Atlanta Align and Corner Balance

[K Sykes]

My suspension upgrade is all installed. I intended to do an align and cornerbalance when all the bits are bolted on. In Atlanta, people speak highly of Gran Turismo East in Doraville as a very good Porsche alignment shop. I had always assumed that they do corner balancing as well. I called today and it turns out that they don't. So one question for the collective wisdom of the group and one for the Atlanta folks;

1. How bad would it be to get an alignment only, vs corner balance too?, particularly with ER polybronze all around and monoballs on the rear trailing arms? I realize this might be like a "what oil should I use?" question, but trying to get feel for what I give up.
2. Who does corner balancing around Atlanta? There is a place in Alpharetta called "America's Best Automotive" that does do corner balancing, but I don't know their experience level with P-cars. Any others?

Thanks for any help you can provide

Kinsley

[MJEMotorsports]

Go to Franz Blam Racing in Tucker.
He is an expert in Porsches and is an all round great guy.
He has all the equipment to do the corner balancing. My race car will be getting it done there in the next week or two.

Number is 770-939-6100

[Jagshund]

America's Best is owned by a friend of mine (Dean). They perform a lot of work for the Ferrari dealer but I don't believe they're into corner balancing.

Edit-

Apparently they do perform corner balancing, but I've never seen a 911 over there in. Might want to check out the others.

[daber88]

Give Jack Lewis a call. He just did an alignment and corner balance on my 87 Carrera last week. He did an awesome job and really takes his time to make sure is right.

Jack Lewis Enterprises (770) 849-0302

Derek

[paradisenb]

Jack Lewis. Ex pro racer. Specializes in olders 911.

Jack Lewis Enterprises:
60 RAKESTRAW ST
NORCROSS, GA
30071-2561
Phone: 770-849-0302

[rlw]

I have used Ryland's. Great guy
RW

[mshii]

I would suggest Franz Blam Racing too. They have been working on 911s in every trim (from street cars to full bred IMSA 935s, 911 GT3Rs, etc.) forever, and everyone is nice in the shop. www.franzblamracing.com

[HarryD]

Can't help you with a shop but I would suggest you find a shop that caters to the local Porsche Racers. They know how to set up the suspension. Do it once, do it right.

[mshii]

Originally Posted by HarryD

Can't help you with a shop but I would suggest you find a shop that caters to the local Porsche Racers. They know how to set up the suspension. Do it once, do it right.

This is why I suggest FBR... Not to knock anyone else, but just look up their accomplishments over the years. It's amazing!

[Elombard]

Bring it over, I will do a tripod CB and get it pretty close on the alignment and then you can take it to GT East if you want for a lazer dial in ( I wouldnt bother).

I am good and cheap.....but I am slow and you will have to help.

It will take us 5 or 6 hours and I will charge you $100.

I would strongly suggest a CB, it makes a big difference if its off.

[rattlsnak]

rylands...

[Dejathoris]

Jack Lewis. My friend has used him for his '75 911 IROC and I met Jack yesterday and saw his shop. My friend is very particular and has restored cars for 25 years. Jack was very open and friendly and a wealth of information due to his years of experience as a pro racer of Porsches. His shop was clean, organized, full of cars, and I will be bringing him my '72 911 in a couple weeks for a corner balance and alignment.

[K Sykes]

Ok, so Jack Lewis, Fraz Blam, Rylands or Elombard's garage.. Glad we got that cleared up . Thanks everyone, I was so sure that GT did cornerbalancing I kind of freaked since not many places do it and know Porsche's too.

BTW, got a very nice bit of help from John Holt at Holt Wheels Import in Marietta. The welded bungs that hold the rear spring plate cover on had really ripped out on one side of my car and he re-welded them and did a few other things without charging me an arm and a leg. Really nice to deal with. When I repaint my car, he will get the work.

Thanks for all the input.

Kinsley

[w21055]

Kinsley,

John is top notch as well and most of the Atlanta folks have used him in some fashion.
+1 on Franz Blam

[rattlsnak]

Originally Posted by K Sykes

Ok, so Jack Lewis, Fraz Blam, Rylands or Elombard's garage.. Glad we got that cleared up . Thanks everyone, I was so sure that GT did cornerbalancing I kind of freaked since not many places do it and know Porsche's too.

BTW, got a very nice bit of help from John Holt at Holt Wheels Import in Marietta. The welded bungs that hold the rear spring plate cover on had really ripped out on one side of my car and he re-welded them and did a few other things without charging me an arm and a leg. Really nice to deal with. When I repaint my car, he will get the work.

Thanks for all the input.

Kinsley

Ahh, so that was your car!! He told me about it, as I'm out of commission with a shoulder injury at the moment.

http://www.holtwheelsmotorsports.com

[K Sykes]

Hi again

I ended up going with Jack Lewis, no particular reason except he was closest to my house and he could get the car in today.

What a difference! Came out to the pound on the corner balance, a bit lower ride than I had before and wow it handles..

I have ER PB bushings front and rear, monoballs on the rear trailing arms, turbo tie rods and I rebuilt the steering rack. Tight as anything and the ER bushings are quiet and smooth.

Next have to get the EFI Sorted out and I'll be ready to go.

Thanks to all for the suggestions.

Kinsley

[William930t]

Kinsley:

I stopped by Jack Lewis Enterprises just after he finished your corner balance today, love his shop especially the light blue IROC carrera. He has such a wealth of knowledge as I found during a discussion on suspension upgrades for my 930. Your SC has some nice upgrades! I saw the rear ER PB bushings and the EFI conversion you have leaves so much room in the engine bay.

[SCWDP911]

Originally Posted by Elombard

Bring it over, I will do a tripod CB and get it pretty close on the alignment and then you can take it to GT East if you want for a lazer dial in ( I wouldnt bother).

I am good and cheap.....but I am slow and you will have to help.

It will take us 5 or 6 hours and I will charge you $100.

I would strongly suggest a CB, it makes a big difference if its off.

So Erik,

Coming up to Tennessee anytime soon?

[K Sykes]

William930t

Thanks. Was your 930 the red one with the roll cage? Nice car..

[Elombard]

Originally Posted by Shane Van Wey

So Erik,

Coming up to Tennessee anytime soon?

I got to have my tools and my garage :-)

Seriously I enjoy doing it and wish I could do it for free, but the wife would kill me.

I am also trading the work out for strong back work around the farm!

Glad you had a good experience with Jack Lewis. The already good handling on these cars is just amazing with a few mods and a decent CB/alignment/ride ht.

How does Lewis set the toe? I dont remember seeing an alignment rack there? Does he use string too?