[Z06] lowering the 2002
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Memphis Tn
lowering the 2002
Just curious how many of you guys lowered your 2002. Thinking hard about doing it to mine. Does the ride change(stiffer). I went to the dealer and inquired about it the shop forman said he didnt know you could lower it. I could have sworn the vidieo said I could .... Tell me I am not THAT crazy..
Thanks fellas...
BADZ06
Stock 2002
Thanks fellas...
BADZ06
Stock 2002
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 32
From: USA
Re: lowering the 2002 (BADZ06)
Bad,
You are not crazy.
I lowered mine with stock adjustments and noticed absolutely no difference in ride quality. Went back and lowered it a little more by cutting the front bushings. I think it rides a little harsher now.
Just follow the instructions on the video.
Dave
You are not crazy.
I lowered mine with stock adjustments and noticed absolutely no difference in ride quality. Went back and lowered it a little more by cutting the front bushings. I think it rides a little harsher now.
Just follow the instructions on the video.
Dave
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Memphis Tn
Re: lowering the 2002 (corvette dave)
Tahnks man I didnt think i just imagined that. Did you do the lowering? How far did you go with the stock adjustments? How far will they go?
Thanks guys..
BADZ06
Stock
Thanks guys..
BADZ06
Stock
Racer
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
From: Albany NY
Re: lowering the 2002 (BADZ06)
I lowered mine on a lift. I went as low as a could without cutting bushings. The back is a little higher than the front, so I might go even lower (using longer bolts) the next time I have it up on the lift.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 32
From: USA
Re: lowering the 2002 (SpeedracerZ06)
Bad,
With the stock adjusters mine lowered about 3/4" in the front and about 7/8" in the rear.
I wanted it a little lower so I cut part of the front bushings and got longer bolts for the rear.
I would suggest you lower as much as you want with the stock adjusters.
Drive it for a week and see how you like it.
Lower more if needed.
Do not ever cut the rear bushings. Just use longer bolts if needed.
Process is vey simple.
Check alignment after lowering more than 1/2".
Dave
With the stock adjusters mine lowered about 3/4" in the front and about 7/8" in the rear.
I wanted it a little lower so I cut part of the front bushings and got longer bolts for the rear.
I would suggest you lower as much as you want with the stock adjusters.
Drive it for a week and see how you like it.
Lower more if needed.
Do not ever cut the rear bushings. Just use longer bolts if needed.
Process is vey simple.
Check alignment after lowering more than 1/2".
Dave
Racer
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 300
Likes: 0
From: Baton Rouge la
Re: lowering the 2002 (corvette dave)
I lowered mine with out any cutting and I think thats far enough for me. 1" in back and 3/4 in the front. Looks alot better and doesnt ride much different. I never checked the alignment, I am a believer in leaving the factory alignment alone unless it absolutely has to be messed with. I havent noticed any tire wear and anyways the F-1's arent made to last 50'000 miles. :cheers:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 32
From: USA
Re: lowering the 2002 (rcr162)
RCR,
The bushings are there to cushion the springs.
Ride will be affected if they are cut. Longer bolts for the rear are very cheap and you have to take the bolts out anyway to lower the car past the stock adjusters whether you cut the bushings or change the bolts.
Now before anyone asks why I say do not cut bushings on the rear but I cut the front ones, I cut the front bushings because I wanted just a little more drop and that is the only way to get it. :yesnod:
Dave
The bushings are there to cushion the springs.
Ride will be affected if they are cut. Longer bolts for the rear are very cheap and you have to take the bolts out anyway to lower the car past the stock adjusters whether you cut the bushings or change the bolts.
Now before anyone asks why I say do not cut bushings on the rear but I cut the front ones, I cut the front bushings because I wanted just a little more drop and that is the only way to get it. :yesnod:
Dave
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Racer
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
From: Albany NY
Re: lowering the 2002 (TX405Z06)
I never checked the alignment, I am a believer in leaving the factory alignment alone unless it absolutely has to be messed with.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,643
Likes: 32
From: SoCal
Re: lowering the 2002 (SpeedracerZ06)
I never checked the alignment, I am a believer in leaving the factory alignment alone unless it absolutely has to be messed with.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,035
Likes: 117
From: Sands Township, Marquette County, Michigan
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: lowering the 2002 (BADZ06)
I don't know if you are crazy or not...but mine is so damn low stock that i have to be very careful about bottoming out as is in certain places. :eek:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 6,710
Likes: 2
From: Southern California
Re: lowering the 2002 (BADZ06)
Mine's at the lowest setting with uncut bushings. I think the ride is noticeably harsher. When I first drove my 'vette, I couldn't believe how luxurious the ride was compared to my old Z-28 with stiff-as-hell Eibachs. With the car lowered, I got back some of that old familiar stiff feeling. Not bad, but noticeable.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 300
Likes: 0
From: Baton Rouge la
Re: lowering the 2002 (SpeedracerZ06)
I never checked the alignment, I am a believer in leaving the factory alignment alone unless it absolutely has to be messed with.
GM is known for bringing cars off the line with bad alignments. It's not a bad idea to get it checked. If it's still within spec, no wrench is turned and nothing is hcanged. If you do find something very far off, you can get it fixed and increase your tire life. I found my right rear camber to be way off but everything else was good. That tire would've worn quicker than the other rear tire causing me to replace them both sooner.
GM is known for bringing cars off the line with bad alignments. It's not a bad idea to get it checked. If it's still within spec, no wrench is turned and nothing is hcanged. If you do find something very far off, you can get it fixed and increase your tire life. I found my right rear camber to be way off but everything else was good. That tire would've worn quicker than the other rear tire causing me to replace them both sooner.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 4,596
Likes: 2
From: Atlanta GA
Re: lowering the 2002 (TX405Z06)
I'm going to have to agree with TX on this one. I had my car aligned at the dealer twice and it still drifted to the left. It was fine before. I even took it to a shop that does race car alignments and its better but not right. I thought I would just get it checked out. :crazy: If it ain't broke don't fix it. If you do make sure that you take Z06 alignment specs with you. Most shops still don't have them.
I never checked the alignment, I am a believer in leaving the factory alignment alone unless it absolutely has to be messed with.
GM is known for bringing cars off the line with bad alignments. It's not a bad idea to get it checked. If it's still within spec, no wrench is turned and nothing is hcanged. If you do find something very far off, you can get it fixed and increase your tire life. I found my right rear camber to be way off but everything else was good. That tire would've worn quicker than the other rear tire causing me to replace them both sooner.
My thinking on this is as a kid I watched my Grandpa take his GM cars and trucks to the dealership at least once every 6 months. The shocks,the tie rods, the ball joints, the bushings, the drag link, and on and on and on. My 94 GMC Z71 has 150,000 miles on the factory alignment and I got 70,000 miles out of the last set of BFG's. Is this a fluke? Is it factory luck? The front end doesnt pull, and there are no odd tire patterns. My Z06 now has 12,500 miles on it 10,000 after being lowered. I have yet to see any tire wear, front or back. If you guys know me from the kill section, you know this car has been to 175 several times, so you know I'm not grannying around. I think that when you allow your car to be touched by a mechanic you are taking a chance on does the guy know anything. Once the front end is out, you all know how hard it is to find someone who can finally fix it right. So I will keep my front end out of alignment and when something happens I'll post it here.
GM is known for bringing cars off the line with bad alignments. It's not a bad idea to get it checked. If it's still within spec, no wrench is turned and nothing is hcanged. If you do find something very far off, you can get it fixed and increase your tire life. I found my right rear camber to be way off but everything else was good. That tire would've worn quicker than the other rear tire causing me to replace them both sooner.
My thinking on this is as a kid I watched my Grandpa take his GM cars and trucks to the dealership at least once every 6 months. The shocks,the tie rods, the ball joints, the bushings, the drag link, and on and on and on. My 94 GMC Z71 has 150,000 miles on the factory alignment and I got 70,000 miles out of the last set of BFG's. Is this a fluke? Is it factory luck? The front end doesnt pull, and there are no odd tire patterns. My Z06 now has 12,500 miles on it 10,000 after being lowered. I have yet to see any tire wear, front or back. If you guys know me from the kill section, you know this car has been to 175 several times, so you know I'm not grannying around. I think that when you allow your car to be touched by a mechanic you are taking a chance on does the guy know anything. Once the front end is out, you all know how hard it is to find someone who can finally fix it right. So I will keep my front end out of alignment and when something happens I'll post it here.
