suspension/lowering advice
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 324
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver BC
suspension/lowering advice
Done the searching on the subject, but still not sure what to do.
I've lowered my '03 on stock bolts as far as it will go. I'm sure I've got it lower than it should be with the stock suspension.
I'm not really happy with it, as the ride is very rough, and it is still not really low enough for me.
Suspension codes on car are FE1 and FE9 and F55.
This is a daily driver, not raced, not taken to the track.
I don't want to spend $3k.
What should I do?
Here is a shot of the current stance.
Thanks
Gary
I've lowered my '03 on stock bolts as far as it will go. I'm sure I've got it lower than it should be with the stock suspension.
I'm not really happy with it, as the ride is very rough, and it is still not really low enough for me.
Suspension codes on car are FE1 and FE9 and F55.
This is a daily driver, not raced, not taken to the track.
I don't want to spend $3k.
What should I do?
Here is a shot of the current stance.
Thanks
Gary
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 4,831
Likes: 21
From: The Voice of Reason!
St. Jude Donor '14
If its that rough I would check to see if it still had the shock stuffers in the shocks. The F55 cars were shipped with these and the dealers were suppose to remove them. Even this many years later people are still finding them.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...ck-blocks.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...ck-blocks.html
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 first ask what size wheels and tires you have, They sure look short to me, Because if you are lowered on stock bolts you should not have that much wheel well showing. In other word, Your tires look too short for the car. They look like 25 or 30 series tires.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 324
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver BC
Yes, they are 30 series (19's)
Gary
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 31
From: Allentown PA & Elk Twp NJ HPDE Addict
Here's my .02 on the subject. Going beyond an inch on stock bolts begins to compromise the geomitry of the suspension. That means if you are just showing the car and once in a while getting into it....no big deal! Anything beyond that compromises handling and again that's no big deal as long as you are aware. But if you want a Corvette that looks ultra cool because it has zero gap between the tire and the top of the fender and you're still using stock suspension and expecting world class handling....you're f...ked....just can't have both on the stock suspension.
My Z has the same gap in the rear as your's after a corner balance. Trust me when I say I can sling that car around a road course like a slot car.
Bottom line...do you want show....or go!
Again....just my .02
My Z has the same gap in the rear as your's after a corner balance. Trust me when I say I can sling that car around a road course like a slot car.
Bottom line...do you want show....or go!
Again....just my .02
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 324
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver BC
Ok, no shock stuffers. Shoot, I was hoping that's what it was.
Is this what the rear should look like after lowering all the way on stock bolts?
Still looking for some advice.
Is it simply taller tires I need?
Gary
Is this what the rear should look like after lowering all the way on stock bolts?
Still looking for some advice.
Is it simply taller tires I need?
Gary
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Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Reno is so close to Hell you can see Sparks , State Of Confusion
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
I can't tell from that picture, How many threads showing at the top of the bolt? If lowered all the way you should not have any threads showing or just a few. If I am not mistaken.
Last edited by Mr.Bill; Apr 27, 2013 at 02:02 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,502
Likes: 312
From: Scottsdale AZ
To the OP - -I think the car looks pretty cool and I understand the desire for the lowered look.
That said, you've done most of the things that contribute to poor ride - -lowered and smaller sidewalls - - it kinda comes with the territory, doesn't it?
In some respects, I'm sure things like flat black wheels, blacked out lights and a lowered stance are all about appearance and may be trends or generational. But Corvette engineers did a pretty good job of designing and building the car for a good mix of ride, handling and looks- I struggle to understand= apart from personal preference= why people change all that and then are unhappy with how the car feels or handles- notwithstanding trying to get over bumps and potholes.
I respect the "your car- your call" logic, but I've had a 11 Corvettes over 30 years and just can't catch onto this trend.
To the OP - -great looking ride - -good luck finding the right balance.
That said, you've done most of the things that contribute to poor ride - -lowered and smaller sidewalls - - it kinda comes with the territory, doesn't it?
In some respects, I'm sure things like flat black wheels, blacked out lights and a lowered stance are all about appearance and may be trends or generational. But Corvette engineers did a pretty good job of designing and building the car for a good mix of ride, handling and looks- I struggle to understand= apart from personal preference= why people change all that and then are unhappy with how the car feels or handles- notwithstanding trying to get over bumps and potholes.
I respect the "your car- your call" logic, but I've had a 11 Corvettes over 30 years and just can't catch onto this trend.
To the OP - -great looking ride - -good luck finding the right balance.
Last edited by CQRT; Apr 27, 2013 at 02:48 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 324
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver BC
To the OP - -I think the car looks pretty cool and I understand the desire for the lowered look.
That said, you've done most of the things that contribute to poor ride - -lowered and smaller sidewalls - - it kinda comes with the territory, doesn't it?
In some respects, I'm sure things like flat black wheels, blacked out lights and a lowered stance are all about appearance and may be trends or generational. But Corvette engineers did a pretty good job of designing and building the car for a good mix of ride, handling and looks- I struggle to understand= apart from personal preference= why people change all that and then are unhappy with how the car feels or handles- notwithstanding trying to get over bumps and potholes.
I respect the "your car- your call" logic, but I've had a 11 Corvettes over 30 years and just can't catch onto this trend.
To the OP - -great looking ride - -good luck finding the right balance.
That said, you've done most of the things that contribute to poor ride - -lowered and smaller sidewalls - - it kinda comes with the territory, doesn't it?
In some respects, I'm sure things like flat black wheels, blacked out lights and a lowered stance are all about appearance and may be trends or generational. But Corvette engineers did a pretty good job of designing and building the car for a good mix of ride, handling and looks- I struggle to understand= apart from personal preference= why people change all that and then are unhappy with how the car feels or handles- notwithstanding trying to get over bumps and potholes.
I respect the "your car- your call" logic, but I've had a 11 Corvettes over 30 years and just can't catch onto this trend.
To the OP - -great looking ride - -good luck finding the right balance.
I will go to taller tires when I replace them, but only bought the car last year, and thats what it came with.
I have 2-3 threads showing BTW.
Gary
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 835
Likes: 4
From: Los Angeles CA
Stance coilovers have a good reputation and are sold by a forum vendor (DoubleDMods). They cost around 1300 shipped. Coilovers really are the best way to get a smooth ride while sitting very low.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 324
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver BC
Are they a DIY install, or something that really should be installed by someone who "knows what they are doing"?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 324
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver BC
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 324
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver BC
Corvette QA1 C5/C6 Single Adjustable Pro Coil System for just over $1k?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 835
Likes: 4
From: Los Angeles CA
Check out the installation instructions and judge for yourself.
http://www.pfadtracing.com/blog/wp-c...structions.pdf
It's really not hard but you do need a good tool kit. Try to find someone in your area to help you that has experience.
http://www.pfadtracing.com/blog/wp-c...structions.pdf
It's really not hard but you do need a good tool kit. Try to find someone in your area to help you that has experience.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,671
Likes: 1,245
From: Southern Ca
What type of tires are you running ? run flat or non run flat. I am running 19"/30/ 275 and 19"/30/305 non run flats ,lowered on stock bolts and my car rides way better now with less road noise . When I ran the original tires , they felt and sounded like Sh_t.