[Z06] how low is too low?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,606
Likes: 355
From: Rochester New York
how low is too low?
Just wondering if anyone knew how low the stock Z06 suspension can go before it actually made handling worse? Not ride quality. Some say no more than 1/2" drop. Some say it doesn't matter.
Any track guys out there that know?
Any track guys out there that know?
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,366
Likes: 249
From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Well, I don't know how low is too low when it comes to degrading handling, but my car is lowered on the stock bolts with cut bushings in front. As far as I'm concerned the handling is improved and I still think the car rides just fine. It is a pain in the butt having to be more concerned with driveways and such due to scraping, but it did that before it was lowered, too. A couple of things I need to mention though are first of all I have Bilstein sport shocks, which are highly recommended by many owners that have lowered their car. Secondly, I had my car aligned afterward by Phoenix Auto in Palm, PA, who races C5's successfully in SCCA and has done suspension work on the racecars for GM. The improvement gained there was quite noticeable. Lastly, in the video that came with my car when new, in one segment about performance driving it is GM recommended to lower your 1" to improve the handling. The stock ride height is, I guess, to accomodate a wide range of drivers who might not want to be so concerned about every little bump.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,606
Likes: 355
From: Rochester New York
Well, I don't know how low is too low when it comes to degrading handling, but my car is lowered on the stock bolts with cut bushings in front. As far as I'm concerned the handling is improved and I still think the car rides just fine. It is a pain in the butt having to be more concerned with driveways and such due to scraping, but it did that before it was lowered, too. A couple of things I need to mention though are first of all I have Bilstein sport shocks, which are highly recommended by many owners that have lowered their car. Secondly, I had my car aligned afterward by Phoenix Auto in Palm, PA, who races C5's successfully in SCCA and has done suspension work on the racecars for GM. The improvement gained there was quite noticeable. Lastly, in the video that came with my car when new, in one segment about performance driving it is GM recommended to lower your 1" to improve the handling. The stock ride height is, I guess, to accomodate a wide range of drivers who might not want to be so concerned about every little bump.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,366
Likes: 249
From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
You probably don't need the rear lowering bolts. Adjusting the stock bolts should give you all the lowering you need combined with the C6 front bolts. In the front you could use the stock bolts and cut the bushings that are part of the front bolts in half. You should try to maintain a slight forward rake. The front should be 3/8" to 1/2" lower than the rear for proper handling and aerodynamics.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,003
Likes: 89
From: Indy IN
Lowering all the way on stock bolts in the back is too much. I have the test data to prove it...
Look for about three threads showing in the back, most if not all the way down on stock bolts in the front is about right too...
That will get you close.
Look for about three threads showing in the back, most if not all the way down on stock bolts in the front is about right too...
That will get you close.
