Camber Kits Neccessary?

[2fast]

Many of the TPC'ers plan to Lower there cars or have already.
What can the experienced prelude owners here say about the use of Camber kits.

I really want to know if I will be needing it. I plan to lower the car with KONI and H&R sport (~1.4 drop).
Will my tires wear very fast if I do not get the camber kits?
Is it recommended that I get it!

I have heard people say that anything under 2 inch is ok, but I am not sure if I believe this!

Thanks

[phatz]

I need camber kits for the front. Not really for the rear, but it looks rice IMO when the tire is slanted like this //---\\

The front i have 2 get. I got about a 1.7-2 " drop. Eibach Sportlines. The rear I want 2 get also, just 2 get rid of that rice look.

[2fast]

Thanks dude but do you know the answers to my questions.
Stock fifth gen has these specs:

camber front = 0 degrees
camber rear = -0 degrees 45'

They say for every one inch lower you go you get -0.75 degrees of negative camber.

Basically That does not seem like much, but I wonder if My tires will suffer! Tires are expensive!

[Keith]

no, you don't need a camber kit if you are not dropping past 2"...

Keith

[phatz]

Originally posted by Keith
no, you don't need a camber kit if you are not dropping past 2"...

Keith

wrong. mine is not past 2"'s and I need camber kits. I think its about 1.8 or 1.9 inch's right now. Not 2"'s but its close, and it needs it!

[2fast]

Really!! Thats Good, can save more money!:)

SO you think my tires will wear evenly?
I plan to rotate often!

[Satan_SRV]

Like Phatz I have Eibach Sportlines...and as a result, a camber kit on all four wheels and the drop is 1.9/1.8?

[phatz]

Originally posted by Satan_SRV
Like Phatz I have Eibach Sportlines...and as a result, a camber kit on all four wheels and the drop is 1.9/1.8?


Ya its about that hard 2 tell cuz it sags after a while. I dunno. All I know is I want 2 get all 4 so I dont have that rice look :)

Last time my passenger side tire wore the most. The inside tread was almost cooked. Good thing the guy buying my tires didnt notice :thumbup:

[Grant]

To say that you will need camber kits or not is quite difficult. AS far as I can tell each car is different. some cars will need a kit with the slightest drop while other have been dropped significant;y with not adverse effects on camber.

For instance, My car I put camber kits in the from and adjusted them +1.5 degrees. When I dropped the car (and it was low) My camber came into spec. My rears did not have a camber kit and they were still in spec..

When Derek dropped his (less drop than me) his Rear was so bad that his tires wore out in one season..

Jerry I think on his first lowereing experince didn't have any camer problems. and as far a I can tell currently is ok too ( but he's higher now.

The only thing I can say is you won't know until you try... but for the most part if you are in the 1.5" drop range you'll probably be ok..

[93SRVMAN]

Originally posted by Grant
When Derek dropped his (less drop than me) his Rear was so bad that his tires wore out in one season..



No the ones I had on the back used to be on the front that's why they were cooked (peeling out/hard driving/auto-X's) I recall a little wear but nothing really signifigant.

[phatz]

Agree with grant. Every car has different effects from lowering. Some need it and some dont.

[Jarek]

I've had H&R sports on stock shocks for a year.. no problem with tire wear. I think the more important thing to check after dropping the car is toe in, toe out. This can be adjusted with an alignment, camber can't.

[Marsh]

Sigh...

You know I'm always amazed at the number of people that argue over wether some one should or should not get a camber kit because of how far out of spec it is, with out ever analyzing the effect of that camber.

Some negative camber is usually better. I'm currently running around -1.5 deg of negative camber and has drastically IMPROVED my tire wear! Yea that's right I said improved. Because I corner aggressively I always wore the outside shoulder first. Now they wear nice and evenly.

You don't need to wait and wear out a set of tires to find out. Just come to an auto slalom with me and as soon as you arrive (from the street) borrow my pyrometer and see how uneven the tire temperatures are.

[2fast]

Thanks for all the replies.

I THink I will forget the Camber kit. My car will not be that low, and a little camber may actually improve corning!

I will wait the 2 weeks after I lower and then do my alignment to find out what kinda difference it has done.

Thanks again

:thumbup:

[Grant]

I'm actually running with a little negative camber right now as well. I can't remember exactly how much but its just under a degree.

[OUZO Power]

I'm no expert on this. I just want to point out what I have read on other boards about camber kits for 5th gens. Many people have complained about reduced cornering capabilities after the kit was installed compared to before. I can see why this would happen but don't wan't to get into it cause like I said. I'm no expert.

[Jarek]

Originally posted by OUZO Power
I'm no expert on this. I just want to point out what I have read on other boards about camber kits for 5th gens. Many people have complained about reduced cornering capabilities after the kit was installed compared to before. I can see why this would happen but don't wan't to get into it cause like I said. I'm no expert.
This is probably due to the fact as Marsh stated above that a little negative camber is better for cornering. With camber kit, the wheels were more neutral and cornering was thus affected.

[Satan_SRV]

Hey I notice my suspension is squeaky in the front, like when I slowly go over speed bumps I can hear it...is it my camber kit or what? Some sort of urethane squeaking

[OUZO Power]

Don't worry about it Joel. It's an old car that's all. hehe

[Satan_SRV]

Originally posted by OUZO Power
Don't worry about it Joel. It's an old car that's all. hehe

Hmm I don't think so! Something needs to be lubed up. You would know about lube wouldn't you, Ouzo? AKA GreekLude? Hahaha

Hehe I'm asking for it now...

[OUZO Power]

I'll tell you the secret guy. It's vazeline.

[Satan_SRV]

haha ok so really what is it? The bushings? Or is something else going on here?