C5 Tech Corvette Tech/Performance: LS1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Lowering A Vette

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 19, 2002 | 10:22 AM
  #1  
CobraPilot169's Avatar
CobraPilot169
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Corpus Christi Tx
Default Lowering A Vette

Hey Fellas
I just bought a set of RK Sport lowering bolts and bushings and I wanted to get some feedback before I put them on. What is the best way to install? What ride height would you recommend? What are the Cons of lowering the car? Also I dont have any manuals, I am assumeing that the kit will come with instructions, If not where is the best place to look for install info. I would really appreciate any and all opinions.
Semper Fi
John :flag
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2002 | 10:40 AM
  #2  
oceanaire's Avatar
oceanaire
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,191
Likes: 0
From: Palm Beach Shores, FL
Default Re: Lowering A Vette (CobraPilot169)

I used coil overs to lower as I heard some of the members complaining of loss of ride comfort when lowering using the bolts. But I guess that depends on how low you go. I'm sure some of the members that used lowering bolts will chime in.

There are only a few drawbacks I have found in lowering. One, it's hard to put a jack under the car, and I have a very low profile jack. In fact, I cannot put a jack under the front of the car unless I jack it up in the rear first. Two, I have found down on the lower parts of the car, it is getting scratched up from road debris, you know, gravel and the such from normal road driving. Three, speed bumps are a b*tch!!

All in all, if I were to do it over, I don't think I would do it diffferently.

Eric
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2002 | 10:42 AM
  #3  
carpe dm's Avatar
carpe dm
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 8,205
Likes: 40
From: Tucson AZ
Default Re: Lowering A Vette (CobraPilot169)

Welcome to the Forum! You will get many opinions here, but I would suggest that you lower the car (up to an inch) using the stock bolts first. See how you like it and if you can still get over any speed bumps in your area, etc. If you then want it lower still, install the bolts you purchased. Because of my driveway angle, I could not go lower than about an inch. Looks good to me! :smash: Take your time; do a search here if you need directions, and take a look in the "tips" section for C5s.
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2002 | 11:50 AM
  #4  
Racer's Avatar
Racer
Team Owner
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 25,013
Likes: 79
From: Manitoba/San Jose del Cabo
Cruise-In III Veteran
St. Jude Donor '11
Default Re: Lowering A Vette (carpe dm)

First thing you can do is (if you want) send those back, you can buy all the parts you need at any bolt store for less than $10 dollars. Here are a couple of links for you to check out. Don't worry about the title saying it's for a Z06, it works for all Vettes.
http://www.corvetteforum.cc/techtips...D=90&TopicID=1
http://www.2phast.com/Corvette/lower.htm

Many, many, many people including myself have used longer bolts, with no problems. Lots of people say they can't go lower because they already scrape. The air dam is made to scrape, you are doing no harm whatsoever to it. Also, by buying frame savers, and triming the air dam, it is better than stock. Speed bumps are a different story, but, rocker panel protectors solve that problem. If you are not sure if you want to go low, just turn the rear bolts until two threads are showing and turn the bolt on the front instead of cutting two -thirds of the bushing. I have a nice power presentation another forum member made that I can send you if you e-mail me and ask for it. Hotmail accounts will not allow the transfer of it though. E-mail me superchargedvette@shaw.ca
:cheers:


[Modified by racer44, 9:52 AM 12/19/2002]
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2002 | 11:56 AM
  #5  
Fastguy's Avatar
Fastguy
Team Owner
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 26,679
Likes: 17
From: This vette goes to 11 Milford MA
St. Jude Donor '03-'05
Default Re: Lowering A Vette (racer44)

I thought about lowering my car untill I got it home and it bottomed out pulling into my driveway. It just barely clears the speedbumps at work too.
Just stuff to consider.
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2002 | 06:29 PM
  #6  
Old Rotor Head's Avatar
Old Rotor Head
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,754
Likes: 0
From: Nokomis FL
Default Re: Lowering A Vette (CobraPilot169)

Hey Cobra, I dropped mine to 27" on stock bolts, no bushing cuts and Z51 suspension. Looks great, rides great do have to watch speed bumps and inclines. That's a small price for the new look. :D

P.S. Is that Cobra a Blue Oval type or an AH-1?
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2002 | 07:23 PM
  #7  
CobraPilot169's Avatar
CobraPilot169
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Corpus Christi Tx
Default Re: Lowering A Vette (CobraPilot169)

Thanks for all the advice, I am really interested in how Old rotor head lowered his without cutting any bushings and with stock bolts. You guys have to forgive me I've had alot of cars but this is my first computer so I really dont know exactly where to look for the really technical stuff. And again thanks for all the help you all have some good points. Keep it comming..
Semper Fi
John

(For the record it is an AH-1W, not a Ford)
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2002 | 09:09 PM
  #8  
Old Rotor Head's Avatar
Old Rotor Head
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,754
Likes: 0
From: Nokomis FL
Default Re: Lowering A Vette (CobraPilot169)

Ahh, fond memories. I've got about 1k hours in the AH-1G, Nam era.

At the top of your screen you'll see a menue bar. Put your pointer on TOOLS and a drop down menue appears. Clink on TECH TIPS. Select C5 Related Topics. At the top right of the screen a search box will appear...type in lower and enter. Select Lowering a C5 and your about a hour away from a new :cool: look.

Let us know how it turns out.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Lowering A Vette

Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-7

Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!

 Joe Kucinski




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:41 PM.

story-0
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-1
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-20 17:58:41


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE
story-3
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

Slideshow: 5 most and least popular Corvette model years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-08 13:25:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette buyer's guide

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-17 16:41:08


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

Slideshow: 10 things C8 Corvette owners hate, but won't tell you.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-01 18:36:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

Slideshow: Should you add one of these incredible Corvettes to your garage?

By Brett Foote | 2026-04-01 18:14:05


VIEW MORE
story-7
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

Slideshow: Every Corvette Grand Sport explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-26 07:13:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!

Slideshow: Breaking down the 2027 Grand Sport, Grand Sport X, Stingray, and LS6 V8.

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-03-26 13:48:45


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!

Slideshow: 5 reasons bad drivers crash sports cars & 5 ways to avoid a costly shame!

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-25 16:32:55


VIEW MORE