lowering questions
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Pro
Joined: May 2004
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From: Pembroke Pines Florida
lowering questions
I lowered my car a few weeks ago and had it re-aligned. I would like to go a little lower in the front. I realize I will have to cut the bushings to do this. Will I have a notably harsher ride by doing this? If I lower just the front a bit more, do you think the car should be re-aligned again? I think I know the answers to these questions(yes and yes), just want to get some more opinions.
Oh...and at what point would I need to start worrying about suspension travel?
Scott
Oh...and at what point would I need to start worrying about suspension travel?
Scott
Last edited by Rattler71; Jul 31, 2004 at 07:40 PM.
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Is it possible to get real long bolts then only lower part way to still have some suspension travel. I think that would solve any harsh ride problems. Realignment...yes 
Drifting
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From: Sacramento CA
Originally Posted by Rattler71
I lowered my car a few weeks ago and had it re-aligned. I would like to go a little lower in the front. I realize I will have to cut the bushings to do this. Will I have a notable harsher ride by doing this? If I lower just the front a bit more, do you think the car should be re-aligned again? I think I know the answers to these questions(yes and yes), just want to get some more opinions.
Oh...and at what point would I need to start worrying about suspension travel?
Scott
Oh...and at what point would I need to start worrying about suspension travel?
Scott
I got back to my bro's house and fixed this but there was no shock travel in the rear. Barely any and the ride sucked! I fixed it and gave it a very small rake and the ride is fine. I really love it. However to go any lower then where I am Im thinkin new lower shocks are in order.
Also there was some info about turning a shock mount upside down or something like that to give you close to an inch more travel. I need to look into this as well...
About the alignment. I'm not to sure. I still havent had mine aligned and have put some miles on it and it seems ok. Just going to leave it like that I think.
EDIT: Ill go add a new picture of my car to my yahoo photos page. Its the last pic with the chrome wheels. Ill add it in just a second.
photos.yahoo.com/slumpinc5
Last edited by SlumpinC5; Jul 30, 2004 at 09:32 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Sacramento CA
Originally Posted by doo600
Is it possible to get real long bolts then only lower part way to still have some suspension travel. I think that would solve any harsh ride problems. Realignment...yes
Safety Car
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From: San Diego, CA "leaf" "tee" "e"
Originally Posted by CAJUNY2KC5
My understanding is yes, you will notice a harsher ride. You might also have to consider getting the Baer Bump Steer kit for proper alignment.
Isn't this kit for the rear?
To lower it further, Hardbar has a kit with SS bolts and Delrin bushings. For the rear they use Ti bolts.
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From: Huntington Indiana
Lowering your car
Lowered mine from the factory and have not aligned it yet seems to be doing ok. I think that I am going to go alittle lower. Lowered my brother in laws ZO6, cut the bushings and put Grade 8 bolts ( 6 1/2 ) inches long in the back and went down another 1/2 inch. He seems to be doing fine. He did have it aligned mainly it was because his was off when he got the car. and thecar sat about 1/4 of and inch higher on one side to the other from the factory. He has not complained about the ride yet. Although I will ask him when he gets home. He and some of my other Corvette friends went to Bowling Green today 
I will ask how the ride was after riding for 6 hours in the car.
I will ask how the ride was after riding for 6 hours in the car.
Safety Car
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From: Fort Wayne,Indiana
Hey Rattler my Vette is lowered all the way on stock bolts and just wanted it a little lower up front so I cut 1/3 off the bushing the other day and I can't tell the difference.Rides just like before.
Last edited by GaryZ06; Jul 30, 2004 at 04:55 PM.
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Originally Posted by Rattler71
Maybe I will try it, if it rides bad I will just put the bushing back in again.
Once you cut the bushing off, you really can't reattach it...but if it becomes too low or rides too harsh for your liking, you can just adjust the bolt back up a little to compensate for the missing bushing material.
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This is my opinion only.... we cut the bushing in the front and rear and noticed a big difference in the ride.... it doesnt effect alot of people when they lower it.... but I considered the ride very uncomfortable... if I had to do it over again I wouldnt of lowered it any further than the stock bolts....
Le Mans Master
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From: Jacksonville Florida
Originally Posted by leaftye
Isn't this kit for the rear?
To lower it further, Hardbar has a kit with SS bolts and Delrin bushings. For the rear they use Ti bolts.
To lower it further, Hardbar has a kit with SS bolts and Delrin bushings. For the rear they use Ti bolts.
No. The Bump Steer kit is installed on the front suspension. The lowering kits (longer bolts) are for the rear of the car. Using Ti bolts isn't necessary.
I only lowered mine 1", but added Hotchkis F/R sway bars and Bilstein sport shocks as I occasionally take mine on a track or road course and didn't want my car any lower than that.
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From: I love you & miss you Linda
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Yes an alignment is suggested whenever the geometry of the suspension is changed. Cutting the bushings I have never done but am also considering it. I am sure it would make the ride a little more harsh but what many have done to combat that is install a set of Bilstien Sports shocks.
If I lower mine any lower than it is (and I am in the same position you are in right now) I'd also add Bilstien Sports to my car.
Good Luck!
By the way, the car looks nice in the sig pic as is.
If I lower mine any lower than it is (and I am in the same position you are in right now) I'd also add Bilstien Sports to my car.
Good Luck!
By the way, the car looks nice in the sig pic as is.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2004
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From: Pembroke Pines Florida
I think what I will do is order new bushings from the dealer. I will try cutting mine to see how it looks and rides. If it is to rough or I start getting bottoming issues I will just replace with the new bushings.
Would that work?
Scott
Would that work?
Scott
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From: Gone
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St. Jude Donor '03
Originally Posted by Rattler71
I think what I will do is order new bushings from the dealer. I will try cutting mine to see how it looks and rides. If it is to rough or I start getting bottoming issues I will just replace with the new bushings.
Would that work?
Scott
Would that work?
Scott
To give you a better idea...This is the adjusting bolt with full bushing:
This is the process of cutting the bushing off the bolt:
And this is the bolt after bushing has been cut off:
As stated above, even if you cut the bushing off, you can still adjust the bolts to raise the car back up if you need to.
Also, as someone else stated above, Hardbar is now making front adjusting bolts with delrin bushings, you may want to look into those if the thought of permanently modifying things scares you.