Lowered C4's
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 10,371
Likes: 3,384
From: Central TX
C5 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Lowered C4's
Our 94 is in need of an "attitude adjustment" and I'm trying to decide the best way to lower it within our budget. How many of you out there have lowered your C4's and how did you go about it? Photos of the finished product would be especially appreciated.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,179
Likes: 673
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
A coupla things to consider.
1. To get it down so it looks right, really reduces suspension travel degrading handling and ride quality.
2. The most shocks don't have the shorter travel length necessary for a dropped C4.
3. Consider only dropping half of what you think you need.
There are Tech Tips on the subject of lowering
IMHO The best overall change is going to coil over shocks.
Not the best shot but you get the idea..
1. To get it down so it looks right, really reduces suspension travel degrading handling and ride quality.
2. The most shocks don't have the shorter travel length necessary for a dropped C4.
3. Consider only dropping half of what you think you need.
There are Tech Tips on the subject of lowering
IMHO The best overall change is going to coil over shocks.
Not the best shot but you get the idea..
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,032
Likes: 204
From: Greenwood Indiana
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
I cut the rubber pads on the front spring to 1/2 thickness and I re-drilled the holes for the cotter-pins to the lowest possible point on the long bolts that hold the ends of the rear spring. (Longer bolts = lower rear end) 
Before (excuse old calendar pic)
After
Before (excuse old calendar pic)
After
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,556
Likes: 13
There is only one way to lower it while still using the stock ( not coilovers ) suspension
http://webpages.charter.net/khasting.../lowering.html
http://webpages.charter.net/khasting.../lowering.html
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,866
Likes: 60
From: Hellinois
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
Coilovers do have a minimum shock travel limitation but it is the best way albeit expensive. I've had my car lowered for years using the wedges & longer bolts but my recent upgrade to coilovers is far superior.
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Instructor
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 121
Likes: 4
From: Atlanta GA
There is only one way to lower it while still using the stock ( not coilovers ) suspension
http://webpages.charter.net/khasting.../lowering.html
http://webpages.charter.net/khasting.../lowering.html
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,768
Likes: 33
From: Van Steel Corvettes
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
Pre-coilovers with lowering wedges (although I'd suggest going with above) and longer rear bolts.
I only went to coilovers for autocrossing. Went with the same exact ride-height.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 10,371
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From: Central TX
C5 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Nice looking C4's in this thread. Coilovers would be my first choice but it's hard to justify $1,500-$2,000 right now. I'm going to look at VB&P's adjustable front spring for the front and longer bolts for the rear.
This is kind of the look what I'm shooting for,my former 90 ZR-1.
This is kind of the look what I'm shooting for,my former 90 ZR-1.
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Verdad Gallardo
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,751
Likes: 276
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Coilovers are the way to go for easy ride height adjustment, you will never look back.
You can remove the shims above the standard front spring but changing the standard composite leaf springs is time consuming.
The rear is easy to lower with longer bolts as other posters have said.
You have a choice of street coil overs or track type if you want double adjustable coilovers.
Adjust the ride height quick and easy using the special tool.
http://www.vansteel.com/index.cfm?fu...&SubGroup=1972
You can remove the shims above the standard front spring but changing the standard composite leaf springs is time consuming.
The rear is easy to lower with longer bolts as other posters have said.
You have a choice of street coil overs or track type if you want double adjustable coilovers.
Adjust the ride height quick and easy using the special tool.
http://www.vansteel.com/index.cfm?fu...&SubGroup=1972
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 10,371
Likes: 3,384
From: Central TX
C5 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Coilovers just aren't in the budget.
Winning,what did you do to drop your car so much?
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,186
Likes: 117
From: San Antonio Texas
My 96 has the Z51 suspension setup and I don't know if they are any lower than stock or not, but mine always had a bit of nose down stance. I put longer bolts in the rear spring hangers and it brought the car down to a more level look. Although it didn't change the fender to tire clearance at all in the front, lowering the rear seemed to pivot the spoiler at the front up just a bit so I don't scrape the driveway anymore.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 10,371
Likes: 3,384
From: Central TX
C5 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
I'm trying to avoid having to remove the spring,Mike. Don't want to cut the bushing,either. Man,that's a nasty job doing that.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,783
Likes: 15
From: Northern California
Shaved down stock center spring wedges and cut down the rubber spring pads on the end of the front springs.
Bought longer spring bolts to lower the rear.
Bought longer spring bolts to lower the rear.
Last edited by GKK; May 12, 2014 at 10:20 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 14,144
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From: Fremont Ca
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
There is only one way to lower it while still using the stock ( not coilovers ) suspension
http://webpages.charter.net/khasting.../lowering.html
http://webpages.charter.net/khasting.../lowering.html
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Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 858
Likes: 10
From: Chandler AZ
St Jude Donor '14
If you're on a budget disregard some of the more complicated responses you've gotten. Simply shave wedges and remove shims.
This is a Z51 car
After and with 19's vs the above pics 18's
This is a Z51 car
After and with 19's vs the above pics 18's
