The rear height seems to fluctuate more from the factory; there is after all a human that is doing the screwing on that rear bolt...

 

Front bolts went bye-bye...




Maybe that whole 4-wheeler stock Z06 thingy is more obvious on a silver car?



Who knows? Just pull them bolts out like wisdom teeth.

 

I'm not sure why it was so high. I certainly noticed it after I lowerd the max on stock bolts it and took the second pic ! It gave the car an entirely different and better look I thought.

I got mine aligned at a dealer at about $90. They completely screwed it up and after a year my stockers were ruined on the insides of all 4 tires . I could see the belts showing on a few of my tires on the insides. After I got my CCW wheels, I went to the local Porsche RUFF dealer (that other Corvette owners recommended) and they did it right for $175. Sometimes it pays to get it done "right". I did not want to take a chance on my brand new tires.

Feel free to ask me as many Q's as you have Nate. I just hope I can help answer your questions. I'm no pro at this stuff, just learning from the forum as you are. I love messing with this stuff on my own in my garage. Its a fun hobby.

Yes the C6 bolts lowered my front another 1/2". The longer rear bolts would allow me to drop it a bunch more if I wanted, but it was not needed.

Your exactly right Nate. The CCW wheels I added were "slightly" larger than my stock Z06 wheels (see below). My new CCW setup also slightly helped "fill in" the wheel wells which added to the look I think.

Front
Stock Z06 = 265/40/17 = (Circumference = 2022mm)(Diameter 644mm)
CCW Setup = 275/30/19 = (Circumference = 2038mm)(Diameter 649mm)

Rear
Stock Z06 = 295/35/18 = (Circumference = 2082mm)(Diameter 663mm)
CCW Setup = 305/30/19 = (Circumference = 2094mm)(Diameter 667mm)

New tire setup:
Front --> Increased the Circumference by only 16mm (Diameter 5mm)
Rear --> Increased the Circumference by only 12mm (Diameter 4mm)

I lowered the front the MAX on the C6 bolts, then adjusted the rears until both sides were equal. It took a couple of weeks for me to really dial it in "perfectly". I had to measure the rear fenders to the floor then make adjustments to the rear bolts, then drive it around the block, then let it settle in my garage. Then again measure, adjust, drive, settle. etc...etc...etc....etc... I did this until I got the height set to where it looked "right" compared to the front (to my eyes).

I ended up with measurements as follows:
Front pass fender to the garage floor: 26 2/16"
Front drivers fender to the garage floor: 26 4/16"
Rear pass fender to the garage floor: 26 13/16"
Rear drivers fender to the garage floor: 26 13/16"

I tried to adjust the fronts to match (side to side height) but It was proving to be very difficult and others on the forum were saying the same about the front, so I just left it where it was. Its close enough.

Hope this helps !
Toque

 

i lowered mine on the factory bolts and wasnt too pleased with how it looked. To me it was still 4x4 status. I got the 8" long bolts for the front and rear from Zip and now it looks great. It was the 1st mod i did to the car, to me it was a must. Good Luck.

 

What would the long bolts do for the front except make it taller?

 

How can you tell by looking at the bolts if the car has been lowered. I have the mag ride on mine (03) and when you select the non- sport ride and hit bumps it slams the heck out of you moreso than the sport ride. I didn't have this type of suspension on my 98 and it rode far superior than this one.

 

We are at a point in the C5 generation where very owners these days are not origional owners and didn't have the pleasure of seeing the car brand new, so I'll explain a little.....

Just about every C5 was pretty high right out of Bowling Green and Z06's were especially high with their FE4 suspension. Main reason, Federal bumper height requirments and ease of getting them on and off trasporters with no damage.

GM did mention in the VHS tape that came with my 02 about lowering the car, but that was up to each individual owner...



The stock height picture was normal when C5's were new...

 

Anybody who buys bolts for the front are wasting money IMHO, takes 5 minutes to cut the bushing, or just let the leaf lay right on the lower A...

 

UniqueDoug...it is ok to do that?

 

I was wondering the same thing. Do they not rub?

 

Just got done lowering my C5Z. Lowered it pretty much to the max on the stock bolts.

Due to the crappy weather, I have NOT had a chance to drive it yet so honestly I see very little difference as of now.

The whole job took about three hours, but then I cleaned the heck out of stuff when I was under the car.

In the back I used some metal polish to clean up the rear sway bar, exhaust tips as well as the visible part of each muffler.

In the front, once I removed the wheels, I cleaned the inside of each wheel, buffed up the lug nuts, cleaned the brake calipers, sway bar and took a brass brush to the upper a arms.

 

I just did it on my '03 Z. To be safe cut the bushing and put the screw back in (it will only add 1/8 inch).

I did not keep my earlier C5's long enough to worry about it. Now that I plan to be buried in my Frc, I would put the screw back in...

 

the bolt is only there for raising and lowering adjustment purposes. Thats it. It has absolutely nothing to do with stability.

I've had it done to every Vette I have ever owned (3).


It will make the ride bumpier, but if that is an issue for you, go out and invest in coilovers.

 

So this is the what the bolt will look like in the stock height position correct. I assume then once the front is lowered, there will be more threads showing above the retaining clip.

 

Once you pull the bolt out, is it easy to put one back in?

 

I sure wouldn't know. I have no intentions of ever putting them back in.


My guess is, it could be a little tough. Might take some creative leveraging- or a partner.


Once you see your car slammed, you really have no desire to four wheel it again.


Maybe you should post a new thread asking: Has anyone ever raised their car up again after having it lowered?


I think not, but who knows?