Lowering on Stock Bolts
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
From: Ellicott City Maryland
Lowering on Stock Bolts
I am sure this is a thread that has been warn out. But i am new and have a couple of questions. I talked to my local Vette shop and they said I could drop the car up to 3/4 inch on the stock bolts. I love the look of a lowered Vette but i was wondering if there were any problems i could run into with the suspension once the car was lowered.
Thanks for the help
Thanks for the help
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,141
Likes: 0
From: Huntington IN
Nope. Lowering the front and rear as far as the stock bolts will not cause any problems. You will need an alignment!
I have cut bushing and longer bolts in the rear. The ride is a little harsher and the bump street is more noticeable, but it looks better!
I have cut bushing and longer bolts in the rear. The ride is a little harsher and the bump street is more noticeable, but it looks better!
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 16,270
Likes: 30
From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Lowering on the stock bolts is a piece of cake - the only thing I would suggest is that you plan on a four wheel alignment after you're finished. Also, the suspension needs to settle - so plan on adjusting the ride height slightly after you've driven the car a little after the initial lowering. Good luck!
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 58,508
Likes: 1,841
From: Oklahoma City OK
C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Originally Posted by onedog 00
Do it, you'll love it but watch the speed bumps and driveway entrances. Also get an alignment after you get it lowered.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 12,198
Likes: 15
From: Columbia MD
Lowering:
Pros - looks good
Cons - watch for speed bumps, driveway entrances, dips at high speed, debris on roadway, getting the car on a lift, interior being lit up like Times Square on the 4th of July at night with a pickup on your tail...and finally, if your car must be State inspected before you sell, it will not pass if it is not factory height (at least that's the case in MD).
Choice is yours.
Pros - looks good
Cons - watch for speed bumps, driveway entrances, dips at high speed, debris on roadway, getting the car on a lift, interior being lit up like Times Square on the 4th of July at night with a pickup on your tail...and finally, if your car must be State inspected before you sell, it will not pass if it is not factory height (at least that's the case in MD).
Choice is yours.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,374
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville Florida
Mine is right at 1" on stock bolts. I didn't cut the bushings to preserve the ride, but added the bump steer kit to help with alignment (which you should get after lowering).
It's a blast!!!
It's a blast!!!
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,038
Likes: 0
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'07
its a great mod. But don't get the alignment immediately after you lower
it. Drive it some (100 to 200 miles) and give the springs time to settle (5 -
7 days).
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Racer
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 427
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Originally Posted by vetdude
Lowering:
...and finally, if your car must be State inspected before you sell, it will not pass if it is not factory height (at least that's the case in MD).
Choice is yours.
...and finally, if your car must be State inspected before you sell, it will not pass if it is not factory height (at least that's the case in MD).
Choice is yours.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,887
Likes: 2
From: Havin' fun in Frederick, MD!!!
St. Jude Donor '05 '09
Originally Posted by Matt69-ZO6
Nope. ...
and the bump street is more noticeable, but it looks better!
and the bump street is more noticeable, but it looks better!
Pro
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 501
Likes: 0
From: Jordan MN
I installed lowering bolts from West Coast Corvette in the back of my 99 coupe along with a set of Bilstein sport shocks all round. I lowered the front on the stock bolts. Wow, what a difference over the FE1. My only concern was bottoming out the shocks which has not been a problem.
I would not recommend using the lowering bolts with stock shocks though, the back dropped more than 3/4 of an inch which could blow them out.
I would not recommend using the lowering bolts with stock shocks though, the back dropped more than 3/4 of an inch which could blow them out.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 954
Likes: 21
From: White Oak, GA
I got all excited reading these threads and decided to lower mine too. Another thread said you had to push real hard to get the front bolts to turn. I pushed hard and ended up stripping the 10mm bolt. I guess it is only a problem if I intend to turn it again, but I'd like to know if anyone has ideas on how to fix the bolt without taking the car to a shop (never trust those guys.)
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
From: MI
Originally Posted by VetteMan4Life
I am sure this is a thread that has been warn out. But i am new and have a couple of questions. I talked to my local Vette shop and they said I could drop the car up to 3/4 inch on the stock bolts. I love the look of a lowered Vette but i was wondering if there were any problems i could run into with the suspension once the car was lowered.
Thanks for the help
Thanks for the help
I lower my car appoximately 1/2". I went to the dealership, they said no alignment is needed until you reach 1" or more.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 548
Likes: 27
From: Port Charlotte, FL.
Ok, so how do you lower it on the stock bolts ? Is there a specific process that needs to be followed? How much thread needs to be left on the bolt, etc.........
Thanks for any info you guys / gals can provide.
Thanks for any info you guys / gals can provide.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,374
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville Florida
Originally Posted by C5inWV
I got all excited reading these threads and decided to lower mine too. Another thread said you had to push real hard to get the front bolts to turn. I pushed hard and ended up stripping the 10mm bolt. I guess it is only a problem if I intend to turn it again, but I'd like to know if anyone has ideas on how to fix the bolt without taking the car to a shop (never trust those guys.)
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: MA
Originally Posted by MRHTRD
Ok, so how do you lower it on the stock bolts ? Is there a specific process that needs to be followed? How much thread needs to be left on the bolt, etc.........
Thanks for any info you guys / gals can provide.
Thanks for any info you guys / gals can provide.
http://www.z06vette.com/diy_lower.php
I did one end of the car at a time. Drive that end of the car up onto some 2x10 blocks of wood, then jacked up that end on the suspension crossmember jacking points, removed the wheels, used a second jack on the front leafspring with a block of wood wrapped in cloth between the jack and the leafspring to relieve pressure on the bolt, etc. It seems to have worked - I think the Z06 is so high from the factory that now it still doesn't even look lowered.
Last edited by GrantR; Sep 15, 2004 at 09:38 PM.
