Need help with lowering issues??????????
Thread Starter
Former Vendor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 18,666
Likes: 395
From: Tampa FL
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12'-'13-'14-'15
Need help with lowering issues??????????
Need to get a few questions answered in reference to lowering my corvette on stock bolts.
1. How far can I lower the front
2. How far can I lower the rear
3. What size and how long should the bolts for the rear be in order to not have to cut the bushings
4. Can I buy the bolts at a hardware store or do I have use the ones that are especially made for this application (ie. mid america)
5. Will this process be fairly simple if the car is lifted up on a hydraulic lift
6. How far should I drop the rear and front if going to 275/35-18 tires all the way around
Thank you for your assistance in advance.
1. How far can I lower the front
2. How far can I lower the rear
3. What size and how long should the bolts for the rear be in order to not have to cut the bushings
4. Can I buy the bolts at a hardware store or do I have use the ones that are especially made for this application (ie. mid america)
5. Will this process be fairly simple if the car is lifted up on a hydraulic lift
6. How far should I drop the rear and front if going to 275/35-18 tires all the way around
Thank you for your assistance in advance.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 14,480
Likes: 132
From: PA
Re: Need help with lowering issues?????????? (ccajun4real)
Without cutting the bushings...not going for maximum lowering
1. front 1"
2. rear 1.25"
3. you can use the stock bolts
4. Yes, but make sure they're grade 8 bolts
5. extremely simple
6. front, back the bolt all the way out until the bushing is tight against the control arm. Loosen the rear until there are 2 threads showing. It will seem odd, but you're actually spreading the bushings apart. This in fact will result in the car sitting 1 1/4" lower.
I did my Z06 yesterday, and without cutting any bushings was able to lower the front 1" and the rear an inch and a quarter.
1. front 1"
2. rear 1.25"
3. you can use the stock bolts
4. Yes, but make sure they're grade 8 bolts
5. extremely simple
6. front, back the bolt all the way out until the bushing is tight against the control arm. Loosen the rear until there are 2 threads showing. It will seem odd, but you're actually spreading the bushings apart. This in fact will result in the car sitting 1 1/4" lower.
I did my Z06 yesterday, and without cutting any bushings was able to lower the front 1" and the rear an inch and a quarter.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 2,506
Likes: 0
From: Newcastle
Re: Need help with lowering issues?????????? (Nat02Z06)
Without cutting the bushings...not going for maximum lowering
1. front 1"
2. rear 1.25"
3. you can use the stock bolts
4. Yes, but make sure they're grade 8 bolts
5. extremely simple
6. front, back the bolt all the way out until the bushing is tight against the control arm. Loosen the rear until there are 2 threads showing. It will seem odd, but you're actually spreading the bushings apart. This in fact will result in the car sitting 1 1/4" lower.
1. front 1"
2. rear 1.25"
3. you can use the stock bolts
4. Yes, but make sure they're grade 8 bolts
5. extremely simple
6. front, back the bolt all the way out until the bushing is tight against the control arm. Loosen the rear until there are 2 threads showing. It will seem odd, but you're actually spreading the bushings apart. This in fact will result in the car sitting 1 1/4" lower.
If you want to go a little lower in the rear you will need 9/16-18 x 6-1/2" or 7" long Grade 8 bolts with Nyloc nuts. (Don't get too carried away with the longer bolts though because you'll bottom out with your stock shocks!!) :crazy: :eek: :yesnod:
[Modified by COOL COUPE, 1:09 PM 3/18/2003]
Racer
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
From: Bryn Mawr PA
Re: Need help with lowering issues?????????? (Nat02Z06)
Nat--After lowering, can you still get in driveways and over speed bumps? My '99 FRC w/z06 wheels and tires (F1) is constantly scraping and is it really stock. I would love to lowe say a half to 3/4" but as it is now, I scrape more than you would expect.
How do you guys lower 1.5" and actually drice anywhere????
Jack
How do you guys lower 1.5" and actually drice anywhere????
Jack
Racer
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 411
Likes: 1
From: Newhall CA
Re: Need help with lowering issues?????????? (Jack Behrle)
I lowered mine 1-3/8" (cut one rib off front bushing) and then installed the A&A wheels on the front skid bars. Now, all I hit is the spring-loaded air scoop and the little wheels. I also installed the A&A rocker rail protectors to protect against damage during a high-center of the car. It makes a lot of noise, but doesn't do any damage.
- C5B
- C5B
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 14,480
Likes: 132
From: PA
Re: Need help with lowering issues?????????? (Jack Behrle)
Jack,
When I had my '97 I had it lowered as far as you could take it. And yes, it scraped everywhere. The was I have the Z06 lowered, I don't think scraping will be a problem. To get in my townhouse complex, there is a deep dip you have to go over and it doesn't scrape that. I think if you approach driveways and speedbumps carefully, you shouldn't have to worry at all about dragging.
When I had my '97 I had it lowered as far as you could take it. And yes, it scraped everywhere. The was I have the Z06 lowered, I don't think scraping will be a problem. To get in my townhouse complex, there is a deep dip you have to go over and it doesn't scrape that. I think if you approach driveways and speedbumps carefully, you shouldn't have to worry at all about dragging.
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Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 19,941
Likes: 6,741
From: Bonneville Salt Flats
Re: Need help with lowering issues?????????? (Nat02Z06)
Unless you drive on a "pool table" a lowered Vette IS going to drag. If all you use your C-5 for is Sunday cruising it might work--if real transportation, forget it.
All the best.
All the best.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 46,763
Likes: 5
From: Boynton Beach Florida
St. Jude Donor '07-'12, '20
Re: Need help with lowering issues?????????? (Avanti)
Unless you drive on a "pool table" a lowered Vette IS going to drag. If all you use your C-5 for is Sunday cruising it might work--if real transportation, forget it.
All the best.
All the best.
Bob
[Modified by 16Again, 12:21 AM 3/20/2003]
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 14,480
Likes: 132
From: PA
Re: Need help with lowering issues?????????? (Avanti)
Unless you drive on a "pool table" a lowered Vette IS going to drag. If all you use your C-5 for is Sunday cruising it might work--if real transportation, forget it.
All the best.
All the best.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 211
Likes: 0
Re: Need help with lowering issues?????????? (Nat02Z06)
When I bought my car it was max lowered.
The adjuster bolts were spun all the way out. Damn thing scraped on everything, and the whole time I thought that this was stock!!!
I couldn't imagine someone lowering it even further.
Well, last weekend I finally got around to raising it up to a more normal height. Pretty drastic improve in ride quality and obstacle/speed bump/driveway negotiability.
I left it dropped 3/4", which is about perfect. That's what I'd shoot for if you drive it for more than aesthetics. Lower it too much, and it will bottom out alot, causing the bumpstops to come into play. Can make for some less than optimal handling characteristics.
I had to find that out on a bumpy German backroad at 110mph. Not fun.
The adjuster bolts were spun all the way out. Damn thing scraped on everything, and the whole time I thought that this was stock!!!
I couldn't imagine someone lowering it even further.
Well, last weekend I finally got around to raising it up to a more normal height. Pretty drastic improve in ride quality and obstacle/speed bump/driveway negotiability.
I left it dropped 3/4", which is about perfect. That's what I'd shoot for if you drive it for more than aesthetics. Lower it too much, and it will bottom out alot, causing the bumpstops to come into play. Can make for some less than optimal handling characteristics.
I had to find that out on a bumpy German backroad at 110mph. Not fun.