I'm wondering what any of y'all have tried for alignment numbers other than just what the machine at the shop says is in the acceptable green "range" of values. This is definitely more of an issue with a more sporty car but a really good alignment can make a big difference.

If no one has experimented with this any I may just ask for a little more negative camber.

Caster - at least 5 degrees I'd think or max it out first.
Camber - I'd think 1degree negative would be a good starting point and not increase tire wear much if at all.
Toe - This is what can cause pre-mature tire wear in short order so zero. Some smaller lighter cars with decent horsepower can benefit from some Toe but I don't think the LS would.

Might anybody know what the factory alignment specs or range are?

 

i try to get the front wheels with a little toe in (but still within spec) for better straight line stability. other than that, a little negative camber doesn't hurt much.

 

don't use the figures out of some shop, get the real figures out of the Lexus factory service manual

and no, the Toyota engineers put a lot of thought into those numbers, we aren't going to improve them on a stock suspension

 

at stock suspension you won't see much gain from most of these, the car has pretty good camber gain so as it rolls (and oh will it roll) the outer wheels will gain a fair bit of camber.

the potential gain would be minimal.

 

For what year? Air suspension or standard?

 

A '97 without air suspension.

Currently I have Bilstein shocks and H&R springs. I will however be going back to the stock springs and adjustable height perch sleeves. The H&R give a nice drop but are too firm with the Bilsteins. The front I may make a little higher, the rear lower. I don't know how much lower than stock I'll end up.

Does Toyota give actual numbers or an acceptable range? It has been my experience that most manufacturers don't optimize the alignment for handling or feel. Maybe for best tire wear or neutral handling, not sure.

 

the stock Toyota specs give the best compromise between handling, safety, ride, tire life and a few other things - but once you change the suspension geometry, then who knows what the correct optimal alignment specs are - this is another great reason why hopping up cars is best left to racing teams (and even they don't know the optimal setup for every track, that is why different drivers win from week to week!)

 

Sorry, I've only got the book on the first generation...