ELBJ vs Offset Lower Bushings
#2
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Don't do both. I bought a semi-track prepared MS last spring and, unbeknownst to me, it already had offset bushings for more negative camber. I added ELBJs and then sent it off for corner-weighting and track alignment. The least camber I could get was -4 degrees, which is great for track but not so good for the street. On my trip to MRLS, I pretty much corded a set of RA-1s.
Also, the offset bushings started clunking in the fall. At first I thought it was (another) front wheel bearing but it's the bushings. Bottom line: While I'm told there are some geometry benefits to offset bushings, I believe the ELBJ option is the better and more reliable way to go.
Also, the offset bushings started clunking in the fall. At first I thought it was (another) front wheel bearing but it's the bushings. Bottom line: While I'm told there are some geometry benefits to offset bushings, I believe the ELBJ option is the better and more reliable way to go.
#8
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
One other thing to keep in mind: on any Miata (stock or otherwise), there is a tradeoff between camber and available caster range. For the same camber target and ride height, ELBJs and front bore offset FUCA bushings affect the available caster range in different ways:
- ELBJs will have a higher minimum caster, and a higher maximum caster than offset bushings
- Front bore (SADFab style) offset bushings will have a lower minimum caster, and a lower maximum caster than ELBJs
#10
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
yea. in short, and from my understanding at least. the lower the caster the better turn in and lower steering effort you get. The higher the caster the more stable the car is at speed, but turn in suffers, and the heavier the steering is. so you wanna find a balance
Last edited by icantlearn; 02-19-2018 at 08:20 PM.
#11
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Caster is a hard concept, I find it best describe it has primarily a function of steering feel. The more caster the more the steering wheel will self center which does add to stability and it also increases steering effort.
Physically it adds camber to the outside wheel and decreases it to the inside wheel as you turn. On the surface this sounds great but in doing so it negatively affects the corner weights and this is referred fo as jacking. How much jacking is bad and at what point does it out weight the camber benefits.........well it all just depends. For the average HPDE guy it's best to adjust it based on the level of steering effort you want and focus on static camber to get the tire wear even. This of course is all just my opinion, ymmv.
Physically it adds camber to the outside wheel and decreases it to the inside wheel as you turn. On the surface this sounds great but in doing so it negatively affects the corner weights and this is referred fo as jacking. How much jacking is bad and at what point does it out weight the camber benefits.........well it all just depends. For the average HPDE guy it's best to adjust it based on the level of steering effort you want and focus on static camber to get the tire wear even. This of course is all just my opinion, ymmv.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post