[Z06] Z06 Factory Ride Height
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,201
Likes: 16
From: SoCal
Z06 Factory Ride Height
As I sort out my new to me 02 C5 Z06, I have a few questions on the ride height.
It appears that the suspension is stock and unaltered, however I get a lot of chin spoilers hits. I'm very careful about dips and driveways but I get a lot of rubbing. Nothing is hanging or damaged and I know the center piece is supposed to flip back when it rubs. Does anyone know the wheel well measurements at stock height?
Measured at the highest point of the bottom edge of the wheel well arches, I"m at F 26.5" R 28. Visually it looks like the back may be a tad higher than normal which would affect the spoiler height. TIA for all input.
It appears that the suspension is stock and unaltered, however I get a lot of chin spoilers hits. I'm very careful about dips and driveways but I get a lot of rubbing. Nothing is hanging or damaged and I know the center piece is supposed to flip back when it rubs. Does anyone know the wheel well measurements at stock height?
Measured at the highest point of the bottom edge of the wheel well arches, I"m at F 26.5" R 28. Visually it looks like the back may be a tad higher than normal which would affect the spoiler height. TIA for all input.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
Do not measure to the wheel wells. These are seldom equal
measure to the frame rails, just in front of the front jacking puck point, and just behind the rear jacking puck point
The rear should be 3/8" to 1/2" higher then the front for the cars rake.
the rake is necessary for aerodynamics and the cars stabilization at speeds over 40 mph
measure to the frame rails, just in front of the front jacking puck point, and just behind the rear jacking puck point
The rear should be 3/8" to 1/2" higher then the front for the cars rake.
the rake is necessary for aerodynamics and the cars stabilization at speeds over 40 mph
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,201
Likes: 16
From: SoCal
Do not measure to the wheel wells. These are seldom equal
measure to the frame rails, just in front of the front jacking puck point, and just behind the rear jacking puck point
The rear should be 3/8" to 1/2" higher then the front for the cars rake.
the rake is necessary for aerodynamics and the cars stabilization at speeds over 40 mph
measure to the frame rails, just in front of the front jacking puck point, and just behind the rear jacking puck point
The rear should be 3/8" to 1/2" higher then the front for the cars rake.
the rake is necessary for aerodynamics and the cars stabilization at speeds over 40 mph
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,003
Likes: 89
From: Indy IN
According to Anthony at LG motorsports, who measured a stock C5Z, the front was 26.75" and the rear was 27.75". I never suggest that you measure there, and this is exactly why, there's a lot of variation in the fenders. It doesn't sound like your car has been lowered much if at all.
In the early manuals they list the ride height at the J and K positions as 6.02 and 6.22 inches. Since the Z has essentially the same dimensions for the Z and D dimensions as the Z51, these numbers should be correct.
Here is the page from the workshop manual on measuring the Z and D dimensions.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1575382403-post32.html
Here is a link to show you where to measure from the frame to the ground. Down in the later post is a picture of where to measure J and K.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...de-height.html
As I noted above, it doesn't sound like you are lowered much if any in the front, but these cars, from the factory, can be all over the place. I would probably just turn each of the rear bolts about one turn each to even the car out and be done with it. Whatever you do, just do it the same on both sides of the back and that will keep your corner weights pretty close, and it won't screw up the handling. Don't try to make the "look" right by turning the rear screws different amounts. That will jack the weights around and mess things up.
In the early manuals they list the ride height at the J and K positions as 6.02 and 6.22 inches. Since the Z has essentially the same dimensions for the Z and D dimensions as the Z51, these numbers should be correct.
Here is the page from the workshop manual on measuring the Z and D dimensions.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1575382403-post32.html
Here is a link to show you where to measure from the frame to the ground. Down in the later post is a picture of where to measure J and K.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...de-height.html
As I noted above, it doesn't sound like you are lowered much if any in the front, but these cars, from the factory, can be all over the place. I would probably just turn each of the rear bolts about one turn each to even the car out and be done with it. Whatever you do, just do it the same on both sides of the back and that will keep your corner weights pretty close, and it won't screw up the handling. Don't try to make the "look" right by turning the rear screws different amounts. That will jack the weights around and mess things up.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,699
Likes: 16
From: Sun City- Menifee Calif.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
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
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,855
Likes: 78
From: Sammamish WA
WA Events Coordinator
The Chin spoiler is spring loaded, its designed to rub and move. It's the Radiator Support rails that you'll notice when you rub those. (not good!)
My Chin spoiler rubs on dips and even my driveway everyday, no biggie. To protect my front rails I put on some Saccitycorvette "Fangs"....10 min job and worth every penny.
Lowered on Stock bolts...
My Chin spoiler rubs on dips and even my driveway everyday, no biggie. To protect my front rails I put on some Saccitycorvette "Fangs"....10 min job and worth every penny.
Lowered on Stock bolts...
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,201
Likes: 16
From: SoCal
According to Anthony at LG motorsports, who measured a stock C5Z, the front was 26.75" and the rear was 27.75". I never suggest that you measure there, and this is exactly why, there's a lot of variation in the fenders. It doesn't sound like your car has been lowered much if at all.
In the early manuals they list the ride height at the J and K positions as 6.02 and 6.22 inches. Since the Z has essentially the same dimensions for the Z and D dimensions as the Z51, these numbers should be correct.
Here is the page from the workshop manual on measuring the Z and D dimensions.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1575382403-post32.html
Here is a link to show you where to measure from the frame to the ground. Down in the later post is a picture of where to measure J and K.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...de-height.html
As I noted above, it doesn't sound like you are lowered much if any in the front, but these cars, from the factory, can be all over the place. I would probably just turn each of the rear bolts about one turn each to even the car out and be done with it. Whatever you do, just do it the same on both sides of the back and that will keep your corner weights pretty close, and it won't screw up the handling. Don't try to make the "look" right by turning the rear screws different amounts. That will jack the weights around and mess things up.
In the early manuals they list the ride height at the J and K positions as 6.02 and 6.22 inches. Since the Z has essentially the same dimensions for the Z and D dimensions as the Z51, these numbers should be correct.
Here is the page from the workshop manual on measuring the Z and D dimensions.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1575382403-post32.html
Here is a link to show you where to measure from the frame to the ground. Down in the later post is a picture of where to measure J and K.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...de-height.html
As I noted above, it doesn't sound like you are lowered much if any in the front, but these cars, from the factory, can be all over the place. I would probably just turn each of the rear bolts about one turn each to even the car out and be done with it. Whatever you do, just do it the same on both sides of the back and that will keep your corner weights pretty close, and it won't screw up the handling. Don't try to make the "look" right by turning the rear screws different amounts. That will jack the weights around and mess things up.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 348
From: My interests are mobile
It's still WAY beyond me how people hit those rad support rails...how the hell do you even hit something that high? I'm below 26" front fender height and never come CLOSE. Do you just approach driveways dead straight at 20mph? I'd have to imagine if you hit those rails, you must've hit the underside of the bumper too...how in world!?
