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- C6 Corvette: Specifications by Trim
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Stock C5 Ride Height?
#2
Tech Contributor
#3
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Feb 2007
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
As lucky said, the service manual provides the proper procedures and measurements. What you are measuring is the angle of the lower control arms.
If you just want a rough idea I would suggest you go to a gathering and ask some people with stock ride height cars if they would mind you measuring. I think you will be surprised at the range you are likely to find.
#5
Melting Slicks
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
Give this a try:
Perform the following before measuring the trim heights:
1. Set the tire pressures to the pressure shown on the tire placard. The tire placard is located on the driver's door.
2. Fill the fuel tank.
3. Place the front seats in the full back position.
4. Make sure the rear compartment is empty.
5. Make sure the vehicle is on a level surface, such as an alignment rack.
6. Close the doors.
7. Close the hood.
8. Close the rear compartment lid.
J and K dimensions are measured vertical to the ground. These trim heights should be within 6.4 mm (0.25 in) to be considered correct.
Measuring J Height
Important
The Real Time Damping system must be operative while taking measurements.
1. Lift the front bumper of the vehicle up approximately 38 mm (1.5 in). Gently remove hands. Let the vehicle settle.
2. Repeat this step two more times.
3. Push the front bumper down approximately 38 mm (1.5 in). Gently remove hands. Let the vehicle settle.
4. Repeat this step two more times.
5. Measure 88.9 cm (35 in.) from the center of the front wheel to the lower edge of the rocker panel.
6. Mark the spot.
7. Measure the J dimension (from the lower edge of the rocker panel to the ground). Refer to Trim Height Specifications in Wheel Alignment.
8. If the J dimension is not within specification adjust the Z height.
9. To adjust the front spring to correct the Z height. Refer to Trim Height Adjustment in Front Suspension.
Measuring K Height
Important
The Real Time Damping system must be operative while taking measurements.
1. Lift the rear bumper of the vehicle up approximately 38 mm (1.5 in). Gently remove hands. Let the vehicle settle.
2. Repeat this step two more times.
3. Push the rear bumper down approximately 38 mm (1.5 in). Gently remove hands. Let the vehicle settle.
4. Repeat this step two more times.
5. Measure 78.7 cm (31 in.) from the center of the rear wheel to the lower edge of the rocker panel.
6. Mark the spot.
7. Measure the K dimension (from the lower edge of the rocker panel to the ground). Refer to Trim Height Specifications in Wheel Alignment.
8. If the K dimension is not within specification adjust the D height.
9. To adjust the rear spring to correct the D height. Refer to Trim Height Adjustment in Rear Suspension.
Trim Height Specifications
Base, FE1, FE3, FE4-----------J Height (Curb)-----------K Height (Curb)
Service Preferred--------------153 mm (6.02 in)---------158 mm (6.22 in)
Service Allowable--------------153 mm (6.02 in)---------158 mm (6.22 in)
Perform the following before measuring the trim heights:
1. Set the tire pressures to the pressure shown on the tire placard. The tire placard is located on the driver's door.
2. Fill the fuel tank.
3. Place the front seats in the full back position.
4. Make sure the rear compartment is empty.
5. Make sure the vehicle is on a level surface, such as an alignment rack.
6. Close the doors.
7. Close the hood.
8. Close the rear compartment lid.
J and K dimensions are measured vertical to the ground. These trim heights should be within 6.4 mm (0.25 in) to be considered correct.
Measuring J Height
Important
The Real Time Damping system must be operative while taking measurements.
1. Lift the front bumper of the vehicle up approximately 38 mm (1.5 in). Gently remove hands. Let the vehicle settle.
2. Repeat this step two more times.
3. Push the front bumper down approximately 38 mm (1.5 in). Gently remove hands. Let the vehicle settle.
4. Repeat this step two more times.
5. Measure 88.9 cm (35 in.) from the center of the front wheel to the lower edge of the rocker panel.
6. Mark the spot.
7. Measure the J dimension (from the lower edge of the rocker panel to the ground). Refer to Trim Height Specifications in Wheel Alignment.
8. If the J dimension is not within specification adjust the Z height.
9. To adjust the front spring to correct the Z height. Refer to Trim Height Adjustment in Front Suspension.
Measuring K Height
Important
The Real Time Damping system must be operative while taking measurements.
1. Lift the rear bumper of the vehicle up approximately 38 mm (1.5 in). Gently remove hands. Let the vehicle settle.
2. Repeat this step two more times.
3. Push the rear bumper down approximately 38 mm (1.5 in). Gently remove hands. Let the vehicle settle.
4. Repeat this step two more times.
5. Measure 78.7 cm (31 in.) from the center of the rear wheel to the lower edge of the rocker panel.
6. Mark the spot.
7. Measure the K dimension (from the lower edge of the rocker panel to the ground). Refer to Trim Height Specifications in Wheel Alignment.
8. If the K dimension is not within specification adjust the D height.
9. To adjust the rear spring to correct the D height. Refer to Trim Height Adjustment in Rear Suspension.
Trim Height Specifications
Base, FE1, FE3, FE4-----------J Height (Curb)-----------K Height (Curb)
Service Preferred--------------153 mm (6.02 in)---------158 mm (6.22 in)
Service Allowable--------------153 mm (6.02 in)---------158 mm (6.22 in)
#7
Melting Slicks
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
The same goes for D height.
#9
Safety Car
Member Since: Jun 2009
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St. Jude Donor '10
I don't know about the fenders being all off that much. I measured 10 different cars, verts and coupes and they were all within 1/8" of these measurements
27.5 Front (ground to fender)
28.75 rear (ground to fender)
27.5 Front (ground to fender)
28.75 rear (ground to fender)
#12
Melting Slicks
Right, but 1/8 of an inch would easily jack 50 pounds or more of cornerweight, so unless you want to screw up the handling and make the car corner differently turning left and right, do it the right way and measure from the frame points as noted above.
#14
Safety Car
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St. Jude Donor '10
What I'm getting at, is for Non racing perfection, if you're trying to see where you are before and after lowering, the fenders aren't as screwed up as people make them out to be.
You might get 9 wrong measurements, but mine would be dead-nuts. I measure daily for a living
#15
Burning Brakes
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This is about what mine averaged before I lowered it some. (I was actually 27/28 on one side and 27.5/28.5 on the other). And that is measured in the center of the wheel from the ground to the middle of the fender lip. (my car is a 2001 z51).
This number will get you close enough for a non-track car.
#16
Safety Car
Trim Height Specifications
Base, FE1, FE3, FE4-----------J Height (Curb)-----------K Height (Curb)
Service Preferred--------------153 mm (6.02 in)---------158 mm (6.22 in)
Service Allowable--------------153 mm (6.02 in)---------158 mm (6.22 in)
I know I'm resurrecting an old post but i got a question?
That J 6.02 in front and K 6.22 in for the rear measurement, are they
(factory ) referring to having 6 in of clearance between the bottom of the rocker panel and the road ? That seem pretty high no ?
Base, FE1, FE3, FE4-----------J Height (Curb)-----------K Height (Curb)
Service Preferred--------------153 mm (6.02 in)---------158 mm (6.22 in)
Service Allowable--------------153 mm (6.02 in)---------158 mm (6.22 in)
I know I'm resurrecting an old post but i got a question?
That J 6.02 in front and K 6.22 in for the rear measurement, are they
(factory ) referring to having 6 in of clearance between the bottom of the rocker panel and the road ? That seem pretty high no ?
#17
Melting Slicks
J/K. I thought it was closer to 5.25ish
My advise, bring it up as high as you need to.
#18
Safety Car
Here's my thread:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...appy-help.html
#19
Team Owner
Member Since: Sep 2003
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Measured three cars on a dealers lot and got three different numbers.
Then measured our two and got two more different numbers.
Have also measured two cars and the fenders were the same. but something was not right.
So measured the frame, and the frame to ground was off b 1/8" between the two cars