[Z06] Lowering a Z06
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
From: Murfreesboro TN
Lowering a Z06
I will be getting a 2003 Z06 soon.
This car will just be a toy and not driven that much, mostly on weekends.
I like the lowered look, but I am concerned about the car's ground clearance.
I still want to be able to go over normal size speed bumps without dragging.
How much (if any) can I lower the car?
This car will just be a toy and not driven that much, mostly on weekends.
I like the lowered look, but I am concerned about the car's ground clearance.
I still want to be able to go over normal size speed bumps without dragging.
How much (if any) can I lower the car?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
From: Murfreesboro TN
Originally Posted by SliderZ28
Until it drags 
...but I'd stick with the stock lowering bolts. You can go all the way with them and still have moderate clearance
...but I'd stick with the stock lowering bolts. You can go all the way with them and still have moderate clearanceI've seen lowering bolt kits that are very cheap, what are the advantages to these? Just able to go lower?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,920
Likes: 2
From: North Bend WA
Even at bone stock ride height (3" tire to fender gap...very unsightly I know) I am amazed at how low this car is. I hit the rubber molding under the bumper quite regularly despite being careful. You'll really notice how low the car is when you go to lift it for any routine maintenance too! 
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
From: Murfreesboro TN
Originally Posted by Steve Theodore
Even at bone stock ride height (3" tire to fender gap...very unsightly I know) I am amazed at how low this car is. I hit the rubber molding under the bumper quite regularly despite being careful. You'll really notice how low the car is when you go to lift it for any routine maintenance too!
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,713
Likes: 0
From: Albany Oregon
Originally Posted by dlh1974
I also plan on getting some larger aftermarket wheels, maybe this will also help with the fender gap.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,538
Likes: 9
From: Pasadena, CA
Originally Posted by Steve Theodore
Even at bone stock ride height (3" tire to fender gap...very unsightly I know) I am amazed at how low this car is. I hit the rubber molding under the bumper quite regularly despite being careful. You'll really notice how low the car is when you go to lift it for any routine maintenance too!
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Winchester TN
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'11
Hi dlh1974 -
In my experience, you can lower to the stock limits without causing too much added aggravation -
Realistically, the air-deflector under the nose of the car will scrape occasionally on even a stock height car - so this part will make more contact when you go the approx. 1" on the stock limits.
Since it is so easy to lower it and then raise it back up - I would suggest going to the stock limits and try that for a while.
If you go with aftermarket rear bolts and cut bushings up front, you WILL get a much harsher ride and will put the rockers more at risk on peaks found in pavement transitions (like the top of a sloping drive where the garage pavement levels off).
I have never scraped the front fascia, radiator supports, or the rockers on either of my cars as a result of lowering on stock bolts.
Any more, I think the cars that have "as-delivered" ride height adjustment look funny.
best regards -
mqqn
In my experience, you can lower to the stock limits without causing too much added aggravation -
Realistically, the air-deflector under the nose of the car will scrape occasionally on even a stock height car - so this part will make more contact when you go the approx. 1" on the stock limits.
Since it is so easy to lower it and then raise it back up - I would suggest going to the stock limits and try that for a while.
If you go with aftermarket rear bolts and cut bushings up front, you WILL get a much harsher ride and will put the rockers more at risk on peaks found in pavement transitions (like the top of a sloping drive where the garage pavement levels off).
I have never scraped the front fascia, radiator supports, or the rockers on either of my cars as a result of lowering on stock bolts.
Any more, I think the cars that have "as-delivered" ride height adjustment look funny.
best regards -
mqqn
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,331
Likes: 2
From: Akron Ohio
Originally Posted by jfrc
my front lowering bolts are removed
and its still not low enough for me
about another 1 - 1.5" would be perfect
any tricks, other than coilovers?
and its still not low enough for me
about another 1 - 1.5" would be perfect
any tricks, other than coilovers?
Instructor
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 155
Likes: 2
From: Lenexa KS
I was totally happy with mine lowered on the factory bolts until I got new rims/tires. I belive the problem that the Kumho tires are more rounded over on the edges so it give the illusion that is sits higher. So I just went extreme and removed the front bolts and longer rears. I drag pretty good about one a month on odd driveways and parking lots. And I am always really careful going in at angles and such. But I haven't torn anything up; I just get used to that aweful scraping sound.
Like the others said, try the stock bolts out. You can lower it in about 1/2 an hour or so. But give it a few days for the shocks to settle in to the new height. Below is my now:
Like the others said, try the stock bolts out. You can lower it in about 1/2 an hour or so. But give it a few days for the shocks to settle in to the new height. Below is my now:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,228
Likes: 5
From: Gainesville Georgia
I was thinking of doing that because of the gaps In the wheel wells. Two reason's why I didn't #1= I don't want to be scaping the rubber piece any more than I already do. #2= If you lower the car It will most likely be stiffer and there would be less weight transfer to the rear wheels during take off~which would mean less traction which Is limited anyway. -Just my opinion *Lowered does look better though
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,936
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From: Las Vegas NV
According to the engineers who developed the vehicle, 20mm down is the sweet spot in the stock shock's valve specifications for optimum handling. Any further lowering is detrimental. This comes out to roughly 6 turns on the adjustment bolts.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,501
Likes: 1
From: TAMPA BAY FL.
I thought mine was stock height until I parked next to a guy with the same year Z and his was higher than mine. I have no idea how much they lowered it although its not enough yet, in my opinion, but I fear going lower will cause me problems as I am in some hilly country.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 31
From: Allentown PA & Elk Twp NJ HPDE Addict
Originally Posted by Twil1ght
According to the engineers who developed the vehicle, 20mm down is the sweet spot in the stock shock's valve specifications for optimum handling. Any further lowering is detrimental. This comes out to roughly 6 turns on the adjustment bolts.
Going beyond that may have an adverse effect. Also if you plan to track the car, based on a recent discussion here, going too low has a negative impact on air flow under the car.
Instructor
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 155
Likes: 2
From: Lenexa KS
I don't track my car (auto or drag) so I did it just for looks. I don't push my car enough on the street to worry about the effects myself. But if all you guys push your car to the limit on the streets (as everyone talks like they do) than don't lower it past the factory bolts! Other than a rougher ride I don't think anyone can say it makes a huge difference in handling for driving on the street.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,936
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas NV
Well it is going to depend on how you drive it. If you defeat the capabilities of the shocks by dropping it to low-rider status and you put the car in a corner and encounter a surface irregularity - via con dios. If you aren't interested in performance driving, then by all means drop it down and put some switches in it. 
Instructor
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 155
Likes: 2
From: Lenexa KS
Adding a thousand pounds of pumps and batteries is a little more extreme than just lowering the car an extra half an inch. I drive my car hard on the street and feel just as comfortable with it lowered as I did with it stock. If you are pushing the limit on the street so far that you can notice a difference in an extra half inch you are going to end up in the ditch even with stock ride height.