Handling issues after lowering?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 690
Likes: 202
From: Hoffman Estates, IL
Handling issues after lowering?
When I bought my C5 it was already lowered by the previous owner. And I mean really, really low. I've noticed that it wanders quite a bit on the highway, and I get severe wheel hop when I launch. Are these caused by the lowering? I'll be road racing in a couple weeks and don't want to be racing a dangerous setup. I do like the lowered look, so is there any way to correct these handling issues while retaining the lowered stance? (change camber? how about the wheel hop?)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,877
Likes: 7
Re: Handling issues after lowering? (JCOB2)
I have mine lowered with the addition of T1 sway bars and 04 Z06 shocks. The handling is near perfect for my tastes but it does tend to do the wandering on rutted roads a little more
What type of shocks and springs are you running??
What type of shocks and springs are you running??
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 750
Likes: 0
From: Goodyear AZ
Re: Handling issues after lowering? (JCOB2)
Well the wheel hop is normal, mine did it from the time it was brand new. Some say better tires will help this out. As far as all over the place? I don't think lowering it would make it do that, maybe alignment? Tires?
:seeya
:seeya
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 690
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From: Hoffman Estates, IL
Re: Handling issues after lowering? (fast2000vette)
I'm running fatter than stock tires, that could be it. Michelin Pilot Sports.
Front: 275/35/18
Rear: 295/35/18
So wheel hop is common even on bone stock C5's? :shocked:
Front: 275/35/18
Rear: 295/35/18
So wheel hop is common even on bone stock C5's? :shocked:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 750
Likes: 0
From: Goodyear AZ
Re: Handling issues after lowering? (JCOB2)
You mention the tires. On my camaro I run 225's in the front in the winter and 275's in the summer. There is a huge difference, the 275's will pull left and right when ever I hit a bump or crack in the road. Those are really wide for the front. You change the complete handling characteristics when you change the tires.
:seeya
:seeya
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 690
Likes: 202
From: Hoffman Estates, IL
Re: Handling issues after lowering? (fast2000vette)
I owned a Camaro before this as well. I agree, a massive difference between the stock 245's and 275's I ran on there. Wider = wandering. So I guess it's just more of the same issue...
But wider up front is better for road racing and autoX, right??? That's what I'm getting into this summer.
But wider up front is better for road racing and autoX, right??? That's what I'm getting into this summer.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,884
Likes: 2
From: Walnut CA
Re: Handling issues after lowering? (JCOB2)
I had tons of wandering and then got the car aligned. Instantaneously, there was no more wandering. Very easy fix. I used the advanced street specs from the VBandP website but I believe that your specs should be a little different if your car is lowered. The main thing that will make a difference is the tow adjustment. You just need to have it set so the tires slightly point towards the center as opposed to parallel with the sides. A very miniscule difference makes all the difference...
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,877
Likes: 7
Re: Handling issues after lowering? (JCOB2)
I am running the same sizes you are on my Z06 and I think you it may be just a matter of perception if you alignment is ok. Wide tires wander .. My 93 vette has 285 in front and 315 in the rear and on a rutted road it will pull everywhich way but staight
You might still want to get it aligned to make sure that you can't alleviate it some
You might still want to get it aligned to make sure that you can't alleviate it some
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 19,923
Likes: 6,722
From: Bonneville Salt Flats
Re: Handling issues after lowering? (JCOB2)
Yep, wheel-hop (especially when hitting a bump while turning) is common on a stock Vette--with run-flats, anyway. Surprised me and scared me s**tless the first time, right after I picked it up from the dealer.
I had been installing Jag irs's in live-axle cars successfully to eliminate this very problem, and was shocked with the C-5... to say the least. I've found that lighter wheels and tires help some.
All the best. :yesnod:
Oh yeah, but what a stock height C-5 WON'T do is wander! She'll not only go straight down the road, but do so in cross-winds and gusts (think KS, TX, OK, Dorothy) better than anything I've ever driven.
[Modified by Avanti, 3:50 PM 4/2/2004]
I had been installing Jag irs's in live-axle cars successfully to eliminate this very problem, and was shocked with the C-5... to say the least. I've found that lighter wheels and tires help some.
All the best. :yesnod:
Oh yeah, but what a stock height C-5 WON'T do is wander! She'll not only go straight down the road, but do so in cross-winds and gusts (think KS, TX, OK, Dorothy) better than anything I've ever driven.
[Modified by Avanti, 3:50 PM 4/2/2004]
Race Director
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 14,542
Likes: 5
Re: Handling issues after lowering? (JCOB2)
The handling is easier to address. Since you have a bit of a non-stock setup, I would suggest going to as stock a spec as possible -- lowering will affect the alignment in the way you described. Try zero camber -- that should reduce the wandering, put will also "slow" the handling (not that bad -- stock is zero). Then work your way up from there to Z06 specs -- more negative camber, crisper handling, more inside front tire wear.
The wheel hop reminds me of the old San Francisco police show intro -- "6 million people, 6 million stories," or something like that. It's inherent to the C5 and not necessarily related to lowering. Sometimes it happens, sometimes not. I have yet to hear a solution that is consitant across all cars. Try to get some real wheelspin right away if that's what you're looking for, if they spin there is usally no hop. Or go the other direction -- nice smooth launch, but not that heavy on the dumped clutch.
Hope this helps.
The wheel hop reminds me of the old San Francisco police show intro -- "6 million people, 6 million stories," or something like that. It's inherent to the C5 and not necessarily related to lowering. Sometimes it happens, sometimes not. I have yet to hear a solution that is consitant across all cars. Try to get some real wheelspin right away if that's what you're looking for, if they spin there is usally no hop. Or go the other direction -- nice smooth launch, but not that heavy on the dumped clutch.
Hope this helps.
