I use my vette as a daily driver. Good roads, no steap inclines only those pesky parking lot curbs. :mad Is lowering for looks only? Does it affect the ride? Is there a down side? Is there a up side? :confused:

 

My car is lowered about 2". The only problems I have is really inclined driveways. Speed bumps are no problems. Be careful at gas stations, and the tank hook-ups, sometimes they stick out more than you think!

I bought my car this way, so I can't compare it to stock, but I like the way mine feels, and it drives very smooth over bumps.

 

Try lowering about an inch and see if you like it. The looks are phenomenal and the ride will be a little harsher but not bad at all. If you dont like the ride then get the Bilstein Sport shocks for around $300.

You will also need Andy's frame savers for peace of mind http://www.aandacorvette.com

 

I ran my rear stock bolts out as far as I could - got about 1" - and did the same on the fronts. Looks better to me and the ride is fine. Lowering a C5 involves reducing tension on the monosprings (hence the bolts) which in turn lowers the car.

I don't really have any curb, speed bump or other issues that I didn't have before I lowered. I do intend to lower another 1" but will use different bolts. Plus I intend to change out monosprings and sway bars for a tighter ride around town and when autocrossing.

My vette is also a daily driver, though I have alternate transport, I prefer the vette.

Save the wave :seeya :cool:

 

I debated soooo long about lowering mine it was ridiculous. Should have done it right away. I cut the front bushings and installed longer bolts in the rear. To me, the ride has suffered ZERO. I have the Z-51 option and even before lowering people that drove the car told me it road harsh, while others thought it was perfect like me. Everybody is different. ;) My reasons were purely for looks but the handling has to be better, lowered center of gravity, etc... and yes I got it aligned.

The roads in Syracuse, NY can be as ruff as others. If you know your routes you will have not a problem. You can always get sucked up by a giant pothole or steep approach angle that catches you off guard :eek: but chances are non-lowered vettes would scrape and rub as well when encountered with those same obstacles. I will note also that when the front scrapes it is usually your front air dam which bounces right back into place. The sound is earthshattering the first time and will cause for immediate pull over to investigate, knowing that the whole underside of your car is no longer there.:lol: Low and behold it is simple that black air damn.

This is not to say that your car is more susceptible to scrapes being lowered over an inch but with care you are fine.

My sig picture does not show after lowering. I installed new polished ZO6 wheels with new Supercar tires when I lowered and it is perfect. It was also my first mod done by me :D with many late night emails from forum members walking my scared butt through it.

I also have the A&A wheel kit, frame saver.

The lowering is reversible when you do not cut the bushings. I knew I wanted to cut because I did not see any difference when a local guy with a Z-51 equipped car lowered his with stock bolts. Just my opinion.

Enjoy :cheers:

 

I would like to lower mine but I have a very steep driveway and I'm afraid I will scrape. One thing about lowering -- it reduces suspenson travel, so you are more likely to bottom out. This would be less of a problem with stiffer springs, but with the base suspenson it could be a problem. On a road with uneven surfaces or ripples you don't want to drive very fast or you will find out why those slammed pickups go so slow over bumps! :lol:

 

i lowered mine the max with the stock bolts. i did not cut the bushings. the ride is basically unaffected, maybe slightly stiffer. the handling is better and the look is awesome. i get about 5 times the complimants on my car since lowering. i have the base suspension and have not had bottoming problems on michigan roads. my car has 20k on it. i've got andy's goodies for protection and you do have to watch your approaches, but you do when stock also. i imagine the front spoilers will have to be replaced about twice as often, but at $70 for a set not a big deal. HIGHLY RECCOMENDED!! :cool:

 

MY 98 WAS 2" ALL THE WAY AROUND. THE ONLY THING I CAN TELL YA IS IT LOOKS WAY :cool: AND BELEIVE IT OR NOT....YOU WILL OBTAIN A NEW WAY OF DRIVING (DRIVING INTO DRIVEWAYS AT ANGLES ETC.) THE FRONT AIR DAM SITS THE LOWEST BUT IS FLEXABLE. I HAD MY 98 LIKE THAT FOR 2 YRS. AND DID NOT AQUIRE ANY DAMAGE TO THE BODY/VEHICLE.

DO IT! :yesnod: YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE! IF YOU DONT LIKE IT (OH, YOU WILL) THEN IT CAN ALWAYS BE REVERSED :)

 

I lowered mine about an inch. I have not noticed any difference in ride quality, but I have been scraping more often. The vette looks much better now. I would highly recommend installing Andy's rocker rails and frame savers. They saved me in a parking garage with a lot of steep ramps recently.

 

Looks? In most opinions, a big YES.
Ride? None in most cases. Ride will change until you get the car re-aligned. Then it'll probably go back to normal.
Down side? Other than scraping (severity depends on how low you go), nothing.
Up side? IMO, not performance-wise. Most of the performance comes from the same place as the TB bypass, exhaust, etc. (i.e. the brain) Looks, see #1.

Lowered mine within the limits of the stock hardware, am quite happy with the results.

Have a good one,
Mike

 

I think they look better lowered, but what (if any) are the advantages or disadvantages from lowering if you drag race? I heard if you hook rather well, you need some of the clearence for the tires and fenders, or else, they might come in contact with each other.. (i.e. the car squats so hard when you launch that the tires brush up again the fender)

Any one ever notice anything related to this after lowering?

Thanks!
David

 

they did not make a 72 gto convt

 

I initially lowered the car just by turning the bolts, drove around for a week, hardly noticed any difference in appearance or handling. I wasn't satisfied with that amount of drop, so I went ahead and cut off the entire bushings in the front and 2/3 in the rear, retaining all stock bolts, and of course turning the bolts to the max. Now I'm 95% satisfied with the appearance and the handling. I wish I could afford to drop it lower, but I really hate hitting stuff of the road. :)

 

Well guy's based on your input I lowered my vette as far as stock bushings and bolts would allow, about an inch.
The pluses- a lot more compliments even from other vette owners (some say your's looks diferent than mine), looks :cool: , ride didn't suffer, checked alignment after 200 miles it's ok.
The minus-hard time getting into McDonalds, can't use car wash.
Maybe there are no minus's!! :D: