Camber plate vs no camber plate

[revo 3vom]

Before there are like 12 trolls on here, I have searched and not seen a good thread on this. If you have one feel free to post it here minus captain hindsight quotes.

What are the benefits?
Do you recommend them?
Favorite camber/caster plates?

[IGoFast1589]

Originally Posted by revo 3vom

Before there are like 12 trolls on here, I have searched and not seen a good thread on this. If you have one feel free to post it here minus captain hindsight quotes.

What are the benefits?
Do you recommend them?
Favorite camber/caster plates?

Camber plates are awesome. A simple and effective modification that helps you optimize your static alignment settings for better performance and tire wear while driving. Most are adjustable which will allow you to tweak your alignment to your specific driving and suspension setup. In my opinion, this is the best suspension modification you can do to a car that's either completely stock or modified.

[revo 3vom]

Originally Posted by IGoFast1589

Camber plates are awesome. A simple and effective modification that helps you optimize your static alignment settings for better performance and tire wear while driving. Most are adjustable which will allow you to tweak your alignment to your specific driving and suspension setup. In my opinion, this is the best suspension modification you can do to a car that's either completely stock or modified.

Do you recommend one over another? The Vorshlag plates look a bit different then the Dinan ones.

[IGoFast1589]

Originally Posted by revo 3vom

Do you recommend one over another? The Vorshlag plates look a bit different then the Dinan ones.

What are you using the car for? How aggressive of a driver are you? I had the Ground Control street camber plates and now I'm using the Dinan camber plates. I like the Dinan because they're simple, non-adjustable, durable and noise free although both are good. Although they don't offer as much camber as the Ground Control or Vorshlag plates can give you. The Vorshlags are the most hard core of all the different options available. They're spherical bearing camber plates and offer adjustable camber and caster. I think they're unnecessary for most drivers but I think our cars could use a little caster which is a nice feature.

[revo 3vom]

Originally Posted by IGoFast1589

What are you using the car for? How aggressive of a driver are you? I had the Ground Control street camber plates and now I'm using the Dinan camber plates. I like the Dinan because they're simple, non-adjustable, durable and noise free although both are good. Although they don't offer as much camber as the Ground Control or Vorshlag plates can give you. The Vorshlags are the most hard core of all the different options available. They're spherical bearing camber plates and offer adjustable camber and caster. I think they're unnecessary for most drivers but I think our cars could use a little caster which is a nice feature.

Well I have the tune, exhaust, intake, charge pipe, DVs, CDV, SCS and coil overs coming in next week. Do I autocross? No, but I do like to drift and generally drive aggressive. I plan on doing the m3 sway bar to fix the front end slug roll. Other than that not really planning on all of the other m3 suspension stuff. Just want to get the most out of the coil overs and "Do it right" the first time. Hence the question of using the camber plates. What is the noise you are speaking of?

[IGoFast1589]

Originally Posted by revo 3vom

Well I have the tune, exhaust, intake, charge pipe, DVs, CDV, SCS and coil overs coming in next week. Do I autocross? No, but I do like to drift and generally drive aggressive. I plan on doing the m3 sway bar to fix the front end slug roll. Other than that not really planning on all of the other m3 suspension stuff. Just want to get the most out of the coil overs and "Do it right" the first time. Hence the question of using the camber plates. What is the noise you are speaking of?

I'd go with the Dinan for a few reasons. First, they're cheaper and simpler. Second, combined with the coilovers you should be able to get around -2 degrees of camber if not more and that's perfectly fine for an aggressively driven street car. Third, they're more durable because they retain the factory strut top. The Vorshlag would need to be rebuilt after awhile and if you drive the car in all weather conditions the Vorshlag will never be as tough as the OEM strut top and Dinan plates. The noise I am referring to comes from replacing the durable rubber strut top mounts with a spherical bearing metal on metal camber plates. It's not BAD but it will make more noise than the factory strut tops. If you go with the Dinan plates you can either reuse the factory strut tops coming from your stock suspension or pick up a new set of strut tops to use with the Dinan plates. I would do it if you have the money and your old suspension is tired, but you certainly don't have to.

[revo 3vom]

Originally Posted by IGoFast1589

I'd go with the Dinan for a few reasons. First, they're cheaper and simpler. Second, combined with the coilovers you should be able to get around -2 degrees of camber if not more and that's perfectly fine for an aggressively driven street car. Third, they're more durable because they retain the factory strut top. The Vorshlag would need to be rebuilt after awhile and if you drive the car in all weather conditions the Vorshlag will never be as tough as the OEM strut top and Dinan plates. The noise I am referring to comes from replacing the durable rubber strut top mounts with a spherical bearing metal on metal camber plates. It's not BAD but it will make more noise than the factory strut tops. If you go with the Dinan plates you can either reuse the factory strut tops coming from your stock suspension or pick up a new set of strut tops to use with the Dinan plates. I would do it if you have the money and your old suspension is tired, but you certainly don't have to.

Yeah, I'm getting practically brand new kw v2's. my current setup has just rolled 40k. should my stock rubber strut tops be fine or need replacement?

[IGoFast1589]

Originally Posted by revo 3vom

Yeah, I'm getting practically brand new kw v2's. my current setup has just rolled 40k. should my stock rubber strut tops be fine or need replacement?

40k is getting there... They'll work just fine, but in another 10,000 or 15,000 miles they'll start getting tired. I'd replace them while they're out. You may want to consider the Ground Control street camber plates as an option that's between the Vorshlag and Dinan plates. Since you should probably replace the strut tops there really isn't much of a savings benefit anymore with going with the Dinan plates as your strut tops are getting older.

[blinded]

I'm faced with a similar decision right now. The consideration that hasn't been mentioned (and the primary one for me) is that camber plates can help fit more tire in the front. However, by several accounts around here, the Dinan ones don't allow enough negative camber to fit wider tires.

[IGoFast1589]

Originally Posted by blinded

I'm faced with a similar decision right now. The consideration that hasn't been mentioned (and the primary one for me) is that camber plates can help fit more tire in the front. However, by several accounts around here, the Dinan ones don't allow enough negative camber to fit wider tires.

How much camber are you trying to run? With Eibach springs and Bilstein dampers and I was able to dial in -2.5 degrees. If you need more than yeah, you'll need to go with a fully adjustable plate.

[blinded]

Originally Posted by IGoFast1589

How much camber are you trying to run? With Eibach springs and Bilstein dampers and I was able to dial in -2.5 degrees. If you need more than yeah, you'll need to go with a fully adjustable plate.

Yours is an interesting data point. I only want around -2 degrees and don't care about adjustability, but looking around -1 seems to be about the max with the dinan plates. Dinan themselves advertise only -.7 degrees. Were there any tricks for you to get -2.5?

[jafo1701]

I also have the Dinan camber plates. Easy to install, if you've done suspension work before. I installed them the same time I did the BMW performance springs with Koni sport struts/shocks. I also have the M3 front control arms which gives me -2.1 front camber on both sides. I'm very happy with the suspension set up. Taking the 135i to the track for the first time in 2 weeks.

[GaryS]

I have Ground Control Street camber plates on my car because I need them for track days to get extra grip in corners. I adjust them to -3.4 camber for track and -1.4 camber for street. I would not buy camber plates for street use only. They only make a difference when you're taking a corner fast enough to make the front tires squeal.

[revo 3vom]

What if im planning on running 10-10.5 rears? Will that warrant the camber plates?

[IGoFast1589]

Originally Posted by blinded

Yours is an interesting data point. I only want around -2 degrees and don't care about adjustability, but looking around -1 seems to be about the max with the dinan plates. Dinan themselves advertise only -.7 degrees. Were there any tricks for you to get -2.5?

No tricks. We were able to dial in more because of the dampers and springs I am running in addition to the plates. I actually believe it was -2.25, sorry about that.

[r0nd3L]

Originally Posted by revo 3vom

What if im planning on running 10-10.5 rears? Will that warrant the camber plates?

Camber plates are only for the front.

[revo 3vom]

Originally Posted by r0nd3L

Camber plates are only for the front.

Lol. Thanks, I thought they were to adjust the rears on account of i have read you can't adjust the rear. So does this allow for wider wheels in the front?

I have kw v2's coming in next week and want to make sure when I install them they are gold and I'm not left wanting something that will require taking the suspension off again.

[r0nd3L]

Originally Posted by revo 3vom

Lol. Thanks, I thought they were to adjust the rears on account of i have read you can't adjust the rear. So does this allow for wider wheels in the front?

I have kw v2's coming in next week and want to make sure when I install them they are gold and I'm not left wanting something that will require taking the suspension off again.

Rear camber is adjustable from factory.

Camber plates do allow you to fit wider wheels/tires. I'm running 8.5" 255/35 with some room to spare.

[revo 3vom]

Originally Posted by r0nd3L

Rear camber is adjustable from factory.

Camber plates do allow you to fit wider wheels/tires. I'm running 8.5" 255/35 with some room to spare.

Well, glad I came to ask these questions here. I have been misled by the internet and feel slighted. Now I know how the people that read the bible feel. Too Soon? I'm only kidding.

Thanks for the responses addicts.

[HP Autosport]

Originally Posted by revo 3vom

Before there are like 12 trolls on here, I have searched and not seen a good thread on this. If you have one feel free to post it here minus captain hindsight quotes.

What are the benefits?
Do you recommend them?
Favorite camber/caster plates?

The best benefit is the added and adjustable camber. Some even add caster adjustments. You will also get a better response from your inputs, better road feel and less dynamic camber changes.

Get these only if you are tracking the car. Think twice about these if the car is strictly street driven as there are other ways to get you added camber without camber plates.

[revo 3vom]

Originally Posted by HP Autowerks

The best benefit is the added and adjustable camber. Some even add caster adjustments. You will also get a better response from your inputs, better road feel and less dynamic camber changes.

Get these only if you are tracking the car. Think twice about these if the car is strictly street driven as there are other ways to get you added camber without camber plates.

Thanks,

[dcaron9999]

Sorry to revive this thread, and pardon the newbie question ..

My 135i is still under warranty. At the track, I have noticed a lot of understeer with stock suspension, and stock camber, even with very sticky rubber (Bridgestone Potenza RE-011 (225/40R18 in the front and 255/35R18's in the back). Also, my tires outside edge is getting shredded.

Can I get my local shop to adjust the camber at a compromise setting suitable for track+street use, or must I get dedicated camber plates, and adjust them before and after lapping events?

Thanks.