KMAC camber/caster plates + Coilovers + Unflared fenders

[BrandenZ]

I just thought I'd share my findings with the community post-alignment.

 

This is on a 73 240z with 16x8 wheels, 245/40s, sectioned strut tubes, using MR2 Tokico Illuminas, 10" Hypercoil springs, and a ground control coilover kit.

 

Prior to the KMAC plates, using Mikelly's adjustable T/C rod and front control arms, the best I could get before rubbing against the front wheel/fenderwell was:

Caster: +1.75 degrees

Camber: -2 degrees

 

After installing the KMAC plates:

Caster: +4 degrees

Camber: -2.88 degrees

 

This is using the "maximum" setting of the plates installed oriented the way KMAC intended, and re-adjusting the front control arms back to stock length.

 

The plates could alternatively be re-mounted at a different orientation to theoretically increase the positive caster beyond 4 degrees, but I believe in doing so I'd lose the majority of the negative camber gains and would have to re-dial it in with the front control arms, which I'm trying to avoid (to prevent potential binding).

 

My local autox region has a test and tune event this coming weekend, so I'll re-post my impressions of the new setup. Overall, I'm very happy with the "gains" considering I'm still able to retain my stock fenders. The alignment shop said I could dial in "a ton" more caster if I decide to flare the fenders in the future.

[BrandenZ]

For those interested in the installation aspect of the plates -- it was straight-forward...ish.

 

No cutting was required. The plates just "bolt up". Additionally, oriented as intended and set at the maximum, I did not need to open up the upper strut tower hole any wider. I was able to both lock the plates in place and adjust my Tokico Illuminas all from the factory hole [see attached picture #1].

 

 

However... the upper strut nut included with the kit was _not_ designed for the MR2 struts that I have installed (with my sectioned strut tubes). They thread perfectly to the Z struts, which of course did not help me. The included nut was just wide enough (Z compared to MR2) to be tapped to fit using an M14 x 1.5 tap. I would suggest anyone looking to order these ask KMAC if it's possible for them to include the upper strut nut already tapped to these specifications. I'm sure they'll be happy to supply one, I just did not personally feel like waiting for them to come from Australia!

 

Also, the cone-shaped adapter that's meant to ride on the strut shaft and the monoball of the plate was partially recessed. It's a perfect fit, but prevented me from accessing the tiny little (IMO poorly designed) notch on the MR2 struts that allow the top nut to be torqued down. I suppose if I pulled the entire assembly out on a bench, this wouldn't be an issue, but attempting to install it on the car, and keeping serviceability in mind, it was. So, I had a friend of mine lathe an aluminum copy without the recess [see attached picture #2 and 3].

 

Even despite these minor out-of-the-box required customizations, my first impression is very positive. The kit seems to be very well made and provide an extremely large degree of adjustability, particularly considering that no cutting is required. We'll see how that impression holds after autox this weekend.

 

 

 

 

Please Resize Images

http://forums.hybridz.org/index.php/topic/98611-posting-pictures-please-read/

Edited August 25, 2012 by RB26powered74zcar
2.5 megs is way to large. Please Resize Images to: 1024 x 768 pixels or close, before placing on HZ.