Lower...Raise...Level...?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 111
Likes: 12
From: USMC Veteran Santa Fe, NM. USA!
C5 of Month Finalist 2017
Lower...Raise...Level...?
Looking for a link or post on how to lower/raise or level out a C5...that also has illustrations.
I have a 2004...new to me and me new to it.
I have no clue if it has been lowered or not. If it has, I would like to raise the front about 1/2"
Thank you!
Liam
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 964
Likes: 92
From: Rio Rancho NM
I’m not a expert on lowered vettes. But your car doesn’t look to be lowered much but I could be wrong. But the chin and side skirts seem to be really thick and make the car look lower then it really is.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 441
Likes: 176
From: Davidsonville Maryland
C5 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Remove the chin spoiler and side skirts and then lower it.
Here's a forum link I found after a quick search. https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ock-bolts.html
I lowered my car initially using this method and had no issues. I then upgraded to LG coilovers because I couldn't pass up the deal lol.
Here's a forum link I found after a quick search. https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ock-bolts.html
I lowered my car initially using this method and had no issues. I then upgraded to LG coilovers because I couldn't pass up the deal lol.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,791
Likes: 355
From: Northville, MI
The bolts in the spring for lowering and raising will get very tight over time. Before you do anything you should raise the car on jack stands, take off the wheels and spray the bolt where it screws into the spring and let it set over night, the next day respray them and wait about 15-20 minutes. After releasing the pressure on the spring you will need a #10 socket or wrench to turn the bolts. Mark each bolt with a sharpie and also the base of the spring and always count the turns so they are equal on each side. Because your pics are on a slope it is hard to tell how much the car has been lowered.
Off hand it looks like you need 1 turn to raise the front--this also will cause the rear to lower slightly--for additional spoiler clearance. Every time you change ride height you also change your suspension, usually a small change will not have much of an effect to hurt your alignment.
Off hand it looks like you need 1 turn to raise the front--this also will cause the rear to lower slightly--for additional spoiler clearance. Every time you change ride height you also change your suspension, usually a small change will not have much of an effect to hurt your alignment.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,820
Likes: 411
From: Somewhere in the middle of Kansas
It doesn't look like it's lowered much and with the ground effects on it I wouldn't go much lower, but if you took those off I would definitely lower it a bit. I like the ride height where it is at the way the car is currently accessorized.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 471
Likes: 69
The ground effects package that is on the car is Very Extreme.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 111
Likes: 12
From: USMC Veteran Santa Fe, NM. USA!
C5 of Month Finalist 2017
What are your wheel well heights at the openings?
& are you running stock tire sizes?
This is how my car looked at stock ride height.
Attachment 48195358
& are you running stock tire sizes?
This is how my car looked at stock ride height.
Attachment 48195358
Front: the lowest edge of the fender on center, is 26 1/4" from the ground.
Front tire size is: 245/45/17
1.5" gap from top of tire to bottom edge of fender.
Rear: the lowest edge of the fender on center, is 28" from the ground,
Rear tire size is: 285/40/18
2" gap from top of tire to bottom edge of fender.
*I am not interested in lowering at all...the ground effects kit will remain. I am simply not sure if it has been lowered at all. The ground effects are pretty thick and wide and do close the difference to the ground.
I can manage as it is around the bad roads here, but if I happen upon anything in the road, or there is even the slightest bump or channel...could spell disaster!
Thanks for your inputs!
Liam
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,776
Likes: 500
From: West Seneca NY
I would say you are lowered from stock, mine was 27.5-.625 in front & 28.75 in the rear with stock tires.
You are also running a taller than stock tire size in the rear at 27" tall, and in front with a stock size tire not sure how they got it that low unless the bolts have been removed.
I currently have 1" drop spindles & bolts down 3/4" in the rear and front bolts all the way down for another 1/2" and my wheel well heights are 27" & 26" & I run 26.7" rear tire & 26" front tire.
You are also running a taller than stock tire size in the rear at 27" tall, and in front with a stock size tire not sure how they got it that low unless the bolts have been removed.
I currently have 1" drop spindles & bolts down 3/4" in the rear and front bolts all the way down for another 1/2" and my wheel well heights are 27" & 26" & I run 26.7" rear tire & 26" front tire.
Last edited by 6speedsteve; Aug 11, 2017 at 11:57 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 111
Likes: 12
From: USMC Veteran Santa Fe, NM. USA!
C5 of Month Finalist 2017
Thanks!
I am planning on getting new wheels/tires next season...which will be bigger.
Not looking to go lower...I like to rake and height...I just wanted to come up a smidge in the front. Probably wait until I get her some new shoes!
I am planning on getting new wheels/tires next season...which will be bigger.
Not looking to go lower...I like to rake and height...I just wanted to come up a smidge in the front. Probably wait until I get her some new shoes!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 35
From: Folsom Lake CA
It's definitely lowered, not a lot, but it is lower than stock. Looks like the previous owner also wanted to get the back brought down to be more level, too.
Last edited by MrLeadFoot; Aug 16, 2017 at 05:33 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 898
Likes: 25
From: Dallas, TX
Be careful raising the front, if you level the car out you will have traction control issues.
If you search the forum, you'll find lots of people who changed tire sizes or wheels and changed the rake of the car. They usually have TC issues. IIRC there is a minimum difference between front and back ride heights that you have to maintain.
If you search the forum, you'll find lots of people who changed tire sizes or wheels and changed the rake of the car. They usually have TC issues. IIRC there is a minimum difference between front and back ride heights that you have to maintain.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 7,021
Likes: 46
From: enterprise al
St. Jude Donor '08
Be careful raising the front, if you level the car out you will have traction control issues.
If you search the forum, you'll find lots of people who changed tire sizes or wheels and changed the rake of the car. They usually have TC issues. IIRC there is a minimum difference between front and back ride heights that you have to maintain.
If you search the forum, you'll find lots of people who changed tire sizes or wheels and changed the rake of the car. They usually have TC issues. IIRC there is a minimum difference between front and back ride heights that you have to maintain.
Last edited by OleStraightStick; Aug 16, 2017 at 07:08 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 35
From: Folsom Lake CA
