[Z06] Help lowering 03 Z w/pic
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,546
Likes: 30
From: WENTZVILLE MO
Help lowering 03 Z w/pic
I know do the search on the subject, etc, etc. I have tried that but with limited results. I know the info is out there but I am having a hard time for some reason.
Here's the dilema. I just put CCW 505's 19 30 275's and 19 30 305's on the car. I had already lowered the car on stock bolts. I had stock size wheels and tires on before. The 17 40's on the front are actually alittle taller than the new 19's creating even more of a gap (not much more). Now I want the proper stance with the CCW's.
My options as I see it are to
1. Cut front bushings, but how much will I gain? I need about another 3/4 inch in front and quarter to half in rear.
2.Maybe bilstein shocks???? What else would need to be done to get the desired look?
3. Pfadt coilover system. Not really for me since I do not autocross but may be a last resort.
Here's the dilema. I just put CCW 505's 19 30 275's and 19 30 305's on the car. I had already lowered the car on stock bolts. I had stock size wheels and tires on before. The 17 40's on the front are actually alittle taller than the new 19's creating even more of a gap (not much more). Now I want the proper stance with the CCW's.
My options as I see it are to
1. Cut front bushings, but how much will I gain? I need about another 3/4 inch in front and quarter to half in rear.
2.Maybe bilstein shocks???? What else would need to be done to get the desired look?
3. Pfadt coilover system. Not really for me since I do not autocross but may be a last resort.
Former Vendor
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 5,261
Likes: 1
From: The Presidential Suite Elite Street, MD
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
I added 19/20's combo, and completly removed the front bolts and cut 2/3 of the rear bushings and left about 3-4 threads showing in the rear and I love the stance... 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 6,674
Likes: 57
From: Mt Pleasant, TN
I had cut bushings in the front and longer bolts in back before I put coilovers on and it was just slightly taller than those pictured above. Doing so you will get the look you want, but snice you are taking away some of the shock travel it may or may not bother you with the harsher ride. To help with that the best option is the Pfadt sport shocks but a cheaper but not quite as good option (still better than stock) is the Bilstein sports.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,546
Likes: 30
From: WENTZVILLE MO
I am just concerned with removing bolts and bushings. I may cut the front bushings but if i leave the bolts in how much lower will the car go? Would Bilstein Sport shocks reduce the height any?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 6,674
Likes: 57
From: Mt Pleasant, TN
The shocks will not lower the car at all. It goes pretty low with the bushings cut. Also just for reference the coilovers are not just for auto-x/road racing, they make to car ride a lot better. The car doesnt hop all over the place over large bumps and absorbs a lot of the bumps in the a lot better.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,082
Likes: 0
From: Richardson Texas
I ran into the same problem and I have the same tire size's. Look at the zip corvettes C6 lowering bolt kit. You change all 4 bolts out and it will allow you to go lower without cutting bushings or removing the bolts.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,546
Likes: 30
From: WENTZVILLE MO
Thanks for info. I just don't understand how the front C6 bolts get the car lower. Mine are into the bushings now.
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Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 445
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From: Mesa AZ
If you have the money for the coilover set up DO IT. Its well worth the money, I have mine set up kind of harsh(setting 9 as Pfadt recommends 6 for street use) and even my mom commented on how nice the car rode, which is definitely saying something. You will get a better ride overall no matter what you are doing if you go with the coilovers.
I was dropped as low as I could go on my bolts and the car rode like total crap(compared to the coilovers), even with only 18k miles on the shocks/springs. Updated the shocks to something more sportier will help but it wont increase the actual shock travel you have when lowered on them, so in my opinion they are not worth the money.
I was dropped as low as I could go on my bolts and the car rode like total crap(compared to the coilovers), even with only 18k miles on the shocks/springs. Updated the shocks to something more sportier will help but it wont increase the actual shock travel you have when lowered on them, so in my opinion they are not worth the money.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,082
Likes: 0
From: Richardson Texas
The C6 bolts are different on the front and low you to lower the car more. Honestly I did my factory fronts all the way down and longer ones in the rear and have a very low car.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2007
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From: WENTZVILLE MO
That's the thing, in the pic the front is as far as the stocks will go and in the rear I got 3 threads left. i had another vette and i bought longer rears a while back and never installed them. So i have longer rears but this front is not low enough. I might start with the C6 bolts in the front and see what happens.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,082
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From: Richardson Texas
I have had several people tell me to go with the C6. I ordered the C6 but so far have only used the rear's.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,546
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From: WENTZVILLE MO
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 444
Likes: 6
From: Richmond Texas
Go to www.westcoastcorvette.com and buy the front and rear kit. The rear will allow you to go as low and possible and the front will bring you down about 1/2" lower than you are now. Only other option is to ride on a hacked up stock bolt bushing or completely remove. I personally have removed the front and have no issues whatsoever.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,546
Likes: 30
From: WENTZVILLE MO
Right on. Really don't want to cut bushings. I have dealt with WCC on other parts. Will give them a call. What is your opinion about the stock shocks when the car is lowered this much?
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,366
Likes: 249
From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
I don't want to be a wise *** and I'm not trying to insult your abilities, but are you sure you did the lowering correctly? Before you start trying everyone's ideas I would be certain about your initial job. The reason I say this is because from your pictures your car looks like it might even be higher than stock. If you lowered it correctly I can't imagine how high it must have been. My Z was lower than that before I lowered it and after adjusting the bolts all the way down there is very little space between the tire and the fender edge. Your car should be much lower if it is lowered. Just a thought to help, not harass. BTW, after lowering I cut my front bushings in half. My car is alot lower than stock and I wouldn't lower it any more. It scrapes plenty now. I don't mind that but if any lower there are places where I wouldn't be able to enter driveways and such. I'm also running 18" wheels front and rear if that matters. When you get the lowering straightened out, you might want to consider the little wheels for the front bars and the rub strips for the rocker panels. I hope I've been helpful and not offensive.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,546
Likes: 30
From: WENTZVILLE MO
No offense taken. Here's what I have deducted with this car. First, this is my 2nd vette that I lowered and I did double check it. When I had the stock 17 40's on the front and I lowered it it did come down alittle. Enough that I would barely scrap in my drive way. I did buy the "frame savers" and those are going on this week. When I took the stock tires off the car and put them up to the CCW 19 30's the 17's were actually alittle taller. I believe this difference has created a little more of a gap. It's crazy but there is no adjustment left on fronts right now. I am getting the WCC kit and trying that.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,797
Likes: 52
From: Boise
Cut the bushings in the front and get longer bolts in the rear. Cutting the front bushings will get you the lowest ride possible while still keeping your front bolts in.
Cut stock bushings up front will get you at least 1/8" lower than running the C6 lowering bolts, or another aftermarket front kit
Cut stock bushings up front will get you at least 1/8" lower than running the C6 lowering bolts, or another aftermarket front kit
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 248
Likes: 0
From: Pine Beach NJ
I got the kit for the rear so I could lower as much as I want and for the front I removed the front bolts completely. However, when I did so I got a creaking noise so i cut a peice of plexiglass and put that in between the A-arm and the leaf spring to stop the noise and it worked. The plexi is very very thin so it really didnt affect the ride height much either!