Lowering Bolts???
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 332
Likes: 0
From: Lees Summit Mo
Lowering Bolts???
My son is wanting to get me the front and rear lowering bolt kits for Christmas. I like the look of the lowered rides, just want to know if this will effect the alignment. Do I need to worry about re adjusting the alignment of either the front or rear after install??
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,123
Likes: 2
From: Humble TX
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12
Just lowered mine on stock bolts. I'll be taking it in for an alignment after I put some miles on it to let it settle. Of couse being winter, that could be quite some time.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
It may depend more on whether the car being lowered is a standard coupe/convertible or the Z06.
The latter had a more aggressive alignment from the factory, so lowering it may have more of a negative effect.
My car is lowered on oem bolts and bushings (3/4" maximum). My alignment was off significantly requiring the alignment after a few miles to settle.
It also depends on whether the car is lowered on oem bolts/bushings or longer bolts and/or cutting or complete removal of the bushings to enhance the effect.
The latter had a more aggressive alignment from the factory, so lowering it may have more of a negative effect.
My car is lowered on oem bolts and bushings (3/4" maximum). My alignment was off significantly requiring the alignment after a few miles to settle.
It also depends on whether the car is lowered on oem bolts/bushings or longer bolts and/or cutting or complete removal of the bushings to enhance the effect.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 9,420
Likes: 8
From: Southern New Jersey, The wet part at the bottom
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
Another issue is whether the car is an FE1 (base) suspension, or a Z51 suspension as to how low you will get on stock bolts. Either way, with the price of tires for the C5s a good 4 wheel computer alignment is always a good idea. IE; why do a half *** job to save about $90? Do it right or don't do it at all. A shorter body (Bilsteins where my choice) shock should be used also. Again, do it right, or just don't do it.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 332
Likes: 0
From: Lees Summit Mo
Lowering Bolts?????
Just to clairify...I am talking about the aftermarket lowering bolts. Not sure if there longer or what. The rear bolts come with new bushings. From what I read you should get up to 1 1/2" lower with these kits.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 18,681
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From: Reno is so close to Hell you can see Sparks , State Of Confusion
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
In general the aftermarket bolts will lower the car more than stock bolts. I would get an alinement for sure.
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Race Director
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From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Most of the kits are longer grade 8 bolts - and I believe they are 8" long as opposed to the stock 6" bolts. My opinion - lower it on the stock bolts first, and see how you like it. No need to buy anything to lower it on the stock ride height adjustment bolts. I would agree to get a good four-wheel alignment when done.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,811
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From: Simpsonville SC
Mine is lowered on longer bolts rear and I took out the front bolts. Yes i took them out, wanted as low as I can, I have no issue for over 4 years now. alignment is a MUST! Also you might want to consider better shocks too. heres some pics of mine
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 2,365
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver BC
Just so you know, even lowering on stock bolts will drop your Vette quite a bit. I scrape everywhere I go, even leaving my driveway (and my driveway is pretty much straight...). Of course with longer bolts, you have a bigger range to experiment with. 
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 180
Likes: 1
I replaced my OEM shocks and swaybars with C6 ZO6 shock and sways, and lowered the car on the stock bolts. Very nice ride and cornering. I am running General Exclaim UHP tires, and they stik very nice on Dry or Wet roads.
I agree that you need the correct tire for your driving conditions. Hard "runflats" are not going to work in cold climates, neither are short-fat tires. Look to the past for answers....
Not so many years ago, we all changed our tires in the Winter, to "snow tires".
If you must drive your Vette during the winter, then get yourself a set of Camaro wheels with snow tires on them or at least good all-weather tires.
JB.
I agree that you need the correct tire for your driving conditions. Hard "runflats" are not going to work in cold climates, neither are short-fat tires. Look to the past for answers....
Not so many years ago, we all changed our tires in the Winter, to "snow tires".
If you must drive your Vette during the winter, then get yourself a set of Camaro wheels with snow tires on them or at least good all-weather tires.
JB.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: La La land cali
St. Jude Donor '09
