MikeyTX

So if I have the Z lowered on the stock bolts, is the loss in ride height going to drastically affect the MRC ? I have no doubt in my mind that the stage 2 splitter will ground more often no matter how careful I am. Thoughts y'all ?

Rooster OG

I have mrc and lowered mine on stock bolts. It didn't change anything I could feel.

fugly1

^^Ditto. Lowering on stock bolts is within "spec".

Foosh

If you lower a car on OEM shocks, you will be limiting the amount of damping available. It may not be noticeable to you on the street, but it will have some performance consequences, particularly at the limits. Chassis upset may be more prominent due to the reduced shock travel/damping. Increased chassis stability provides more grip.

We've been discussing MSRC tuning on various threads recently, and the TPC Racing/DSC Sport MSRC controller developed by former Rolex 24 Hour winner, Mike Levitas. Mike recommends stock ride height and a specific alignment along with his DSC Sport MRSC controller settings for best performance.

Lowering is certainly OK, but to do it right, a lot of other chassis tuning is necessary to match the other suspension components to the ride height.

MikeyTX

Foosh, very valid points. I thank you. I do not track the Z. It is my long distance pleasure touring car which is what made me ask. If the CTS-V had run flats I'd be inclined to take it. That was the original thought behind its purchase.

fugly1

I'm not sure there is a "stock" ride height. The cars seem to come different heights, which tend to be on the high side, possibly to facilitate transporting them.

Foosh

Yeah, probably no issues for your use, but I would take it in for a good alignment using these specs. Alignments from the factory are crude and all over the map in the first place, and will change even more once lowered on the stock bolts.

MikeyTX

Heh ........ So far I've had two dealerships that I've asked today refuse to do it. Crazy

Foosh

Are you talking alignment or lowering it for you?

A lot of dealers don't have the tool to adjust caster. That part number was listed on the spec sheet I posted above.

MikeyTX

Simply lowering it. They said it would affect the warranty. Go figure.

AORoads

Mike, I don't know if the MSRC is similar to the older one in C6s, but if it is, the dealers may not be all off base. Recall that compressing those shocks provides for less travel yet they still have to do the job. This may have compromised some of the older version MSRC shocks. I do know that the LGM ad says this about its "drop spindles": "this set of four spindles will allow you to lower the ride height of your Corvette 1 full inch over stock while retaining the full shock travel and correct suspension geometry."

It's possible that dealers have been warned about the reduced travel of the shock due to lowering, but I don't know that for certain.

MikeyTX

Could very well be. I know that my servicing dealer flat out refused to lower a new Grand Sport they delivered two weeks ago that came in today for the first oil change.

Patman

That's crazy that any dealer would claim it would affect the warranty! If GM was against this practice they wouldn't provide the simple adjustment for it in the first place! Lowering it on stock bolts doesn't even bring it down by a full inch, so it's not like you're talking about a 2 or 3 inch drop here that could have major repercussions.

MikeyTX

That's what I thought. Sadly, it seems more and more dealers are getting **** retentive as GM turns the screws on warranty issues.

BrunoTheMellow

it doesn't take but 5 minutes per wheel to do yourself or at a friend's place, a jack and a jack stand.

MikeyTX

Car will be at my servicing indie week after next. Guess I will have them do it while it is up in the air.

Newton06

^This.

I'm taking my car to Mike soon. He told me to lower using stock bolts, ride height has to be exactly measured; turning the bolts to stop is insufficient.

Also for the DSC, he said the corners have to be weighted.

I'm sure as I've gotten faster at VIR, my lowering via the stock bolts simply to stop has impacted overall vehicle performance in a negative manner.

Patman

One of the better ways to lower the ride height would be with drop spindles, that way the car sits an inch lower but still has the same shock travel as before. It's just too bad they cost $3000!

MikeyTX

Gotta agree. I may just leave it at the stock ride height.

thill444

I have MSRC and one of my first mods was to lower the car on the stock bolts. When I read about the reaplcement costs for the suspension on theses cars, I have decided to keep it stock. Quite honestly I absolutely love how this car handles in stock form...