[Z06] When properly lowering how low is to low?
05-29-2012, 09:36 AM
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
When properly lowering how low is to low?
I'm going to lower my Z and wonder were you really start having problems? I've purchased a set of Pfadt feather lights coilovers which come from the factory set about 3/4" lower then stock. I have 17s and 18s on the car it its a weekend driver.
Thanks
Thanks
05-29-2012, 09:49 AM
#2
Burning Brakes
3/4 is about right. Thats what mine did on stock bolts.rides a little stiffer but not bad.you might want to invest in frame sliders.speed bumps and driveways will get annoying.but worth the new look
05-29-2012, 01:50 PM
#3
Drifting
You can go lower than 3/4" with coilovers and still get a great driving experience. Guys who lower their cars with the bolts are losing suspension travel, thus it's usually a harsher ride. That's not true with coilovers. You're just threading the shock body up and down, and you retain full suspension travel and rebound. I had a corvette race shop do my install and corner weighting, and they dropped the car about 1.75". Rides great, corners greater, and I have yet to rub or hit any curbs. I bought frame savers and rocker rails to be safe though. 
05-29-2012, 02:22 PM
#4
Burning Brakes
I just lowered mine Z down about 1 3/4 on PFADT SA coil overs and couldn't be more pleased. I scrap the air dam in the front occasionally but it's made to be scrapped across things since it is spring loaded and bounces right back.
Depending on how stiff of a ride you like the suggested number of adjustment clicks for the street may be too bouncy. I ended up stiffening mine up 7 clicks past the street recommendation on the front and 6 up from the street recommendation on the rears. You certainly feel the road but it's not harsh, just stiff.
Good luck with the install. You'll love the suspension afterwards.
05-30-2012, 10:20 AM
#6
Burning Brakes
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I have coil overs and have it dropped around 1-1/2", rides & looks GREAT ! 
What I have been told by guys who track their cars is if you go no more than 1" from stock the car's suspension will function as designed and handle it's best. If you go further than 1" the suspension geometry becomes compromised even with coil overs and will not handle its best.
I don't track my car ...
What I have been told by guys who track their cars is if you go no more than 1" from stock the car's suspension will function as designed and handle it's best. If you go further than 1" the suspension geometry becomes compromised even with coil overs and will not handle its best.
I don't track my car ...
Last edited by ZEE-OH-6; 05-30-2012 at 11:13 AM.
05-30-2012, 10:53 AM
#7
I have coil overs and have it dropped around 1-1/2", rides & looks GREAT !
What I have been told by guys who track there cars is if you go no more than 1" from stock the car's suspension will function as designed and handle it's best. If you go further than 1" the suspension geometry becomes compromised even with coil overs and will not handle its best.
I don't track my car ...
What I have been told by guys who track there cars is if you go no more than 1" from stock the car's suspension will function as designed and handle it's best. If you go further than 1" the suspension geometry becomes compromised even with coil overs and will not handle its best.
I don't track my car ...
probably my fav post ever.
05-31-2012, 02:30 PM
#8
If you're running our FeatherLight Singles we would recommend running about where you've got the car now for best handling. The ground to top of fender height measurement is the easiest to take, and for a C5 we like to see the car about 26.7 in the front and 27.6 in the rear. This is a nice combination of aggressive looks and handling. You do however have the option of going lower if you wanted too.
If you're not using coilovers however we don't recommend you lower the car more than is mechanically possible with the factory lowering bolts. Just as mentioned above the lower you move with the factory bolts the more suspension travel you dial out. One of the key advantages to moving to coilovers is more ride height flexibility without compromising ride quality or performance.
As always, if you're making changes to your cars ride height you will need to get an alignment afterwards!
If you're not using coilovers however we don't recommend you lower the car more than is mechanically possible with the factory lowering bolts. Just as mentioned above the lower you move with the factory bolts the more suspension travel you dial out. One of the key advantages to moving to coilovers is more ride height flexibility without compromising ride quality or performance.
As always, if you're making changes to your cars ride height you will need to get an alignment afterwards!
05-31-2012, 02:42 PM
#9
Le Mans Master
Dear Pfadt, please send me some development coilovers at a highly discounted cost so I can beat the crap out of them on the racetrack, while on a budget...thank you.
06-01-2012, 09:15 AM
#11
Le Mans Master
According to the video that came with my '03 Z when new, it tells you that it is recommended to lower about 1" for better handling. I've got my car lowered to the max on stock bolts with the front bushings cut in half. It's been like this for several years now with no adverse affects as far as I'm concerned. Rides and handles great, with Bilstein Sports BTW, scrapes frequently (I don't care) just be careful. I've got at least a 1" drop but it looks more than that compared to other cars. Mine might have been lower to begin with. It seeems to vary from car to car stock. Some look much higher than mine started out stock, almost like a 4x4 Vette. A friend's Z was a lot higher than mine stock. I also had an excellent alignment done by Phoenix Automotive in PA, steering is amazing. They have quite a bit of experience racing and winning with Corvettes.