I have a 2002 that I bought 6 months ago with 4,454 miles on it. I'm now at 17,500 and I just replaced the rear S-02s. Went ahead and did a 4 wheel alignment as well. Decided to go with the UK specs.



I haven't had a chance to put it through it's paces yet, but I imagine the feel will be much better. My front tires look like they were actually crabbing to the right before .Would the factory specs be this far out of whack? I've heard that the shipping process over from Japan can sometimes alter the alignment. I haven't hit any big potholes in my time with the car. Anyone else seen this with factory alignment?

Needless to say, I am pretty excited and can't wait to flog the car. The 2 degrees of negative camber looks sexy as hell in the rear

 

I did the UK specs a year ago and switched back to original on my '01. Not sure if your '02 factory specs are any differenct. It just didn't feel as nimble with the UK specs. Not as twitchy at higher speeds, but I rather likes that myself. Also, did a 360 going on an on ramp that I've taken 100's of times with factory specs without problem. So, either it was a bad allignment and not really UK specs, the specs aren't very good for high speed cornering, or I didn't adjust properly for the difference in handling. Either way I hated it, and love the original specs again.

 

I think its safe to say that my "before" specs were not factory specs. To be honest with you, I always suspected something was up with them. It seemed that during steady state cornering, the car never really wanted to take a set. The two ends always seemed to be fighting each other. Not really a nervous feeling, but just not truly planted. Hopefully this set (now that the toe is symmetric side to side) will be a little more predictable and willing to take a set.

I won't be able to tell till the tires wear their grease off. Autocrossing this weekend should reveal any fixed or new handling vices.

The only negative is that my steering wheel is no longer centered. Might call the shop up tomorrow and bitch