time for Bilsteins; unsure about lowering
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
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time for Bilsteins; unsure about lowering
Odometer is turning over about 88k mi and the suspension as mushy as I'd like it to be...
I've swapped to Bilstein HD's before on a '95 TransAm and the difference was amazing. I'm planning on doing the same for the Vette but am aware that there are the HD's and the Sports.
Now, I'd love to rid some wheel gap but I drive this car 25k mi every year, everywhere, and ground clearance is already an issue at stock height.
My questions:
1) Would lowering an about an inch on the stock bolts create a lot more clearance issues than I already have? Or about the same; therefore, "go ahead and lower the car!"
2) If I keep it at stock height, should I opt for the HD's and not the Sports?
Thanks,
Brian
I've swapped to Bilstein HD's before on a '95 TransAm and the difference was amazing. I'm planning on doing the same for the Vette but am aware that there are the HD's and the Sports.
Now, I'd love to rid some wheel gap but I drive this car 25k mi every year, everywhere, and ground clearance is already an issue at stock height.
My questions:
1) Would lowering an about an inch on the stock bolts create a lot more clearance issues than I already have? Or about the same; therefore, "go ahead and lower the car!"
2) If I keep it at stock height, should I opt for the HD's and not the Sports?
Thanks,
Brian
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If you lower it, I can't see how it would not cause more problems if you are already having them at the stock height. I'd be very wary of lowering it any more.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,331
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From: Akron Ohio
Originally Posted by nite
2) You'll want to go with sports, either way.
1) A 1" drop will not make a noticable difference in everyday driving (as long as your current driving style isn't reminiscent of the Duke boys).
1) A 1" drop will not make a noticable difference in everyday driving (as long as your current driving style isn't reminiscent of the Duke boys).
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Gainesville Georgia
I didn't lower my Z because I don't want to drag the rubber piece any more than I already do. Plus I don't want the ride stiffer because during take off the weight wont transfer to the wheels like It would with a stock suspension setting & I would get less traction. Thats just my feelings about It though. I do think lowering my car would make It look alot better, as It would narrow the large gap In the wheel well. 
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Jackson Tn
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
Lowering it an inch is not really that much and the look is worth it. I did mine and I don't scrape anymore than it did before. With the sports your ride will be a little stiffer so this helps too.
Good Luck
Good Luck
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
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thanks for the responses -
my front frame rails and air dam take enough scrapage already at 1 mph entrances and exits at angles, of course. all sorts of crazy driveways around the greater los angeles area...
my front frame rails and air dam take enough scrapage already at 1 mph entrances and exits at angles, of course. all sorts of crazy driveways around the greater los angeles area...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Lake Oswego, Near Portland Oregon
The Bilstein H-D are nearly OEM stiffness and same length. They are offered as a general service item to restore stock base line ride qualities. The Bilstein Sports are valved stiffer for better handling, AND are a bit shorter to accomidate both stock ride height and lowered cars.with no risk of bottoming out the fluid damper piston in the tube.
Buy the Sports, not the H-D. Adjust your ride height to suit your roads, aesthetics, and handling needs. I had mine pretty slammed low , but raised it back up a bit because I was really banging up the underside. I have ZO6 springs, and found that the max 'lowering on stock bolts' did not go as low as the softer stock springs, After installing the ZO6 springs, I ended up with the Zo6 adjustmemts at the max lowered settings, which is still an inch lower than stock and almost an inch higher than the soft stock spring can go adjusted low on stock bolts.
good luck!
Buy the Sports, not the H-D. Adjust your ride height to suit your roads, aesthetics, and handling needs. I had mine pretty slammed low , but raised it back up a bit because I was really banging up the underside. I have ZO6 springs, and found that the max 'lowering on stock bolts' did not go as low as the softer stock springs, After installing the ZO6 springs, I ended up with the Zo6 adjustmemts at the max lowered settings, which is still an inch lower than stock and almost an inch higher than the soft stock spring can go adjusted low on stock bolts.
good luck!
Le Mans Master
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From: Palm Bay FL
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11
Originally Posted by nite
2) You'll want to go with sports, either way.
1) A 1" drop will not make a noticable difference in everyday driving (as long as your current driving style isn't reminiscent of the Duke boys).
1) A 1" drop will not make a noticable difference in everyday driving (as long as your current driving style isn't reminiscent of the Duke boys).
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
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Originally Posted by FiberglassFan
... Buy the Sports, not the H-D. Adjust your ride height to suit your roads, aesthetics, and handling needs. I had mine pretty slammed low , but raised it back up a bit because I was really banging up the underside. I have ZO6 springs, and found that the max 'lowering on stock bolts' did not go as low as the softer stock springs, After installing the ZO6 springs, I ended up with the Zo6 adjustmemts at the max lowered settings, which is still an inch lower than stock and almost an inch higher than the soft stock spring can go adjusted low on stock bolts.
good luck!
good luck!
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2004
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FYI - Lowered on stock bolts and went with the Bilstein Sports. Aligned to stock specs. I am EXTREMELY pleased with the results! The car is a beast; completely different cornering machine!
Also got A&A frame savers and rocker rails, and I use them a LOT. Great piece of mind.
Also got A&A frame savers and rocker rails, and I use them a LOT. Great piece of mind.
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