4 Wheel alignment on a SPF?

[ou812545]

Anyone know approx. how much a 4 wheel alignment for a 2006 Superformance Cobra with 17" wheels may cost?

The car is almost new with 1300 miles and had never been aligned.

Also, any suggestions on where to have this done in the SF Bay Area?


Thanks,

Dan

[Silverback51]

Cost me $75.00

[Jim Vander Wal]

I have mine done at the Porsche/Audi dealer that I work with. You might try something similar, these guys really like the car and that goes a long way
The tech that works on my Audi does it for about $40 bucks and a ride/drive. The shop dosen't make enough to cover expenses but the tech works late to do it. I've never had it done anywhere else, no reason too.
I'm in MI, no idea about service in the bay area.
Jim

[wtm442]

Wow
$40 bucks is dirt cheap.

Around here its $60 to $80

If you are doing the alignment to eliminate shimmy in the front end, you should (must) also do a road-force balance job.

[ou812545]

I don't think the problem is shimmying. Per the mechanic who is doing the pre-purchase inspection, the car tracks strongly, very similar to when he first drives a new SPF that has not been aligned.
I'm buying the car in LA and need to find a place in the SF Bay area to get it aligned.

[ttmb]

Mine came from the factory with a huge amount of toe-in. I do my own alignment, so that's how I knew. The first few rides before I aligned it, the car tracked all right and handled ok, but boy did the tires heat up fast! There are plenty of shops that can handle it - not such a big deal, really.

[Got the Bug]

Dan,

There are two places in the South Bay that have experience with Cobras and specifically SPF. These two shops go beyond a basic 4-wheel alignment, but the cost is $1,000+ (weight balancing, internal weights in the tires if required, ride height based on how you'll use the car, etc.).

Send an IM to "Tom Howland " (that's his screen name on CC) who has first hand experience with Performance Art.

Custom Alignement - Mountain View
Custom Alignment Balance and Brakes | Mountain View, CA

Performance Art - Gilroy (talk to Kevin Patten)
Performance Art Online - Contact Us

[dlang14]

Doug, I havent had it done, but I'm under the impression the $1000 includes new springs, possibly some bushings, as well as control arm alignment and such. I'm sure if all you want is an alignment it'll be cheaper. Clearly neither one is cheap but they are supposed to do fantastic work.

Daryl

[Got the Bug]

Dan - What kind of tires are on the car that you're looking at? The tracking issue could also be tied to the tires.

Daryl - Are thinking about a full alignement when you mount the MT tires? Both of our cars were set up by the same guy, and in my view the car is pretty well balanced. You've had your car on the track before, so maybe you've got a different take.

[ou812545]

Doug,
The tires are Kumho Ecsta V700 SCCA's Front: 275/45/ZR17 and rear: 335/35/ZR17

I plan to put 15" on with the Avon or GoddYear BB's.

[eschaider]

Dan,

I had Performance Art do an alignment on my BMW. His alignment was easily the best the car has ever had. I'm taking the Cobra up to him in the spring when I hopefully have it done to align it.

Kevin is definitely the guy to talk to. Sharp as a tack and very familiar with Cobra's. I think you'll be pleased

Ed

[scootter]

Dan,
I had my SPF (with 17" PSE wheels and Michelin tires) done at Custom Alignment. They did everything on mine. New springs, corner weighted, ride height, 4 wheel alignment, etc.
I like the 17" tires and wheels. Need the 335 rears for all the pony's.
I also heard of another place in the bay area. I think it was called Roger Krause??
Scott

[ou812545]

Ed and Doug, -Thanks for the references.

Ed, Do you know if Performance Art is also in the $1000 range?

Thanks,

Dan
I'm crossing my fingers, if all goes well I will have my SPF in my garage on Saturday.

[Got the Bug]

Scott - When did you have your car done? Did you notice a big improvement?

[JBCOBRA]

It is really important to "corner weight" these cars. The factory just eyeballs them. Mine was totally out of whack. like riding on 3 wheels. It looked ok, but it was way off on the corners. The windshield even creeked. This is just theory, but unless you corner weight your car, I think you run a greater risk of a cracked windshield.

[Randy Rosenberg]

Dan, Roger Kraus in Castro Valley can sell you the tires you want, plus mount'em, balance'em and do a 4 wheel alignment - Roger Kraus Racing Tires | Welcome! , and they are not far from you.

Another choice closer to your home is Craig Hill (Top of the Hill) in Livermore.

Of course Custom Alignment in Mt. View can do this for you as well; they're just farther away.

As I understand it, an employee from Custom Alignment started Performance Art, but I may be wrong.

Hope this helps,
Randy...

[eschaider]

Dan,

I'd seriously doubt a $1K price tag. BMW's are not Cobra's but if I remember correctly the BMW was around $250?? Give Kevin a call, he's real easy to talk to and you'll know in a minute.

I really like Performance Art's work and service.

Ed

[Got the Bug]

Scott had Performance Art do the "whole enchalada" (new springs, corner weighting, etc.) on his car, so maybe he can shed some light on the total cost or you can send him a PM.

Ed - I agree, best bet is to just give them all a call and get a feel for what they do. I know Kevin from way back (high school) and he's a good guy.

[RodgerH]

Originally Posted by JBCOBRA

It is really important to "corner weight" these cars. The factory just eyeballs them. Mine was totally out of whack. like riding on 3 wheels. It looked ok, but it was way off on the corners. The windshield even creeked. This is just theory, but unless you corner weight your car, I think you run a greater risk of a cracked windshield.

Do you remember your before and after corner weights?

Rodger

[scootter]

Doug,
It has been a couple of years since I had Custom Alignment do mine.Everything was way out of wack. The inside of my right front tire was wore out, and the outside was like new. The car rides and handles a 100 times better!
When they start on these cars, it gets up there quick. I believe replacing the springs alone was around $400. The four wheel alignment was the cheap part.
I had to take my car back to Custom once I put the Michelin tires on it. I had a local tire shop install and balance them. I ended up with a major front end vibration. Took them back and they rebalanced them again. Same problem. Took them off and took them to Custom, and still the same problem. So I took the car in with the tires on it and had them balanced on the car. Now it's good. I didn't have this problem with my Good Years??????
Scott