Lowering on stock bolts?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 476
Likes: 2
From: Orange County Ca
Lowering on stock bolts?
Some time back heard somebody mention you could lower your Vette by one inch on stock bolts.
Could somebody tell me if that means no cutting, or what exactly is involved.
I have a 99FRC with Z51 handling package. Maybe all FRC's had that, I'm not 100% sure.
Is the ride better? rougher, or does it just look meaner slammed?
Thanks,
Jeff
Could somebody tell me if that means no cutting, or what exactly is involved.
I have a 99FRC with Z51 handling package. Maybe all FRC's had that, I'm not 100% sure.
Is the ride better? rougher, or does it just look meaner slammed?
Thanks,
Jeff
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,329
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Evil-Twin
Lowered on stock bolts with no bushings cut.
Lower center of gravity and better handling
looks cool too
Lower center of gravity and better handling
looks cool too
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 9,917
Likes: 1,877
From: Hot Springs AR
How much you get will depend on where your car is in the beginning. I've lowered 4 cars now, and sticking with stock hardware (no cutting or longer bolts) I've gotten around 5-7/8's.
Here's one hint. To keep the balance of the car right, take the number of turns off from each side. Leave two threads showing on the rear bolts, and turn the fronts in until one of them bottoms out.
As far as an alignment goes, most people benefit from an alignment after they lower their cars. Whether they needed an alignment in the first place is usually never known, though.
And, as far as any driving performance improvements go, I don't think you'll find anything unless you're on a track. Which is where your FRC wants you to take her!
HTH, and have a good one,
Mike
Here's one hint. To keep the balance of the car right, take the number of turns off from each side. Leave two threads showing on the rear bolts, and turn the fronts in until one of them bottoms out.
As far as an alignment goes, most people benefit from an alignment after they lower their cars. Whether they needed an alignment in the first place is usually never known, though.
And, as far as any driving performance improvements go, I don't think you'll find anything unless you're on a track. Which is where your FRC wants you to take her!
HTH, and have a good one,
Mike
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Here is a point of interest...when I lowered my car five years ago, I had around 1000 to 1500 miles on it.. It was my first mod. I never aligned the car.. After 43000 miles and two plugged tires.. it was time for new tires..When I removed the tires they had 3/32 on the fronts, and 2/32 on the rears.. I could have probably got 2000 more miles..
the tires were all even. When I replaced the tires with New EMT's > I had the alignment checked. I stood right there with the tech.. After 43,000 miles, my car was within spec, except for one rear tire.. The tech made some adjustments to zero in on the center of each spec tolerance. I owe this to luck more than anything.. An alignment is always a good thing.. as long as it is done right... it easy Not to do it right because there is little you can do, unless you know the specs, and are standing over the tech's shoulder insuring he had made the proper adjustment... then down the road when your tires wear and you bring it back, they can easily say " You must have hit a pot hole..."
you can never prove that they didnt align it right...
Also my car has been settleing for five years... it is lower now then it was a year ago..
Ive been under the car many times... there is nothing wrong with the spings , shocks or suspension..
I owe this low look to the fact that I have the car suspended on the frame aslmost every week in the summer for detailing.. This is the only reason I can think of... The suspension is weekly being pushed to its up and down limits.. The car rides nicely and handles great...
the tires were all even. When I replaced the tires with New EMT's > I had the alignment checked. I stood right there with the tech.. After 43,000 miles, my car was within spec, except for one rear tire.. The tech made some adjustments to zero in on the center of each spec tolerance. I owe this to luck more than anything.. An alignment is always a good thing.. as long as it is done right... it easy Not to do it right because there is little you can do, unless you know the specs, and are standing over the tech's shoulder insuring he had made the proper adjustment... then down the road when your tires wear and you bring it back, they can easily say " You must have hit a pot hole..."
you can never prove that they didnt align it right...
Also my car has been settleing for five years... it is lower now then it was a year ago..
Ive been under the car many times... there is nothing wrong with the spings , shocks or suspension..
I owe this low look to the fact that I have the car suspended on the frame aslmost every week in the summer for detailing.. This is the only reason I can think of... The suspension is weekly being pushed to its up and down limits.. The car rides nicely and handles great...
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