I haven't read many posts of people cutting the rear bushings to lower the rear of their car. I did so this weekend because I had a difficult time finding longer bolts without buying the $50 kit. So far, after 2 days of driving, the ride is slightly rougher, but not unacceptable. Has anyone else done this and been satisfied? Has anyone does so, and then changed to longer bolts with uncut bushing?
I like the way it looks, and I'm surprised it hasn't been mentioned very much. I also cut 2/3 of the fronts bushings. Still waiting for it to settle all the way. I'll take pictures and measure ride heights this evening. If anyone wants to see pics, I can post those too.

 

ttt

 

i took off the bushing in the front and back completely because there is no other way to get it that low. the car runs fine just a few noises when i turn in reverse but no big deal.

 

Here's what I measured today after cutting 2/3 front bushings and 1/3 from top and bottom bushings of both bolts in rear.

Measured at each jacking point on the rocker panels:

LF=3-15/16"
RF=4-1/4"
LR=4-5/16"
RR=4-1/4"

So, does this mean that I would have to RAISE the LF 5/16", RAISE the LR 3/16", and RAISE the RR 1/4" to balance left to right and maintain a 1/4" rake from front to back?

Or could I remove the RF bolt completely to compensate for the 5/16" higher side, and then be able to leave the rears where they are?

Anyone know how much you can drop by removing a 2/3 cut bushing? 5/16" by any chance??

 

Here's the lowering progression. First picture is stock setting. Second picture is lowered on stock bolts only. Third picture is lowered on cut bushings front and rear.

Front


Rear


Overall

 

Check my sig photo. No front bolts / cut 2/3 off rear bushing.....

Low is the ONLY way to go ! ! ! ! !

Your Z looks awesome. I love that Electron Blue ! ! !

Mark

 

Buddy, your car is not sitting square at all. First thing to do is make sure your usuing a good level floor. Get a 4ft level and lay it behind the tires to the place your measuring. You would be supprised at what you might find. I had to find one spot on my floor and mark it. That's where I do all my measuring. Use a full tank of gas too.

Next, make sure the front is square across. I did this by measuring the leaf spring to the A arm with it jacked up off the stand a little. (one side at a time) With the front springs set the same across the front, you can adjust the square with the rear because it's easier to get to them. Think of it like the car is a table and the wheels are the legs. If your measuring on a true level floor, your car right now is rocking on the RF and LR. You do what ever you have to do on the rear to get the front level (within 1/16") and get about 1/8"-1/4" rake in the car. On mine I have two different length bolts in the rear.

Remember, when the car is sitting square from the frame to the floor, it's square no matter what the bolts look like. Another way to tell is jacking up on the rear and see if both rear tires come off the floor about the same time. If not, you have some wedge in the car.

I made a simple tool to get very accurate measuements taking a short piece of threaded rod with a washer and nut. Stick the rod into the frame points and run the nut up to the frame then measure the nut to the end of the rod. Works great.

If you have any questions, PM me. I have over 10 yrs experiance working on stockcars and setting them up. lol

 

I cut both the front and back bushings on mine!

 

looks good

 

Thanks vintage driver for the tips. I'll have to do some fine tuning to get her sitting right.

Thanks for the other comments from everyone!

 

Hum, Mine looks as low as yours but I did not have to cut the bushings. We just took her to the max with with a thread or two left showing for safety.

In the sig she is setting lower because of the Hoosier tires. but on streets it still looks as low as yours. Check the fender to tire clearance in my sig, it looks like I have less than yours.

 

Wow, yours does look low for only lowering on stock bolts. Maybe I just have unusually tall fenders (read: GM tolerances). Either way, it looks like I'll have to raise up the rear to get the right stance. I do love the way it looks, most people that aren't Corvette crazy just don't understand why I would go even lower than it already is.