Car's Lowered- How long before an alignment?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 2,793
Likes: 0
From: carmel Indiana usa
Car's Lowered- How long before an alignment?
I'm curious to know how long you guys waited. I've got a local guy that can do the work but can I also take it to a tire shop like Discount??
Thanks in advance
David In Indy :seeya
----------------
2000 NBM M6-Coupe
All Options minus F45
Euros/Lloyd Mats/Chrome Shifter/Ripper/Halltech tric/T-bypass/Taylor
Wires/TTS Headers/High Flow Cats/X-pipe/Indy Corsas/Baers/Z06
Calipers/Russell ss brake lines/Hawk Pads/Lowered/Yokohama Avs Sports/Porsche DOT4 Hi-Performance Brake fluid/Redline oils/Zaino/Engine Dress by Auto Buffs and Design Specialties
Thanks in advance
David In Indy :seeya
----------------
2000 NBM M6-Coupe
All Options minus F45
Euros/Lloyd Mats/Chrome Shifter/Ripper/Halltech tric/T-bypass/Taylor
Wires/TTS Headers/High Flow Cats/X-pipe/Indy Corsas/Baers/Z06
Calipers/Russell ss brake lines/Hawk Pads/Lowered/Yokohama Avs Sports/Porsche DOT4 Hi-Performance Brake fluid/Redline oils/Zaino/Engine Dress by Auto Buffs and Design Specialties
Pro
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 736
Likes: 0
From: Breese Illinois
Re: Car's Lowered- How long before an alignment? (ledfoot)
Ledfoot,
I've had mine lowered (as far as possible w/o kit) for more than 15k miles and have not had it aligned since I lowered it. I had just put new tires on (FS SZ50s), no wear problems to datel and no handling problems either. However, I think the consensus on the CF is to have it aligned, your choice.
later,
I've had mine lowered (as far as possible w/o kit) for more than 15k miles and have not had it aligned since I lowered it. I had just put new tires on (FS SZ50s), no wear problems to datel and no handling problems either. However, I think the consensus on the CF is to have it aligned, your choice.
later,
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 2,793
Likes: 0
From: carmel Indiana usa
Re: Car's Lowered- How long before an alignment? (BRADS C5)
hi Brad-
The ride still feels the same until you get beyond 70 mph. At this point handling feels a little loose but not dramatic. I'm doing an alignment mainly for peace of mind. I lowered her 1-inch all the way around....you will not believe the difference.
Good Luck!
The ride still feels the same until you get beyond 70 mph. At this point handling feels a little loose but not dramatic. I'm doing an alignment mainly for peace of mind. I lowered her 1-inch all the way around....you will not believe the difference.
Good Luck!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 5,925
Likes: 0
From: A FEW CLICKS NORTH OF THE CANAL
Re: Car's Lowered- How long before an alignment? (ledfoot)
hi Brad-
The ride still feels the same until you get beyond 70 mph. At this point handling feels a little loose but not dramatic. I'm doing an alignment mainly for peace of mind. I lowered her 1-inch all the way around....you will not believe the difference.
Good Luck!
The ride still feels the same until you get beyond 70 mph. At this point handling feels a little loose but not dramatic. I'm doing an alignment mainly for peace of mind. I lowered her 1-inch all the way around....you will not believe the difference.
Good Luck!
I 2nd that .... ....you will not believe the difference.
:cheers: :D
Racer
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 328
Likes: 0
From: Livermore CA
Re: Car's Lowered- How long before an alignment? (ledfoot)
I just had mine lowered as far as you can with stock rear bolts and no cutting of the front bushings. The alignment went out big time in the toe settings. One wheel had 3/8" toe and it should be less than 1/64". Camber was off but not as bad. Get it aligned.
I think it bottoms out more often and now I notice how bad the Z51 shocks are in rebound dampening. I am going to get Bilstein sport shocks soon. :smash:
I think it bottoms out more often and now I notice how bad the Z51 shocks are in rebound dampening. I am going to get Bilstein sport shocks soon. :smash:
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs CO
Re: Car's Lowered- How long before an alignment? (ledfoot)
I've been contemplating this issue myself. I lowered the car w/ stock equipment while I was upgrading to Eradispeeds, Z06 sways & Bilsteins. :)
The ride now is SUPER flat - I mean absolutely NO roll. The suppleness of the ride has suffered though. It is very firm and aggressive & no more bounce. It's gonna take me a while to get used to it, but I think I'm gonna like it.
Let us know if you were off if you decide to get it aligned. I've waited as I haven't had time to drive the car much lately.
TOPSPD :seeya
The ride now is SUPER flat - I mean absolutely NO roll. The suppleness of the ride has suffered though. It is very firm and aggressive & no more bounce. It's gonna take me a while to get used to it, but I think I'm gonna like it.
Let us know if you were off if you decide to get it aligned. I've waited as I haven't had time to drive the car much lately.
TOPSPD :seeya
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 6,071
Likes: 297
From: Savannah GA
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Re: Car's Lowered- How long before an alignment? (TOPSPD)
Well after my car was lowered I thought my alignment was ok, that is until I ruined a front right tire. Turns out my toe in is way off on my right front :confused: . I would get it done asap...
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,333
Likes: 32
From: USA
Re: Car's Lowered- How long before an alignment? (ledfoot)
Ledfoot,
I waited a month before I had mine aligned. It took me that long before I got each corner exactly where I wanted it. I am pretty ****.
Be sure wherever you take it can get it on their alignment rack. Many tire shops can't. If not find a race shop in your area.
Some cars will be out of specs after lowering, some won't. It just depends
where the alignment was before you lowered the car. Have it checked!
Also, 90% of the time I do not have a passenger when I take my vette out.
Therefore I had the alignment done with me in the car. I have the alignment sheet with and without me in the car and it does make a difference even though I only weigh 160 pounds. More than 160 pounds = more alignment change.
One other thing: Have the alignment tech set the specs to the exact middle of the spec. Example: if camber has a range of 0-1 degree of negative camber then have it set at .5 degrees.
I have always done this on my corvettes and have never had a tech say no.
Dave
I waited a month before I had mine aligned. It took me that long before I got each corner exactly where I wanted it. I am pretty ****.
Be sure wherever you take it can get it on their alignment rack. Many tire shops can't. If not find a race shop in your area.
Some cars will be out of specs after lowering, some won't. It just depends
where the alignment was before you lowered the car. Have it checked!
Also, 90% of the time I do not have a passenger when I take my vette out.
Therefore I had the alignment done with me in the car. I have the alignment sheet with and without me in the car and it does make a difference even though I only weigh 160 pounds. More than 160 pounds = more alignment change.
One other thing: Have the alignment tech set the specs to the exact middle of the spec. Example: if camber has a range of 0-1 degree of negative camber then have it set at .5 degrees.
I have always done this on my corvettes and have never had a tech say no.
Dave
Pro
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 736
Likes: 0
From: Breese Illinois
Re: Car's Lowered- How long before an alignment? (BRADS C5)
Brad,
You will give up a little in the ride. I've got the F45 so I can modify the ride depending on the road. If I keep the selector in tour the shocks can bottom out very easy, so I ride around in sport most of the time. But I don't concur with the comment about the car getting loose. I've had mine to 140mph and the car just got lower and tighter as the speed went up, I like the difference a lot.
Later,
You will give up a little in the ride. I've got the F45 so I can modify the ride depending on the road. If I keep the selector in tour the shocks can bottom out very easy, so I ride around in sport most of the time. But I don't concur with the comment about the car getting loose. I've had mine to 140mph and the car just got lower and tighter as the speed went up, I like the difference a lot.
Later,
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 2,793
Likes: 0
From: carmel Indiana usa
Re: Car's Lowered- How long before an alignment? (THRAP 42)
Well I drove the car for the first time last night and immediately noticed the body roll. Car needs stiffer shocks in a bad way. Might as well go with the stiffer sway bars too. I'm gonna get her nice and clean but will avoid driving her more than 5-10 miles until I get these parts in.
Once the parts come in. I'll have the shocks, sway bars and alignment done at the same time.
Thanks guys!
David In Indy.
[Modified by ledfoot, 3:45 PM 7/31/2002]
Once the parts come in. I'll have the shocks, sway bars and alignment done at the same time.
Thanks guys!
David In Indy.
[Modified by ledfoot, 3:45 PM 7/31/2002]
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: San Jose Ca
Re: Car's Lowered- How long before an alignment? (ledfoot)
I'm cuious, did most of you lower the car using the rear lowering bolts, or is there another or better way to lower the car? I would like to do this mod, but want to do it right the first time. I will surly get the alignment done at the same time. Thanks :cool:
