[Z06] Lowering on stock bolts...what effects
07-15-2005, 12:34 PM
#1
Burning Brakes
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Lowering on stock bolts...what effects
will it have on the handling characteristics? I know there are a million topics on how-to , but Im curious about the performance aspects. I was told the car will feel a little more stable at high speeds since it is lower and I am wondering if this is true? Also when lowering without cutting or going with longer bolts, am I diminishing the Z's handling by reducing the shocks functioning range?
PS- I will be getting a alignment afterwards but I just wanted to make sure Im not screwing up a perfect thing( other than the 4x4 stance)
PS- I will be getting a alignment afterwards but I just wanted to make sure Im not screwing up a perfect thing( other than the 4x4 stance)
07-15-2005, 03:09 PM
#2
Originally Posted by smacz28
will it have on the handling characteristics? I know there are a million topics on how-to , but Im curious about the performance aspects. I was told the car will feel a little more stable at high speeds since it is lower and I am wondering if this is true? Also when lowering without cutting or going with longer bolts, am I diminishing the Z's handling by reducing the shocks functioning range?
PS- I will be getting a alignment afterwards but I just wanted to make sure Im not screwing up a perfect thing( other than the 4x4 stance)
PS- I will be getting a alignment afterwards but I just wanted to make sure Im not screwing up a perfect thing( other than the 4x4 stance)
three-quarters of an inch at most, so the effect is negligible, IMO.
BTW, if GM didn't want you to screw up a perfect thing they wouldn't
have made the ride height adjustable.
07-15-2005, 03:45 PM
#4
Melting Slicks
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Originally Posted by smacz28
I figured as much but wanted to ease my mind.......Anyone feel negative about lowering...
07-15-2005, 04:16 PM
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Originally Posted by smacz28
will it have on the handling characteristics? I know there are a million topics on how-to , but Im curious about the performance aspects. I was told the car will feel a little more stable at high speeds since it is lower and I am wondering if this is true? Also when lowering without cutting or going with longer bolts, am I diminishing the Z's handling by reducing the shocks functioning range?
PS- I will be getting a alignment afterwards but I just wanted to make sure Im not screwing up a perfect thing( other than the 4x4 stance)
PS- I will be getting a alignment afterwards but I just wanted to make sure Im not screwing up a perfect thing( other than the 4x4 stance)
But there is such a thing as over doing a good thing: you need some suspension travel.
Good luck.
07-15-2005, 09:53 PM
#8
Burning Brakes
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Originally Posted by SGT. PYLE
Make sure to get some frame savers and rocker rails!!! 
Frame savers going on....I need to pick up the rails though...
07-15-2005, 11:01 PM
#9
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Originally Posted by t56gen3
Yeah better handling > ground clearance!!
Drop that 4X4!!
Drop that 4X4!!
07-17-2005, 04:06 AM
#10
Burning Brakes
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Well I did it......Hopefully it settles a little more because I can still put 3 fingers between the well. I can tell its lower though and it seems to feel more stable........So far so good...but I fear its just the first step before I go lower and get bilsteins or go coil overs....It never ends
07-17-2005, 12:42 PM
#11
Drifting
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Originally Posted by 04msmZ06
Turning the bolts only lowers the car about half an inch or
three-quarters of an inch at most, so the effect is negligible, IMO.
BTW, if GM didn't want you to screw up a perfect thing they wouldn't
have made the ride height adjustable.
three-quarters of an inch at most, so the effect is negligible, IMO.
BTW, if GM didn't want you to screw up a perfect thing they wouldn't
have made the ride height adjustable.
How would you go about doing this?
Get an alignment...
09-05-2005, 02:55 PM
#16
Burning Brakes
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I havent even re-aligned mine as I have been SOOO busy...but it dosent pull and my tire wear seems normal ??? Havent jumped on it from a stop but once since I lowered it and all I did was skate through 1st and 2nd before letting up......
09-05-2005, 03:17 PM
#17
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CI 3-5-6-7-8 Veteran
I run mine lowered on stock settings w/ Bilstien sports and love it. The car needs some suspension travel for good handling, but going lower would help so long as you have shorter shocks like Bilstiens. I'm leaving mine where it is b/c I drive it on the street most every day and need to be able to get around. I have to rocker rails but not the frame saves.
09-06-2005, 09:47 AM
#19
Drifting
You really need to have aligment changed after lowering. Both toe and camber settings change.
It seems to take a while to drop down. I can't explain why.
The most noticeable thing is the center spoiler dragging on virtually any incline. It doesn't hurt, but does make an awful noise.
Most of my handling improvement is probably due to increased negative camber rather that lowering. Another negative aspect is increased bump steer. This may also be exagerated by the negative camber. Seat of pants... I can't feel the difference. On track it has lowered my lap times. Again this might be more due alignment settings rather than lowering roll center.
The video that came with the car recommends, or at least says it's OK to lower the car about 5 1/2 turns per corner for track work. Currently there are a few T-1 racers that say their lap times have dropped after Phoenix Racing raised their ride height back to the stock settings for a bit more suspension travel. Phoenix Racing set up Heinricy's car.
It seems to take a while to drop down. I can't explain why.
The most noticeable thing is the center spoiler dragging on virtually any incline. It doesn't hurt, but does make an awful noise.
Most of my handling improvement is probably due to increased negative camber rather that lowering. Another negative aspect is increased bump steer. This may also be exagerated by the negative camber. Seat of pants... I can't feel the difference. On track it has lowered my lap times. Again this might be more due alignment settings rather than lowering roll center.
The video that came with the car recommends, or at least says it's OK to lower the car about 5 1/2 turns per corner for track work. Currently there are a few T-1 racers that say their lap times have dropped after Phoenix Racing raised their ride height back to the stock settings for a bit more suspension travel. Phoenix Racing set up Heinricy's car.
09-06-2005, 09:48 AM
#20
Safety Car
after you lower make sure you get your alignment done, if not those little f'n bolts could cost you two new tires.
I speak from experience......
I speak from experience......