I lowered my 00 Hardtop with the factory bolts. I LOVE the way it looks, but after reading some posts I am confused. Some people say the handling will suffer because we are loosening the tention on the springs. Others say it won't matter??? Personally, I have not noticed a difference; however, I know self-reports mean NOTHING. Can anyone that autocrosses give us some sound advice. Was lowering my car a good/bad idea in terms of performance. As always, I appreciate everyones help... :flag

 

Here we go again! :D :D I was one of the ones in the last thread that mentioned "bad handling." I was told I was "unloading" the spring, but I am not sure of that anymore. After talking to several people at length about it, I really have no idea, now! All I know is, when I lowered my car just a little over 1/2 inch. That the back was very soft in HARD turns. Kind of the turns you would take in Auto-X. I live on a very curvy road and there are plenty of marked "15" MPH turns. I notice the back was loose and it seemed like it wanted to break loose in turns that I took 1000 times before at the same speed. I Ran the turns several times over a week and ended up with the same results. I raised the car back to the stock height and it feels normal.

I am sure that I am NOT the only one that’s had the "loose feeling" after lowering. As for the reason why some people feel a major difference and some don't. I don't know anymore.

I have also notice that in all the lowering posts; ONLY people with BASE suspension have mentioned negative affects. I am guessing the base springs and shocks are too soft to handle the new geometry of the suspension.

since you have a HARDTOP coupe you also have the Z51 suspension. I haven't seen a post about negative handling from lowering a Z51 car. I wouldn't worry.

I installed Bilstein sport shocks and Z06 sway bars and purchased a used set of Z51 springs. I hope to have them installed by Jan. 02. I will post my results then and I plan on lowering the car 3/4 inch with the new Z51 springs.

My .02
PEACE :flag :flag :flag :flag :flag :flag

Robert


[Modified by Bluewasp, 9:11 AM 12/2/2001]

 

Lowered mine last year and haven't had any ill effects from it at all. The car looks and handles much better. Lowering 1/2 to 3/4" won't do anything but help the ride. Think about how much better you car rides with a full tank of gas or with a passenger in the car with you. It's because the suspension has dropped and softened the ride. Now if you lower it over an inch, you might bottom out and cause other problems but to remove the 4x4 look from the factory, especially with Z51 suspension, go for it, you can always go back to stock height if you aren't happy...

 

Lowered my car and added Bilsteins and Z06 bars. Car handles and rides great.
Ted

 

Bluewasp, was your car kicking the butt end out or were you feeling mushy like an old cadillac? also, what feel did you get from the front..did it turn in more aggessively or feel like it was diving..etc.

thanks

 

I did the same, minus the bars....and the car rides great. I have/had base suspension :D

 

The rear was at the point of breaking loose, but it had an "old cadillac" feeling and when you come out of the turn it would pop out in the front. Kind of a snapping action in the wheel.

When I lowered I had stock shocks, stock springs and Z06 sway bars. car had 12,000 miles on the clock.

I lowered as per the instructions in the C5 FAQ/tech section.

Robert




[Modified by Bluewasp, 7:29 PM 12/2/2001]

 

Did any of you get alignments after lowering?

 

nope

 

Yes, and I'm glad I did. In the past month I put new tires, new Bilsteins and lowered about an inch. The alignment mechanic said it was way off, esp. the rears. He wanted to know if someone else had tried to align it or it came that way. When I told him about the lowering, he said that was it.
The car doesn't feel particularly different but it obviously needed it and I'm glad I didn't listen to those who said it wasn't necessary...even tho it was a PTA to find a pit alignment shop that could handle a lowered vette.

 

Raysvette:

I also have a 2000 Hardtop and have lowered it approx. 1" all around. I run this car very agressively on road courses, and it hankles like it was on rails. NO handeling problems. I also know other hardtop and Z06 owners who have lowered their car with NO ill handeling effects. Try it , You'll like it. I would recommend an allignment after the lowering process. :) :)

 

There are two ways to lower a car: the right way and the wrong way...

Right way: lower the car, give rear 1/2" more height than front, align to factory or Z06 specs, add aftermarket shocks to handle the lower ride height (such as Bilsteins...)

Wrong way: Lower the car and assume you have the same, or better car (handling characteristics and all) without doing any of the abovementioned items.

It takes more than just turning a few bolts.....