Really lower a C5 for $45??
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,188
Likes: 1
From: Chino California
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Really lower a C5 for $45??
I'm interested in lowering my C5 1" all the way around and have seen numerous kits for around $45. Are these legitimate packages?
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
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From: Not on either liberal coast.
What you buying is maybe $10-15 worth of bolts, washers and nuts...and hopefully grade 8 fasteners at that.
For no cost, you can lower your car with the oem bolts by maybe 1/2-5/8"...you can lower it a little more by cutting off the factory bushings. That may effect ride quality. Depending on your cars suspension, lowering it to much might bottom out your shocks. You will need to get the car aligned once the suspension settles after the lowering.
For no cost, you can lower your car with the oem bolts by maybe 1/2-5/8"...you can lower it a little more by cutting off the factory bushings. That may effect ride quality. Depending on your cars suspension, lowering it to much might bottom out your shocks. You will need to get the car aligned once the suspension settles after the lowering.
Last edited by hotwheels57; Apr 8, 2007 at 03:26 PM.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,188
Likes: 1
From: Chino California
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
What you buying is maybe $10-15 worth of bolts, washers and nuts...and hopefully grade 8 fasteners at that.
For no cost, you can lower your car with the oem bolts by maybe 1/2-5/8"...you can lower it a little more by cutting off the factory bushings. That may effect ride quality. Depending on your cars suspension, lowering it to much might bottom out your shocks. You will need to get the car aligned once the suspension settles after the lowering.
For no cost, you can lower your car with the oem bolts by maybe 1/2-5/8"...you can lower it a little more by cutting off the factory bushings. That may effect ride quality. Depending on your cars suspension, lowering it to much might bottom out your shocks. You will need to get the car aligned once the suspension settles after the lowering.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,304
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From: Green Bay WI
Above is one link with lowering instructions. There are several others out there if you look around. Mine is plenty low for me on the stock bolts. Give it a day or two to settle before you pass judgement on the height.
Last edited by CliffB-99; Apr 8, 2007 at 04:47 PM.
Race Director
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From: Fort Wayne IN
2025 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C5 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
2017 C5 of the Year Finalist
2016 C5 of the Year Finalist
2015 C5 of the Year Finalist
I'd start by lowering on the stock bolts and see if that works before spending money to get the "aftermarket" lowering kits. This is lowered all the way on the front bolts WITHOUT cutting the bushings, and with 2-3 threads left showing on the rear bolts. It's plenty low.
I figure it took it down close to an inch all the way around.
I figure it took it down close to an inch all the way around.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Charlotte NC
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: ATX
IMO reducing suspension travel without changing spring/shock rates will not be good for cornering.
Re: the OP, I had a bad experience because the prior owner cut the bushings on my car, i.e. three broken bolts due to fatigue failure and two ruined composite leaf springs... so I suggest working around cutting the bushings, i.e. high-quality longer rear bolts and something like the hardbar aftermarket front bolts/pads... tho lowering on stock front bolts+bushings should be able to get it pretty low.
Re: the OP, I had a bad experience because the prior owner cut the bushings on my car, i.e. three broken bolts due to fatigue failure and two ruined composite leaf springs... so I suggest working around cutting the bushings, i.e. high-quality longer rear bolts and something like the hardbar aftermarket front bolts/pads... tho lowering on stock front bolts+bushings should be able to get it pretty low.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 9,420
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From: Southern New Jersey, The wet part at the bottom
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
I posted this last week, But will take the time here as well. After lowering with C6 adjusters in front and 1/2"x7" grade 8 bolts (the Forum standard) in the rear I became uneasy after reading of a member snapping one of these bolts off at the threads. Knowing the stock bolts are 14mm and that 14mm falls between 1/2" and 9/16" I installed grade8 9/16x7" bolts washers and nylocks. They fit fine are much stronger than 1/2" and believe that the traditional 1/2" mod be reworded to 9/16" grade 8. I ordered all hardware from www.boltdepot.com for the same money as the mail order houses are getting for "kits."
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
From: El Sobrante CA
Bro, Unless you want it SLAMMED to the GROUND, just lower using stock bolts. I was also wanting it to look low, and was a bit skeptical about the "kits", so I just did it myself. It looks great IMO, and I will not be needing more lowering. The front can be a B**** though 
GL
GL
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,188
Likes: 1
From: Chino California
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
I'd start by lowering on the stock bolts and see if that works before spending money to get the "aftermarket" lowering kits. This is lowered all the way on the front bolts WITHOUT cutting the bushings, and with 2-3 threads left showing on the rear bolts. It's plenty low.
I figure it took it down close to an inch all the way around.
I figure it took it down close to an inch all the way around.
Bro, Unless you want it SLAMMED to the GROUND, just lower using stock bolts. I was also wanting it to look low, and was a bit skeptical about the "kits", so I just did it myself. It looks great IMO, and I will not be needing more lowering. The front can be a B**** though
GL
GL
Tech Contributor
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From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Bill
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,188
Likes: 1
From: Chino California
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Just finished using the directions on PAGE 1 of http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/foru...ad.php?t=26211, will let the car settle down and take pix in a few days.
Last edited by FUN LS1; Apr 9, 2007 at 02:52 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Fort Wayne IN
2025 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C5 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
2017 C5 of the Year Finalist
2016 C5 of the Year Finalist
2015 C5 of the Year Finalist
Just finished using the directions on PAGE 1 of http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/foru...ad.php?t=26211, will let the car settle down and take pix in a few days.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,256
Likes: 1
From: Charlotte NC
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
If you find the front scraping alot after lowering here are some really good products that will help. I have all 3 an like i said earlier my tires tops are even with my fenders and I still can go over speed bumps with no scraping 
CCA skid plate protectors
CCA Fat Mamas (or fat daddys)
and pm Nasty98 for his rocker panel protectors
CCA skid plate protectors
CCA Fat Mamas (or fat daddys)
and pm Nasty98 for his rocker panel protectors
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,456
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From: Cockeysville Maryland
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Daytona Jam 1 Veteran
One thing to remember is that the car is produced with a designated stance which is achieved by the 17 inch wheels in the front and 18s in the back.
If you lower the car to be even all the way around you will have eliminated this difference between front and back.
When I first did this the ride was awful and felt like I was carrying a load of bricks in the back of the car.
I raised the rear 2 threads at a time and tested the ride until I came to what I thought was something I could live with.
Hope this helps.
If you lower the car to be even all the way around you will have eliminated this difference between front and back.
When I first did this the ride was awful and felt like I was carrying a load of bricks in the back of the car.
I raised the rear 2 threads at a time and tested the ride until I came to what I thought was something I could live with.
Hope this helps.