C5 Approach Angle
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2024
Posts: 19
Likes: 10
From: Richmond, KY
C5 Approach Angle
Hello - first time poster...
I am inheriting/buying my dads 1999 C5 coupe. The car is all stock, no modifications.
I am concerned about the approach angle of my driveway (live in very hilly kentucky).
Has anyone computed the maximum(?) approach for this car without scraping the bumper. (I figure the air dam will take a hit)
I am inheriting/buying my dads 1999 C5 coupe. The car is all stock, no modifications.
I am concerned about the approach angle of my driveway (live in very hilly kentucky).
Has anyone computed the maximum(?) approach for this car without scraping the bumper. (I figure the air dam will take a hit)
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 1,025
Likes: 888
From: Nappytown MD
I don't have a picture of mine, but I have a steep ~45degree angled curb to get up on my driveway off the street. If I come up and enter my driveway (with wheels straight) at a 45degree angle, I can get both wheels up on the driveway with no scraping, then I just turn the wheel and drive up and on. When I leave, I have to back down and the minute my rear wheels are "down" the curb, I straighten my wheels as I am ~45degrres angled already and roll as slow as I can down off the curb, and usually no scraping and sometimes just a small bit of the air damn scraping, not bad but I still hate it!
Speed bumps, I slow to a crawl and again, angle my steering to come up and over and then straighten up. I have no issue but if I hit them at 5mph? no bueno-
Speed bumps, I slow to a crawl and again, angle my steering to come up and over and then straighten up. I have no issue but if I hit them at 5mph? no bueno-
No Hostility Be Happy
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 10,068
Likes: 7,387
From: South Hill Wa
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I don't have any specific numbers to give you, but keep in mind GM actually designed the front of this car knowing it was going to hit the ground at times.
It can handle more than you might think.
I live on a completely flat surface street with completely flat driveway with a 2.5 inch or so asphalt curb separating the two and my car drags the airdam coming and going. That being said, my car is lowered down probably 1 to 2 inches front and rear.
If your dads car is still at stock height you can get over some pretty tall stuff as these cars stock tend to sit like a 4x4 lol.
It can handle more than you might think.
I live on a completely flat surface street with completely flat driveway with a 2.5 inch or so asphalt curb separating the two and my car drags the airdam coming and going. That being said, my car is lowered down probably 1 to 2 inches front and rear.
If your dads car is still at stock height you can get over some pretty tall stuff as these cars stock tend to sit like a 4x4 lol.
Last edited by Mr. Black; Feb 17, 2025 at 07:44 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 1,389
Likes: 1,073
The air dam is made of very flexible plastic, made to survive scrapes, and cheap enough to not break the bank if you tear it up and have to replace it.
But, it's too bad that Chevy didn't come up with the idea of the front end lift, like is offered on the C8, a long time back.
But, it's too bad that Chevy didn't come up with the idea of the front end lift, like is offered on the C8, a long time back.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2024
Posts: 19
Likes: 10
From: Richmond, KY
Thank you!
Thank you for your help!
I don't have a picture of mine, but I have a steep ~45degree angled curb to get up on my driveway off the street. If I come up and enter my driveway (with wheels straight) at a 45degree angle, I can get both wheels up on the driveway with no scraping, then I just turn the wheel and drive up and on. When I leave, I have to back down and the minute my rear wheels are "down" the curb, I straighten my wheels as I am ~45degrres angled already and roll as slow as I can down off the curb, and usually no scraping and sometimes just a small bit of the air damn scraping, not bad but I still hate it!
Speed bumps, I slow to a crawl and again, angle my steering to come up and over and then straighten up. I have no issue but if I hit them at 5mph? no bueno-
Speed bumps, I slow to a crawl and again, angle my steering to come up and over and then straighten up. I have no issue but if I hit them at 5mph? no bueno-
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 2,918
Likes: 1,678
From: North Coast
The black air dam will scrape. It is made to wear and be replaced.
The bars up front are not to scrape nor any painted surface.
The way in is on an angle and at time you may need to move gravel or put boards down to lift the car up.
The bars up front are not to scrape nor any painted surface.
The way in is on an angle and at time you may need to move gravel or put boards down to lift the car up.
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 47
Likes: 23
From: Lancaster, KY
Welcome to the forum! I also live in KY and hills are not a problem, just steep and rapid inclines like driveways and speed bumps. These cars are 20+ years old and have survived many inclines and scrapes. Just be careful and you'll be fine.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
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
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,053
Likes: 24,730
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
I have a moderately steep entrance to my driveway and when I had my C5 I approached the entrance at approximately a 45* angle. It would occasionally scrape the air dam, but never scraped the radiator support bars nor the painted underside of the front fascia.
Running Guns & Moonshine
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 12,574
Likes: 7,250
From: CT
There is no magic angle.
Often what you will hear is the plastic air dams scraping which provide a sort of warning. They are entirely replacable. They can also be trimmed a bit if desired.
The only real risk is the underside of the nose and the lower radiator mounts. Some put plastic skid plate covers on those bars. I have always preferred the Big Momma skateboard wheel mounts instead. They save the nose in general while also being a good audible if you make contact. Additionally, should you ever need to be flat bedded they likewise save the nose and make the drivers happy as they absolutely aid in getting the car up and keeping the nose clear.
You will learn the car in time. A few scrapes down under the nose where no one sees them is common.
Often what you will hear is the plastic air dams scraping which provide a sort of warning. They are entirely replacable. They can also be trimmed a bit if desired.
The only real risk is the underside of the nose and the lower radiator mounts. Some put plastic skid plate covers on those bars. I have always preferred the Big Momma skateboard wheel mounts instead. They save the nose in general while also being a good audible if you make contact. Additionally, should you ever need to be flat bedded they likewise save the nose and make the drivers happy as they absolutely aid in getting the car up and keeping the nose clear.
You will learn the car in time. A few scrapes down under the nose where no one sees them is common.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 627
Likes: 181
From: west coast of Canada
I've got a steep driveway and although I cut in at 45*, I was still scraping the air dam. Got tired of hearing the scrape so I reduced the depth by about 1 inch.
Got rid of the scrape and didn't affect the cooling.
Got rid of the scrape and didn't affect the cooling.