Lowering your ride: Any hidden problems?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
From: NC
Lowering your ride: Any hidden problems?
I'm going to drop my FRC as soon as I get some wheels. Should I already be soaking the nuts/bolts with penetrating oil? I need a good step by step layout of the proper way to drop my car. Any hidden "gotcha"s" along the way?
Thanks, Craig
Thanks, Craig
Pro
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 682
Likes: 8
From: Alexandria VA
There are some good intructions in tech tips.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/techti...D=27&TopicID=1
I actually just lowered mine last night, very easy to do. I think all three posts are helpful.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/techti...D=27&TopicID=1
I actually just lowered mine last night, very easy to do. I think all three posts are helpful.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,558
Likes: 2
From: Cape Coral FL
Your ride will get much stiffer up front unless you cut the bumpstops down, find thinner ones, or install a shorter shock.
Having said that, many on here have lowered without doing the above and just accepted the harsher ride. I did for a while, but it got annoying. After I investigated the problem I found the bumpstops were up againt the shock tower and the shock was on the bumpstop. No shock and no spring.
I looked around and found a shock with the same load rating as the stock Z51 but 1" shorter. I installed it without the bumpstops and have had no issues since then. The car rides like a Caddy, but it handles like it is on rails.
The only other issue I have heard about, but not experienced is if you have the FE45 magnetic selective ride. Lowereing gives the BCM a headache with this option and I think you may need to install a resistor or something in place of the sensor. If you don't have FE45, and you don't because you have an FRC
go for it. 
Having said that, many on here have lowered without doing the above and just accepted the harsher ride. I did for a while, but it got annoying. After I investigated the problem I found the bumpstops were up againt the shock tower and the shock was on the bumpstop. No shock and no spring.
I looked around and found a shock with the same load rating as the stock Z51 but 1" shorter. I installed it without the bumpstops and have had no issues since then. The car rides like a Caddy, but it handles like it is on rails.The only other issue I have heard about, but not experienced is if you have the FE45 magnetic selective ride. Lowereing gives the BCM a headache with this option and I think you may need to install a resistor or something in place of the sensor. If you don't have FE45, and you don't because you have an FRC
go for it.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 180
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
I did this to mine (front only) using the stock bolts. Only thing I found was a difference in the adjustment amount on each side. I did the passenger side first, getting 6 full turns before bottoming out; so I left it at 5 1/2 turns. But the drivers side only went 3 1/2 turns (left it at 3). So I had to go back to the other side and go back 3 turns so they'd match.
Last edited by Mike Mercury; Jul 27, 2004 at 10:26 AM.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 577
Likes: 4
From: Houston
Originally Posted by Warp6
I'm going to drop my FRC as soon as I get some wheels. Should I already be soaking the nuts/bolts with penetrating oil? I need a good step by step layout of the proper way to drop my car. Any hidden "gotcha"s" along the way?
Thanks, Craig
Thanks, Craig
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
From: NC
Originally Posted by N2DEEP
Yeah there is a hiddin gottcha!!! Getting out of the driveway or over large speed bumps LOL. Make sure you get frame savers and the little wheels that go up front.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 577
Likes: 4
From: Houston
Originally Posted by Warp6
Huh? Wachoo talkin' 'bout??? Little wheels?? Frame savers?? You're not trying to pull a fast one on me are ya'?
I wish I had a like that you could look at but i dont. Do a search of frame savers and maybe there will be some pics
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 26,345
Likes: 232
From: SoCal
Originally Posted by ArKay99
Your ride will get much stiffer up front unless you cut the bumpstops down, find thinner ones, or install a shorter shock.
Having said that, many on here have lowered without doing the above and just accepted the harsher ride. I did for a while, but it got annoying. After I investigated the problem I found the bumpstops were up againt the shock tower and the shock was on the bumpstop. No shock and no spring. I looked around and found a shock with the same load rating as the stock Z51 but 1" shorter. I installed it without the bumpstops and have had no issues since then. The car rides like a Caddy, but it handles like it is on rails.
The only other issue I have heard about, but not experienced is if you have the FE45 magnetic selective ride. Lowereing gives the BCM a headache with this option and I think you may need to install a resistor or something in place of the sensor. If you don't have FE45, and you don't because you have an FRC go for it.
Having said that, many on here have lowered without doing the above and just accepted the harsher ride. I did for a while, but it got annoying. After I investigated the problem I found the bumpstops were up againt the shock tower and the shock was on the bumpstop. No shock and no spring.
I looked around and found a shock with the same load rating as the stock Z51 but 1" shorter. I installed it without the bumpstops and have had no issues since then. The car rides like a Caddy, but it handles like it is on rails.The only other issue I have heard about, but not experienced is if you have the FE45 magnetic selective ride. Lowereing gives the BCM a headache with this option and I think you may need to install a resistor or something in place of the sensor. If you don't have FE45, and you don't because you have an FRC
go for it. Funny I have a thread going concerning lowering and the F55 MSR option on my 04 coupe.
Does this resistor apply to the F55 and do you have any other info or advice you could share on lowering my F55.....THANKS
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Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,558
Likes: 2
From: Cape Coral FL
Originally Posted by Macinamouth
Funny I have a thread going concerning lowering and the F55 MSR option on my 04 coupe.
Does this resistor apply to the F55 and do you have any other info or advice you could share on lowering my F55.....THANKS
Does this resistor apply to the F55 and do you have any other info or advice you could share on lowering my F55.....THANKS
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 16,477
Likes: 26
From: Gone
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03
Originally Posted by N2DEEP
Make sure you get frame savers and the little wheels that go up front.
Rocker rails (aluminum strips that bolt to the underside of the rocker panels are a good idea as well.
This is probably what you meant, just eliminating confusion.
A&A Corvette has both items, and they are definitely a worthwhile investment for a lowered car.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,374
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville Florida
My Z51 is lowered 1" on the stock bolts. Then I added Hotchkis F/R sway bars and Bilstein shocks. I would suggest a 4 wheel alignment after lowering although some folks don't.
All I can say is the above combination has made it one of the best handling cars I've ever owned. The ride hasn't been diminished much if at all. I go slow over speed bumps, and angle my approach to driveways, etc, so scraping is minimum.
Some of the best mods I've had done.
All I can say is the above combination has made it one of the best handling cars I've ever owned. The ride hasn't been diminished much if at all. I go slow over speed bumps, and angle my approach to driveways, etc, so scraping is minimum.
Some of the best mods I've had done.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,151
Likes: 1
From: N.CHARLESTON SC
My 99 has the Z51 suspension and I wanted to go lower than the stock bolts would allow, so I removed my front bolts and maxed out the rear, aolng with cutting 1/3 off the rear bushings. Just if you want to put it in the weeds 
Handles great and looks like its doing 100 MPH sitting still 
Handles great and looks like its doing 100 MPH sitting still
Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 577
Likes: 4
From: Houston
Originally Posted by Y2Kvert4me
The framesavers ARE the little wheels on the front.
Rocker rails (aluminum strips that bolt to the underside of the rocker panels are a good idea as well.
This is probably what you meant, just eliminating confusion.
A&A Corvette has both items, and they are definitely a worthwhile investment for a lowered car.
Rocker rails (aluminum strips that bolt to the underside of the rocker panels are a good idea as well.
This is probably what you meant, just eliminating confusion.
A&A Corvette has both items, and they are definitely a worthwhile investment for a lowered car.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,887
Likes: 2
From: Havin' fun in Frederick, MD!!!
St. Jude Donor '05 '09
Originally Posted by Y2Kvert4me
The framesavers ARE the little wheels on the front.
Rocker rails (aluminum strips that bolt to the underside of the rocker panels are a good idea as well.
This is probably what you meant, just eliminating confusion.
A&A Corvette has both items, and they are definitely a worthwhile investment for a lowered car.
Rocker rails (aluminum strips that bolt to the underside of the rocker panels are a good idea as well.
This is probably what you meant, just eliminating confusion.
A&A Corvette has both items, and they are definitely a worthwhile investment for a lowered car.
Tom
Racer
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 389
Likes: 1
From: Denver co
Originally Posted by Y2Kvert4me
The framesavers ARE the little wheels on the front.
Rocker rails (aluminum strips that bolt to the underside of the rocker panels are a good idea as well.
This is probably what you meant, just eliminating confusion.
A&A Corvette has both items, and they are definitely a worthwhile investment for a lowered car.
Rocker rails (aluminum strips that bolt to the underside of the rocker panels are a good idea as well.
This is probably what you meant, just eliminating confusion.
A&A Corvette has both items, and they are definitely a worthwhile investment for a lowered car.
When using the stock wheels and tires I'm ok and can go over a low speed bump, when using the road racing wheels with 30's series tires, then the clearance under the jack point on the side of the car is 2 1/2" inches and then I can't go over any speed bump and must be carrefull on any road level difference.
I also installed GM t1 sway bars and bilstein sport, the car really turn flat and faster than a lot of car I saw so far on track (maranello, viper, 911).
Pascal
Last edited by corvettefrance; Jul 31, 2004 at 01:56 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,766
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento CA
I like this tech tip walk through... How to lower your Vette
I used that one to lower my car. It is simple. No need for any oiling. You will be good to go!
I used that one to lower my car. It is simple. No need for any oiling. You will be good to go!