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Lowering Back Only?

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Old Apr 3, 2008 | 03:04 PM
  #1  
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Default Lowering Back Only?

I want to lower the back (coupe) only, on stock bolts. Do not want to lower the front.

If I do the back only, do I have to realign?
Any performance issues doing back only?

If anyone has done this on a C5 coupe, please post a pic.

Thanks
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Old Apr 3, 2008 | 03:23 PM
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You should have the car aligned. But why lower the back only?
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Old Apr 3, 2008 | 03:33 PM
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Originally Posted by GRUNIE
You should have the car aligned. But why lower the back only?
The front, as it now stands at stock height, bottoms out too much already - dips in roads, driveways, etc. Fortunately the car was designed with the metal frame bars in front to take the brunt of the force. I have slammed them many times, and no harm done.

Also - I think the front looks OK @ stock height. But the back is way too high, and thought it would look ok just to lower the back.

PICS anyone (back only)?
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Old Apr 3, 2008 | 03:53 PM
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No pics but alignment will be a must!
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Old Apr 3, 2008 | 04:15 PM
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Besides the car looking awkward lowering the rear only, you should be fine WITHOUT getting an alignment if your only going down a little on stock bolts.
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Old Apr 3, 2008 | 04:19 PM
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Originally Posted by JTS97Z28
Besides the car looking awkward lowering the rear only, you should be fine WITHOUT getting an alignment if your only going down a little on stock bolts.
Don't think it would look awkward. Think it looks awkard NOW with butt sticking up in air.

PICS (back lowered only) anyone?
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Old Apr 3, 2008 | 04:23 PM
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Originally Posted by gkc501
Don't think it would look awkward. Think it looks awkard NOW with butt sticking up in air.

PICS (back lowered only) anyone?
Well I guess what I mean is unless something was changed on the car the back shouldn't be sitting significantly higher than the front it should be pretty much level.
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Old Apr 3, 2008 | 04:25 PM
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Not too many people lower just the back, but to each is their own. But you should definitely get an alignment once you adjust the rear suspension.
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Old Apr 3, 2008 | 06:47 PM
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it issue you will run into depends on how you drive. The car was designed for the back to be 1/2" - 3/4" higher than the front (it's called rake). This helps with high speed aerodynamic stability and handeling. Lowering the back only will also induce more understeer in a car that is already setup to understeer from the factory. As long as you know you're not going to be going over 100mph or not planning to take any curves hard, you're fine, but be advised that the rake is there for a reason.
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Old Apr 3, 2008 | 06:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Lancer033
it issue you will run into depends on how you drive. The car was designed for the back to be 1/2" - 3/4" higher than the front (it's called rake). This helps with high speed aerodynamic stability and handeling. Lowering the back only will also induce more understeer in a car that is already setup to understeer from the factory. As long as you know you're not going to be going over 100mph or not planning to take any curves hard, you're fine, but be advised that the rake is there for a reason.
Good info, now I know why back is higher. Since I love to push the Z51 (curves) and often do triple digits, guess I better leave well enough alone or lower all around.

Thanks
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Old Apr 3, 2008 | 07:30 PM
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Originally Posted by Lancer033
it issue you will run into depends on how you drive. The car was designed for the back to be 1/2" - 3/4" higher than the front (it's called rake). This helps with high speed aerodynamic stability and handeling. Lowering the back only will also induce more understeer in a car that is already setup to understeer from the factory. As long as you know you're not going to be going over 100mph or not planning to take any curves hard, you're fine, but be advised that the rake is there for a reason.
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Old Apr 3, 2008 | 09:54 PM
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Originally Posted by Lancer033
it issue you will run into depends on how you drive. The car was designed for the back to be 1/2" - 3/4" higher than the front (it's called rake). This helps with high speed aerodynamic stability and handeling. Lowering the back only will also induce more understeer in a car that is already setup to understeer from the factory. As long as you know you're not going to be going over 100mph or not planning to take any curves hard, you're fine, but be advised that the rake is there for a reason.
Mine is lowered with almost no rake. I have not had any problems with high spead or cornering. I have install Bilstien Sport shocks and a bumpsteer kit. This probably helped.
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Old Apr 5, 2008 | 03:44 AM
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Originally Posted by Lancer033
it issue you will run into depends on how you drive. The car was designed for the back to be 1/2" - 3/4" higher than the front (it's called rake). This helps with high speed aerodynamic stability and handeling. Lowering the back only will also induce more understeer in a car that is already setup to understeer from the factory. As long as you know you're not going to be going over 100mph or not planning to take any curves hard, you're fine, but be advised that the rake is there for a reason.
Absolutely correct! My lowered Z was aligned by shop that does race suspension work on Corvettes for GM. They set car with slight rake for better handling. Just get used to scraping the front spoiler.
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Old Apr 5, 2008 | 06:15 AM
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Originally Posted by gkc501
Good info, now I know why back is higher. Since I love to push the Z51 (curves) and often do triple digits, guess I better leave well enough alone or lower all around.

Thanks
The rake also helps with the airflow to go over the car instead of UNDER. Keep in mind that when you are accelerating, the front will rise up, too. Lowering only the rear will increase that effect. Higher airflow under the car at high speeds = Bad.

I lowered the car all around on the stock bolts and kept the stock rake angle, I think it did a good job at closing up the wheel gaps and the "high rear" while maintaining rake. 4 Wheel alignment is a must.

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