Lowering with F45
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 9,595
Likes: 959
From: Palm Harbor not far from Sebring Florida
St. Jude Donor '11
Oldtimer
Lowering with F45
I am thinking of lowering my 01 coupe. I actually have two questions, the first is I have heard that it is not a good idea if you have the F45 Selective Ride Suspension, because it will cause codes to be displayed. The second is I read somewhere that if the suspension is lowereed, that the steering bumps (I believe that was what it was called) need to be installed.
I am also planning to install the C6 Z51 sway bars front and rear in the next month or so, will that make any difference?
I am also planning to install the C6 Z51 sway bars front and rear in the next month or so, will that make any difference?
Last edited by BWF07; Jan 21, 2010 at 03:03 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 20,800
Likes: 59
From: Tellico Village, Tn
St. Jude Donor '08
I am thinking of lowering my 01 coupe. I actually have two questions, the first is I have heard that it is not a good idea if you have the F45 Selective Ride Suspension, because it will cause codes to be displayed. The second is I read somewhere that if the suspension is lowereed, that the steering bumps (I believe that was what it was called) need to be installed.
I am also planning to install the C6 Z51 roll bars front and rear in the next month or so, will that make any difference?
I am also planning to install the C6 Z51 roll bars front and rear in the next month or so, will that make any difference?
Safety Car
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,814
Likes: 105
From: Dearborn Heights Michigan
I lowered my 2000 F45 Coupe about 2" and ran that way for 8 years. No codes or any other changes made.
Only complaint was at 2" the shocks would bottom out on bumps.
Put on PFADT coilovers 2 yrs ago and am very happy with them.
Only complaint was at 2" the shocks would bottom out on bumps.
Put on PFADT coilovers 2 yrs ago and am very happy with them.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
From: Larkspur Colorado
Good Question. 
I also have an 01 coupe with the F45. I have installed the C6 Z51 sways - nice improvement. 
I want to lower the back enough to match the front, it looks like the back is 1-2 inches higher. I just don't have the $ for a new alignment. Thanks for asking the question.
Looks like it should be OK........Good Luck.........Dave
I also have an 01 coupe with the F45. I have installed the C6 Z51 sways - nice improvement. I want to lower the back enough to match the front, it looks like the back is 1-2 inches higher. I just don't have the $ for a new alignment. Thanks for asking the question.Looks like it should be OK........Good Luck.........Dave
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 362
Likes: 1
From: Windsor California
Last edited by vvf-16; Jan 21, 2010 at 09:48 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 877
Likes: 4
From: Nouvelle Ecosse
I lowered on the F45 last year. In order to avoid the "lumber wagon" ride over large bumps(this is actually the shocks stiffening up excessively to counteract what they believe to be an out of spec ride position) I did have to play around a bit with the ride height until I was satisfied with both the level of lowness and the ride quality/function of the F45. You will probably not be able to go Max on stock bolts...but pretty close.
Check out my garage I have a couple pics of where I'm sitting....and think about if that's far enough. If not...then I would recommend coilovers....then you can go as low as you want.
@ MagRed6SP......if you can't afford the alignment don't drop it.....cause you will almost certainly kill your tires...and they cost a buttload more than a W/A. Saving 60-100bucks will cost you a set of tires.
Check out my garage I have a couple pics of where I'm sitting....and think about if that's far enough. If not...then I would recommend coilovers....then you can go as low as you want.
@ MagRed6SP......if you can't afford the alignment don't drop it.....cause you will almost certainly kill your tires...and they cost a buttload more than a W/A. Saving 60-100bucks will cost you a set of tires.
Last edited by JCamaro; Jan 21, 2010 at 11:50 PM.
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Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,732
Likes: 21
From: Napa Ca
I have lowered my 2001 F45 coupe on the stock bolts. Front approx 3/4 inch and the rear 1/2 inch. Just enough rake to my taste. Also installed the C6 Z51 front sway bar and will eventually install the rear. No codes on the F45 from the lowering and have had very positive autocross results with the sway bar exchange on a typical autocross course. I'm running stock sized Kumho MX tires on the stock polished wheels and I feel the vette is well balanced with this setup. Adding the rear Z51 sway bar may induce more oversteer especially on the Kumhos which have nowhere near the stick of the Hoosiers or other "R" type tires.
