lowering concern!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: Saratoga Springs New York
lowering concern!
well...I just purchased a red 2000 Hardtop and am now a proud corvette owner. I did black w/polished lip 19's on all 4 corners, a vararam intake and the granatelli exhaust, some tint, ripper shifter and a few more odds and ends......however the new look of the car makes me think of ordering some locking hubs for it...it looks like a 4X4 it is way to high/has way to much wheelwell and needs to be lowered immediately if not sooner......the back is a no brainer with some longer bolts I know...but...my front already has only 2 threads showing, so my options are...... cut the bushings?.....remove the bolts entirely?.....Ive heard I can use C6 front bolts also....I think cutting the bushings wont even get me enough of a drop to make it worth my effort.....I dont know if taking the bolts right out will do any long term damage?.....and what kind of results would I get with the C6 front bolts?....I dont have the Z51 suspension...Im running 245/35/19 fronts and 275/30/19 rears. This forum is the best when it comes to advice on which direction to go in, so I thought I'd put it out there and see what everyone thought...any comments/replies would be greatly appreciated.....
Last edited by nickydags; May 14, 2007 at 10:07 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,103
Likes: 7
From: Sandy Ego Ca.
The bushings are there for a reason....go ahead and lower on the bolts only..youll get ~1 in..anymore your just asking for trouble or bad handling.
The CD that comes with teh car suggest's that to "Obtain better handling" to lower on the bolts but cutting the bushings just seem's wrong..
BUT..lots of folks do and never have problems..your choice
The CD that comes with teh car suggest's that to "Obtain better handling" to lower on the bolts but cutting the bushings just seem's wrong..
BUT..lots of folks do and never have problems..your choice
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
but...my front already has only 2 threads showing,
On the front of a lowered car you should see more threads shown at the very top of the adjustment stud above the control arm. Your goal is reducing the amount of space between the bushing and the spring.
So, are you saying you only have 2 threads showing at the top of the stud or between the bushing and the bottom of the front spring?
Last edited by hotwheels57; May 15, 2007 at 07:41 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,366
Likes: 249
From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
..my front already has only 2 threads showing.[/QUOTE]
When lowering in the rear you want as few threads showing as possible. However, when lowering the front you turn the bolts in the opposite direction. You want as many threads showing as possible. The bolts work opposite of each other's relationship to their respective springs. You should get at least an inch lower just adjusting the stock bolts. I did that and cut the front bushings by half. The car sits nice and I don't have too much problem in everyday driving with the rdeuced ground clearance. I personally wouldn't go any lower, then real problems would start. The video that came with my '03 Z06 even states that lowering an inch is a good amount for improving handling.
When lowering in the rear you want as few threads showing as possible. However, when lowering the front you turn the bolts in the opposite direction. You want as many threads showing as possible. The bolts work opposite of each other's relationship to their respective springs. You should get at least an inch lower just adjusting the stock bolts. I did that and cut the front bushings by half. The car sits nice and I don't have too much problem in everyday driving with the rdeuced ground clearance. I personally wouldn't go any lower, then real problems would start. The video that came with my '03 Z06 even states that lowering an inch is a good amount for improving handling.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,409
Likes: 34
From: St. Louis Missouri
The big wheel well gap might also be because of your Tire choice. If you listed the tires correctly at 245/35/19 Front and 275/30/19 rears. Your rear tires are actually shorter then the fronts. 245/35/19 are 25.8 inchs in diameter and 275/30/19 are 25.6 inchs in diameter. Which also puts the rears 1 inch in diameter shorter then stock 275/40/18 which are 26.6 in diameter. Just something to think about.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: Saratoga Springs New York
Thanks for the help guys...I have the front all the way down on the stock bolts...haven't cut the bushings.....Im going to let it settle in and see what it looks like...maybe we'll cut the bushings or swap out for C6 bolts if it isnt low enough...Im going to try to do the rear tomorrow.....its been raining like crazy here so I haven't taken it out to settle out the front....so I'll let it settle, then lower the back accordingly, I think that would be the way to go.... drive it a few days...then get it aligned....I'll try and post some pics when its finished...thanks again for the replies....Nick