Stock height
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 701
Likes: 32
Stock height
I notice anytime someone post a pic of their new C5, there's always several that say it needs to be lowered, or it looks like a 4x4, etc. Anybody else besides me like the stock height, I personally think they look much better stock height, besides it already drags over everything anyway, most of the cars lowered around here are Hondas and ricers
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,483
Likes: 311
From: Scottsdale AZ
I'm fine where it is . . .and am always amazed at the people that cut bushings, lower the car, put enormous wheels on it with skinny tires then wonder why it scrapes on everything and rides like chit.
Clearly, the Corvette engineers had Some idea what they were doing when they designed the car.
Personalization I understand, and when it's your car - - it's your call.
Clearly, the Corvette engineers had Some idea what they were doing when they designed the car.
Personalization I understand, and when it's your car - - it's your call.
Last edited by CQRT; Aug 2, 2015 at 12:35 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
It does amaze me what some people will spend their money on. Some here will spend thousands of dollars just to lower their car 2 inches. I drive mine a lot, like the way it looks stock and would never even consider lowering it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 916
Likes: 1,207
From: Beavercreek Ohio Currently own: 1958 Silver Blue Corvette & 1969 Riverside Gold Corvette Coupe
2025 C1 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
2024 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Looks good to me!
If it ain't broke, don't fix it!
If it ain't broke, don't fix it!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,473
Likes: 691
From: West Virginia
After I put the 18/19 ZR replica wheels on, I got a bit **** and decided to "center up" the wheels in the wheel arches - that is to say, no more "air" at the top of the tires than at the sides. Easy, just lowered it on stock bolts - cost zero. Probably went down about 1".
Only problem with the "look" now is that the rotors are too small for the wheels, but fixing that would mean spending $$$ - and the brakes (Baer/Hawk) stop the car fantastically anyway. Just don't see spending $2k on a $11K car for looks.....
Only problem with the "look" now is that the rotors are too small for the wheels, but fixing that would mean spending $$$ - and the brakes (Baer/Hawk) stop the car fantastically anyway. Just don't see spending $2k on a $11K car for looks.....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
After I put the 18/19 ZR replica wheels on, I got a bit **** and decided to "center up" the wheels in the wheel arches - that is to say, no more "air" at the top of the tires than at the sides. Easy, just lowered it on stock bolts - cost zero. Probably went down about 1".
Only problem with the "look" now is that the rotors are too small for the wheels, but fixing that would mean spending $$$ - and the brakes (Baer/Hawk) stop the car fantastically anyway. Just don't see spending $2k on a $11K car for looks.....
Only problem with the "look" now is that the rotors are too small for the wheels, but fixing that would mean spending $$$ - and the brakes (Baer/Hawk) stop the car fantastically anyway. Just don't see spending $2k on a $11K car for looks.....
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Pro
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 590
Likes: 57
From: Aurora Colorado
Stock height is fine. It allows maximum suspension travel for this class of car. Even though the body clearance for speed bumps and curbs is limited.
Suspension travel is very limited already--and if you have the standard suspension it becomes very apparent.
I don't understand why anyone would lower a C5--other than looks. Hitting the bump stops at every imperfection in the street surface has to get tiring.
Suspension travel is very limited already--and if you have the standard suspension it becomes very apparent.
I don't understand why anyone would lower a C5--other than looks. Hitting the bump stops at every imperfection in the street surface has to get tiring.
Last edited by phoneman91; Aug 2, 2015 at 04:04 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,948
Likes: 441
From: Puyallup WA
Mine is lowered and rides just fine. It's lowered on the "stock bolts."
Any lower and it would be an issue. I don't have any issues with bottoming out, etc. the way it currently sits.
But everyone has their own opinion. If we all did the same thing, this forum would be quite boring
Any lower and it would be an issue. I don't have any issues with bottoming out, etc. the way it currently sits.
But everyone has their own opinion. If we all did the same thing, this forum would be quite boring
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,185
Likes: 641
From: Garland TX
It boils down to the roads you normally drive on IMO. However, there's a reason GM designed it where the owner can drop it. It's for when you are planning on doing some road racing. They even tell you in the racing section of the C5 Z06 owners video along with how to do it.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 590
Likes: 57
From: Aurora Colorado
Mine is lowered and rides just fine. It's lowered on the "stock bolts."
Any lower and it would be an issue. I don't have any issues with bottoming out, etc. the way it currently sits.
But everyone has their own opinion. If we all did the same thing, this forum would be quite boring
Any lower and it would be an issue. I don't have any issues with bottoming out, etc. the way it currently sits.
But everyone has their own opinion. If we all did the same thing, this forum would be quite boring
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,948
Likes: 441
From: Puyallup WA
A couple weeks ago I had to drive on a portion of roadway where the traffic was re-routed onto previously unused asphalt-the old shoulder, so the other side of the road could be worked on. The dents on the asphalt and transition were so bad that I thought something was wrong with my vette-until I hit the stretch of new pavement after that.
I love driving on new roads. LOL
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,473
Likes: 691
From: West Virginia
No. I used to be a suspension designer and we spent an awful long time making sure that our designs did not cause toe changes during normal suspension movements - especially in the plus or minus an inch or so from our design point. Otherwise, you hit a bump and the car wants to turn. Let's face it, on a regular sedan you can get an inch or so difference between driver only and fully loaded.
Absolutely no sign of uneven wear after close to 3 years. If I had tweaked it excessively, I would definitely have checked the alignment.
Absolutely no sign of uneven wear after close to 3 years. If I had tweaked it excessively, I would definitely have checked the alignment.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 428
Likes: 30
The point of the thread is yes, that height looks great, and no issue if you go slow enough for the bumps, but there is no way whatsoever, that low of ride height is faster, or better riding on real roads. You are hitting the bump stops more than you know, which sends the spring rate sky high, making shocks feel too soft. The more suspension travel the better. A foot of suspension travel would be nice sometimes.
Last edited by REDHOTS; Aug 2, 2015 at 05:27 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,883
Likes: 343
From: Chicagoland
St. Jude Donor '16
Stock height is fine. It allows maximum suspension travel for this class of car. Even though the body clearance for speed bumps and curbs is limited.
Suspension travel is very limited already--and if you have the standard suspension it becomes very apparent.
I don't understand why anyone would lower a C5--other than looks. Hitting the bump stops at every imperfection in the street surface has to get tiring.
Suspension travel is very limited already--and if you have the standard suspension it becomes very apparent.
I don't understand why anyone would lower a C5--other than looks. Hitting the bump stops at every imperfection in the street surface has to get tiring.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 590
Likes: 57
From: Aurora Colorado
No. I used to be a suspension designer and we spent an awful long time making sure that our designs did not cause toe changes during normal suspension movements - especially in the plus or minus an inch or so from our design point. Otherwise, you hit a bump and the car wants to turn. Let's face it, on a regular sedan you can get an inch or so difference between driver only and fully loaded.
Absolutely no sign of uneven wear after close to 3 years. If I had tweaked it excessively, I would definitely have checked the alignment.
Absolutely no sign of uneven wear after close to 3 years. If I had tweaked it excessively, I would definitely have checked the alignment.
Last edited by phoneman91; Aug 2, 2015 at 06:16 PM.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 590
Likes: 57
From: Aurora Colorado
The point of the thread is yes, that height looks great, and no issue if you go slow enough for the bumps, but there is no way whatsoever, that low of ride height is faster, or better riding on real roads. You are hitting the bump stops more than you know, which sends the spring rate sky high, making shocks feel too soft. The more suspension travel the better. A foot of suspension travel would be nice sometimes.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 296
Likes: 6
From: Valencia CA
Mine is lowered and rides just fine. It's lowered on the "stock bolts."
Any lower and it would be an issue. I don't have any issues with bottoming out, etc. the way it currently sits.
But everyone has their own opinion. If we all did the same thing, this forum would be quite boring
Any lower and it would be an issue. I don't have any issues with bottoming out, etc. the way it currently sits.
But everyone has their own opinion. If we all did the same thing, this forum would be quite boring
One of the main selling points that made me buy my Vette was that fact that it was lowered. I test drove it and it drove smoothly, no bottom out, etc. I was told I could raise it back up, that's not happening. It's a matter of preference. I don't think I've owned a car that the suspension was modified in some way. For me, it just makes it more exciting to drive.