http://www.snegidhi.com/2010/99-07-05/oni_camber_08.jpg

http://www.snegidhi.com/2010/99-07-05/oni_camber_01.jpg

Ok, seriously though.....

So does running a small amount of negative camber cause premature tire wear?

Is it even worth it on the E's since I can't see most of the E's on here pushing hard enough or driving on a track to actually need it, other than to be able to clear fenders.

But in my mind traction will actually be decreased slightly because a smaller portion of the tire is in contact with the ground. Well until you get everything to flex enough to use the rest of the tire, which does that actually happen on the E's?

On my Element I had my rear wheels set at -2.6 to clear my fenders. It did cause a little rippling on my inner sidewall but I was running a 275/40 tire so the tire was actually riding right on the inner edge of the sidewall. I went to a narrower 255/35 tire and stretched the sidewall a bit and now it wears fine. No irregular wear patterns yet. But to answer your question, "does it cause premature tire wear?" Yes.

I like the cambered look but there is a line you can cross where it just looks funny IMO. It is also kinda odd to have only the inner 2 inches of tire making contact with the pavement. To each their own though. I'm a big VIP fan and they are known to rock obscene amounts of camber, the 2 pics you posted are VIP cars. They do it to go as low as possible, but their ridiculously smooth roads make it much easier to accomplish this. They also must flip their tires frequently because they only get worn on the inner sidewall. An example of form over function for sure.

Here's a video of one of the cars you posted:
Check out how the adhesive from the stickers that were on the tire when it was new are still untouched because that part of the tire never touches the ground. haha.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVU-oXEwfIs

Thanks for the vid!

Um, not to sound clueless, but who or what are the "VIP"?

Also thanks for the info!

Here's the Wikipedia definition:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VIP_style

The shop which last did my alignment told me the rear camber spec for a Honda Element was up to -2.5, so -2.6 probably isn't a huge issue.

Toe kills tires, not camber (unless you do stupid things like run 3 degrees or more)

In terms of traction, it will hurt straight line traction, but will actually help cornering if you have negative camber in the front since a strut suspension has zero camber gain when it compresses (so as the body rolls, you actually gain positive camber). In the rear, its a bit different, and will actually cause more understeer (of which the E has PLENTY to start with).

The shop which last did my alignment told me the rear camber spec for a Honda Element was up to -2.5, so -2.6 probably isn't a huge issue.

The last time I checked the factory specs for the rear camber was -1

But even so, -1.6 over the factory specs isn't anything major.

Burn619: Yes on both counts.

Toe-in
Front: 0.0 in (0 mm)
Rear: 0.08 in (2.0 mm)

Camber
Front: -0°13'
Rear: -1°

Caster
Front: 1°50'

Dunno why Honda puts the specs in degrees and minutes, though, instead of decimal degrees. Which format do alignment machines use?

Burn619: Yes on both counts.

Toe-in
Front: 0.0 in (0 mm)
Rear: 0.08 in (2.0 mm)

Camber
Front: -0°13'
Rear: -1°

Caster
Front: 1°50'

Dunno why Honda puts the specs in degrees and minutes, though, instead of decimal degrees. Which format do alignment machines use?

Sorry, I should have been more clear - the alignment place (Firestone) said that rear camber isn't adjustable on the stock suspension, but that a range of up to -2.5 was normal. I can't remember if mine was -2.5 or -2.6, but my reaction was to purchase an Eibach replacement strut, since the car only has 30K miles on it and the problem seems likely to get worse rather than better.

Burn619: Yes on both counts.

Toe-in
Front: 0.0 in (0 mm)
Rear: 0.08 in (2.0 mm)

Camber
Front: -0°13'
Rear: -1°

Caster
Front: 1°50'

Dunno why Honda puts the specs in degrees and minutes, though, instead of decimal degrees. Which format do alignment machines use?

Our Hunter is set up to show caster and camber in degrees and toe is shown in mm's.

Rear camber is not adjustable on a stock element. Toe only.

Rear camber is not adjustable on a stock element. Toe only.

With a litlle help from the aftermarket it can be if the rear camber exceeds factory specs.