Lowering a C5
Racer
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 306
Likes: 0
From: charlotte north carolin
My project for the day is removing my lowering bolts
Hate them to death.
Previous owner did that
It's ridiculous (in my opinion)
I'll agree that it looks better, but at what cost?
I guess, if you only drive the car on weekends or for a few drives.....
But it's hell to get in and out of (hurt your knees)
And it feels like you're driving around on a skateboard
I hit a bump on the highway yesterday and swear the rear wheels came off the ground a bit (mine has the 7" lowering bolts installed for max lowering)
I don't think the shocks are working AT ALL. They're at max extension
In my opinion...weekend driver = ok (if you are concerned about look)
If you drive the car a lot, you need to address shocks as well as the lowering bolts (to allow for proper travel)
Hate them to death.
Previous owner did that
It's ridiculous (in my opinion)
I'll agree that it looks better, but at what cost?
I guess, if you only drive the car on weekends or for a few drives.....
But it's hell to get in and out of (hurt your knees)
And it feels like you're driving around on a skateboard
I hit a bump on the highway yesterday and swear the rear wheels came off the ground a bit (mine has the 7" lowering bolts installed for max lowering)
I don't think the shocks are working AT ALL. They're at max extension
In my opinion...weekend driver = ok (if you are concerned about look)
If you drive the car a lot, you need to address shocks as well as the lowering bolts (to allow for proper travel)
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,201
Likes: 189
From: beach
St. Jude Donor '13
Harry
Hope the install goes well and glad you got my old stockers with no problems!
Hope the install goes well and glad you got my old stockers with no problems!
My project for the day is removing my lowering bolts
Hate them to death.
Previous owner did that
It's ridiculous (in my opinion)
I'll agree that it looks better, but at what cost?
I guess, if you only drive the car on weekends or for a few drives.....
But it's hell to get in and out of (hurt your knees)
And it feels like you're driving around on a skateboard
I hit a bump on the highway yesterday and swear the rear wheels came off the ground a bit (mine has the 7" lowering bolts installed for max lowering)
I don't think the shocks are working AT ALL. They're at max extension
In my opinion...weekend driver = ok (if you are concerned about look)
If you drive the car a lot, you need to address shocks as well as the lowering bolts (to allow for proper travel)
Hate them to death.
Previous owner did that
It's ridiculous (in my opinion)
I'll agree that it looks better, but at what cost?
I guess, if you only drive the car on weekends or for a few drives.....
But it's hell to get in and out of (hurt your knees)
And it feels like you're driving around on a skateboard
I hit a bump on the highway yesterday and swear the rear wheels came off the ground a bit (mine has the 7" lowering bolts installed for max lowering)
I don't think the shocks are working AT ALL. They're at max extension
In my opinion...weekend driver = ok (if you are concerned about look)
If you drive the car a lot, you need to address shocks as well as the lowering bolts (to allow for proper travel)
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 14,566
Likes: 39
From: Prescott Arizona
My 2002 Z06. 4 inches of ground clearance along the rocker panels, 3 1/2 inch at the cats, and 2 inches at the front air dam. I have to be careful of speed bumps, entrances to parking lots, etc., but it sure looks good lowered.
Silverback51, it is sunny in Puyallup this morning, just a few miles from Covington. WHERE ARE THE PICTURES????
<p>
Silverback51, it is sunny in Puyallup this morning, just a few miles from Covington. WHERE ARE THE PICTURES????
<p>
I know this is going to sound like just a bunch of excuses, but I was going to take a picture of it all dirty, and the camera battery was dead. It's recharging now, and I may get out and wash it as the battery charges.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 14,566
Likes: 39
From: Prescott Arizona
Okay, here's your damn pictures.
Dinner tonight will consist of beer
and vicatin. Hope you are happy.
And no, I did not dry it off before I took the pictures. Nor was I going to roll it back outside after drying it off.
By the way, it did snow a little when I was washing it. A neighbor came home and she just shook her head and laughed at me.
Dinner tonight will consist of beer
and vicatin. Hope you are happy.And no, I did not dry it off before I took the pictures. Nor was I going to roll it back outside after drying it off.
By the way, it did snow a little when I was washing it. A neighbor came home and she just shook her head and laughed at me.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,483
Likes: 254
From: Lake Tapps WA.
My 2002 Z06. 4 inches of ground clearance along the rocker panels, 3 1/2 inch at the cats, and 2 inches at the front air dam. I have to be careful of speed bumps, entrances to parking lots, etc., but it sure looks good lowered.
Silverback51, it is sunny in Puyallup this morning, just a few miles from Covington. WHERE ARE THE PICTURES????
<p>
Silverback51, it is sunny in Puyallup this morning, just a few miles from Covington. WHERE ARE THE PICTURES????
<p>
By the way, lowered all the way on stock bolts and a daily driver. Hardly noticed any change in ride. Also changed the stock Z51 shocks for new Z06 shocks and didn't notice much either, but the stockers had 114K so it would have been needed soon anyway.
Last edited by C5FORFUN2; Feb 26, 2012 at 05:02 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 306
Likes: 0
From: charlotte north carolin
It made all the difference in the world!
The car felt like a skateboard with the 7" lowering bolts installed
I hit a bit bump on the highway last night, front end went up...
...when the front end came down and the rear hit the bump, the rear actually went airborne
(little bit bigger than normal highway bump)
That's how bad maxed out 7" lowering bolts are. They max out your shocks and give you no suspension. Shocks are maxed on travel and won't work
I put the stock 6" bolt back in. Amazing. Very happy.
You guys can have your lowered cars
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 97
Likes: 1
From: Charleston SC
I appreciate your honesty...that's exactly what I was hoping for....after reading this entire thread, I think I'm gonna steer clear of lowering....it is definitely a daily driver. My WS6 was lowered an inch all the way around and wasn't too bad...but the nose is a lot different on the C5...thanks again!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,889
Likes: 25
From: CALIFORNIA
I appreciate your honesty...that's exactly what I was hoping for....after reading this entire thread, I think I'm gonna steer clear of lowering....it is definitely a daily driver. My WS6 was lowered an inch all the way around and wasn't too bad...but the nose is a lot different on the C5...thanks again!
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Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 12,899
Likes: 1
From: Denver Colorado
lowered on stock bolts....about a 1 inch drop all the way around from stock...does not ride any different, but i do have to be alittle more careful over bumps and through dips, no big deal!!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,789
Likes: 3
From: Jacksonville FL
LOL - I've had the same scenario happen. Neighbor passed by and yelled some smart comment at me while I was washing in the cold and grey skies.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,789
Likes: 3
From: Jacksonville FL
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 10,295
Likes: 4
From: Downers Grove IL
St. Jude Donor '15
Post pics when you can, I am sure it looks awesome.
Question:
How can you tell if it is already been dropped a few turns already?
I love the low stance, but I already scrape the nose badly ( contact to metal skid plates) coming out my driveway, can't imagine it any lower, maybe it has been dropped already?
Question:
How can you tell if it is already been dropped a few turns already?
I love the low stance, but I already scrape the nose badly ( contact to metal skid plates) coming out my driveway, can't imagine it any lower, maybe it has been dropped already?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,789
Likes: 3
From: Jacksonville FL
I'm at a similar height as KM. There is a little difference in ride feel and I have to be a little more careful with bumps but I love the look of it lowered. Although it is a weekend type car for me so it is about performance and look more than comfort. My interested but ignorant wife once asked "why does our car look more like a race car than other Vettes like it?" That kind of sums up the appeal to me...
Racer
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 306
Likes: 0
From: charlotte north carolin
I'm at a similar height as KM. There is a little difference in ride feel and I have to be a little more careful with bumps but I love the look of it lowered. Although it is a weekend type car for me so it is about performance and look more than comfort. My interested but ignorant wife once asked "why does our car look more like a race car than other Vettes like it?" That kind of sums up the appeal to me...
Your wife is kinder than mine: " why does this new car you spent so much on ride worse than the '94 mazda protege I had in high school?"
I am a borne again hater on lowering bolts
Dont do it unless you do the corresponding changes to make it all work
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,789
Likes: 3
From: Jacksonville FL
Pro
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 526
Likes: 0
From: bowie md
Okay, here's your damn pictures.
Dinner tonight will consist of beer and vicatin. Hope you are happy.
And no, I did not dry it off before I took the pictures. Nor was I going to roll it back outside after drying it off.
By the way, it did snow a little when I was washing it. A neighbor came home and she just shook her head and laughed at me.
Dinner tonight will consist of beer
and vicatin. Hope you are happy.And no, I did not dry it off before I took the pictures. Nor was I going to roll it back outside after drying it off.
By the way, it did snow a little when I was washing it. A neighbor came home and she just shook her head and laughed at me.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 14,566
Likes: 39
From: Prescott Arizona
It was low as I could go with the stock bolts. On the front I went all the way down until I hit the stops, and the backed off 1/4 turn. On the rear I left 3 threads still showing.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 345
Likes: 5
From: Miami Florida
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 14,566
Likes: 39
From: Prescott Arizona
Racer
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 345
Likes: 5
From: Miami Florida