Can someone breakdown the lowering thing.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,084
Likes: 12
From: Rutherfordton NC
St. Jude Donor '10
Can someone breakdown the lowering thing.
I had always thought that my car was lowered until I posted some pics with my new Z06 splash guards yesterday and had several comments from guys telling me to lower my car. I posted this morning and found out what the stock height is, so I went to the shop and measured mine and mine matches exactly what the stock height numbers are. So, now I am ready to lower mine.
Can someone break down what it means to lower on stock bolts? I've seen some guys say they lower their C5 on stock C6 bolts........what does that mean? How about the aftermarket bolts?
I don't want to slam mine, but I do want it about an inch or so lower.
Also, does an inch mess the alignment up so bad that it has to be re aligned?
Can someone break down what it means to lower on stock bolts? I've seen some guys say they lower their C5 on stock C6 bolts........what does that mean? How about the aftermarket bolts?
I don't want to slam mine, but I do want it about an inch or so lower.
Also, does an inch mess the alignment up so bad that it has to be re aligned?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 9,597
Likes: 960
From: Palm Harbor not far from Sebring Florida
St. Jude Donor '11
Oldtimer
When people talk about lowering their car with stock bolts, that is simply adjusting the ride height using the bolts that are at the four corners on the front and rear springs. If they say they lowered it with C6 bolts or longer bolts, that is simply saying they replaced the stock bolts for longer bolts to get the ride height even lower that with the stock bolts.
If you have the F45 suspension, the front bolts are hard to get to without removing the front shocks.
Here is a good link on lowering.
http://www.frankhunt.com/FRANK/hobbi...5_Lowering.htm
If you have the F45 suspension, the front bolts are hard to get to without removing the front shocks.
Here is a good link on lowering.
http://www.frankhunt.com/FRANK/hobbi...5_Lowering.htm
Last edited by BWF07; Dec 10, 2010 at 11:13 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 4
From: Freeport, FL
TR6speed is on the ball!!! 
After I installed different size wheels and tires I noticed my "stance" wasn't what i wanted it to be. I adjusted the rear bolts only to even out the front to rear heights. If my car wasn't my daily driver I would lower the front and rear more.
I posted one of the comments suggesting to lower your car. I think the stock bolts will give you enough room to make it look "right". I actually kinda like those splash guards and may get some for my car and also space the wheels out further (currently have Z06 size wheels).
After I installed different size wheels and tires I noticed my "stance" wasn't what i wanted it to be. I adjusted the rear bolts only to even out the front to rear heights. If my car wasn't my daily driver I would lower the front and rear more.
I posted one of the comments suggesting to lower your car. I think the stock bolts will give you enough room to make it look "right". I actually kinda like those splash guards and may get some for my car and also space the wheels out further (currently have Z06 size wheels).
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,062
Likes: 103
From: Southeast, Tennessee
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '26
since the suspension is basically installed "upside down" you actually use longer bolts to increase the drop (which if you think logically about it seems to be the opposite of what you would assume).
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,932
Likes: 4
From: Warrenville Il
You forgot one more aspect to lowering and that is some people will cut down or completely remove the bushings on the front bolts to get it to drop even further than the factory adjustable range will allow.
And yes lowering your car an inch will throw off your alignment bad enough to prematurely wear out your tires, usually on the inside edges, and with the cost of replacing tires it's wise to let the car setlle by driving a little bit and then heading to the alignment shop. You can also have a performance setup alignment done which gives your car a slightly more aggressive alignment, toe in, camber and etc.. Think more of a track car setup, but this too will also wear out tires sooner. Factory alignment settings are fair at best.
And yes lowering your car an inch will throw off your alignment bad enough to prematurely wear out your tires, usually on the inside edges, and with the cost of replacing tires it's wise to let the car setlle by driving a little bit and then heading to the alignment shop. You can also have a performance setup alignment done which gives your car a slightly more aggressive alignment, toe in, camber and etc.. Think more of a track car setup, but this too will also wear out tires sooner. Factory alignment settings are fair at best.
Last edited by MG RED 99; Dec 10, 2010 at 11:30 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
Lowing the front no more then 1" is perfect, and then the rear, so the cars rake is 1/2" to 3/8" is great. ( mesured to the frame rails or best to where the A-arms meet the frame. Measuing to the top of the wheel well arches in the fenders is not a good option, as they are seldom equal
then an aggressive wheel alignment.
Lowering more then 1" ie cutting bushings can be a huge performance change and not for the better.
shocks bottom out, turning may be a challenge without a bump steer kit.
Lowing looks cool as heck, but may not be the best for the car.
Lifetime Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 10,702
Likes: 76
From: New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '05, '12-'13, '15-'16, '21
The cars ride and performance will change dramatically.
Lowing the front no more then 1" is perfect, and then the rear, so the cars rake is 1/2" to 3/8" is great. ( mesured to the frame rails or best to where the A-arms meet the frame. Measuing to the top of the wheel well arches in the fenders is not a good option, as they are seldom equal
then an aggressive wheel alignment.
Lowering more then 1" ie cutting bushings can be a huge performance change and not for the better.
shocks bottom out, turning may be a challenge without a bump steer kit.
Lowing looks cool as heck, but may not be the best for the car.
Lowing the front no more then 1" is perfect, and then the rear, so the cars rake is 1/2" to 3/8" is great. ( mesured to the frame rails or best to where the A-arms meet the frame. Measuing to the top of the wheel well arches in the fenders is not a good option, as they are seldom equal
then an aggressive wheel alignment.
Lowering more then 1" ie cutting bushings can be a huge performance change and not for the better.
shocks bottom out, turning may be a challenge without a bump steer kit.
Lowing looks cool as heck, but may not be the best for the car.
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Racer
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 250
Likes: 0
From: Tampa FL
St. Jude Donor '11
crank the front bolts as far as they will go, then cut the bushing in the rear in half and re install (super easy) and you will get that stance youre looking for. Total time should be no more than 30 min, even for a beginner ;-)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 9,597
Likes: 960
From: Palm Harbor not far from Sebring Florida
St. Jude Donor '11
Oldtimer
The cars ride and performance will change dramatically.
Lowing the front no more then 1" is perfect, and then the rear, so the cars rake is 1/2" to 3/8" is great. ( mesured to the frame rails or best to where the A-arms meet the frame. Measuing to the top of the wheel well arches in the fenders is not a good option, as they are seldom equal
then an aggressive wheel alignment.
Lowering more then 1" ie cutting bushings can be a huge performance change and not for the better.
shocks bottom out, turning may be a challenge without a bump steer kit.
Lowing looks cool as heck, but may not be the best for the car.
Lowing the front no more then 1" is perfect, and then the rear, so the cars rake is 1/2" to 3/8" is great. ( mesured to the frame rails or best to where the A-arms meet the frame. Measuing to the top of the wheel well arches in the fenders is not a good option, as they are seldom equal
then an aggressive wheel alignment.
Lowering more then 1" ie cutting bushings can be a huge performance change and not for the better.
shocks bottom out, turning may be a challenge without a bump steer kit.
Lowing looks cool as heck, but may not be the best for the car.
I have to agree with the above statement. Let’s face it; those engineers that designed the C5 knew what they were doing. I realize that there is a little room to play with before you screw the ride and overall handling up my lowering it. They did design the ride height and ride quality for the overall general buying public, so I am sure there is that little area to play in. If you really need it low, than the best thing is to consult a good suspension shop and do it the right way so you still maintain some type of ride quality and it is still a safe suspension system.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
When one looks at the engineering suspension data and wind tunnel tests of the 1" lower front and appropriate rake plus aggressive alignment for road racing, no need to go any more.
But for street use, keeping the stock ride height would be best for suspension travel and ride quality.
But for street use, keeping the stock ride height would be best for suspension travel and ride quality.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,502
Likes: 61
From: Toronto
Can anyone confirm that lowering a Vette with the active handling option does in fact cause problems? I would like to go about an inch lower all round, but don't want to mess up the active handling.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 770
Likes: 1
From: Maple North Carolina
I lowered mine all the way on stock bolts without cutting anything. It rides just great, looks cooler and doesn't drag the nose anymore than normal on my local roads and streets. I think you can lower it as a trial to see if you like it or not. If not, you raise it back up. Nothing ventured and nothing lost. It comes right down to your local streets and your personal prospective. This one is an easy mod to evaluate for yourself.
And I left mine down after running the trial...
And I left mine down after running the trial...
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,084
Likes: 12
From: Rutherfordton NC
St. Jude Donor '10
Good question........also, whats the deal with the magnetic ride that some of you guys are talking about??
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 9,597
Likes: 960
From: Palm Harbor not far from Sebring Florida
St. Jude Donor '11
Oldtimer
I happen to have the F45 in my '01 and i have lowered it some and I do notice a slight difference.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 523
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From: st louis mo
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,932
Likes: 4
From: Warrenville Il
Thier are certain degrees of lowering, and unless you slam it, are you going to experience some of the negatives. Lowering a half inch and not completely bottoming out the suspension on the factory bolts will result in a lowered look without the negatives in ride quality. In fact the handling will increase slightly up to a point. The nice thing is it can all be reversed if you don't like it.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,682
Likes: 2
From: Plano Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
Lowering it will make the ride slightly rougher, since there isn't as much travel available, but it's not bad. I have mine lowered on stock bolts with f45 selectable ride option.
I didn't take any pics with the new wheels before I lowered it, but here is a shot with my old wheels at stock height, then a shot lowered on stock bolts with the new wheels.
I didn't take any pics with the new wheels before I lowered it, but here is a shot with my old wheels at stock height, then a shot lowered on stock bolts with the new wheels.