Sounds like many here do use front camber plates. I'd like to hear what works for you and what doesn't as far as the make and functionality.
Can they be adjusted by indexing, or do you need to go to an alignment shop every time?

Thanks

 

I'll be able to report on H-Sport's camber plates soon if I go with theirs. I haven't fully decided between these and Randy's plates.

 

I have the RDR plates (just installed 3 weeks ago, can't wait for the next AutoX). Because front toe changes when the camber changes, you pretty much have to get the front aligment done if any camber change is made. If adding more negative camber gave you added toe-out, then you could probably get away with marking the plates and adjusting on the fly. Unfortunately, the toe goes in when more negative camber is added.

 

Peter,

I thought toe moved inwards - toe-in - when increasing negative camber with the Mini???

 

That's what he said Meb...

 

Yeah, that's what I was trying to say. The problem is most people want to increase negative camber (go more negative) at the track or the AutoX. If the toe stayed the same or you got some toe-out, that would be fine. Unfortunately, just the opposite happens due to the location of the tie-rods.

 

I'm gonna change my name to bone head Sorry!

 

View my recent post about Randy's camber plates made by Perfpower.
They have raised the ride height on various MINIs anywhere from 3/8" to almost a full inch. I have ben emailed that the RDR plates do the same.
I think it is very problematic to have camber plates that raise the ride height.

 

I agree, and this is one reason I have asked for opinions.

 

I used P&D camber plates for most of 2003, installing K-Macs in August of that year. I've used them ever since, with no issues. Neither design changes the ride height at all.

Between the two sets, I've got over 50,000 miles of driving with camber plates on my MCS, and well over 50 autocrosses.

Scott
90STX

 

Has anyone measured the amount of toe-in for each full degree of negative camber increments on the mini? (assuming castor does not change)

 

Why did you change to the K macs?

 

I love the camber, but with H-Sport springs, it looks like stock ride height. There is a trade here for sure.....

From a handling point of view, I'm very happy, but from a looks point of view, it's begging "ajustible coil overs"!!!!

It's only money......

Matt

ps, you could find out how much the toe changes and change that at the same time as the plates to go from stock to track. You'd just have to know how much to turn, and maybe put an index mark so you can go back to the same settings...... But it's doable. Just more time....

 

camber plates do not change the ride height
flame all you want, it still wont change the facts.

I have worked with all three of these listed below and previously had h-sports on my car.

h-sport is great for the price but you have to drill to install them

rdr is spendy, but the easiest to install and adjust

webb is a tad heavy, but the most durable.

So take your pick.

 

Minifinn,

I had a very early set from P&D, and John was still working out a few bugs with the poly. The rest of the design was really slick, and I think the bushing problem was resolved when the design changed to Delrin.

The K-Macs don't have any way to switch back and forth between two different camber settings at the track without having a set of alignment tools with you. No witness marks and when they are loosened for adjustment both camber and caster can change. Having said that, I don't adjust them frequently but instead just run -2.2degs front camber all the time. At an alignment shop, they love the camber plates because it makes adjustments a snap when the lasers are hooked up so you can see what you are doing.

Scott
90STX

 

Ubercooper, I'm not trying to flame anyone, but on my MINI, either the Konis or Webb camber plates DID change the ride height significantly, around 3/4". The manufacturer of the Webb plates admitted to me to some ride height change, although a lesser amount than 3/4". So in fact we know at least that design DOES change height to some degree. I have had several others email me confirming ride height increases with their MINIs also using both the Webb and RDR plates. My concern is that camber plates SHOULDN"T change ride height, it is clear that at least in some cases, they do.

 

The camber plates that we make for Webb Motorsports are designed to be used with virtually any coil over system as well as with stock. The majority of Mini drivers first modify their suspension with springs and not a full coil over set. The camber plates were produced to satisfy the demands of the autocrossers and roadracers. We expected most of them to use a coil over system. This required us to make the plates fit underneath the tower, have a large range of adjustability through a small hole, use an articulated monoball, fit the odd, inverted, stamped steel OE upper spring perch and still fit Koni shocks, Koni coil overs, Bilstein PSS9s and many others all for under $500.00. These parameters make it necessary to be approximately four millimeters thicker spacer to spacer (top to bottom) than the original, stock piece. On the first batch it was closer to 10mm, as I recall. We eliminated some of the excess monoball-perch clearance. That is our ride height "excuse". If you are using stock springs or aftermarket springs that utilize the original upper spring perch, and use our camber plates, you can expect a 4mm ride height change. That's from here to here: . . A one inch ride height change is something I can't explain.

BTW, the camber can be set and reset because it is indexed for that purpose, but the toe change is significant and should also be adjusted with each camber adjustment. This will require some type of toe setting equipment.

Sol Snyderman
www.perfectpowerinc.com

 

I may have read from another post that increasing the neg. camber may contribute to slightly raising the front. If you go from less than 1 deg to 2.2 deg seem logical that the front end will go up depending on the tire wheel combination. Given that the camber plates are slightly thicker than the stock set up + increase in camber = front end higher.

 

When I put my all metal KMAC camber plates on with no other changes the ride height went down. I think it was 3/16" but I'd have to go back and check some old info.

 

According to Dane at Helix, the RDR camber plates (now Helix/RDR) increase front ride height 7-8mm.

 

ubercooper,

Can you confirm this? There are countless posts confirming that ride hieght does change - backed up by Webb and Helix. If a 1/4" plate is installed under the strut tower, for example, then the suspension ride hieght will change by 1/4" - the bottom of the plate becomes the top of the perch.

Now, if you have coilovers installed, I can understand your comment. If this is true, the problem exists for those not using coilovers.

 

Hey baddass,

I would have expected a drop in ride hieght with increased negative camber; a wheel that is set at zero camber is standing straight up. A wheel at any other angle will yield a shorter distance from top to bottom...unless, the angle of the strut tower changes; if the strut tower is shorter towards the center of the car, this would in fact increase the ride hieght for every additional degree of neg camber added. That might explain, in part, the changes to ride hieght. Interesting observation.

Ciao,

Michael

 

I don't think you can make a camber plate that will not raise the front end of the car. The camber plates have to be thicker overall compare to the stock parts. One way to eliminate the camber plates altogether is to slot or drill new holes to you upper suspension mounting holes. Not pretty but I've seen a mini modified that way. Not sure if it is a good idea but solve a problem. Not sure how much neg . camber was obtained but looked ok. I'm getting coilvers in the future when more is available in the market. Price is still a bit high for the Mini parts compared to other cars. VW's and Honda coilovers are way cheap.

 

ok
h-sport and rdr may change the ride height but not enough to matter.
Same suspension cooper s' next to each other, one with h-sport plates and one without, neither of us could see the difference in the rake of the car.

As for the webb, the design is very durable, but it may jack the front up enough to matter, I am yet to install one.

So if you are setting your ride height to within an 1/8 of on inch of so, this may effect you but...

The bigger issue will be that your h-sport springs will settle enough to matter.

The rdr is really the best design out right now, but they are spendy.

 

the (discontinued) P&D plates did not raise the car; it can be done.