Unlowered
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,894
Likes: 981
From: Whitby Ont.
Unlowered
Did the lowering thing a few weeks back and noticed right away the ride difference,maybe all in my mind,but I don t think so.Didn t want to get a wheel alignment till I run it for awhile and things settled in. Well, today I cranked it back up again,the rough ride was too much for me,wasn t worried about the roads or hitting anything,just much rougher,cranked it up, wailed up to my test track and back and felt much better,will have to ride it a few weeks and get it resettled in and then take it and get the 4 wheel alignment done.When I did drop it, was not much difference anyway, about 3/4 of an inch.
Al
Al
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,683
Likes: 144
From: Memphis Tennessee
I bet there is a lot of this that simply does not get printed here. Everyone that reads about lowering does so, most don't really like it if they actually drive their ride.
I will admit it looks cool to lower the C5, but the ride goes straight to H$LL
I will admit it looks cool to lower the C5, but the ride goes straight to H$LL
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 11,122
Likes: 672
From: SE Pennsylvania
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Oldtimer
Lowing what ?
Mine scrapes enough at stock height. The hell with aggravating the situation. You poke a stick at a dog long enough and your gonna get bite. I'm willing g to bet a lot more out there tried the lowered thing and said "Hell with this !" But they don't want to say so. 
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 18,681
Likes: 47
From: Reno is so close to Hell you can see Sparks , State Of Confusion
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
I have to say, When I lowered my car the ride wasn't bad, It was different, But not bad, Maybe that is because I have a Z51? But there is no way I would raise mine back up, I have read in some cases that the stock shocks will not have good travel on a lowered car. Maybe that is what some of you are feeling is the shocks not working right on a lowered car.
Mr.Bill
Mr.Bill
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 16,376
Likes: 404
From: Should this thoughtful, valuable contribution meet with no acknowledgement or 'thanks' this post----
If you add coilovers, you can go as low as you want with a great ride feel. The coil springs do a great job....way better than the leaf springs.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 18,643
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From: Norman Oklahoma - The Only State in the Union with no Blue Counties!
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 27,567
Likes: 99
From: San Diego
First C5 was a base model and non-lowered.
Second C5 was a Z51 that was lowered all the way on the stock bolts. Loved the look, ride was slightly stiffer and harsher, but I attributed that more to the Z51 package and the lower profile tires.
Third C5 has Bilstein shocks, hotchki's swaybars, and Nitto 555rII's and is lowered. Love the look, and just put 660 miles on her the other weekend without issue.
I wouldn't own a Corvette again that rode on the stock height. No way, no how.
Second C5 was a Z51 that was lowered all the way on the stock bolts. Loved the look, ride was slightly stiffer and harsher, but I attributed that more to the Z51 package and the lower profile tires.
Third C5 has Bilstein shocks, hotchki's swaybars, and Nitto 555rII's and is lowered. Love the look, and just put 660 miles on her the other weekend without issue.
I wouldn't own a Corvette again that rode on the stock height. No way, no how.
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St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
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I like the lowered look, but just not willing to take the chance of damaging the car with the roads we have around here.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 518
Likes: 36
From: Indiana
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 7,207
Likes: 311
From: Lino Lakes MN
I lowered mine to the max on stock bolts when I added C6Z06 shocks and C6Z51 sways with metal end links, handles better, looks better, ride is firmer but, not bone jarring by any stretch.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 377
Likes: 3
From: Cudahy WI
I love my slammed C5. Sure, it scrapes. But it looks awesome. Mine is lowered on 1/2" longer rear bolts and I removed the front adjusters, shimmed with some heavy rubber (Fernco coupler donated itself)
Racer
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 459
Likes: 1
If you got a show car, or don't seriously drive your car then lower it. If you are performance minded, and drive your car like it wants to be, then leave it at stock height or close to it. I would never bottom it out.
Lowering a car too much can actually decrease handling and performance. The factory engineered the geometry of the suspension at certain angles. Changing those can upset the balance, handling and computer systems of the vehicle.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 901
Likes: 2
From: Palm City Fl
I am lowering my 02 Z06 right now actually, just taking a break. Lowered the back already, and to be honest I don't even see a difference yet... Is it really just backing off on the leaf spring bolts? That just seems to easy. And if all I am doing is lowering it do I really need to get an alignment? I don't see how I changed the suspension, only the height of the body off of the suspension.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,405
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From: Whippany NJ
CI 6-7-8-9 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Did the lowering thing a few weeks back and noticed right away the ride difference,maybe all in my mind,but I don t think so.Didn t want to get a wheel alignment till I run it for awhile and things settled in. Well, today I cranked it back up again,the rough ride was too much for me,wasn t worried about the roads or hitting anything,just much rougher,cranked it up, wailed up to my test track and back and felt much better,will have to ride it a few weeks and get it resettled in and then take it and get the 4 wheel alignment done.When I did drop it, was not much difference anyway, about 3/4 of an inch.
Al
Al
Racer
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 459
Likes: 1
I am lowering my 02 Z06 right now actually, just taking a break. Lowered the back already, and to be honest I don't even see a difference yet... Is it really just backing off on the leaf spring bolts? That just seems to easy. And if all I am doing is lowering it do I really need to get an alignment? I don't see how I changed the suspension, only the height of the body off of the suspension.
Resident moron
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,746
Likes: 20
From: Assachusetts
That's strange. I lowered my car to the maximum possible and then a little further (cut the bushings down a bit). I didn't notice any difference other than the car doesn't look like a 4x4 now. I have factory Z51 with 04 Z06 shocks. Been lowered for almost a decade now.
Dope
Dope
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,403
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From: Allentown PA & Elk Twp NJ HPDE Addict
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,080
Likes: 151
From: Toronto
All of 3/4'', oh my! 
I've said it before, as others have that the stock cars are at the 'nose bleed height' to be able to be loaded on railcars/ car transporters, and are meant to lowered.
I've said it before, as others have that the stock cars are at the 'nose bleed height' to be able to be loaded on railcars/ car transporters, and are meant to lowered.
Did the lowering thing a few weeks back and noticed right away the ride difference,maybe all in my mind,but I don t think so.Didn t want to get a wheel alignment till I run it for awhile and things settled in. Well, today I cranked it back up again,the rough ride was too much for me,wasn t worried about the roads or hitting anything,just much rougher,cranked it up, wailed up to my test track and back and felt much better,will have to ride it a few weeks and get it resettled in and then take it and get the 4 wheel alignment done.When I did drop it, was not much difference anyway, about 3/4 of an inch.
Al
Al