When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
The C5 is lower for sure. I scrape the air dam over seemingly smooth roads... the C5 is so low the air dam is hinged by design. I know the air dam isn't what your concern is but the whole car is lower
Somewhere in Corvette from the Inside, Dave mentions something about minimum ground clearance requirements that were a standard for GM. Those standards had to be met for the C4. I think that changed at some point in the C4's run before the C5 came out.
The reason I'm asking is due to my driveway entrance. My southern CA urban housing tract was built in 1957. The cement driveway entrance that hits the sidewalk is at an unusual angle that scrapes on any low car. My stock '96 C4 only clears it if I drive slow and at a 40 or 45 degree angle when entering it. If I drive a little too fast or not at a great angle, metal scrapes on the bottom...not the plastic air dam strip which I was already forced to remove. A C5 would never make it up! If I want a C5 one day, and want to park it in a garage, I'd have to move to a different house.
The C5 may be lower, but in stock form is still made to navigate the majority of US roadways without damage. My driveway has a steep lip as well and I’ve had both regular and Z06 c5s in and out and it doesnt seem to take any more caution than my 94 does. Either one will scrape a little on the front air dam, but nothing else on the car hits. If in doubt, test drive one before you buy and take it home to see if it will clear or not!
The reason I'm asking is due to my driveway entrance. My southern CA urban housing tract was built in 1957. The cement driveway entrance that hits the sidewalk is at an unusual angle that scrapes on any low car. My stock '96 C4 only clears it if I drive slow and at a 40 or 45 degree angle when entering it. If I drive a little too fast or not at a great angle, metal scrapes on the bottom...not the plastic air dam strip which I was already forced to remove. A C5 would never make it up! If I want a C5 one day, and want to park it in a garage, I'd have to move to a different house.
Also just a quick word of caution, the front air dam is an integral part of the cooling system that directs air up and into the radiator. Your car may maintain temps fine without it, but I’d keep a close eye on coolant temps to be sure.
St. Jude Donor '05-'06,'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22-'23
C5 has less overall clearance in stock form but it also has a better airdamn as it takes a TON of abuse before shredding apart. I lowered both my C4s and my C5Z to the max using aftermarket bolts and the C5Z is still lower as well
Also just a quick word of caution, the front air dam is an integral part of the cooling system that directs air up and into the radiator. Your car may maintain temps fine without it, but I’d keep a close eye on coolant temps to be sure.
I see this said all the time but the lower valance/air dam has been MIA for 2 yrs. My car is lowered and has 5" of clearance so the air dam eventually ground itself off. Have not had any issues and my cruising temp is 170 deg.
I see this said all the time but the lower valance/air dam has been MIA for 2 yrs. My car is lowered and has 5" of clearance so the air dam eventually ground itself off. Have not had any issues and my cruising temp is 170 deg.
Works for me, and good to know from first hand experience. I’ve always heard that about the air dam, and have had no reason to mess with mine thus far, but It’s good to know from someone who’s actually done it.
Works for me, and good to know from first hand experience. I’ve always heard that about the air dam, and have had no reason to mess with mine thus far, but It’s good to know from someone who’s actually done it.
[QUOTE Also just a quick word of caution, the front air dam is an integral part of the cooling system that directs air up and into the radiator. Your car may maintain temps fine without it, but I’d keep a close eye on coolant temps to be sure.[/QUOTE] My engine temps have been quite normal. I haven't raced my Vette and haven't taken it on any trips longer than 70 miles, however. Everything seems cool without the damn air dam
Waxers may never need the extra cooling capacity afforded by the air dam. Warriors pushing their cars to the limits of its ability, doing twisties in mountains or hot days on the track APPRECIATE the air dam.....Just sayin.
11-02-2018, 11:17 AM
Ground clearance of C5 compared to C4
