Emira Standard Wheel Alignment Settings?

[Adam Brouillard]

Keeping in mind my experience with front steering geometry set up is from superkarts not cars, these settings do make sense considering what each tyre is designed for. Toe out is generally used to give more bite on initial turn in and makes a noticeable difference in the wet. This increased grip when turning in is at the expense of increased rolling resistance/friction when driving in a straight line. Given the Goodyear F1 tyres are more of a road tyre, toe out makes sense. However more grippy tyres (especially with a hot & dry track surface) tend to adopt a toe-out stance naturally so if the geo is already set to toe-out then friction in a straight line is increased even further leading to excessive tyre wear & over heating. Ideally in the dry with sticky tyres, toe would be set to zero. However the tendency to toe out needs to be compensated and by setting the geo to slight toe-in, the tyres naturally run straight. This set up would suit more grippy (sticky) Cup2 tyres on hot dry track days.

The amount of toe change while running depends on compliance and scrub radius. Superkarts have massive scrub radius so they would see more toe out change while running than a car would. I don't know what the scrub radius of the Emira is, but it's probably pretty small and it could even have negative scrub radius. Regardless, they are clearly not speccing the alignment for max track performance. As mentioned previously, my guess is they are just trying to give the cup2s a different steering feel than the goodyears during a test drive type situation since you aren't exactly going to be pushing either to the limit on public roads. At least, I hope people aren't.

 

[crashprash]

Anyone tracked their Emira (Sport with Goodyears) and found any improvements by changing the wheel alignment from stock settings?

 

[lynchy73]

Is there any specs for the I4 Emira (Sport) with Cup 2?

My car came with the F1, but I’ve changed to Cup 2 connect (not LTS, got a good deal on these). I’ve also effectively lowered the car by moving the shock circlips (10mm on the shock).

Also, any suggestions for a good track geometry setup? That might improve things and maybe reduce wear on outside edges?

 

[Adam Brouillard]

Is there any specs for the I4 Emira (Sport) with Cup 2?

My car came with the F1, but I’ve changed to Cup 2 connect (not LTS, got a good deal on these). I’ve also effectively lowered the car by moving the shock circlips (10mm on the shock).

Also, any suggestions for a good track geometry setup? That might improve things and maybe reduce wear on outside edges?

I remember seeing a post in here somewhere that the sport suspension called for marginally more camber than the touring, but it was such a small difference it just seemed like they just wanted to have a difference. For a track setup you'll primarily want more camber, particularly up front. This will help with outside edge wear. Lowering the suspension would have gotten you some more camber, but shouldn't have significantly affected anything else.

Not sure how much adjustment range the Emira has, but a lot of road cars max out their adjustment range before they get to ideal setting. Most track day tires are built for less than ideal camber settings though. Of course if you do a lot of road driving too, you'll then start to wear the inside of the tire more if you put on a lot of camber.

 

[kitkat]

I remember seeing a post in here somewhere that the sport suspension called for marginally more camber than the touring, but it was such a small difference it just seemed like they just wanted to have a difference. For a track setup you'll primarily want more camber, particularly up front. This will help with outside edge wear. Lowering the suspension would have gotten you some more camber, but shouldn't have significantly affected anything else.

Not sure how much adjustment range the Emira has, but a lot of road cars max out their adjustment range before they get to ideal setting. Most track day tires are built for less than ideal camber settings though. Of course if you do a lot of road driving too, you'll then start to wear the inside of the tire more if you put on a lot of camber.

Extra data for everyone here:

Lotus Spec Alignment is more dependent upon tire than suspension.

Front Toe:
Goodyear: -0.10 deg toe out per side
Cup2: +0.01 deg toe in per side

Front Camber:
All Tires: -0.8 deg

Caster:
All Tires: 5 deg

Rear Toe:
All Tires: +0.20 deg toe in per side

Rear Camber:
Goodyear: -1.6 deg
Cup2: -1.8 deg


As for adjustability stock, expect max camber front to be around -1.1 degrees and in the rear -1.9 degrees. I’ve seen these numbers from two of people now.

 

[slotus]

I asked on the tour and the guide specifically went and found me the answer, which was no.

It appears the ride height difference is just due to slightly different tire sizes (advertised tire sizes are rounded off).

Remember that Lotus is setting these cars up for safe handling and fuel efficiency as street cars. Track alignment will be more aggressive and autocross alignment even more so, likely all the way to the limit for camber.