Why lower..........?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 8,244
Likes: 850
From: Hamilton Square NJ, Ocean City N. J. Key Biscayne Fla.
Why lower..........?
I have noticed many messages on this Board referring to the "lowering" of Vettes. What are the pros and cons??? Isn't the car low enough, i.e., ground clearance??
SAVE the WAVW :) :seeya :)
SAVE the WAVW :) :seeya :)
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 3,630
Likes: 8
From: Virginia Beach Virginia
Re: Why lower..........? (89L98)
I have always thought that the C5 is low enough...evidently there are others who feel it isn't...and I'm not convinced that lowering another inch will improve handling or increase top end. I think it's purely cosmetic...but I'm sure that those who have lowered their C5 have their own reasons.
[Modified by Mark S., 11:53 AM 10/15/2001]
[Modified by Mark S., 11:53 AM 10/15/2001]
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,602
Likes: 20
From: Palm City Florida
Re: Why lower..........? (89L98)
The C4's were low enough. They had proportional clearance between the top of the tire and the wheel well.
The C5 don't. It's about looks. Look at a lowered (not Slammed) C5 next to one right off the lot. Tooooooooooo much space in the wheel well.
The C5 don't. It's about looks. Look at a lowered (not Slammed) C5 next to one right off the lot. Tooooooooooo much space in the wheel well.
Instructor
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 204
Likes: 0
From: Ridgetop TN
Re: Why lower..........? (Mark S.)
Some of the lowering is cosmetic since it decreases that distance between the top of the tire and the fenders. It does center the wheel in the wheel well.
The lowering of the center of gravity is a definite enhancement to handling. Even if it is just 1", you will see improvement. The physics of lowering the center of gravity are that 1) in lateral movement, as the inside of the car is raising in a corner, less weight is transferred to the outside if the CG is lowered and 2) in longtitudinal movement, less weight is transferred from the front to the rear on acceleration with a lowered CG. This is not necessarily a good thing in drag racing but is a great help in autox.
The lowering of the center of gravity is a definite enhancement to handling. Even if it is just 1", you will see improvement. The physics of lowering the center of gravity are that 1) in lateral movement, as the inside of the car is raising in a corner, less weight is transferred to the outside if the CG is lowered and 2) in longtitudinal movement, less weight is transferred from the front to the rear on acceleration with a lowered CG. This is not necessarily a good thing in drag racing but is a great help in autox.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,289
Likes: 0
From: Newport Beach, CA, USA
Re: Why lower..........? (RedLandRocket)
What Red said! I lowered my Z 1/2 of the distance available for some advantages on road courses while still retaining the ability to use the car on the street.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
From: Canada Ontario
Re: Why lower..........? (Mako)
I lowered mine just for the looks,the wheel well openings are to high above the tire IMHO :D :cheers: But you have to be a little more carefull on approaching some of the drive ways and gas station filler tanks that are on their lot I hit one and wow wow the pain :seeya
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Ft Lauderdale FL
Re: Why lower..........? (89L98)
The C5's have a huge space in the wheel well from the fender to the top of the tire. It's even worse with the Z51 too. Lowering it has brought it to a level it should be from the factory. But It is hard going in and out of some driveways. But the ride isnt bad at all! I have nonrunflats now and it rides better then my buddies stock 01' Z51!
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Drifting
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 1,677
Likes: 22
From: Newark CA
Re: Why lower..........?
MIne is lowered for looks. Wanted to decrease the space between the tires and fenders. It looks cool, but ground clearance and ride suffer. I can handle the ground clearance problem by driving around obstacles or driving slower over them. I also trimmed the front spoiler 1/2 inch. But the ride absolutely sucked! Really harsh.One of the great things about a C5 is the comfortable ride. So I raised mine back up about half way. The ride is a little rougher than stock, but not awful.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 8,244
Likes: 850
From: Hamilton Square NJ, Ocean City N. J. Key Biscayne Fla.
Re: Why lower..........? (joeflyer)
Thanks, guys. You never fail to educate me! I actually wish the car sat a little higher. I have a steep driveway :eek: :( :U . SAVE THE WAVE!! :seeya
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 6,725
Likes: 5
From: Colesville MD
Re: Why lower..........? (joeflyer)
The cars just don't look right from the factory. Granted, it's not as bad as Mustangs, or Vipers, but they need to come down. Why BMW can get their cars to sit right from the factory, and GM, Chrysler, and Ford cannot, I have no idea. Look at an 01 or 02 3 series BMW. Sits right. I saw an 02 M3 with a coilover conversion. Talk about low!!! I don't know how the guy is gonna drive it, but damn, it looked good. Mine is about 1.5" lower, and I think I'll go down lower in the future.
Greg
:cool:
Greg
:cool:
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 29,564
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From: Nassau NP
Tropical Moderator
Cruise-In 1-5 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'10-'11
Re: Why lower..........? (gmatson)
Before
After
Now...I have since RAISED my rear about a 1/4 inch as after about a 2-3 weeks of driving the car had settled in the rear a bit more then I would have liked and I was having a bit of difficulty traversing some of our local speed bumps.
Mine was primarily cosmetic, with the additional benefit of improving handling. You are in effect compressing the springs moreto make the car tighter, and also decreasing the travel of the shocks and again, improving responses there as well, so yeah, that, combined with the lower CG and you DO get an added benefit of increased handling and stability.
:yesnod:
Neill
After
Now...I have since RAISED my rear about a 1/4 inch as after about a 2-3 weeks of driving the car had settled in the rear a bit more then I would have liked and I was having a bit of difficulty traversing some of our local speed bumps.
Mine was primarily cosmetic, with the additional benefit of improving handling. You are in effect compressing the springs moreto make the car tighter, and also decreasing the travel of the shocks and again, improving responses there as well, so yeah, that, combined with the lower CG and you DO get an added benefit of increased handling and stability.
:yesnod:
Neill
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,132
Likes: 1
From: Morganton, NC, USA
Re: Why lower..........? (CMilVette)
I agree with chuckster and others, the C5 just doesn't look "right" as it comes from the factory. I never thought of lowering my C4, because it did not look "wrong", with big gaps between the tops of the tires and the wheel wells.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 12,952
Likes: 0
From: Greer SC
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Why lower..........? (89L98)
We lowered ours to enhance the looks, however, the improvement in cornering at high speed was much better than I expected, so it was a win-win for us. :yesnod: :D
Racer
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 456
Likes: 0
From: Brentwood CA
Re: Why lower..........? (Sully C5)
Handling is much better, but for me the original reason was for the look! I lowered mine as far as it would go. Just took an afternoon of turning bolts. Best free mod ever.
After everything settled I've got less than two fingers width between the tires and wheel wells. I love the cornering, and the ride is stiff, but nice. The only thing that's lame is I have to avoid speed bumps completely. Not even an option.
[Modified by PHAT CHANCE, 4:25 PM 10/15/2001]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 6,760
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From: Southeast Nebraska
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Why lower..........? (Sully C5)
We lowered ours to enhance the looks, however, the improvement in cornering at high speed was much better than I expected, so it was a win-win for us. :yesnod: :D
:cheers: