Disappointed with lowered C5 :(
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 6,038
Likes: 3
From: Charlotte North Carolina
Disappointed with lowered C5 :(
Well, I lowered the Vette last weekend. Nothing drastic, I just turned the front screws 4 times and the back screws 5 times. I didn't cut the bushings. This resulted in the modest drop that I expected. The car looks great....unfortunately
IT RIDES LIKE IT IS SUPPORTED BY FOUR LIMP D*CKS!
Seriously, I'm not even sure I have shocks anymore. I had to travel to a mediation today and spent 7 hours driving. It felt like someone was kicking me in the *** on some of the roads (hwy 74 in NC - Charlotte to Asheville for example).
Most of the posts I've seen note minimal to no change in ride quality with modest lowering. Any thoughts? Anyone experience the same thing?
I may need to ditch the stock shocks and go with something else, or raise the car back up. Will it return completely to normal if I turn the screws back? Thanks in advance.
IT RIDES LIKE IT IS SUPPORTED BY FOUR LIMP D*CKS!
Seriously, I'm not even sure I have shocks anymore. I had to travel to a mediation today and spent 7 hours driving. It felt like someone was kicking me in the *** on some of the roads (hwy 74 in NC - Charlotte to Asheville for example).
Most of the posts I've seen note minimal to no change in ride quality with modest lowering. Any thoughts? Anyone experience the same thing?
I may need to ditch the stock shocks and go with something else, or raise the car back up. Will it return completely to normal if I turn the screws back? Thanks in advance.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,817
Likes: 0
From: Pacific Beach CA
I'm running the Z51 suspension with the stock bolts and it rides a little rougher but still pretty smooth.
I can remember how many turns I did, but I think it was max on the front and pretty far on the rears.
Probably have 12k or so miles on them since I lowered it and I would never put it back the way it was stock.
I am on runflats still, but I hear if you change out those, it makes the ride a bit smoother also.
I can remember how many turns I did, but I think it was max on the front and pretty far on the rears.
Probably have 12k or so miles on them since I lowered it and I would never put it back the way it was stock.
I am on runflats still, but I hear if you change out those, it makes the ride a bit smoother also.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 6,038
Likes: 3
From: Charlotte North Carolina
Originally Posted by blackbelt
What kind of suspension do you have? How many Miles? It gonna ride a little stiffer but shouldn't be that bad.
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Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
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From: San Jose/Bear Valley CA
CA Events Coordinator
when you lower the car, you cut down on the suspension travel. Either you bottom out and look good or you raise it back up and get some movement out of the suspension again.
ching.. ching...
VR
ching.. ching...
VR
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,762
Likes: 2
From: Murphy TX
What Tom and VR said is spot on (They don't need me to tell them that though 
).
You decrease your travel but your spring rate stays the same. Your shocks are now constantly compressed slightly, and the springs still only offer the same resistance to movement.
Z06 shocks would be a waste IMHO unless you get them used. For slightly more I would get Bilstein sports which are designed for a slightly lower vehicle. I have them and like them.
However, the spring issue remains. With the base FE1 spring, which I can tell you is VERY soft, you are simply going to require more travel/clearance.
Now, some springs and shocks and you'll be a handling monster...but the ride will change.
).You decrease your travel but your spring rate stays the same. Your shocks are now constantly compressed slightly, and the springs still only offer the same resistance to movement.
Z06 shocks would be a waste IMHO unless you get them used. For slightly more I would get Bilstein sports which are designed for a slightly lower vehicle. I have them and like them.
However, the spring issue remains. With the base FE1 spring, which I can tell you is VERY soft, you are simply going to require more travel/clearance.
Now, some springs and shocks and you'll be a handling monster...but the ride will change.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 38,314
Likes: 35
Originally Posted by Prosecutor
Well, I lowered the Vette last weekend. Nothing drastic, I just turned the front screws 4 times and the back screws 5 times. I didn't cut the bushings. This resulted in the modest drop that I expected. The car looks great....unfortunately
IT RIDES LIKE IT IS SUPPORTED BY FOUR LIMP D*CKS!
Seriously, I'm not even sure I have shocks anymore. I had to travel to a mediation today and spent 7 hours driving. It felt like someone was kicking me in the *** on some of the roads (hwy 74 in NC - Charlotte to Asheville for example).
Most of the posts I've seen note minimal to no change in ride quality with modest lowering. Any thoughts? Anyone experience the same thing?
I may need to ditch the stock shocks and go with something else, or raise the car back up. Will it return completely to normal if I turn the screws back? Thanks in advance.
IT RIDES LIKE IT IS SUPPORTED BY FOUR LIMP D*CKS!
Seriously, I'm not even sure I have shocks anymore. I had to travel to a mediation today and spent 7 hours driving. It felt like someone was kicking me in the *** on some of the roads (hwy 74 in NC - Charlotte to Asheville for example).
Most of the posts I've seen note minimal to no change in ride quality with modest lowering. Any thoughts? Anyone experience the same thing?
I may need to ditch the stock shocks and go with something else, or raise the car back up. Will it return completely to normal if I turn the screws back? Thanks in advance.
Damn. Quit beating around the bush. Tell us how you really feel about the ride now that its lowered
Seriously, this is one of the big reasons why I won't lower mine. That and clearance/handling issues.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,887
Likes: 2
From: Havin' fun in Frederick, MD!!!
St. Jude Donor '05 '09
Originally Posted by Prosecutor
2003 Coupe, stock suspension...41K miles. Thoughts?
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,569
Likes: 419
From: Taildragers rule! USA1
Originally Posted by Prosecutor
Well, I lowered the Vette last weekend. Nothing drastic, I just turned the front screws 4 times and the back screws 5 times. I didn't cut the bushings. This resulted in the modest drop that I expected. The car looks great....unfortunately
IT RIDES LIKE IT IS SUPPORTED BY FOUR LIMP D*CKS!
IT RIDES LIKE IT IS SUPPORTED BY FOUR LIMP D*CKS!
ju·ve·nile ( P ) Pronunciation Key (jv-nl, -nl)
adj.
Not fully grown or developed; young.
Of, relating to, characteristic of, intended for, or appropriate for children or young people: juvenile fashions.
Marked by immaturity; childish: juvenile behavior. See Synonyms at young.
n.
A young person; a child.
A young animal that has not reached sexual maturity.
An actor who plays roles of children or young persons.
A children's book.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,053
Likes: 0
From: OREGON
Originally Posted by viperZ06
My pappy always said, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!"
your pappy was a smart man
i had a 91 accord i decided to lower, and i kicked myself for doing, but at the time i was young and dumb
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 6,038
Likes: 3
From: Charlotte North Carolina
Originally Posted by ztheusa
Not only that, but it looks juvenile!
ju·ve·nile ( P ) Pronunciation Key (jv-nl, -nl)
adj.
Not fully grown or developed; young.
Of, relating to, characteristic of, intended for, or appropriate for children or young people: juvenile fashions.
Marked by immaturity; childish: juvenile behavior. See Synonyms at young.
n.
A young person; a child.
A young animal that has not reached sexual maturity.
An actor who plays roles of children or young persons.
A children's book.
ju·ve·nile ( P ) Pronunciation Key (jv-nl, -nl)
adj.
Not fully grown or developed; young.
Of, relating to, characteristic of, intended for, or appropriate for children or young people: juvenile fashions.
Marked by immaturity; childish: juvenile behavior. See Synonyms at young.
n.
A young person; a child.
A young animal that has not reached sexual maturity.
An actor who plays roles of children or young persons.
A children's book.
You think so huh? The drop is so slight that I (and most anyone else) can barely tell the difference when parked next to my co-worker's stock Coupe. It barely shortens the gap above the tires.
Maybe I should just drive around sucking my thumb and sh*tting myself then...at least I would be consistent.
LATE EDIT: Thanks for including the definition
Last edited by Prosecutor; Jun 28, 2005 at 09:31 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,322
Likes: 2
From: New York NY
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05
sorry to hear that you are so unimpressed with the new ride quality. I am also surprised that you didnt see a difference in the height of the car. With the standard F45 you should get close to an inch drop. You may want to let it settle for a few days. If you like the look, you also have the option of upgrading to bilstein shocks.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 6,038
Likes: 3
From: Charlotte North Carolina
Originally Posted by Icemanskis
sorry to hear that you are so unimpressed with the new ride quality. I am also surprised that you didnt see a difference in the height of the car. With the standard F45 you should get close to an inch drop. You may want to let it settle for a few days. If you like the look, you also have the option of upgrading to bilstein shocks.
Well, I can see a drop...but it is subtle. Actually, I feel it more from the inside. Still, I didn't cut bushings or anything. I guess that is why I am so surprised at the decrease in ride quality. I understand the mechanics of shocks (roughly). I just seems that the decrease in quality exceeds the drop in height, at least based on what I hear from others after that mod.
You are right about the settling. It took mine about 150 miles to level off. I put about 370 on the clock today. Alignment is soming in the near future...and most likely new shocks.
I appreciate all of the input....thanks guys.
