Lowering C5 on stock bolts
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Lowering C5 on stock bolts
I know there has been a lot of questions on this, but I can't seem to find a clear answer on my main concern. I really want to lower my c5 on stock bolts, but will the performance of the car suffer from doing so?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,300
Likes: 115
From: Odessa FL
St. Jude Donor '10-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
There are a number of dependencies on which an answer would be based. What is the condition of your shocks and springs? Which shocks and springs do you have? How low are you intending to go? The basic reality is that you are changing the geometry of the suspension. Mainly you are shortening the travel of the shocks to absorb bumps. Within a threshold shortening that travel may not have any ill effect, but lowering too much and again back to the other dependencies mentioned, you may be bottoming out your shocks on every bump causing a very jarring ride and inability to keep the car planted firmly on the ground.
Last edited by alxltd1; Jun 1, 2015 at 11:10 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,249
Likes: 142
From: Lynn MA
Lowered my 99 Vert pretty much all the way down a few weeks ago. Shocks are Z06 less than a year old. The car handles better and the ride is firmer though but not any problem with it. The car's profile is way cooler than it was. Getting an alignment in a week or so as has been advised.
Drifting
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,547
Likes: 210
From: Huntersville, NC
So what is the purpose of lowering? Looks or performance?
You can lower 1 inch and optimize handling for the track (with a concurrent alignment that will complement the new lowered position). One inch will not affect travel. Experts like David Farmer will tell you 1 inch lower is about perfect for a track C5.
If you want a radical lowered look, then you will run out with stock bolts and will have to buy aftermarket. Then you will need to be concerned with bump stops, shock limits, and being really hard on the suspension wear parts. If that is your goal, then coil-overs will solve most your problems except being hard on suspension wear parts, and a miserable riding car onthe street
You can lower 1 inch and optimize handling for the track (with a concurrent alignment that will complement the new lowered position). One inch will not affect travel. Experts like David Farmer will tell you 1 inch lower is about perfect for a track C5.
If you want a radical lowered look, then you will run out with stock bolts and will have to buy aftermarket. Then you will need to be concerned with bump stops, shock limits, and being really hard on the suspension wear parts. If that is your goal, then coil-overs will solve most your problems except being hard on suspension wear parts, and a miserable riding car onthe street
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,300
Likes: 115
From: Odessa FL
St. Jude Donor '10-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
I mean you can go to this extreme:
.....and yes that is a tow hitch and ball on the rear......
And then while you are at it might as well do this too:
Just kidding with you.
.....and yes that is a tow hitch and ball on the rear......
And then while you are at it might as well do this too:
Just kidding with you.
Last edited by alxltd1; Jun 2, 2015 at 10:09 AM.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 257
Likes: 8
From: Shady Shores Texas
Lowering C5 on stock bolts
I lowered mine all the way 2 weeks ago.
Pros:
Looks great!
The rear end feels much better over 100 mph
Cons:
Always looking for flat driveways.
I think as a result, my car now runs warmer. Not 100% sure that's the reason though.
I didn't notice a difference in the ride although mine was already pretty rough. My brother has his at stock height and his ride is super smooth.
Here is a before and after...I got different wheels too.
Pros:
Looks great!
The rear end feels much better over 100 mph
Cons:
Always looking for flat driveways.
I think as a result, my car now runs warmer. Not 100% sure that's the reason though.
I didn't notice a difference in the ride although mine was already pretty rough. My brother has his at stock height and his ride is super smooth.
Here is a before and after...I got different wheels too.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,003
Likes: 89
From: Indy IN
Do it right or don't bother
First of all, do some research, there are a zillion threads on the subject already.
Second here is a thread on how to do it correctly.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1576940245
There are a number of threads and How To's out there and most of then do it incorrectly.. If you just go in and start turning screws you'll mess up the corner weights and the car will handle funny.
Lastly get greedy. I you think that lowered into the weeds is great, then go for it, but it will handle about like those funny looking Honda's in the previous post.
If you think it is "just a bit firmer" when lowered, you are on the bump stops and that will result in miserable handling.
Lowering some is good, but there can always be too much of a good thing....
Second here is a thread on how to do it correctly.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1576940245
There are a number of threads and How To's out there and most of then do it incorrectly.. If you just go in and start turning screws you'll mess up the corner weights and the car will handle funny.
Lastly get greedy. I you think that lowered into the weeds is great, then go for it, but it will handle about like those funny looking Honda's in the previous post.
If you think it is "just a bit firmer" when lowered, you are on the bump stops and that will result in miserable handling.
Lowering some is good, but there can always be too much of a good thing....
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Drifting
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,547
Likes: 210
From: Huntersville, NC
First of all, do some research, there are a zillion threads on the subject already.
Second here is a thread on how to do it correctly.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1576940245
There are a number of threads and How To's out there and most of then do it incorrectly.. If you just go in and start turning screws you'll mess up the corner weights and the car will handle funny.
Lastly get greedy. I you think that lowered into the weeds is great, then go for it, but it will handle about like those funny looking Honda's in the previous post.
If you think it is "just a bit firmer" when lowered, you are on the bump stops and that will result in miserable handling.
Lowering some is good, but there can always be too much of a good thing....
Second here is a thread on how to do it correctly.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1576940245
There are a number of threads and How To's out there and most of then do it incorrectly.. If you just go in and start turning screws you'll mess up the corner weights and the car will handle funny.
Lastly get greedy. I you think that lowered into the weeds is great, then go for it, but it will handle about like those funny looking Honda's in the previous post.
If you think it is "just a bit firmer" when lowered, you are on the bump stops and that will result in miserable handling.
Lowering some is good, but there can always be too much of a good thing....
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,595
Likes: 191
From: Wilmington DE
Max lowered mine with front bolts removed and bilstein shocks with cut bumpstop. I have shity roads and the ride suffered. Put the front bolt back in with the rubber cut down. Still low but now the ride is much better. Eventually will get coilovers or the llowering spindles($$$) and do it right