Lowering questions
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 320
Likes: 2
From: Philadelphia PA
Lowering questions
I have a 97 coupe and I've talked to a few people that lowered their c5 using the stock bolts and some lowering kit. I understand that this isn't going to be as good as changing the suspension or doing coil overs but is this still a safe way?
I've been told you can lower up to 1 inch on stock bolts. Thoughts?
I am looking for an inexpensive way of lowering just n case I don't like it or scrape I can reverse it.
I've been told you can lower up to 1 inch on stock bolts. Thoughts?
I am looking for an inexpensive way of lowering just n case I don't like it or scrape I can reverse it.
Last edited by tommyo4; Mar 17, 2013 at 07:36 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 18,681
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From: Reno is so close to Hell you can see Sparks , State Of Confusion
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
You should have no issues lowering on the stock bolts, It is a very easy thing to do, I did mine in under an hour and it is reversible, When you do this make sure you WD-40 the heck out of the bolts the night before, Believe me it helps. Also when you are done and figure you like it get a 4 wheel alignment done.
Here is a link on lowering the C5.
Mr.Bill
http://www.frankhunt.com/FRANK/hobbi...5_Lowering.htm
Here is a link on lowering the C5.
Mr.Bill
http://www.frankhunt.com/FRANK/hobbi...5_Lowering.htm
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,393
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From: Belleville Mich.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 320
Likes: 2
From: Philadelphia PA
Thanks for the info guys. So I don't even need to buy anything to do this? Sounds like a no brainer. Another question: my vette has the **** to change suspension for sport, touring and performance. Will this throw it all off?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,364
Likes: 4
From: Bedford MA
That's what that website said about the F45 shocks.... only if you go too low.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,266
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From: Germantown, TN
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 320
Likes: 2
From: Philadelphia PA
I re read it and now I see. Hmm the last thing I want to do is affect the suspension or hurt it. Should I go on the safe side and try to lower it 1/2inch or not bother.
Just to be clear, mine would be the f45 shocks?
Just to be clear, mine would be the f45 shocks?
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 320
Likes: 2
From: Philadelphia PA
Perfect. Thanks for the help. I'll being doing it next week. Big changes already!! Had the car 6 weeks and already did headers, x pipe, borla, cai intake, getting dyno this week and wheels coming soon!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,217
Likes: 784
From: Fort Myers Beach Florida
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 320
Likes: 2
From: Philadelphia PA
Looking to do bigger wheels. I current
Have the c5 zo6 chrome 17/18 but I'd like to upgrade to the 18/19 c6 with 5 spoke or the zo6 wheels. By lowering the car and inch can I still fit the standard size wheel without spacers or rubbing?
What is a common size to run? I'd like to go wide as I can without rubbing in the rear and without sticking out with the stock fenders. Lets see some pics?
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,341
Likes: 8
From: Hopatcong New Jersey
And FYI, I GUARANTEE I can sell my car with C6z06 rims, Corsa exhaust, and LED halo tail lights for more than a stock C5 in the same condition and mileage as my car.
Also, my car is lowered and I have yet to tear it up on driveways, bumps, and curbs...it's called being careful.
To the OP, I'm running C6Z06 replicas (18x9.5 and 19x10 with c5 offsets) if you pick the correct tires to maintain close to stock overall diameter you won't have any problem fitting them on your lowered car
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 18,681
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From: Reno is so close to Hell you can see Sparks , State Of Confusion
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
Racer
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
From: Sayreville, New Jersey
To the OP, you can't go wrong with lowering your car on the stock bolts. It's a cheap, fun little mod that helps get rid of the 4x4 look and add to the appearance of your car. You just have to be careful with driveway and speedbumps. I always scrape on my driveway, even before I lowered it, and have to take speed bumps at a bit of an angle to prevent anything from the undercarriage scraping. It's a good middle point for when you want to go to coilovers to appease you for the time being lol.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 2
From: Denver CO
What do you expect to accomplish, posting with such negativity? If you don't want to mod your ride then don't. I don't think it's necessary to wet on other's ideas or intrests.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 320
Likes: 2
From: Philadelphia PA
Thanks for all the reassurance guys. I bought the car to drive it!! So back to the wheels. I think I want to go with the c6 wheels 18/19. Can I go wider than 10 in the rear or will it not work and will lowering it affect it?
Who is having some deals for rims or wheels packages? Recommendations for tires? I'm hearing nitto555 are pretty good.
Who is having some deals for rims or wheels packages? Recommendations for tires? I'm hearing nitto555 are pretty good.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
From: Sayreville, New Jersey
Thanks for all the reassurance guys. I bought the car to drive it!! So back to the wheels. I think I want to go with the c6 wheels 18/19. Can I go wider than 10 in the rear or will it not work and will lowering it affect it?
Who is having some deals for rims or wheels packages? Recommendations for tires? I'm hearing nitto555 are pretty good.
Who is having some deals for rims or wheels packages? Recommendations for tires? I'm hearing nitto555 are pretty good.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 320
Likes: 2
From: Philadelphia PA
This is not my dd and won't ever be driven deliberately in the rain. I plan to make a few passes to see how she does but not competitively. I live in pa so we have all kinds of crazy weather so I need a tire that can withstand the cold and 100+ days.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,170
Likes: 48
From: Yuma CO
Senior Member
Cruise-In V Veteran
I have read on here before that, originally, dealers were supposed to lower our cars on the stock bolts as part of the dealer set-up and that them being raised like they are was a shipping issue. I don't know if this is true or not, but it makes sense as there were also inserts in the shocks that occasionally got overlooked and left in some cars.
My last one had the F45 suspension and I had no trouble at all after lowering it. I plan on lowering this one as well after I get Elite Engineering's rocker rails and some Fangs for the front. This one has Z51 and I love the way it handles now, so I can't wait to get it down where it belongs!!!!
DSTURBD
My last one had the F45 suspension and I had no trouble at all after lowering it. I plan on lowering this one as well after I get Elite Engineering's rocker rails and some Fangs for the front. This one has Z51 and I love the way it handles now, so I can't wait to get it down where it belongs!!!!
DSTURBD
Racer
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
From: Sayreville, New Jersey
If you want more of a street tire, the Nitto 555 or NT05 would be great choices. However, if you want to go with a DR type tire, you can go with their 555R or NT05R. You can always go on different tire company websites and see what they have to offer, although I'm sure others on here will chime on on what they use and like.