SC & C alignment tool - is this worth the investment?

[hotrodf1]

Hey all,
was just curious if anyone uses the alignment tool that SC&C sells for I think $149 to do your own alignments? I know it would be great with the SPC adjustable arms and all, but I was wondering if it would still work well to align a car using the stock style arms and shim packs??

Reason: I am thinking about doing the G mod to my car, but didn't know if I could get enough static neg. camber using shims before my UCAs hit the header pipes. Was thinking that gage would be great if it meant I no longer had to go to the alignment shop for each little change I may make, etc.

If I can't make it with the stock arms, then I guess I would order the stage I kit from SC & C.

Anyone have any experience with that type of tool / doing alignments in the garage??

Thanks for any info.



Jer.

[Marcus SC&C]

The tool works the same no matter what arms you have. It`s a handy thing to have around. I may be a little biased but I like it and use it all the time. Generally by the time I can get our Hunter system hooked up I can be done with the Fastrax. Just be sure to either have the car on a level surface or to shim the car`s tires with linoleum,newspapers or whatever to get it level. It`s only downside is that the unit indexes on the lip of the wheel (where wheel weights would clip on) and few newer wheels are rounded all the way out to the edges. It still works well on 99% of the wheels we`ve tried it on though. The std. unit will fit from 13"-18" wheels and some 19". We can also get Fastrax units to fit anything from go carts to monster trucks (literally!). Mark SC&C

[nicks67camaro]

I use this tool, (purchased through Mark) It is very handy. I have driven over 3k miles and there are no signs of odd wear. I've even used a temp gauge to read the inner, center, and outer tire temps and they are both consistant with each other.

[hotrodf1]

The tool works the same no matter what arms you have. It`s a handy thing to have around. I may be a little biased but I like it and use it all the time. Generally by the time I can get our Hunter system hooked up I can be done with the Fastrax. Just be sure to either have the car on a level surface or to shim the car`s tires with linoleum,newspapers or whatever to get it level. It`s only downside is that the unit indexes on the lip of the wheel (where wheel weights would clip on) and few newer wheels are rounded all the way out to the edges. It still works well on 99% of the wheels we`ve tried it on though. The std. unit will fit from 13"-18" wheels and some 19". We can also get Fastrax units to fit anything from go carts to monster trucks (literally!). Mark SC&C

Thanks for the info guys. Sounds like it would be a good deal, pay for itself in a couple trips to the shop.

I have a dumb question: how would I really make sure that the car was level? Level side to side, or fore and aft? Both?

[nicks67camaro]

I use a 6ft level to mesure side to side.

[hotrodf1]

I use a 6ft level to mesure side to side.

Okay, thats kind of what I figured. What surface do you use for your reference? I have struggled before to find a surface that I thought gave a real good indication of level for the car as a "whole". Or do you want to know that the subframe is level / not care about the rest of the car?

[nicks67camaro]

The sureface is most important to be level. My garage is new and very level. My next step is to get scales and adjust the coil overs to get a side to side even weight. (with in reason) You can check your subframe by dropping a plumb bob.

[Blown353]

You want all 4 wheels to be on the same level reference plane, or as close as possible.

Cheapest way to do this is build your own water level... it can be done for <$5 in clear vinyl tubing. Then measure the level of the water in the tube back to the floor. Shim as necessary to bring them all level, then drive the car onto the shim packs in those exact spots.

By the way... mark the location on the floor and your shim packs so you don't have to go through it all the next time.

[Derek69SS]

I use a $25 laser-level to figure out how much to shim, and use cheap ceramic floor tiles as shims.

The Caster/Camber gauge costs the same as 2 alignments, so after that, it's all money saved.

[Damn True]

People who've tried Marcus' tool sure seem to like it.

[zbugger]

People who've tried Marcus' tool sure seem to like it.

I could take that comment to the stratosphere, but I think I'm gonna be nice tonight...

[pitstain]

The tool works the same no matter what arms you have. It`s a handy thing to have around. I may be a little biased but I like it and use it all the time. Generally by the time I can get our Hunter system hooked up I can be done with the Fastrax. Just be sure to either have the car on a level surface or to shim the car`s tires with linoleum,newspapers or whatever to get it level. It`s only downside is that the unit indexes on the lip of the wheel (where wheel weights would clip on) and few newer wheels are rounded all the way out to the edges. It still works well on 99% of the wheels we`ve tried it on though. The std. unit will fit from 13"-18" wheels and some 19". We can also get Fastrax units to fit anything from go carts to monster trucks (literally!). Mark SC&C

I will be ordering this unit in the near future.

SPC offers a set of "NO LIP" adapters for rolled lip wheels it is part # 91030 and the fastrax model for 17"-22" wheels is #91010 and the toe adapter set is # 91100.

[hotrodf1]

I have to admit that I've been doing more and more research and such on this site, and I'm impressed with the members around here.

Thanks guys for sharing your knowledge.

This is making more sense now.

I love the idea of being able to align my rides in the garage. Even better, a set of SC & C UCAs to make adjustments a snap on the camaro. SLick!

[vintageracer]

I have used a Fastrac for years on my vintage race cars. Works great!

[Marcus SC&C]

People who've tried Marcus' tool sure seem to like it.

I`d like to think Mrs. Marcus would agree with that!

I love the idea of being able to align my rides in the garage. Even better, a set of SC & C UCAs to make adjustments a snap on the camaro. SLick!

They`re great combo,which of course is no accident. SPC has online video on how to use the Fastrax.
We also include our own additional instruction sheet just for doing alignments with the adj. upper arms. On a good day you can do the whole alignment start to finish in under an hour. Mark SC&C

[Vegas69]

I like it....I would prefer that no one ever touches my car but me when it arrives.