DIY - wheel alignment?

Need to DIY the alignment on my FFR Cobra project in the garage. I want to get it in the ballpark, or perhaps even to its final stage.

So I cad do strings and jack stands to do basic wheel alignment, but what is the best value to cost way to set Caster & Camber?

Any tips, or thoughts on this?

 

No tips provided until pics are posted.

 

Not sure if FB images will link, but here it is. With 430hp, and 2,400# weight I am mildly concerned ))

 

Of course you can. Happens at race tracks every weekend with very basic tools. You can certainly get it in to a very small ball park and then once the thing si complete put it on a rack to confirm and make minor adjustments.

How to do a string line wheel alignment (listerbrosracing.com)

Tenhulzen 2 wheel is what I use on my stuff.

2-Wheel Alignment System - Tenhulzen Automotive | WheelAlignmentTools.com

 

You can buy fairly inexpensive camber/castor guages from a racecar supply place. The most basic uses a bubble level up to digital for a few hundred bucks.
Www.pegasusautoracing.com
Www.summitracing.com

 

I have little digital level I use with straight edge to do camber between track and street. I have camber plates so it makes it easy to just push in/out.
Caster just max out
Toe you can do with long straight edges.

 

My phone has a protractor app that's as accurate as the calibrated digital protractors I use at work. That would easily work for camber, castor could be done as well if you watch videos on using the "race car" ones on youtube.

 

I didn't see this one coming. going to give that a go.

 

Doesn't it require the use of a standard 2x4?

 

Like anyone can afford lumber these days. What were you thinking?

 

Does FFR offer advice on this? Without intending to be snarky here, getting all four corners of their kit pointed in the right directions seems pretty basic to the building process, and is something every single builder has to do.

 

String is nice...bring a framing square.

 

Let me hit up Shervin Motorsports....

 

^^^ This. If you're handy and understand what you're doing it wouldn't necessarily ever have to see an alignment rack.

Even if you set the chassis to the ride heights you intend to run the alignment will change minutely as you finish the car and add weight. Get it as good as you can as the car sits now knowing you may have to tweak it a bit when it's complete.

 

D0 you just need a static alignment? Then an angle finder, strings, and a tape measure are all you need to be absolutely perfect. It's an easy enough that theres lots of decent overviews on the You Tubes you can follow.

Or are you planning to race (or make the suspension yourself) and need to check sweeps? Then, the real key is understanding the process. You need to be comfortable with slightly more than just the definition of whats what. More about how one thing affects the other. I'm staggered (PUUUNNNN!) at how bad some of the 'kits' are

 

+1 for the Tenhulzen kit
I recently used it on 2 vehicles with great results
Very easy to use

 

Alex - Were there any particular reasons you chose a Factory Five over any of the others that are out there?
My brother built one years ago, an Everett-Morrison if I remember the name right. Brutally fast and fun, his had a 427 and a 5 speed.

 

Actually I think it was a 429 from an old T-bird. Only parts used were block, crank, caps and heads.

 

Thanks for all the feedback. Used strings to get the car in the ballpark.

FFR was recommended by a couple of friends who are into auto stuff. Their customer support is fantastic, as well as support on 3rd party forums. Although I cant compare, but the kit itself is well thought through, and had gone through multiple revisions.

Buying a wrecked 5.0 Mustang on Copart significantly reduced the cost of admission. Overall it is a pricy project, so its best not to add all the receipts.