I just lowered my '02 coupe as far as the stock bolts would allow. I also have put on chrome Z06 repro wheels with 265/40 17 fronts & 295/35 18 rears. Does anyone have a suggestion on specs for 4 wheel alignment that I should use! I am taking it to the local Chevrolet dealer but I would like to know more about what I want when I walk in instead of them just doing what they want! I have heard the Z06 has different specs than my coupe! Can I or even should I use Z06 specs with the Z06 wheels and tires or stay with the coupe specs? Also, if anyone has the specs could you post them please! Thanks alot! :D :seeya

 

Hi Glenn,

I was confronted with just the same question last year's spring, after lowering my C5/99/A4 to:

FRONT => 26.5" (stock height 27.95", measured through the wheels center to fender lip) ¦¦ REAR => 27.17" (stock 29.13"). All works done by our GM Dealership.

They suggested to execute a 4-wheel full alignment procedure. I agreed. The only discussion we had was: ok, but to what kind of specs i would like it to have!!!! Now that's support, would you imagine this behavior at a glance from GM Dealership? For this one, I was very pleased indeed, believe me. They had even present all the latest information re my 99 M/Y, as well 2001, Z06 and EVEN the MALLET's specs!

My personal GM-Tech (fortunately somewhat of real CORVETTE Crack, I like him really, he celebrates Art of Work, and this extremly efficient) went with me to the house-internal alignment-bay and we dicided to first check where we were with the actual setting after the lowering. You won't believe it, even after this relatively much lowering, the car still sat nicely within GM standard spec's, except the left front caster (we assumed factory tolerance).

So we went further-on and loaded the car upfront with a Driver's weight replacement bag of about 170lbs. Then next we agreed to set MALLET spec's, except of camber, which we set front and rear to the same values.

Now this car run's not only smoothly, but real strong, nicely stiff and determined (but still sufficiently comfortable in performance setting, my spouse does not complaint!!). It reminds me a bit to the great British SportsCar road-feeling long time ago.

Now, when you consider the kind of Switzerland dance-floor of some of the tremendous winding roads, MagnaFlowingX-Piping (MagnaFlying???) and crossing alpine passes and trough the Highlands......Whooohoooo......indeed, so much empowering driving fun, would like to share..........

Joe.


[Modified by SwissVette_Joe, 8:57 PM 1/18/2002]

 

Just what are the MALLETT SPECS?

 

Hi aces, sorry to let you alone in the dark re those indications!

Hence, in the following the process of works we did, as well as the MALLET-Specs we were to apply (as recorded from my maintenance log):

ALIGNMENT BASICS PRELIMINARY CONDITIONS
Check: 4 tire pressures, car loaded plus half tanks of gas, tires cold => FT30--RR30PSI or, if you prefer => FT32--RR30PSI
Load: your front seat(s) (LH/RH) with kind of Driver's replacement weight (1-2 bag)
Fixation: car correctly up to the alignment checkbank (is that the word???)
Shake: or rock the car some FT and RR
Check: again for the car correctly seating up to the checkbank, with all the laser measuring-tools on (depending of the garage's outfit + capabilities), alignment computer loaded with desired software and indicators, all tools ready
STEERING WHEEL: fully blocked in centered position with that special tool (spelling???)

FRONT-axle
TOE ind.: +0.03 OUT
TOE sum: +0.06 OUT
CASTER ind.: 6 degrees POSITIVE
CAMBER ind.: 0.6 degrees NEGATIVE

REAR-axle
TOE ind.: 0 degrees
TOE sum.: 0 degrees
CASTER: not applicable
CAMBER ind.: 0.6 degrees negative => kongruent to front setting!!

After alignment work, go test drive your car. Listen carefully for unusual "new" noise and/or vibration. There should be NONE.

IMPORTANT: do not forget to drive your car as well for some few miles, after you got it lowered. This will help the overall suspension-complex to seat correctly (trv-springs--shocks--bushings--chassis etc).

Note: the way we did the lowering and the alignment augmented the car's roadkeeping capabilities definetely (performance setting). Through real steep curves, under some power assistance, you may realize some very nice and well controllable drifting (some power-slide, until AH/TC kicks-in, real :cool: ).

Now, everybody could keep laughing, this doe's not matter, but, under those mentioned aspects for driving, I really LIKE my G/Y F1-EMT's (this despite the countless negative comments for them). Those tires ALWAYS let you know, "where you are", and I mean, this is also an important factor, at least when you intend to drive this proud C5 really to the limits of road-keeping. For me, please forgive me my stone-headed arguments, real-live DRIVING means primarily NOT racing at the track, where you have real demand for that grip to take-off, no, DRIVING is the uncomparable and empowering pleasure to cruise, or even better to "race" through a fantastic landscape....well seated on excellent back-roads, America's Finest in both hands.....some steep music on (at preference some TEXAS TORNADOS, give them a try in your CD-player!)......or just up to the purist's solution, hearing LS1's concerto-grosso and the deep roaring sound of MagnaFlow's Pipework. I love this car. :cheers:

Hope I was from help and a little (mental+tech) assistance. ENJOY your ride.
Joe.

 

Joe, I want to be the first one to comment that I loved your post. Hey, even if I didn't understand the tech stuff about alignment, it was so interesting to read your description of things. I actually felt like I was there...driving on winding roads, looking out at the Alps! You have a real gift for words! I will read all your posts! Just like a travel log! Thanks... :cheers:

 

Hey, dear Mike,

Thank you well for your good words, I really appreciated your feed-back! We not only share the same B-colour 28U-NBM. Further to that, as carrying a Pilot's Licence, I always feel deeply depending from the Lord, and my meteo-specialists - one very interesting Job you were, Mike. Weather is one of the most interesting phenomenas around our faces. You agree, I hope. BUT NOW====>>>>>

You drive one real awesome looking car, please receive my compliments. Those BBS rims are truly awesome!! I some time ago started my own evaluation re "replacing" wheels (eg HART/HRE/BBS/HICKOCK), but until actual, I was unable to take any decision. Your BBSs were since beginning on my list - amongst the others mentioned. As I know in Germany, right over here (we live in NW-Switzerland, so within some little kicks to the accelerator you might find you in FRANCE as well, also some real high quality mountain roads.....uhuhuhuh), there are many cars (mainly MERC and BMWs) rubbering on BBSs. Through internet, I could check that BBS "LM" (right?) has though a fully compatible set for C5.

So hopp, quickly over to my German TireShop, I let them check availability. Result: NO WAY to get those LMs!!!!????!!!!. The German area RepM even mentioned: there is NO SET for CORVETTE C5!!!!!, and if there would be any, they would not being accepted/authorized for C5. Now that was an answer!! :mad :mad

Sorry for readers - I went away from the thread - but it is the fault of this CAR and the DRIVING (with or without alignment work :D ) - sometimes it gets me out of my shoes and my brain.

Again, many thanx Mike, and, may I ask you what you would do in the question of those BBSs if in my position?

Joe.