Magnetic Selective Ride Control - lowering
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 1,104
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Magnetic Selective Ride Control - lowering
I did the search, but can't access the threads - I've heard conflicting feedback. Can you lower a '04 C-5 with this suspension? I tried yesterday - the stock bolts in back only had about 5 thrreads showing so I adjusted to two showing - the Fronts - adjusted some, but didn't seem like much - I went as far as I could. After 50 miles - looks like the car wasn't lowered and the measurements bear this out?
Also, I'm assuming I can swap out the sway bars to Z-51. I both lowered and put Z-51 bars in my '00 and it was a piece of cake - the mag ride '04 seems to be a different story.
Thanks for the r3esponses of those who know or have done!
Also, I'm assuming I can swap out the sway bars to Z-51. I both lowered and put Z-51 bars in my '00 and it was a piece of cake - the mag ride '04 seems to be a different story.
Thanks for the r3esponses of those who know or have done!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 6,744
Likes: 1
From: delmont pa
Cruise-In I Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Magnetic Selective Ride Control - lowering (fxrhm)
over on http://www.corvettemechanic.com paul has posted that he has replaced those shocks because lowering the corvette will destroy the internals of the shocks :chevy
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 1,104
Likes: 0
Re: Magnetic Selective Ride Control - lowering (clem zahrobsky)
Thanks for the responses. I do not want to cut any bushings - I just want about 3/4" lowering. Local Dealer said no problem, others have said will destroy shocks - I kind of like them the way they are and I figure if I lower just 3/4", it will make the ride a bit stiffer, but still selectable and ok - any one else?
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,288
Likes: 2
From: tucson az
Re: Magnetic Selective Ride Control - lowering (fxrhm)
i have lowered mine [ on the stock bolts] and put zo6 sway bars on them. have agressive alignment, rides great and handles very well. so no problems on mine :hurray: :auto: :thumbs:
[Modified by vettemaster1, 8:47 PM 2/3/2004]
[Modified by vettemaster1, 8:47 PM 2/3/2004]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 7,370
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From: Slave to the evil empire
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '04
Re: Magnetic Selective Ride Control - lowering (fxrhm)
Thanks for the responses. I do not want to cut any bushings - I just want about 3/4" lowering. Local Dealer said no problem, others have said will destroy shocks - I kind of like them the way they are and I figure if I lower just 3/4", it will make the ride a bit stiffer, but still selectable and ok - any one else?
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
From: Livonia MI
Re: Magnetic Selective Ride Control - lowering (fxrhm)
Can't understand how lowering will destroy the shocks. I thought they worked by an electric charge aligning metallic particles in the shock fluid to alter the damping characteristics. :flag
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Drifting
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,557
Likes: 0
From: Columbia MD
Re: Magnetic Selective Ride Control - lowering (a6fan)
They can possibly damage the shocks from bottoming it out. I lowered mine an inch about 4 months ago, haven't had any problems but I hardly ever drive it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 6,744
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From: delmont pa
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Re: Magnetic Selective Ride Control - lowering (bowtiebandit)
read the post over on the site i posted as paul is "C4C5 specialist" and i think he knows what he is talking about :chevy
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 1,104
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Re: Magnetic Selective Ride Control - lowering (vettemaster1)
My plan is to put in Z-51 sway bars and lower just on stock bolts. The problem I encountered is that it didn't lower much in the front, if at all. I'm curious why?
As far as damaging the shocks, I would like to know how on such a moderate drop?
As far as damaging the shocks, I would like to know how on such a moderate drop?
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,699
Likes: 0
From: Rowlett TX
Re: Magnetic Selective Ride Control - lowering (fxrhm)
I have lowered mine but had to cut the front bushings to do it because the front bolts on mine were almost bottomed out from factory. I removed the lowering bolts and cut the rubber bumpers (on the end of the bolts) in half. I currently have the bolts 2 and a half turns from being completely bottomed out and I am happy with the ride height. I do not have any problems with the shocks bottoming out and everything works as designed.
I was not able to lower this car as much as my last car that had Z51 suspension.
I was not able to lower this car as much as my last car that had Z51 suspension.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,751
Likes: 3
From: Ventura, CA Fight On Forever
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05
Re: Magnetic Selective Ride Control - lowering (fxrhm)
Have not tried to lower mine yet, but have installed Hotchkis Sways, which are stiffer than Z06 Sways and planning to go with Z06 Springs. I plan to lower the rear by installing longer bolts when the springs go in; don't want to cut my front bushings, but may have to. Not going down any more than an inch. I'm concerned about defeating the sensitivity of the MSRC with the stiffness of the Sways and Springs. I like running through the turns so much that I have to give it a try. Not much luck from posts on the Srings and Sways affecting the effect of the MSRC. Good Luck and keep us posted!
mtv :thumbs:
mtv :thumbs:
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 1,104
Likes: 0
Re: Magnetic Selective Ride Control - lowering (clem zahrobsky)
read the post over on the site i posted as paul is "C4C5 specialist" and i think he knows what he is talking about :chevy
Pro
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 569
Likes: 0
From: Foresthill CA
Re: Magnetic Selective Ride Control - lowering (fxrhm)
read the post over on the site i posted as paul is "C4C5 specialist" and i think he knows what he is talking about :chevy
Thanks for the warining - I went over there but either I am too lazy and can't find that post, or it isn't there - can you post it here?
Thanks for the warining - I went over there but either I am too lazy and can't find that post, or it isn't there - can you post it here?
It's been so cold in garage, haven't finished 4.10 swap, but I cut my front bushings on the Z springs I put on because factory setting was about as low as it would go on the base springs. Still looking for those 6.5" bolts for rear, are only about 4 threads showing at factory setting, planning for 1" drop all around. Stock wheel gap is huge!
Very curious to hear about shock damage, as I thought I knew a little bit from years of riding/racing MX bikes. Course we don't have mag shocks yet!
[Modified by Stu in CA, 7:18 AM 2/4/2004]
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,557
Likes: 0
From: Columbia MD
Re: Magnetic Selective Ride Control - lowering (Stu in CA)
Paul is an extremely knowledgeable Tech.
http://corvettemechanic.com/board/in...4ad4861a2838df
Here is the link, as I said I haven't had any problems yet, of course my cat is 8 months old and only has 2400 miles...1700 of which was the trip to BG to bring her home.
http://corvettemechanic.com/board/in...4ad4861a2838df
Here is the link, as I said I haven't had any problems yet, of course my cat is 8 months old and only has 2400 miles...1700 of which was the trip to BG to bring her home.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 1,104
Likes: 0
Re: Magnetic Selective Ride Control - lowering (bowtiebandit)
I responded over there with:
I'm curious too as to how much lowering caused the failed shocks and and how many miles.
If lowering a conservative amount, say 3/4 of an inch - why would that cause a problem. Also, my Chevy dealer said that it would be no problem - that was one of the conditions I had to buy a specific C-5 on the lot with this supsension and he said - no problem. If the dealer told me that it would cause a problem, then I would not have purchased that vehicle!!!!
I tried to lower the car this weekend, it didn't seem to go down all that much, if any at all in the front. Seemed like the front was adjusted out (or in, depending on your perspective) - my issue is I hate the 4x4 look and I bought this car in order to get a lower look, like I had on my '00. The dealer specifically told me I could do it and now, I may have to cut bushing to get the same look I had on my '00 with the potential for damage! Hmmm,, I smell something fishy here.
Finally, if the adjusting bolts are there for adjusting, why wouldn't there be a warning from GM regarding this issue since they know a lot of us lower our C-5's?
I'm curious too as to how much lowering caused the failed shocks and and how many miles.
If lowering a conservative amount, say 3/4 of an inch - why would that cause a problem. Also, my Chevy dealer said that it would be no problem - that was one of the conditions I had to buy a specific C-5 on the lot with this supsension and he said - no problem. If the dealer told me that it would cause a problem, then I would not have purchased that vehicle!!!!
I tried to lower the car this weekend, it didn't seem to go down all that much, if any at all in the front. Seemed like the front was adjusted out (or in, depending on your perspective) - my issue is I hate the 4x4 look and I bought this car in order to get a lower look, like I had on my '00. The dealer specifically told me I could do it and now, I may have to cut bushing to get the same look I had on my '00 with the potential for damage! Hmmm,, I smell something fishy here.
Finally, if the adjusting bolts are there for adjusting, why wouldn't there be a warning from GM regarding this issue since they know a lot of us lower our C-5's?
Pro
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 569
Likes: 0
From: Foresthill CA
Re: Magnetic Selective Ride Control - lowering (fxrhm)
Hmmm, yes I have respect for the fellow also, but still desire a more detailed explanation regarding the effect to the shock internals.
I do not see how lowering the F55 car will cause the shock to physically bottom out, unless it could bottom out before. I do see how it will increase the likelihood of bottoming the suspension, as travel is reduced when lowered, but please tell me the shock internals do not limit the compression travel.
I'm going to take a look at it tonight more closely, as I have the rear shocks off. We have bump stops on MX shock shafts and they are part of the damping tuning. No way does the shock take the hit.
I'm not too concerned with bottoming out with the Z springs anyway.
I do not see how lowering the F55 car will cause the shock to physically bottom out, unless it could bottom out before. I do see how it will increase the likelihood of bottoming the suspension, as travel is reduced when lowered, but please tell me the shock internals do not limit the compression travel.
I'm going to take a look at it tonight more closely, as I have the rear shocks off. We have bump stops on MX shock shafts and they are part of the damping tuning. No way does the shock take the hit.
I'm not too concerned with bottoming out with the Z springs anyway.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,557
Likes: 0
From: Columbia MD
Re: Magnetic Selective Ride Control - lowering (fxrhm)
If lowering a conservative amount, say 3/4 of an inch - why would that cause a problem. Also, my Chevy dealer said that it would be no problem - that was one of the conditions I had to buy a specific C-5 on the lot with this supsension and he said - no problem. If the dealer told me that it would cause a problem, then I would not have purchased that vehicle!!!!
I tried to lower the car this weekend, it didn't seem to go down all that much, if any at all in the front. Seemed like the front was adjusted out (or in, depending on your perspective) - my issue is I hate the 4x4 look and I bought this car in order to get a lower look, like I had on my '00. The dealer specifically told me I could do it and now, I may have to cut bushing to get the same look I had on my '00 with the potential for damage! Hmmm,, I smell something fishy here.
Finally, if the adjusting bolts are there for adjusting, why wouldn't there be a warning from GM regarding this issue since they know a lot of us lower our C-5's?