCE lowering plates again don't have separate caster adjustability. They might allow the -3 degrees of camber adjustability you're looking for with the TIC coilovers. I'm not sure about that one. But they'll max out at around -2 to -2.2 degrees camber on the stock springs and struts.

- Vorshlag plates would be good but only with coilovers. I autocross against the guy who designed these and he whoops me every time, haha. Vorshlag has a reputation in the BMW world for making some durable, high quality parts.

Personally I've owned and used both the RCE non-lowering and lowering camber plates and can attest to their quality. They don't have separate caster adjustability, but for my purposes I'd still pick RCE's over anything else due to their design for maximum suspension travel. The way I understand it, it's the way they hold the strut rod higher than the spring (relative to other camber plates) that actually allows more bump travel before the struts are on the bump stops.

polyol · 03-06-2008, 09:53 AM

You can get -3 with just bolts...

gOt_rally? · 03-06-2008, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by polyol

You can get -3 with just bolts...

my whiteline bolts maxed out at -2

**SWortham** · 03-06-2008, 10:11 AM

You'll see certain suspension geometry advantages by using camber plates to max out camber rather than the bolts. Stretch has a thread about that around here somewhere. There are of course other advantages of using camber plates. Is it all worth $400? Well that's up to you.

gOt_rally? · 03-06-2008, 10:38 AM

How much camber is possible with whiteline plates and bolts?

Cuz what I'm thinking is max out the camber for now and once i get the TIC's max out the caster as the TIC coilovers can almost reach -3 camber without plates

**SWortham** · 03-06-2008, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gOt_rally?

How much camber is possible with whiteline plates and bolts?

Whiteline plates and camber bolts? That'd give you more than enough, right? Like 4 degrees or maybe more. Heck, if you're getting camber plates I'd throw away the camber bolts and use the stock bolts.

stretch · 03-06-2008, 11:28 AM

TiC's coilovers work with the RCE camber plates, but I really dig the new Vorshlag design. It's got a bearing for the spring tophat with a fixed caster adjustment of roughly 1 degree over stock IIRC. The downside is that they're for coilovers only for the same reason: they have the nifty integrated spring tophat.

Other plates might offer a tiny bit more peak caster, if you really do want to place the emphasis on getting that. Search for the "free caster mod" though, if you haven't already.

For a stock strut setup, I wouldn't run anything that raises the car. That rules out PDE and others.

Actually, the stock struts have pretty different requirements than coilovers. I'd probably run Whiteline plates in that case, except you'll have to get the street version which isn't going to net much extra caster. I'd normally recommend RCE lowering plates for stock springs, but they apparently won't go to -3 camber due to the large diameter stock springs and fitment issues (the same reason Whiteline can't offer more caster on their street plates). I think they max out at 2.25 or so based on what I've read here.

So, I guess you have to choose which you want to optimize for. The best coilover plates (Vorshlag) won't work with your stock struts, and the best stock strut option (RCE) doesn't get you the alignment you really want. Whiteline is probably the best compromise, but it's still a compromise.

**Turninconcepts.com** · 03-06-2008, 11:44 AM

Answered you on nasioc, but have you considered putting a camber bolt in the bottom hole on the strut? You dial that one with the cam all the way out, and the top one with the cam all the way in.

polyol · 03-06-2008, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SWortham

Heck, if you're getting camber plates I'd throw away the camber bolts and use the stock bolts.

Well that depends...bolts give you another option to work with. You can use bolts to gain clearance if you decide to run large rubber (i.e. 255+). I absoultly have to have bolts or it would be nearly impossible to run my 275's without huge arse spacers...especially in the rear...heck I alread run 8mm spacers in the rear...lol.

gOt_rally? · 03-06-2008, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turninconcepts.com

Answered you on nasioc, but have you considered putting a camber bolt in the bottom hole on the strut? You dial that one with the cam all the way out, and the top one with the cam all the way in.

How much camber will that net me give or take?

**Turninconcepts.com** · 03-06-2008, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gOt_rally?

How much camber will that net me give or take?

A Billion!!!! No seriously - don't know. it depends on the camber bolts you use, ride height, and all that junk.

Why is your heart so set on -3? are you just not getting enough grip with it on the current setup?

03-06-2008, 09:20 AM	#1
gOt_rally? Junior STI Driver Car: 07 WR Blue STI Posts: 190 Join Date: Sep 2006 Trader Rating: (1)	Best camber plate for my needs Criteria Must be able to achieve -3 camber with camber bolt and plate combined Achieve as much caster as possible Does not raise front ride height, preferably lowers. Price is not a issue i believe in paying for quality Must be compatible with stock springs, and TIC coilovers This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

03-06-2008, 09:35 AM	#2
pharo The Next Petter Solberg Car: OBP STi Fav Mod: really quick left foot & anything made my TIC Location: thousand oaks Posts: 900 Join Date: Apr 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Best camber plate for my needs Well if you want to lower, I would say look at RCE lowering plates. They will definitely work with stock shocks. I see you want -3 front camber. Is that on stock shocks, because if so, that might be very difficult just due to the physical limitations. I am not sure how the RCE plates fit with the TIC coilovers, but if I were going with TIC coilovers I would definitely look at the Vorshlag plates. But... Vorshlag plates will not work well with stock shocks. Honestly see what your end goals are, because trying to find optimal camber plates for a fixed perch solution and coilovers will land you with neither setup being at its best.

03-06-2008, 09:37 AM	#3
gOt_rally? Junior STI Driver Car: 07 WR Blue STI Posts: 190 Join Date: Sep 2006 Trader Rating: (1)	Re: Best camber plate for my needs What im trying to do is run -3 camber with alk on stock spring this year then next year move up to the real deal and buy TIC's coils

03-06-2008, 09:42 AM	#4
pharo The Next Petter Solberg Car: OBP STi Fav Mod: really quick left foot & anything made my TIC Location: thousand oaks Posts: 900 Join Date: Apr 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Best camber plate for my needs I take it you are road racing, not autoxing (based on your alk)? I am in a similar situation so I am going with PDE camber plates. This will increase my ride height now, but once I get coilovers that won't be an issue. If someone knows about the compatibility between RCE plates and c/o that could really make the decision easier for you. Their plates are excellent, the lowering plates will reduce ride height without the usual issues of lowering on stock shocks, and can be used with their Tarmac IIs.

03-06-2008, 09:43 AM	#5
SWortham Gold Member Car: 06 Subaru WRX STI Fav Mod: Ohlins struts Location: Mckinney, TX Posts: 758 Join Date: Oct 2006 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Best camber plate for my needs I'm not sure if there is a camber plate available that would meet all of those goals. - PDE plates would satisfy everything except that they raise the car. - RCE non-lowering plates would satisfy everything except that they don't have separate caster adjustability. - RCE lowering plates again don't have separate caster adjustability. They might allow the -3 degrees of camber adjustability you're looking for with the TIC coilovers. I'm not sure about that one. But they'll max out at around -2 to -2.2 degrees camber on the stock springs and struts. - Vorshlag plates would be good but only with coilovers. I autocross against the guy who designed these and he whoops me every time, haha. Vorshlag has a reputation in the BMW world for making some durable, high quality parts. Personally I've owned and used both the RCE non-lowering and lowering camber plates and can attest to their quality. They don't have separate caster adjustability, but for my purposes I'd still pick RCE's over anything else due to their design for maximum suspension travel. The way I understand it, it's the way they hold the strut rod higher than the spring (relative to other camber plates) that actually allows more bump travel before the struts are on the bump stops. Last edited by SWortham : 03-06-2008 at 11:39 AM.

03-06-2008, 09:53 AM	#6
polyol Spec C Club Car: 04 STi Fav Mod: Motor Mounts Location: Eugene Posts: 2,266 Join Date: Oct 2004 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Best camber plate for my needs You can get -3 with just bolts...

03-06-2008, 10:11 AM	#8
SWortham Gold Member Car: 06 Subaru WRX STI Fav Mod: Ohlins struts Location: Mckinney, TX Posts: 758 Join Date: Oct 2006 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Best camber plate for my needs You'll see certain suspension geometry advantages by using camber plates to max out camber rather than the bolts. Stretch has a thread about that around here somewhere. There are of course other advantages of using camber plates. Is it all worth $400? Well that's up to you.

03-06-2008, 10:38 AM	#9
gOt_rally? Junior STI Driver Car: 07 WR Blue STI Posts: 190 Join Date: Sep 2006 Trader Rating: (1)	Re: Best camber plate for my needs How much camber is possible with whiteline plates and bolts? Cuz what I'm thinking is max out the camber for now and once i get the TIC's max out the caster as the TIC coilovers can almost reach -3 camber without plates

03-06-2008, 11:28 AM	#11
stretch Silver Member Car: Aspen 2005 STi Fav Mod: TurnInConcepts.com Coilovers Location: Silver Spring, MD Posts: 1,811 Join Date: Mar 2006 Trader Rating: (2)	Re: Best camber plate for my needs TiC's coilovers work with the RCE camber plates, but I really dig the new Vorshlag design. It's got a bearing for the spring tophat with a fixed caster adjustment of roughly 1 degree over stock IIRC. The downside is that they're for coilovers only for the same reason: they have the nifty integrated spring tophat. Other plates might offer a tiny bit more peak caster, if you really do want to place the emphasis on getting that. Search for the "free caster mod" though, if you haven't already. For a stock strut setup, I wouldn't run anything that raises the car. That rules out PDE and others. Actually, the stock struts have pretty different requirements than coilovers. I'd probably run Whiteline plates in that case, except you'll have to get the street version which isn't going to net much extra caster. I'd normally recommend RCE lowering plates for stock springs, but they apparently won't go to -3 camber due to the large diameter stock springs and fitment issues (the same reason Whiteline can't offer more caster on their street plates). I think they max out at 2.25 or so based on what I've read here. So, I guess you have to choose which you want to optimize for. The best coilover plates (Vorshlag) won't work with your stock struts, and the best stock strut option (RCE) doesn't get you the alignment you really want. Whiteline is probably the best compromise, but it's still a compromise. Last edited by stretch : 03-06-2008 at 11:44 AM.

03-06-2008, 11:44 AM	#12
Turninconcepts.com Authorized Vendor Car: 04/08STI 95SVX 86E30 Posts: 5,068 Join Date: Jul 2003 Trader Rating: (53)	Re: Best camber plate for my needs Answered you on nasioc, but have you considered putting a camber bolt in the bottom hole on the strut? You dial that one with the cam all the way out, and the top one with the cam all the way in.