[Z06] Lowering advice
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 495
Likes: 5
From: CA
Lowering advice
Considering lowering my '02Z. Car has 28k miles.
Options are:
Lower on stock bolts with extended bolts in rear, anything needed in the front? Should I do shocks?
Coilovers.
Car is daily driven, no track time ever, just back and forth to work.
Thoughts?
Any feedback is greatly appreciated.
Matt
Options are:
Lower on stock bolts with extended bolts in rear, anything needed in the front? Should I do shocks?
Coilovers.
Car is daily driven, no track time ever, just back and forth to work.
Thoughts?
Any feedback is greatly appreciated.
Matt
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,947
Likes: 8
From: Redwood City CA
I recommend going with coil-overs. You can find some good deals on used sets for $1000-1200 on the forum.
I tried the following:
1.) Lowered on Stock Bolts. Free. Ride was a bit stiffer than at the raised height. Looks better than the 4x4 look, but not low enough.
2.) Installed longer bolts in the rear(7"). Better look. Horrible ride quality! The car actually bottomed out all the time because there wasn't enough suspension travel.
3.) Pfadt Coilovers. Lowered with 1.5 finger gap between the tire and fenders. Had the car corner weighted and aligned. The car has 16-way adjustable shocks that ride smoother than stock when set to 6(r) & 7(f) and inspire confidence on the track when stiffened up to 8+(r) & 9+(f). BTW, I'm an HPDE noob. The coilovers allow you to lower the car and maintain full-suspension travel.
I tried the following:
1.) Lowered on Stock Bolts. Free. Ride was a bit stiffer than at the raised height. Looks better than the 4x4 look, but not low enough.
2.) Installed longer bolts in the rear(7"). Better look. Horrible ride quality! The car actually bottomed out all the time because there wasn't enough suspension travel.
3.) Pfadt Coilovers. Lowered with 1.5 finger gap between the tire and fenders. Had the car corner weighted and aligned. The car has 16-way adjustable shocks that ride smoother than stock when set to 6(r) & 7(f) and inspire confidence on the track when stiffened up to 8+(r) & 9+(f). BTW, I'm an HPDE noob. The coilovers allow you to lower the car and maintain full-suspension travel.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 530
Likes: 68
From: old bridge nj
St. Jude Donor '10
I think alot of us try it in stages. First lower on the stock bolts, then aftermarket bolts, then aftermarket bolts + shocks.. finally getting to where you really need to be if you significantly lower the car - Coilovers.
fortunately, it's very cheap to try out the first few steps. You can even get a lot of your money back from the shocks (both oe and the aftermarkets) when you decide to go coilover.
Do it in stages, find out what you can live with... learn a lot about your car along the way.
fortunately, it's very cheap to try out the first few steps. You can even get a lot of your money back from the shocks (both oe and the aftermarkets) when you decide to go coilover.
Do it in stages, find out what you can live with... learn a lot about your car along the way.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,355
Likes: 113
From: Los Angeles
I still don't understand why so many people spend money on coilovers if they never see track time. There are cheaper/easier ways to lower your ride.
EDIT: "The coilovers allow you to lower the car and maintain full-suspension travel." - ding ding, we have a winner.
EDIT: "The coilovers allow you to lower the car and maintain full-suspension travel." - ding ding, we have a winner.
Last edited by skyavonee; May 12, 2011 at 11:49 AM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 495
Likes: 5
From: CA
Thanks guys, appreciate the feedback.
Had an '00 convertible. Lowered on stock bolts... then lowered on aftermarket bolts... then added shocks...
So I've been down this route.
Considering coilovers but I don't track the car so I'm thinking of going the same route I did last time.
Any suggestions for good shocks or coilovers? Had bilsteins on my last ride.
Thanks,
Matt
Had an '00 convertible. Lowered on stock bolts... then lowered on aftermarket bolts... then added shocks...
So I've been down this route. Considering coilovers but I don't track the car so I'm thinking of going the same route I did last time.
Any suggestions for good shocks or coilovers? Had bilsteins on my last ride.
Thanks,
Matt
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski