C3 General General C3 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Ride height

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 29, 2009 | 06:47 PM
  #1  
LIQUIDDRAGON's Avatar
LIQUIDDRAGON
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,063
Likes: 1
From: Beverly Massachusetts
Default Ride height

I took the exhaust off of my car from the cat back because i have to drop my gas tank to run new hard lines. anyways i thought i knew what my ride height was from memory BUT i was wrong. anyways here is what i measured and i was wanting to know what everyone else has and what is the stock ride height suppose to be.

highest point of front wheel well to ground = 25.5"
highest point of rear wheel well to ground = 28.75"

lowest point of frame just before it kicks up behing front wheel = 5.5"
lowest point of frame directly in front of rear wheel = 6.75"

what are you getting and where is the most correct spot to measure if i didnt use the correct spots.

Reply
Old Mar 29, 2009 | 07:09 PM
  #2  
Alan 71's Avatar
Alan 71
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 120 Days
Community Influencer
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,221
Likes: 4,312
From: Westminster Maryland
Default

Hi LD,
For 71 coupe factory was.... rear 27.91" and front was 27.91". Varied a little with A/C. At the high point of the wheel well opening.
Regards,
Alan

Last edited by Alan 71; Mar 29, 2009 at 07:12 PM.
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2009 | 08:38 PM
  #3  
TheSkunkWorks's Avatar
TheSkunkWorks
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Default

The most correct height specs by which to go are, first and foremost, the Z and D chassis heights, which are not effected by incorrect tires or body/chassis mount irregularities. Until you know where you are on these two fundamental specs, it's hard to accurately quantify any other height measurements other than for appearances, IMHO.


This may or may not be complete...




TSW
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2009 | 10:39 PM
  #4  
LIQUIDDRAGON's Avatar
LIQUIDDRAGON
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,063
Likes: 1
From: Beverly Massachusetts
Default

Originally Posted by TheSkunkWorks
The most correct height specs by which to go are, first and foremost, the Z and D chassis heights, which are not effected by incorrect tires or body/chassis mount irregularities. Until you know where you are on these two fundamental specs, it's hard to accurately quantify any other height measurements other than for appearances, IMHO.


This may or may not be complete...



TSW
i can probably get my D reading BUT there is no way for me to get the Z reading on my car without getting it on a full lift and measuring it from under the car. the stock front spoiler on my car is 4" from the ground in the center and 4.5" from the ground on the ends which makes it impossible to get under my car from the front. so right now my P reading is 25.5" and the R reading is 28.75". i will have to re-check these reading because i just got the car off of the ramps and didnt move it so it is sitting higher than usual.
Reply
Old Mar 30, 2009 | 02:51 AM
  #5  
TheSkunkWorks's Avatar
TheSkunkWorks
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Default

Well, from where you are currently, it's fairly obvious you've got adjustment(s) to make anyway. Shy of starting with Z & D, I suggest taking into account any variation between OEM tires and what you have now to arrive at "corrected" P & R heights to get you into the ball park without significantly throwing off suspension geometry.
Reply
Old Mar 30, 2009 | 08:21 AM
  #6  
LIQUIDDRAGON's Avatar
LIQUIDDRAGON
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,063
Likes: 1
From: Beverly Massachusetts
Default

Originally Posted by TheSkunkWorks
Well, from where you are currently, it's fairly obvious you've got adjustment(s) to make anyway. Shy of starting with Z & D, I suggest taking into account any variation between OEM tires and what you have now to arrive at "corrected" P & R heights to get you into the ball park without significantly throwing off suspension geometry.
im actually lowering the car from stock. i have the front where i want it and once i get the new rear suspension in i will be setting it up for 26.5" so that i have a 1" rake in the car. oh and that is after i get the new body mounts in as well which will be more towards the end of the year i think ............ maybe sooner. i was just curious what the stock height was suppose to be to know how much i have lowered it. my body mounts are pretty much gone so i know the will affect my ride height if i go by the fender measurements so once i get it all said and done with new body mounts my goal is to get the front at 25.5" and the rear to 26.5"
Reply
Old Mar 30, 2009 | 01:18 PM
  #7  
TheSkunkWorks's Avatar
TheSkunkWorks
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Default

For lowering purposes, especially since your mounts are "gone", the Z & D really are the right specs, as you are altering suspension geometry, intentionally or not. To end up with ~1" P to R rake after new mounts you'll be at ~0.5-0.6" Z to D difference. FWIW, the Chevy Power RR recommended specs of 1-1.25" Z & 1.25" D result in from ~1/2" to ~3/4" P to R rake, so you won't be far from that.

However, unless you've very short tires, your current P of 25.5" indicates you've really slammed the nose. Two things to watch for out back when lowering very much are not to end up with the diff so low that 1) the half shafts sit at or below level from the outer stub axles towards the diff, as with any suspension travel in squat or bump dynamic alignment will move towards toe out under acceleration or during cornering; an undesirable condition, or 2) U's bind and break in squat or bump... Compensating for these issues is why you see occasional threads about raising the diff in the chassis.


Last edited by TheSkunkWorks; Mar 30, 2009 at 01:20 PM.
Reply
Old Mar 30, 2009 | 03:04 PM
  #8  
LIQUIDDRAGON's Avatar
LIQUIDDRAGON
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,063
Likes: 1
From: Beverly Massachusetts
Default

Originally Posted by TheSkunkWorks
For lowering purposes, especially since your mounts are "gone", the Z & D really are the right specs, as you are altering suspension geometry, intentionally or not. To end up with ~1" P to R rake after new mounts you'll be at ~0.5-0.6" Z to D difference. FWIW, the Chevy Power RR recommended specs of 1-1.25" Z & 1.25" D result in from ~1/2" to ~3/4" P to R rake, so you won't be far from that.

However, unless you've very short tires, your current P of 25.5" indicates you've really slammed the nose. Two things to watch for out back when lowering very much are not to end up with the diff so low that 1) the half shafts sit at or below level from the outer stub axles towards the diff, as with any suspension travel in squat or bump dynamic alignment will move towards toe out under acceleration or during cornering; an undesirable condition, or 2) U's bind and break in squat or bump... Compensating for these issues is why you see occasional threads about raising the diff in the chassis.

im running 245/45/17 up front and 255/50/17 in the rear. once i get the new rear suspension in the car my plan is to get the rear end setup so that the differential will sit just above level on the half shafts so when i do things like you expained i dont get toe out which does cause unwanted stress on the differential and half shafts. i wanted to put off redoing the rear suspension till next spring becuase i was planning on ordering offset trailing arms and doing it all at once but since i have my gas tank out again so that i can run a new hard line for the gas i think i might take out the current suspension and replace it with the new stuff that i already have.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-7

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Mar 31, 2009 | 08:55 AM
  #9  
LFZ's Avatar
LFZ
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 30,183
Likes: 313
From: Lake Norman NC
Default

Your front is really low...at that height, you might rip off the fender lip. (I know, because I did it.)
Reply
Old Mar 31, 2009 | 10:34 AM
  #10  
LIQUIDDRAGON's Avatar
LIQUIDDRAGON
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,063
Likes: 1
From: Beverly Massachusetts
Default

Originally Posted by American Psycho
Your front is really low...at that height, you might rip off the fender lip. (I know, because I did it.)
my tires clear my fender lips the tops of my tires are just above the lip right now and i can stick my hand between the tire and the lip.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Ride height





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:56 AM.

story-0
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-2
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE