To lower or not to lower??
Racer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 444
Likes: 0
If you plan on driving the car every day then I would suggest leaving it at stock height or maybe lowering it a maximum of 1/2 inch front and rear especially if you have F45 or F55 suspension. I have F45 suspension and have mine lowered 1/2 inch with no ill effects. Even at stock height these cars are pretty low and you have to be very careful of speed bumps, cross roads, entrances and exits, driveway ramps, road debris, etc. I don't see how anyone could drive a C5 lowered more than 1 inch without damage to the front facia or undercarriage unless they plan out a route in advance where they can safely drive with none of the obstacles I listed above or if they only go to local car shows and on ocassional weekend drives to familiar destinations. Whether you decide to lower your car or not you should install Elite or A&A rocker rails underneath and SAC City Fangs in the front for protection of your undercarriage.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,506
Likes: 0
From: This is not a Song, It's an Outburst: Or, The Establishment Blues; Sixto Diaz Rodriguez
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 30,167
Likes: 4,562
From: Bonita Springs, Florida
The point is that it doesn't scrape on anything and I like keeping it that way. Besides, I like the way it looks just fine. Too low looks strange to me. I don't follow what others do, never did.
Racer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 435
Likes: 1
From: Newcastle, UK
As long as you can still get on and off your drive you've just got to at least try lowering fully on stock bolts. If you don't like it for whatever reason just wind it back up.
My car is slammed with no bolts in the front and longer bolts in the back.
My car is slammed with no bolts in the front and longer bolts in the back.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,079
Likes: 24
From: Northern Chicago Burbs IL
I lowered my at the beginning of summer and love it. You have to pay a little more attention over speed bumps or rough roads. I haven't scrapped once yet (knock of wood). I just installed the Johnny O'Connell shocks and sway bars about a month ago and then has helped with the handling as well. Go ahead and lower it...you won't regret it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,528
Likes: 752
From: South Dakota
I like the looks of a lowered car, but I am not lowering mine.
I drive a lot and around here many of the roads aren't too good. To me, the stock height is some cheap protection and a worthwhile trade off for being able to use the car vs. improving the looks.
I drive a lot and around here many of the roads aren't too good. To me, the stock height is some cheap protection and a worthwhile trade off for being able to use the car vs. improving the looks.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,197
Likes: 41
From: MEMPHIS TN
I have mine lowered the max on stock bolts. I like it much better. Actually it doesn't rub as bad as before because the car is leveled out now.
Be sure to get it aligned after you do this. Below is my 2001 Coupe lowered.
Be sure to get it aligned after you do this. Below is my 2001 Coupe lowered.
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Instructor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
From: Orlando FL
My tuner called me while installing the Pfadt suspension setup and asked if he could lower my car. I said sure and I love it! The thing is on rails with those two changes, and looks sick. I see stock C5's and they look like 4x4's to me now! Do it, but also upgrade suspension. Scraping is an issue still, but those front splitters are cheap! Go for it!
Vato
Vato
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,454
Likes: 6
From: Pittsburgh PA
I'm more interested in just driving and W PA isn't known for it's great roads. If it were some huge improvement in handling I may consider. From tracking my other cars I have learned the biggest gains in handling are usually a set of sticky tires. From the sounds of the posts, this is more a cometic thing. The slamed look doesn't appeal to me. I'll leave that for the custom compact crowd. But to each their own.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 272
Likes: 13
From: Colorado
Mines a daily driver so I will not lower it.
Plus I'm always weird about lowering cars on stock bolts. GM spent a lot of time and engineering designing these cars and you adjust it and it's not perfect you risk throwing some of that design work in the garbage.
People lower sport bikes all the time and don't realize the effects it has on the handling.
Plus I'm always weird about lowering cars on stock bolts. GM spent a lot of time and engineering designing these cars and you adjust it and it's not perfect you risk throwing some of that design work in the garbage.
People lower sport bikes all the time and don't realize the effects it has on the handling.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 18,048
Likes: 53
From: long Island NY
No doubt it makes the car look great but the trade off is every dip you hear the front spoiler scrape, you need to be carefull pulling into or out off lots, and going over speed bumps. If I daily drove my car I don't think I would keep it lowered. Since I don't its low.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,092
Likes: 3,464
From: Oswego IL
I put 5000 daily-driven miles on mine since June. 
Dips and bumps in the road make the plastic spoiler touch a bit, but it causes no damage. I am careful to take driveways at angles and such. No problems. The extra effort to avoid obstacles is a fair trade for the aggressive looks and tons of daily compliments received. 
The ride is stiff and I do want more suspension travel, so coilovers are being installed over the winter...
Dips and bumps in the road make the plastic spoiler touch a bit, but it causes no damage. I am careful to take driveways at angles and such. No problems. The extra effort to avoid obstacles is a fair trade for the aggressive looks and tons of daily compliments received. The ride is stiff and I do want more suspension travel, so coilovers are being installed over the winter...