lowering C5
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 343
Likes: 1
From: LasVegas Nevada and NSW Aust
comon guys surly some one knows the answer i am sure this has been done a million times by forum members. Just want to know if it will be low enough or if i will need to buy lowering kit.
Former Vendor
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 295
Likes: 0
From: Manassas VA
We find at CCA that lowering on stock bolts you can see 3/4" to 1 1/4"
Depending on the age of your suspension.
If you want to go even lower in the back, CCA carry's a rear lowering kit that you can get about another 1.5" lower.
Other then those applications or cutting/removing bushings, coil overs would be your next step.
A link to pics and the kit is http://customcorvetteaccessories.com...weringkit.html
There are also pics of lowering on stock c5 bolts (cca c5 vette)
Thank You
-Jason
Depending on the age of your suspension.
If you want to go even lower in the back, CCA carry's a rear lowering kit that you can get about another 1.5" lower.
Other then those applications or cutting/removing bushings, coil overs would be your next step.
A link to pics and the kit is http://customcorvetteaccessories.com...weringkit.html
There are also pics of lowering on stock c5 bolts (cca c5 vette)
Thank You
-Jason
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,003
Likes: 89
From: Indy IN
Do a search on lowering in this and in the Z06 forum and you will find a zillion posts that will more than answer your question. The short answer is you can lower it on stock bolts more than you should....
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 343
Likes: 1
From: LasVegas Nevada and NSW Aust
Just lowered the vette on stock bolts without cutting anything, it came down a tad under a inch and a quarter all round 30mm in metric scale.
Very happy with the way it looks and drives. Did about 20 miles. hope its stays exactly where it is and dosen't drop any more.
Very happy with the way it looks and drives. Did about 20 miles. hope its stays exactly where it is and dosen't drop any more.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,366
Likes: 249
From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
My car lowered slightly more than an inch. In my opinion that's all you need. Looks right, rides well and doesn't affect your drivability too much. Things start to scrape a little like when entering driveways but it's not too bad. You have to pay attention a little more. Any more than that is not recommended and handling suffers too. GM actually says an inch is good for improved handling, don't go more.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 2,365
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver BC
I don't know in inches, but I fully lowered it on stock bolts and cut all the bushings (front and rear), and now I scrape everywhere I go (I scrape the front air dam just driving on the street, even without speed bumps)...so I would say it is definitely low enough
I have the F45 suspension. The shocks really firm up the lower you go.
I have the F45 suspension. The shocks really firm up the lower you go.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 343
Likes: 1
From: LasVegas Nevada and NSW Aust
Here are a couple of images with the addition of my new wheels and magnaflow zorst. start the engine mods in about 2 weeks time.
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...5/DSC00985.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...5/DSC00992.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...5/DSC00980.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...5/DSC00985.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...5/DSC00992.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...5/DSC00980.jpg
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 343
Likes: 1
From: LasVegas Nevada and NSW Aust
wheels are 19x8.5 225/35/19 BFG KDW up front and 20x10 285/35/20 BFG KDW on the rear. Yes its a turn signal which i had to put in to meet the laws of Australia but they are coming off this week and i will be customising the door mirrors to have one's in them.
Last edited by VET-005; Oct 6, 2009 at 08:12 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,003
Likes: 89
From: Indy IN
I don't know in inches, but I fully lowered it on stock bolts and cut all the bushings (front and rear), and now I scrape everywhere I go (I scrape the front air dam just driving on the street, even without speed bumps)...so I would say it is definitely low enough
I have the F45 suspension. The shocks really firm up the lower you go.
I have the F45 suspension. The shocks really firm up the lower you go.
IF THE RIDE QUALITY CHANGES YOU ARE RIDING ON THE BUMP STOPS !!!!!
There is nothing in lowering that shoud change the ride quality. You are sitting on the bump stops and the handling will suffer as well as the ride quality. Lower than more than an inch in the rear on stock shocks is not only stupid it is dangerous. If you hit a bump when you are cornering hard the back end of the car can step out very quickly.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 2,365
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver BC
IF THE RIDE QUALITY CHANGES YOU ARE RIDING ON THE BUMP STOPS !!!!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,367
Likes: 0
From: East Oakland CA
We find at CCA that lowering on stock bolts you can see 3/4" to 1 1/4"
Depending on the age of your suspension.
If you want to go even lower in the back, CCA carry's a rear lowering kit that you can get about another 1.5" lower.
Other then those applications or cutting/removing bushings, coil overs would be your next step.
A link to pics and the kit is http://customcorvetteaccessories.com...weringkit.html
There are also pics of lowering on stock c5 bolts (cca c5 vette)
Thank You
-Jason
Depending on the age of your suspension.
If you want to go even lower in the back, CCA carry's a rear lowering kit that you can get about another 1.5" lower.
Other then those applications or cutting/removing bushings, coil overs would be your next step.
A link to pics and the kit is http://customcorvetteaccessories.com...weringkit.html
There are also pics of lowering on stock c5 bolts (cca c5 vette)
Thank You
-Jason
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,631
Likes: 2
From: Clever, MO aka SOMO
Apparently you know nothing about the F45 shocks then...if you did, you would know that the sensors firm up the shock as the shock compresses...a lowered F45 suspension will always ride firmer than one at stock height. I know I'm not riding the bump stops, because I tested how much play I have left after lowering and there is enough not to hit the bumpstops even at hard cornering. So please only comment if you actually have a clue what you are talking about...Cheers.
The OP was asking for info on lowering with the F45 RTD shocks. Don't drop more than 1 inch w/F45. The ride quality does change. 
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,321
Likes: 1,586
From: Western NY
It's not all that confusing... People ask, "How much did you lower?" The question of "how much" depends on how high the car was when you started out.
Production variation means that 1" lower on one particular car, takes it to a point where another car might have been lowered only 3/4". Most 'Vettes are "more or less" the same height from the factory, however they do vary.
Personally, I like the looks of a "low" car, but it seems that EVERY car I've ever owned since the 70s, has always been on the high side of whatever production tolerance there is. Therefore, in some way, shape or form, I've had to lower just about all of my cars, my F-45 equipped C-5 included.
Production variation means that 1" lower on one particular car, takes it to a point where another car might have been lowered only 3/4". Most 'Vettes are "more or less" the same height from the factory, however they do vary.
Personally, I like the looks of a "low" car, but it seems that EVERY car I've ever owned since the 70s, has always been on the high side of whatever production tolerance there is. Therefore, in some way, shape or form, I've had to lower just about all of my cars, my F-45 equipped C-5 included.
Today I tried to lower my friend's 97 vette on stock bolts but nothing happened!!!!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 343
Likes: 1
From: LasVegas Nevada and NSW Aust
Have you taken the car for a good drive so the suspension settles. If not, thats what you are doing wrong. Take if for a good 30 minute drive and then re-check the height. You will find it will definately be lower.
