Which Camber Plates?

[240zdave]

It's official. Randy Shedd came over to the house last night and looked at the wreckage from the Barber race in July, then looked at the roller I bought last year with the intention of slowly building a replacement race car while still racing Old Yeller. He and I both agreed that I would be better off building a new car and trashing the old shell. Too much age, rust, wear and tear on the old car, which I have been racing since 2001 when I bought it from a guy that raced it for 8 years and let it sit out in the weather for 2.

Anyway, one of the improvements to the new car is going to be camber plates at all 4 corners. I just have to decide which ones. I have found these camber plates for a 240Z on the internet:

http://www.betamotorsports.com/products/

http://www.designproductsracing.com/Z_Suspension1.html

http://www.ground-control-store.com/produc...hp/II=151/CA=93 (http://www.ground-control-store.com/products/description.php/II=151/CA=93)

http://www.technotoytuning.com/productdetail.php?p=640

http://www.technotoytuning.com/productdetail.php?p=648

Some are bolt-in, others are weld-in, and some cost a lot more than others. :unsure: I need some feedback on which would be the best application for the car. Recommendations, slams, other products that are not listed here, any input would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Parrish57]

David... One thing to consider when choosing your camber plate is the compatability with the shocks you will be using. I origionally had Carrerra shocks and camber plates. When I switched to Bilstiens I found that the end of the strut that goes through the camber plate bearing was a smaller diameter. I had to have some spacers made.

Of the choices you listed I like the Ground Control. It looks like a very good piece from a well known company.

Steve

[x-ring]

I have the GC / DA Koni setup and like it. OTOH, I haven't tried any others.

John Coffey, the Beta MS guy, has an excellent reputation, FWIW. I'm a big help, I know..

[kthomas]

The GC design, if it's like the one for the BMW E36, uses a thrust bearing for vertical loads that has a slight spherical shape to it which is very nice. None of the others do. The thrust bearing for the DP Racing camber plate for example, same as the original Tilton's, assumes the angle of the strut is always perpendicular to the camber plate. 'Tain't so. Now we ran Tilton's and it wasn't an issue, but the spherical thrust capability is what I would have designed, so it must be the bomb. :) That said, any of them will work. I'm not real fond of the technotoy's because the spherical bearing that captures the shock will wear out every season (shock loads are HUGE), and I'd rather not have to press fit stuff.

The GC pieces are very nice. Just stay away from their AD shocks.

Always assume you'll have to do something to adapt your shocks no matter what you buy. Just a little fab work, no big deal.

[MMiskoe]

Also pay attention to the upper spring perch and how it will get attached & where it bears on.

I don't like bad mouthing people, but these guys earned it. GC sold me a bunch of stuff, helped pick spring rates & was very helpful, until I asked for assistance on how to get the new shocks they sold me to mate up w/ my existing camber plates (which I had made them aware of prior to ordering the shocks). At this point they basically said "sucks to be you" and I had to go out and have parts made to adapt it all. Plus it took 8 weeks and 4 deliveries for them to get me a 4 springs and 4 shocks, some of which was still not exactly correct, but I made it work.

The short answer is that when it came time for it all to come together they were not as knowledgeable or helpful as they first appeared, so be very clear on what you need and what it is they can provide.

Matt