C5 lowered; alignment question
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 816
Likes: 0
From: Georgetown Indiana
C5 lowered; alignment question
I just lowered my c5 on stock bolts and never cut out the rubber washers. Based on what everyone says I now need a alignment! When I take it in do I tell them to set everything up based on the stock alignment, zo6 alignment, etc, etc. Any suggestions welcomed. I do not road race however I do like corners as well as I do not want to eat my tires up do to the wrong pitch
Thanks
Thanks
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
The shop will do you any type of alignment you want. Tell them the type of driving you enjoy and let the tech do his thing. The Z06 oem factory alignment is supposedly a little more "aggressive" and might result in faster tire wear. My driving preference is along the same as yours.
Last edited by hotwheels57; Jan 21, 2008 at 05:31 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 40,999
Likes: 9,764
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
The shop will do you any type of alignment you want. Tell them the type of driving you enjoy and let the tech do his thing. The Z06 oem factory alignment is supposedly a little more "aggressive" and might result in faster tire wear. My driving preference is along the same as yours.
Bill
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,405
Likes: 26
From: Whippany NJ
CI 6-7-8-9 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Mine was lowered on stock bolts all the way down, kept front bushings. no alignment done. after 3 yrs tires still wear evenly. lowering the car on stock bolts does not change any settings. it lowers the chassis closer to the ground.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,602
Likes: 20
From: Palm City Florida
I just lowered my c5 on stock bolts and never cut out the rubber washers. Based on what everyone says I now need a alignment! When I take it in do I tell them to set everything up based on the stock alignment, zo6 alignment, etc, etc. Any suggestions welcomed. I do not road race however I do like corners as well as I do not want to eat my tires up do to the wrong pitch
Thanks
Thanks
The High Camber will Tear the inside edges of the front tires up in no time! This is because there is very little sidewall flex to "give" in that area..
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 816
Likes: 0
From: Georgetown Indiana
sign to someone elses comments. If your not going to help why did you even post a reply!!!!!!!If you are a professional at it or know what to do please EXPLAIN what I need to have done.
The ears that I posted meant that I was open to suggestions and to send it back TTT
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,451
Likes: 2
From: East Peoria Illinois
i lowered mine all the way plus did new shocks....no alignment was needed. its been 2000 miles, highway to, and no wear on the tires...i htink its just a preventative MAYBE insurance thing. I recommend all just watch the tires before you drop the money for an alignment. All of my c5 buds who have lowered has not done it either and all is fine
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
Can't we have one technical discussion without the egos getting in the way? 
Get an alignment on your car if you want...don't get an alignment on your car if you don't want.
It's your car to do with as you please!
Get an alignment on your car if you want...don't get an alignment on your car if you don't want.
It's your car to do with as you please!
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: Baxter Minnesota
Well said hw57. However, a suspension system is designed to have a certain amount of camber change (gain or loss) as the chassis rotates thru a turn-the mounting points of the suspension (A-Arms) at the chassis move up or down, the spindle with the tire remains at relatively the same height. If the chassis is lower, the mounting points for the suspension are lower to the ground thereby changing camber settings at the wheel. A short explanation when suspension geometry is complex (and I am no expert on Corvette suspensions) but I hope I made sense.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
Well said hw57. However, a suspension system is designed to have a certain amount of camber change (gain or loss) as the chassis rotates thru a turn-the mounting points of the suspension (A-Arms) at the chassis move up or down, the spindle with the tire remains at relatively the same height. If the chassis is lower, the mounting points for the suspension are lower to the ground thereby changing camber settings at the wheel. A short explanation when suspension geometry is complex (and I am no expert on Corvette suspensions) but I hope I made sense.
I wasn't inferring that lowering didn't require an alignment. From what I've read here and other sources, in most cases it does require an alignment. My car did (camber) with stock bolts, intact bushings and down only 3/4". My point (to the egos) was do with your car as you please, but don't criticize someone else for their choice on their car.
Last edited by hotwheels57; Jan 22, 2008 at 06:27 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Official Dirty Dozen Member
Z06
I do my own to my own specs
Caster RF 6 and LF 6&1/4 ( keeps it straight , offsets road crown ) for track, go 4
0 camber all the way around
and front toe , 0
Rear toe-in a 1/16 to 1/8
Toeing in the rear tightens the car
Toe out the rear and you will be loose, good for short tight auto-x but way too dangerous for street or high speed.
Front toe-out will handle better but will shred tires, good for racing but horrible for street
If you lower too much you will need to bumpsteer the car ( go google it )
I do my own to my own specs
Caster RF 6 and LF 6&1/4 ( keeps it straight , offsets road crown ) for track, go 4
0 camber all the way around
and front toe , 0
Rear toe-in a 1/16 to 1/8
Toeing in the rear tightens the car
Toe out the rear and you will be loose, good for short tight auto-x but way too dangerous for street or high speed.
Front toe-out will handle better but will shred tires, good for racing but horrible for street
If you lower too much you will need to bumpsteer the car ( go google it )
