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MG MGA - Negative Camber

Anyone have a negative camber kit installed on an MGA? From what I've been able to glean from various MG BBS's, this alignment modification is desirable for modern radial ply tires.

Experiences? Opinions?

Thanks,
Steve
Steve Brandt

Using the standard set up with Michelin ZX 155R15, I have had the side walls crack from age before the treads have worn out (and it's my only car), and that with some (cough) "spirited" driving. I also have no anti roll bar fitted, so I can't imagine that a kit like this would help the handling too much - mine goes like a go cart anyway.
dominic clancy

Steve,

I wouldn't worry about it unless it's a race car. Your effort would be better spent on wider wheels and stickier tires.

j
JohnB

Can anyone explain why negative camber is good? Is it always good, and if so why are cars not all set up that way ? What is the mechanics of it all ?
Art

Negative camber (wheels tilted in at the top) is good because as a car turns, the outside wheel is loaded. This force can make the wheel lean out at the top (positive camber) because of suspension geometry or weak bushings. The force also can make the tire roll under, where it runs on the outer sidewall. The effect is that the tread isn't used to its fullest. This is especially the case for tall sidewall tires, like MGA stockers. Negative camber offsets these changes and allows the tire tread to be planted to the ground and the tread in full contact with the pavement. In short, it enhances handling. Street cars usually have some amount of negative camber, but not to the extent of race cars. The reason for this is that it unevenly wears the tires on the inside.
Kemper

Steve,
What Kemper says is all true. Plus the more negative you have, the less tyre on the road in a straight line and marginally less tyre to brake with.
First though you should be looking at your anti-roll or sway bar. Optional with MGA's
I found modern lower profiles work quite well with the uprated MGB 3/4 inch bar, but our other race MGA has a 7/8 bar.
You will find once you've got the correct bar and tyres then you can move onto -ve camber. Our race MGA runs -3 degrees on the left and just over -2 degrees on the right, as most tracks are mostly clockwise.
Something in the order of -1.5 to -2 is OK for road use, but you will have to have a wheel alignment once you alter this.
MGB suspension arms are about £6 each, so you can get a set, weld up the holds and re-drill them further out, until you get the desired camber.
The trick is to get your car put on a computer wheel alignment machine first and record all the settings.
Simple things like changing to lowered front springs can alter the camber marginally also as the MG suspension is a little geometry and lower bushes and worn shock bushes can all alter the geometry quite allot. Also any previous accident damage you may not know about.
Trick stuff suspension. It all depends on how you intend to drive your car.
Hope this helps...

Cheers <MARK>
PS you can see the 7/8 bar here...just
http://freespace.virgin.net/marka.hester/MKII_April2005.jpg

Mark Hester

Steve I have negative camber arms on my car and it turns in like a go kart!!! I also have uprated shockers and a large ARB so all of these will be adding to the turn. Unfortunately I did not drive the car without these enhancements so I can not suggest what the benefit truely is. That said if a standard car turned in as well as mine then the designers at Abingdon did a great job!
Bob (robert) I am coming out!! yes I once owned an MGB!!

So - why don't they build in negative camber to start with ? It seems a no-cost option.
Art

You can obtain negative camber A arms for MGBs, which will fit on MGAs as long as you also fit a sway bar or use a larger bolt in one hole.

They are beneficial but not necessary for a street car. The one thing they will allow you to do is to convert to MGB front suspension (uprights, brakes, shocks) without having to take a slice off the end of the MGA tie rods in order to get the correct toe setting.

I use them on both my Mk 2 (stock Twincam/deluxe uprights) and the Jamaican (switched to MGB as the shock bodies 'point' the other way and give a bit more room in the engine compartment when you are sticking GM V6s into it.
Bill Spohn

Negative camber, as Kemper says above, helps negate wheel loading movement during cornering. More importantly though is if you have body roll a negative camber will keep more tread on the road surface. This gives you more usable grip to get around the corner.
With a good anti-roll bar and stiffer suspension less negative camber is required.
On track race cars (touring car, F1 etc.)
Negative camber is often seen as it gives maximum grip while cutting over the kerbs. If you don't intend to do that then negative camber is not needed in such high quantity .

Neil - Engineering Mgr. Bridgestone Europe.
Neil Purves

This thread was discussed between 22/02/2006 and 26/02/2006

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