Spires Tuning

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About

The company’s foundations lie in automotive engineering with over 30 years’ experience of specialist chassis tuning for major manufacturers within the automotive engineering industry.

With this experience we have developed a principle of dynamic excellence and true performance through cutting edge technology, engineering, design and absolute attention to detail.

We remain at the forefront of modern technology for design, simulation and tuning, experienced with new technologies such as computer controlled suspensions and highly skilled in testing and assessing cars to the limit. As a result all of our products and services are engineered to meet or exceed the exacting standards of the original manufacturer.

Experienced professional suspension installation and set-up. 
These guys know their stuff!

Services

Ride Height Correction

Most track day cars and some road cars have the ability to adjust ride heights.  This can be used to give a desired stance / look.  It is important for the general performance of the suspension that this is set precisely across each axle.  Not doing so will lead to a car feeling asymmetric.  This service includes a geometry service (see below) – £270.00

This service is an extension to ride height correction but also incorporating weighing each corner of the car to understand and adjust the diagonal load distribution of the suspension. Assuming no unseen damage to the body, all cars typically distribute their mass within 3%. With adjustable suspension we can make fine adjustments to the preload of each suspension spring to obtain perfect 50%/50%. The effect on track is a car that feels symmetric when moving side to side giving the driver confidence in the reaction to steering inputs. This service includes a geometry service (see below) – £350.00

This is by far our most popular service. It is something that all cars even the daily will benefit from. Using our extensive experience in suspension design and tuning, we are able to offer a completely bespoke geometry specification for any car to optimise its performance for the driver use case. It is important to remember, that what one car is set to, doesn’t mean that’s what your car should be set to. All drivers are different and their requirements and driving styles are seldom the same, so why should the setup be? Equally if needed, we can also adjust any car back to manufacturers exact standards. We have access to all major brand and model specifications – £96.00 to £162.00

Additional charges may apply for non-standard adjustments such as shims.

Toe: Toe In; In plan view, the front most edge of the tyre points towards the centre line of the car.  Toe out; the front most edge of the tyre points away from the centre line of the car. More often than not, we set cars up with toe in front and rear, however in some very limited occasions toe out front may be applied if ultimate cornering grip is required. Also for some ‘drift’ specs, toe out on the rear axle may be needed (See image). 

Caster: The caster angle is something that was originally associated to the kingpin axis.  Most modern cars do not have a kingpin but still have a virtual kingpin axis. The caster angle is the angle of the kingpin axis relative to the centre line of the wheel. In all cars this is typically +ve. Maximising the amount of caster will deliver a more engaging steering feel and improve on centre feel and steering wheel returnability.

Camber: Viewing from the end of the car looking along its side, the camber angle is the angle of the vertical centre line of the wheel relative to the vertical centre line of the car. In most modern cars this angle is -ve. The more the top of the wheel is towards the centre line of the car, the more negative the angle. We use camber to improve handling and corner grip. The theory is to maximise tyre contact patch load during cornering, the more lateral force against the body of the car, the more the wheel will try to straighten, so the more negative camber the more lateral load can be achieved and therefore the greater the cornering grip and speed.

That said, just having maximum camber doesn’t mean a faster car, it’s a balancing act between cornering grip and straight line grip and steering response and chassis balance. Some cars work their front axles harder than the rear and vice versa. Some axles because of their design don’t need a lot of camber because they have little camber loss / gain.

Thrust angle: This is an invisible force from the rear axle. Get this wrong and no matter what else you do with the set-up, the car will never drive straight. It is half total toe difference on the rear axle. Most manufacturers are OK with a thrust angle of +- 0.05dec/deg. We will ensure this is never greater than 0.01dec/deg.

Measurement units: We use Decimal degrees. 1/100th of a degree. Typically 1 degree is split in to 1/60th like the minutes on a clock, these are referenced as degrees/minutes. We want to be more accurate than that, hence decimal degrees. We do not use distance to measure or reference vehicle geometry.

We often have questions like “What toe and camber will you set it to?” then followed by a specification learnt from poor sources of information. “Can you set it up the same as a racing car?” Simple answer; No! Typically road suspensions are designed to cope with normal road environments not race tracks. They work differently and therefore should be set up differently. Some road cars when fitted with heavily modified suspension can achieve race car specifications, but that doesn’t mean they are set up the same.  Cars that are dedicated ‘trailered’ track cars can have lots of negative camber and minimal toe settings but would not work for normal road conditions, adversely if you use your car daily and take it on the occasional track day, it will never perform as well as a dedicated car. I can make compromises to achieve a middle ground but a compromise it is.

We offer a suspension installation service for most cars. It is a flat rate service assuming no other remedial repairs are needed – £336.00

Contact

You can find us at Spires Tuning, Unit 10 Hurlbutt Road, Heathcote Industrial Estate, Warwick CV34 6TD. Please note visits are by appointment only.

Phone us on 01926 831832 or email us using the form below.

Ben JohnstoneBen Johnstone
20:12 13 May 23
Full geometry setup done by Matt who really knows his stuff on Alpines. The workshop was immaculate. Highly recommended
Craig O'DonnellCraig O'Donnell
13:26 29 Apr 23
The rumours are true: Spires Technologies are the goto specialists for suspension tuning, for both road and track. Excellent service, extremely knowledgeable and a welcoming attitude. If you're... serious about your setup or just want the best for your car, there is no other substitute. Super clean workshop, easy access and centrally located.read more
andrew clarkeandrew clarke
07:35 30 Jun 22
The only place I would take a performance orientated car for an alignment.Matt is extremely thourough with what he does and noticed a few issues with my recently rebuilt suspension before even... starting the alignment.He talks you through exactly what he's doing and the results speak for themself on the drive home!read more
Neil FletcherNeil Fletcher
17:56 03 Jun 22
Great fast service great product
Gurchayten ChatherGurchayten Chather
18:44 13 May 22
I was at Spires with my C63 Estate today. Matt spotted that there was a few errors in the fitting of my KW V3 Kit, with rectifying that we found cross threaded bolts and all sorts. Matt put... everything right and then got the ride heights and Geo perfect. Excellent service from a very knowledgeable chap, the value for money is just an added bonus.read more
Dominic WinsorDominic Winsor
08:18 09 Apr 22
Calm, organised perfection. The service I’ve had each time I’ve visited is exemplary and I thoroughly recommend Spires.
George HGeorge H
20:18 17 Dec 21
Car drives so much better, used Matt a few times and am always impressed by his attention to detail and knowledge.
Essex StuEssex Stu
17:29 17 Sep 21
Experienced professional suspension installation and set up. These guys know their stuff!
William MosesWilliam Moses
08:43 09 Jul 21
I can’t recommend Matt @ Spires highly enough - a spot on set up makes all the difference and this is exactly what you get from Spires - not “within spec so that should be good enough”, but a spot on... set up to suit your car and how you use it.Other places may have some similar, but I’ve never come across anywhere with the same patience at attention to detail.read more
Ray DRay D
11:34 03 Jul 21
Well it was the best 2 hrs and £290 I've ever spent, Matt was a wealth of knowledge and information on my Jaguar XF S he definitely knows his stuff.To understand my elation is to live with my Jag... with constant turbo squeal and fumes, then after half an hour limited power for the rest of the trip everyday for the last 12 months, because the only solution I could find was a new cat from Jag at £2k and a used one is pretty much hard to find.Now with Matt from Spires breathing on it I've got my big cat back.To set the record straight I was always told it's the flexible joint that's broken. Well they were wrong it's an expansion joint that had hardened then split in half diagonally.A day later and all good with the Jag, with Matt's advice I have a few things to do now.I heartedly recommend that you call Matt for your Jag issues as you will not regret it.read more
Matt BallMatt Ball
21:53 27 May 21
I initially went to Matt complaining of a lack of front-end grip with my E46 M3. He worked to understand my needs and we went down the Nitron route. I appreciated his thoroughness, checking my... install as it turns out it wasn't quite right. The rest of the corner weight and alignment was as meticulous. Fast forward to track days restarting after covid, I was at Bedford a few weeks ago and the car was great.. it actually took a few laps for my brain to catch up with what was happening. The way the front-end behaves now is so much better and no longer frustrating understeer. Couldn't ask for more. Thanks!read more
John RedfernJohn Redfern
08:26 07 May 21
A thank you to Matt and Ned for their support in setting up my Honda S2000. The whole process was very professional from start to finish, and the car felt great on the drive home. Recommended.
Lewis WalshLewis Walsh
16:28 28 Nov 20
Can't believe the difference Matt & Ned made to my car!!I took my 2018 Suzuki Swift Sport in for corner weight and geometry work as I'd installed coilovers and had my dealer do the alignment... afterwards, however that turned out to be a bit of a let down with a wonky steering wheel and very poor steering response. I'd left it a while and got sick of the setup being disappointing so found Matt on twitter strangely! I contacted him and he recommended a basic coilover setup with him for to be honest not a lot of money!After a couple of hours with my car he's completely transformed the way the car corners and feels, firstly the wheel is dead straight and secondly I cannot believe how well it turns in and grips! It's so sharp and precise I have fallen back in love with the car. He made some tweaks to Suzuki's suggested spec even adding in some camber at the front for a bit of sharpness which really made a difference, it's absolutely spot on, he really really knows his stuff and is super genuine.Any future suspension work or alignments I will be using Matt no matter what, an hours travel there is definitely worth it as my dealer let me down so much. Well worth the money and time to visit Matt the results are night and day, I now can't wait to go out for a drive again!read more
D CunninghamD Cunningham
16:50 29 Apr 19
Awesome work by Matt yet again on my Mustang GT, Matt fitted a set of Eibach Lowering Springs, Stop Tech Brake Discs and a Steeda Rear Sub Frame Alignment Kit, i have used Matt for the past 8 years... and will not go anywhere else.read more
Ben JohnstoneBen Johnstone
20:12 13 May 23
Full geometry setup done by Matt who really knows his stuff on Alpines. The workshop was immaculate. Highly recommended
Craig O'DonnellCraig O'Donnell
13:26 29 Apr 23
The rumours are true: Spires Technologies are the goto specialists for suspension tuning, for both road and track. Excellent service, extremely knowledgeable and a welcoming attitude. If you're... serious about your setup or just want the best for your car, there is no other substitute. Super clean workshop, easy access and centrally located.read more
andrew clarkeandrew clarke
07:35 30 Jun 22
The only place I would take a performance orientated car for an alignment.Matt is extremely thourough with what he does and noticed a few issues with my recently rebuilt suspension before even... starting the alignment.He talks you through exactly what he's doing and the results speak for themself on the drive home!read more
Neil FletcherNeil Fletcher
17:56 03 Jun 22
Great fast service great product
Gurchayten ChatherGurchayten Chather
18:44 13 May 22
I was at Spires with my C63 Estate today. Matt spotted that there was a few errors in the fitting of my KW V3 Kit, with rectifying that we found cross threaded bolts and all sorts. Matt put... everything right and then got the ride heights and Geo perfect. Excellent service from a very knowledgeable chap, the value for money is just an added bonus.read more
Dominic WinsorDominic Winsor
08:18 09 Apr 22
Calm, organised perfection. The service I’ve had each time I’ve visited is exemplary and I thoroughly recommend Spires.
George HGeorge H
20:18 17 Dec 21
Car drives so much better, used Matt a few times and am always impressed by his attention to detail and knowledge.
Essex StuEssex Stu
17:29 17 Sep 21
Experienced professional suspension installation and set up. These guys know their stuff!
William MosesWilliam Moses
08:43 09 Jul 21
I can’t recommend Matt @ Spires highly enough - a spot on set up makes all the difference and this is exactly what you get from Spires - not “within spec so that should be good enough”, but a spot on... set up to suit your car and how you use it.Other places may have some similar, but I’ve never come across anywhere with the same patience at attention to detail.read more
Ray DRay D
11:34 03 Jul 21
Well it was the best 2 hrs and £290 I've ever spent, Matt was a wealth of knowledge and information on my Jaguar XF S he definitely knows his stuff.To understand my elation is to live with my Jag... with constant turbo squeal and fumes, then after half an hour limited power for the rest of the trip everyday for the last 12 months, because the only solution I could find was a new cat from Jag at £2k and a used one is pretty much hard to find.Now with Matt from Spires breathing on it I've got my big cat back.To set the record straight I was always told it's the flexible joint that's broken. Well they were wrong it's an expansion joint that had hardened then split in half diagonally.A day later and all good with the Jag, with Matt's advice I have a few things to do now.I heartedly recommend that you call Matt for your Jag issues as you will not regret it.read more
Matt BallMatt Ball
21:53 27 May 21
I initially went to Matt complaining of a lack of front-end grip with my E46 M3. He worked to understand my needs and we went down the Nitron route. I appreciated his thoroughness, checking my... install as it turns out it wasn't quite right. The rest of the corner weight and alignment was as meticulous. Fast forward to track days restarting after covid, I was at Bedford a few weeks ago and the car was great.. it actually took a few laps for my brain to catch up with what was happening. The way the front-end behaves now is so much better and no longer frustrating understeer. Couldn't ask for more. Thanks!read more
John RedfernJohn Redfern
08:26 07 May 21
A thank you to Matt and Ned for their support in setting up my Honda S2000. The whole process was very professional from start to finish, and the car felt great on the drive home. Recommended.
Lewis WalshLewis Walsh
16:28 28 Nov 20
Can't believe the difference Matt & Ned made to my car!!I took my 2018 Suzuki Swift Sport in for corner weight and geometry work as I'd installed coilovers and had my dealer do the alignment... afterwards, however that turned out to be a bit of a let down with a wonky steering wheel and very poor steering response. I'd left it a while and got sick of the setup being disappointing so found Matt on twitter strangely! I contacted him and he recommended a basic coilover setup with him for to be honest not a lot of money!After a couple of hours with my car he's completely transformed the way the car corners and feels, firstly the wheel is dead straight and secondly I cannot believe how well it turns in and grips! It's so sharp and precise I have fallen back in love with the car. He made some tweaks to Suzuki's suggested spec even adding in some camber at the front for a bit of sharpness which really made a difference, it's absolutely spot on, he really really knows his stuff and is super genuine.Any future suspension work or alignments I will be using Matt no matter what, an hours travel there is definitely worth it as my dealer let me down so much. Well worth the money and time to visit Matt the results are night and day, I now can't wait to go out for a drive again!read more
D CunninghamD Cunningham
16:50 29 Apr 19
Awesome work by Matt yet again on my Mustang GT, Matt fitted a set of Eibach Lowering Springs, Stop Tech Brake Discs and a Steeda Rear Sub Frame Alignment Kit, i have used Matt for the past 8 years... and will not go anywhere else.read more
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