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Lowering my C5?????

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Old May 9, 2009 | 03:52 PM
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Default Lowering my C5?????

Whats up guys,

I am what you can consider a newb when it comes to Corvette's. I recently purchased a 2002 C5 convertible vet and i have been thinking of put wheels on it ( 19in 20in set up), problem is i refuse to put wheels on my car without lowering the suspension, in my opinion i think it looks bad and it should be lowered to close up the gap a bit from tire to fender. Now my question is what method of lowering are you all using out there? are you just lowering on the stock bolts or are you guys buying the aftermarket bolts to lower the suspension? Also how is the ride quality once lowered? and what is the maximum that you can recommend lowering without suffering with the ride quality?

Thanks for any input
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Old May 9, 2009 | 05:01 PM
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I lowered mine on stock bolts and did not cut the bushings, I have a C6 lowering kit I was going to install, But as it is now I have to be careful how I handle speed bumps and driveways.

This is on stock bolts with stock 17x9.5 front and 18x10.5 rear.
Bill K

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Old May 9, 2009 | 05:07 PM
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19" rubber all around and fully lowered on stock front bolts WITH the bushings cut...and on the rear, I bought longer bolts so I could go another 1/4" lower. This will give you a good reference to Bill K's pic above

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Old May 9, 2009 | 05:08 PM
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I live in a real world where there are parking lot speed bumps and alligators and potholes to live with on the roadways. I believe in function over form.

I lowered the maximum 3/4" that GM suggested on oem bolts and w/o cutting the bushings...

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Old May 9, 2009 | 06:23 PM
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speed bumps and driveways will become your enemy And when parking, make sure you don't crack the front bumper if the parking space has a barrier/sidewalk up front...
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Old May 9, 2009 | 07:25 PM
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Originally Posted by Bill K
I lowered mine on stock bolts and did not cut the bushings, I have a C6 lowering kit I was going to install, But as it is now I have to be careful how I handle speed bumps and driveways.

This is on stock bolts with stock 17x9.5 front and 18x10.5 rear.
Bill K

Very nice.... How is the ride quality? lowered on the stock bolts?
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Old May 9, 2009 | 07:26 PM
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Originally Posted by 4GTABODT
19" rubber all around and fully lowered on stock front bolts WITH the bushings cut...and on the rear, I bought longer bolts so I could go another 1/4" lower. This will give you a good reference to Bill K's pic above

I love the wheels. Did you have to go in for an alignment or any type of camber kit after lowering it that much?
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Old May 9, 2009 | 07:28 PM
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Originally Posted by hotwheels57
I live in a real world where there are parking lot speed bumps and alligators and potholes to live with on the roadways. I believe in function over form.

I lowered the maximum 3/4" that GM suggested on oem bolts and w/o cutting the bushings...

I have to say it looks great and i would love to have a drop like yours. What type of reference did you use to drop the car on stock bolts? did you do it yourself or did you take it in somewhere?
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Old May 9, 2009 | 09:36 PM
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Originally Posted by 02blkvert
I have to say it looks great and i would love to have a drop like yours. What type of reference did you use to drop the car on stock bolts? did you do it yourself or did you take it in somewhere?
you can do it in the driveway with a regular floor jack in less than a hour. i lowered mine on stock bolts w/o cutting anything. i put off doing it cause i thought that it was gonna be a bitch, kicked myself after i did it cause i waited so long. there are some good instructions here , do a search.
ps.. sig pic the car is not lowered yet just loaded down on vacation
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Old May 10, 2009 | 09:45 AM
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Is alignment an issue after lowering it on stock bolts?
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Old May 10, 2009 | 09:50 AM
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Originally Posted by 02blkvert
Very nice.... How is the ride quality? lowered on the stock bolts?
I really didn't notice any change to speak of.
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Old May 10, 2009 | 09:50 AM
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Originally Posted by 02blkvert
I love the wheels. Did you have to go in for an alignment or any type of camber kit after lowering it that much?
You'll get mixed responses on whether or not you should do an alignment after lowering the car as much as I did. I just leaned on the side of caution and got it done anyways as I had the car for 4 years up to that point and hadn't done anything with the alignment
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Old May 10, 2009 | 09:52 AM
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Originally Posted by 02blkvert
Is alignment an issue after lowering it on stock bolts?
I would recommend driving it 75-100 miles and then get it aligned. When I lowered mine and got an alignment, all 4 corners needed a touch up

Chuck
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Old May 10, 2009 | 09:53 AM
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Originally Posted by csexton
I would recommend driving it 75-100 miles and then get it aligned. When I lowered mine and got an alignment, all 4 corners needed a touch up

Chuck

Real good advice and ya, all 4 corners needed a touch up on mine too
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Old May 10, 2009 | 09:55 AM
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Thanks for all your input guys....
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