Center Gravity

I have recently heard of Chris Franklin the geometry guru and looking at the Center Gravity web site he seems to have sorted the geometry on lots of 911 and other makes. I am thinking of asking him to do the next check on my car rather than my usual indi. however before I go rushing in some questions that may help make the right decision: 1. Is the kit that Center Gravity use as good as the Hunter system that the OPC's would use? 2. Are Centre Gravity focused on track setup and racing rather than road use ? 3. Can I have my back suspension set up so the tyres wear out evenly without compromising the handling ? 4. The OPC charges £260 approx for a geometry check and adjust; how much should I expect to pay Center Gravity ? Any thoughts or first hand experiences most appreciated.

I'll start with a key caveat - I've not used Center Gravity, but know others who speak highly of Chris. I would look at it this way - your OPC will most likely sub the work out (please correct me if I'm wrong) and charge you for the privilege. I would much rather take my car to someone who makes his living from suspension alignment - and who runs a small company where word of mouth recommendation is perhaps the most important method of getting future business. The Beissbarth (sp?) kit that Chris uses is top notch.

I've used Chris to set up my 964 - and I know of several others who have done the same. The great advantage of getting Chris to do it is that you are there with him throughout the process. You can discuss what you want and he will advise you on how he can achieve it. Issues like uneven tyre wear are significant inputs into the decisions. As mentioned above, the Beissbarth kit is "as recommended" by Porsche so I'd have no qualms at all on that front. Because Chris works alone (albeit with you) it's not a quick process - somewhat dependent on what needs to be done in terms of the freeing of bolts etc. and whether things like ride heights and corner balance needs to be done. Mine took from 8:30 in the morning to around 6:00 in the evening (on a Sunday no less!!!) and the cost was around £240 IIRC. I'm heading up there again on Thursday just to get him to check it over after having the shocks changed last week. Watch out for an article in PP about my visit. Regards Dave

You will have to go a long way to find someone to beat Chris Franklin for setting up your car. The laser geometry is accurate to minutes of a degree. Chris will set the car up to how you want it, either road, track, race. Be prepared to be amazed at the attention to detail Chris will give the setting up. Never yet heard him say "Oh that will do, close enough." Jayne does good bacon butties as well. Cheers,

Toals, there is a tech. talk being given by Chris on Monday. Please come along as he will be able to answer all of your questions and you will get to see him in action. Check the West Midlands section of the board for details.

Thanks for the invite; will be in Portsmouth on Monday so probably won't get away in time to be there. I will speak to Chris on the phone and am sure he will be able to answer my questions.

Hi Toals I had my C2 set up by Chris about 3 months ago, to answer your questions: 1. I dont know but he uses some expensive German equipment, Beissbarth I think. 2. Although I think that most of Chris's work is track setup, he does an equally good job on the road setup which is exactly what I wanted. I asked Chris to simply put mine to factory spec because I believed it had got misaligned - the car was wandering about all over the shop on motorways. 3. Yes, again Chris will talk you through this. Also Chris explained to me that the rear tyres will wear more evently at 36 psi instead of the Porsche spec of 44 which wears the insides more. 4. Chris charged me £220. Basically Chris will ask you what type of driving you do and set it up as you want, the best thing is that he'll talk you through everything so you understand it. At the end of the day he'll print or email out all the settings for you as well. Almost forgot to say, my car was totally transformed driving home, it felt rock solid rather than twitchy at all speeds. I hope this is helpful, Cheers, Alex

HI , I had my monster set up by Chris about a year or so ago .It totally restored its handling to what I suspect it was meant to be like in 1988.Cross country drives were transformed, turn in accurate beyond belief.On the way home from Phil Clark at Hindley I went on the M61, it was quiet so I wound it up "a bit"and at a certain speed where before it would have been suicide I slowly took my hands off the steering wheel and Lo! it stayed right where I had put it on the road. Barry Smith had his Flatnose SE done at about the same time .I went out for a test drive with him afterwards and we couldn't get the smiles off our faces. Have it done ,you will save the money in tire wear and even maybe crash repair. Mac

Thanks to all for your replies; I will be visiting Chris before I replace my rear tyres. Very interesting about the reduced tyre pressures.

I think I'll join the que!! Never been quite sure about some of mines characteristics!! Do we get a bulk discount!!??!! lol

Joking apart, looking at his website I suspect would do a 'club' day if you got a posse together. However, given how long he likes to spend on each car, you may actually get better value for money on your own.

Toals, have a read of my previous post, http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=311637&mpage=1&key=&#311637

I had my GT3 set up by Chris and the car was transformed. He will set it up according to driver metrics and needs, so difficult to compare with standard as the CG set ups are so individual. If you're thinking of it, do it. The best £500 you can spend on your Porsche! Jon

If you want a fast road setup most of the settings will be fairly stock apart from the amount of negative camber you want (the more negative, the more track bias) that's the biggest change he'll make. With GT3s corner weighting is one of the most important things he does which will also help transform the car

Chris and his team know their stuff . You will not be disappointed !

I had my C2 set up by CG last October. Totally transformed the car. Attention to detail is amazing. Well worth the two and a half hour journey.