Who Here Has "Partially Lowered"?
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Race Director
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From: The Sunshine State
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Who Here Has "Partially Lowered"?
I know many have lowered all the way on stock bolts and some have cut bushings and purchased longer bolts to really slam their C5, however I'm curious who has taken some height off the fenders to fill in the wheel gap and whether or not they noticed any type of ride difference.
If so, how much, or little, did you lower? Is it an easier process than lowering all the way on stock bolts?
If so, how much, or little, did you lower? Is it an easier process than lowering all the way on stock bolts?
Racer
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 427
Likes: 2
From: Redding Ca
I did last weekend ....lowered on stock bolts and w/ c6 z06 stocks, was considering takeing the bolts out and laying a plastic piece of a bondo applicator between lower A arm and spring. My car looks level now I want the rake look back thats why I'm considering this. I have to say that I still have plenty of travel in the shocks,,,not sure on how thick the rubber bushings are , been reading alot of post about it though
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,266
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From: Germantown, TN
I know many have lowered all the way on stock bolts and some have cut bushings and purchased longer bolts to really slam their C5, however I'm curious who has taken some height off the fenders to fill in the wheel gap and whether or not they noticed any type of ride difference.
If so, how much, or little, did you lower? Is it an easier process than lowering all the way on stock bolts?
If so, how much, or little, did you lower? Is it an easier process than lowering all the way on stock bolts?
1. Cut the bushings on the front bolts & went all the way down.
2. Got longer bolts for the rears.
Appearance wise, car WAS AWESOME!!! Handled GREAT! Eventually (6 months or so after lowering it) I ended up scrapping the front lower part of my front bumper. Probably leaving a driveway or store with a steep incline. This is what I ended up doing:
1. Got new bolts for the front & lowered it all the way while still retaining the rubber bushings.
2. Raised the rear lower bolts a little to balance out the car (since the front now sat a little higher).
NOT my favorite as far as appearance but I do feel its a good 1/2 way point between stock & what I had before. Now I scrape the 3 piece plastic air dam up front, but no biggie! It looks GOOD & it's more practical as having the front bumper's paint touched up was not cheap!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 20,030
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From: Wylie TX --> Less is More, except under the hood !
Lowered max on stock bolts is the way to go really. Best of both worlds for the most part. Lower than that on stock suspension is too stiff/rough. Been there, done that. 
Stock height just looks wrong. Its even said that the car was that high for shipping purposes only from Bowling Green. The dealers were supposed to lower the car's when they hit their lots. Not many dealers spent the time to lower as GM recommended before selling them though. Mine sure was NOT set to proper height.
Going lower than that you really need to save for a coil over set up so you can get your ride quality back.
Toque
Stock height just looks wrong. Its even said that the car was that high for shipping purposes only from Bowling Green. The dealers were supposed to lower the car's when they hit their lots. Not many dealers spent the time to lower as GM recommended before selling them though. Mine sure was NOT set to proper height.
Going lower than that you really need to save for a coil over set up so you can get your ride quality back.
Toque
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From: The Sunshine State
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Thanks for the replies. I had originally lowered all the way on stock bolts and I felt it was too low as I was scraping too hard in/out of my driveway. I then raised it back, however lower than Toque's first photo. (I don't think mine was ever that high).
I'm wondering if anyone has partially lowered on stock bolts so instead of leaving 2-3 thread showing, perhaps they have 4-5 threads showing.
If so, any difference in ride quality?
I'm wondering if anyone has partially lowered on stock bolts so instead of leaving 2-3 thread showing, perhaps they have 4-5 threads showing.
If so, any difference in ride quality?
Last edited by MSG C5; Jul 24, 2012 at 11:23 PM.
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Advanced
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: Bergenfield NJ
Hey excellent posts! I lowered mine all the way on stock bolts. I want to lower them more. Which Longer bolt kit should I buy? I see all different kinds from all over the forum. Thanks in advanced!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,868
Likes: 770
From: Kelso Washington
St. Jude Donor '09, '13, '15
I just lowered mine on stock bolts. Backed off a whole turn on the fronts and left 2.5 threads showing on the rear. Not sure if it is totally settled but wanted to be practical considering some places I have to drive.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,182
Likes: 1
From: Oakley Ca
Lowered max on stock bolts is the way to go really. Best of both worlds for the most part. Lower than that on stock suspension is too stiff/rough. Been there, done that.
Stock height just looks wrong. Its even said that the car was that high for shipping purposes only from Bowling Green. The dealers were supposed to lower the car's when they hit their lots. Not many dealers spent the time to lower as GM recommended before selling them though. Mine sure was NOT set to proper height.
Going lower than that you really need to save for a coil over set up so you can get your ride quality back.
Toque
Stock height just looks wrong. Its even said that the car was that high for shipping purposes only from Bowling Green. The dealers were supposed to lower the car's when they hit their lots. Not many dealers spent the time to lower as GM recommended before selling them though. Mine sure was NOT set to proper height.
Going lower than that you really need to save for a coil over set up so you can get your ride quality back.
Toque
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,868
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From: Kelso Washington
St. Jude Donor '09, '13, '15
When I got in there and looked at the bolts, it had never been lowered.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,240
Likes: 1
From: Orange County California
there is a really good post in the sticky diy threads on properly lowering the car... its very important aero wise to retain a rake, and just lower all the way without measuring things can really throw the car out of balance...having said that, lowered my last C5 about one inch and it greatly improved the spring rate on the stock leaf springs, but as I did not lower it properly the nose would get light at around 140mph and the rear end would slide too much at all speeds
this time around I will measure and do everything properly as per the diy thread here
bottom line, if your car is solely a waxer and never driven hard slam it like crazy with no worries... but if you are gunna hit some curvy roads fairly hard on a regular basis I'd do the lowering carefully and measured as per that diy thread, unless you like death or horribly disfiguring injuries...ouch
this time around I will measure and do everything properly as per the diy thread here
bottom line, if your car is solely a waxer and never driven hard slam it like crazy with no worries... but if you are gunna hit some curvy roads fairly hard on a regular basis I'd do the lowering carefully and measured as per that diy thread, unless you like death or horribly disfiguring injuries...ouch
Last edited by steven31371; Jul 25, 2012 at 01:15 AM.
Corvette Cowboy
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From: Cen-Cal Broke A$$ Kalifornia
Pops
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Prince George VA
Removed front bolts. Longer bolts in the rear. Obviously the ride is much more harsh. I've hit bumps hard enough to throw me out of the seat.
My front fender well is 25.75" and the rear is 26.25"
My front fender well is 25.75" and the rear is 26.25"
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,240
Likes: 1
From: Orange County California
so effectively all the rake you have is what is there from the staggered tire diameter...
it looks incredible, but how does it handle around curves at at speed?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,208
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From: Prince George VA
Thanks. Handles very good. I have bilstein shocks, c6 z51 sway bars, and solid end links. I plan to get a set of coil overs later on though.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 765
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From: Vacaville California