Maximum possible caster on 1:st gen camaro

[BlueBull]

I want to go for a 4-5 degree positive caster on my 1967 camaro with stock control arms, is this possible to get?

After taking a close look on the upper control arms I cannot understand how I can move the upper ball joint relative to the lower. The shims increase or decrease camber but do they really affect caster at all??

Perhaps the only way is to use aftermarket control arms but the budget is limited at the moment.

/Thanks Emanuel

[CarlC]

To get additional caster more shims are added to the aft upper control arm mount. Getting 4-5* caster with stock arms may be tough especially if you run negative camber.

[neki67]

Perhaps the only way is to use aftermarket control arms but the budget is limited at the moment.

/Thanks Emanuel

The only arms that really help you adding more and easier caster are the ones SC&C are selling. Some of the others may have the upper ball joint set back some and that may help to gain a bit of extra caster but the SC&C arms are the best and easiest way to set your alignment.

[Mr.Ron-06]

To get more positive caster you would add shims to the front mounting bolt, moving the upper ball joint behind the lower ball joint. (When looking down from the upper ball joint).


Ron

[David Pozzi]

To get more positive caster you would add shims to the front mounting bolt, moving the upper ball joint behind the lower ball joint. (When looking down from the upper ball joint).


Ron

Ron, please check that, you got it backwards. The UBJ does need to move rearward, you either remove front shims, or add rear shims to do that. When all front shims are gone, you can't increase caster without also increasing neg camber, so that is the limit of positive caster adjustment. IF you can tolerate more neg camber, you can achieve a bit more positive caster.

I have used the Speed Tech, and Global West upper arms and with them you can get 5 deg caster with just about equal amounts of front and rear shims.
David

[Mr.Ron-06]

Ooops!...I was thinking of the race cars I work on where the upper control arms are mounted on the outside the frame mounts...My bad.


Ron

[BlueBull]

Thanks, great input. I'll make a budget for the SC&C arms, I read only good things about them.

Do I need to make the Guldstrand modification if I use this arms? Or can I get the same result just by adjust the arm length?

[neki67]

Do I need to make the Guldstrand modification if I use this arms? Or can I get the same result just by adjust the arm length?

Contact Marcus for the proper answers, you won't be disappointed!

[funbnme]

You probably could do the GS mod and buy the SC&C arms, but when I talked to Marcus, it sounded easier to buy his arms and get the taller ball joint from him. That avoids the need to do the GS mod.

Double check with Marcus though.

[BlueBull]

Great, thanks ALL!!

/Emanuel

[cudaman]

Global West arms add 5 or 6 degrees of caster. Combined with my completely free G-mod, I ended up with 8 beautiful degrees of positive caster. Not German car numbers, but a world of difference, nonetheless.

[High Plains Mopars]

How much caster would you want to run on a typical pro-touring application that is mostly street but occasionally track driven? Eventually you must run into a point, even with aftermarket parts, that more caster becomes a detriment.

[slowcamaro]

Since you seem to prefer generic answers to generic questions, Id be happy in 5-7* positive range. Once again there are more factors that play a role. Tire size, steering system. A lot positive caster is usually only a PITA and slow parking lot sped, tight maneuvers.

[David Pozzi]

I think on a rear steer car like a Camaro too much caster will show up as the front wheels wanting to shimmy or wobble. The linkage is under compression most of the time and this is less stable than a front steer setup. On a first gen Camaro excessive caster can affect bumpsteer and may be past optimum if above 5 to 5.5 degrees.
David

[High Plains Mopars]

Since you seem to prefer generic answers to generic questions, Id be happy in 5-7* positive range. Once again there are more factors that play a role. Tire size, steering system. A lot positive caster is usually only a PITA and slow parking lot sped, tight maneuvers.


Your assumption is incorrect. Since this topic is specifically asking about 1st gen F bodies, I'm wondering what the 1st gen F body crowd runs as a maximum since other factors of their suspension geometry is not too great.

[JEFFTATE]

My 69 Camaro has stock control arms.
I did the Guldstrand Mod.
I have 4.3' (drivers side) and 4.7'( pass side) of positive Caster.
And 1/2' neg. camber on each side.