It has been brought to my attention that the 2007 Z06's ground clearance is lower than a standard C6. Prior to selling to 2007 Z06 model owners, we contacted folks at GM (at SEMA and over the phone) and they assured us there were no differences that would impede ramp use over the previous years of this model. Once we started getting a few calls we contacted them again and found them to be of little or no help! Since there are so few of these out in the marketplace we are hoping that CF can provide us some input to help verify what we believe is the situation. This is what we think: The clearance on the 2007 C6 Z06 has 3 and 1/8 inches from the ground up. This measurement is taken in the center of the front lower air damper to the ground. Additionally, the measurement from the centerline of the front axle to the front air damper in both vehicles is 21 inches for both vehicles. The wheel diameters between the two vehicles do not vary too much (25.63 inches versus 25.83). The width of the C6 Z06 is 3.5 inches wider than the standard C6, due to the wider tires used, I assume. In the Chevy Corvette 2007 Specifications, the roof height is the same for both vehicles. These "Z" measurements we are getting over the phone as we do not have a 2007 ZO6 in the back room! I just want to verify these measurements.

We do have XTenders available for Lowered Vettes and the 2007 Z06's; we do have a solution, but the question remains. How does your C6 measure?

Thanks, Ben B.

 

I should also add that the measurements I have taken for 05-06 Standard/Stock C6's was 3 and 5/8 inch ground clearance from the center of the air damper to the ground on a level surface..

let me know some of your measurements. Let me know if you have a set of Race Ramps and how they measure.

Thanks. Ben B.

 

I'm not sure what the ground clearance on my '05 Coupe is but:

a. I am 100% confident that it is not high enough to pass over a dead deer laying across your travel lane...

b. I use staggered 2x12s to drive up on my non-RaceRamps when needed without very much scraping.

HTH...

 

A. (I assume you found this out the "HARD" Way..ouch..)

B. (that works, too.)

Stretch a tape if you get the chance this weekend..I'd appreciate it.

Ben B.

 

GM says the Z06 is 3.3" wider and 1" longer.

 

I don't have hard numbers, but I can tell you this. After swapping my regular C6 tires to the Z06 I noticed a difference in ground clearance. Now it's lower and I hit places I didn't before. Just my personal experience.

 

I have had a 2007 Z06 measured. It is 1/2 inch lower than the Stock C6. But I physically didn't measure it.. Just want a few verifications..If you get a chance..

Thanks. Ben B.

 

2006 C6Z are as follows:

3.125" at center of air dam.
2.9375" @ the brake cooling ducts.
30PSI (cold) OEM tires/wheels (6800 miles of wear.)

The wheel track is 76" rear and 74.5" front. The difference is in wheel width and offset.

 

Thanks for the 06' Measures..! Are these taken from your personal car? And I'm waiting on some Stock C6 Measures as well.. I do want more measures to make sure.. But this is a start!!

Different years, mods, etc..

Ben B.

 

Measured my 2007 C6 Converible at the center - 2 7/8 inches to edge of lower plastic air damper from the smooth, flat concrete garage floor. When using my Race Ramps last fall, the plastic touched the ramp, so I placed a small board in front to drive on approaching the ramp. The ramps were on the downhill of my drive.

 

Though there is an established spec, I think every car is a bit different. There have been threads here with many owners of stock C6s claiming different heights. I don't think you can measure one new Z06 for instance and then assume that they will all be the same.

As well, don't forget about variables such as the amount of fuel in the tanks... when the tanks get light, the rear of the car goes up and the front air dam goes down... etc.

I have even measured my car at different times in the same spot, same amount of fuel and have come up with slightly different measurements, etc. Not sure exactly why this is... who knows, maybe just an issue of the way the springs settle after a ride (depending on how much weight was in the car, etc), or maybe a temperature issue with the shocks...?

If you are concerned about the clearance in the name of establishing whether or not certain ramps can be used without scraping, I think it is reasonable and safe to say something like, "these ramps will work with a stock C6 without scraping" (assuming the ramps can handle a C6 with as low as 3.0" of clearance off the air dam), and then state, "note: actual clearances of stock vehicles may differ from factory specs"... because this is apparently true.

I don't think any factory C6, Z06 or not, comes with a published clearance spec of less that 3.0"... so any car that has less than 3.0" of clearance off the air dam is either not totally stock or simply needs a bit of adjustment to the trim height adjuster bolts to get things back to "correct" factory specs.

In my opinion, I think 3.0" is a good, safe all purpose number to use. If a customer's car is less than 3.0" and scrapes the ramps, then the car itself is simply outside of factory specs and should be adjusted... and at less than 3.0", the car should be adjusted regardless.... these aren't bulldozers after all

 

Thank you. This is the lowest stock measurement I have received on a stock C6.. These measurements do vary..

Ben B.

 

Good explanation. It is Ironic that I physically measured some Stock 2007 C6's and the measurements all came close to 3 5/8..

Eckler's Informed me that they measured 2 stock 2007's and one Z06 (2007) and they were all roughly 3 1/8. I do realize a full tank of gas could be the difference, but 1/2 inch?

I guess I need more Measurements..This is odd.

Ben B.

 

My 2005 C6, F55 suspension, stock tires and not lowered measures 2-15/16" from the ground to the bottom of the air dam. I now wonder if the car is started...with current going to the F55 suspension whether that will raise the height a little. I'll let you know later.

 

Interesting.

Also must consider error of measurement. When you collect data from others, there could easily be an error of +/- 1/4" minimum... because even nice new seemingly dead flat concrete garage floors can vary 1/4" or more within a 6' span, etc. And forget about it if one is out on an older asphalt driveway where you will get a variation of easily over 1/2" within a 6' span in most cases.

I always thought my mint condition concrete garage floor was dead flat until I slid a straight-edge across it. But when I compare measurents on my car, I attempt to park it in the EXACT same spot every time... still not dead accurate, but better than nothing, at least for doing comparisons on my own car between suspension adjustments.

Finally, not sure why you need a specific exact measurement figure, but again, I think it is safe to say 3.0" minimum clearance for all C6s... a nice round number, will probably apply to 90%+ of all bone stock C6s out there.

Most stock C6s have a clearance slightly larger than 3.0" anyway as you have measured. I find it hard to believe that Chevy would sell a car that has an "official clearance" of LESS than 3.0"... which means that any cars measured at less than 3.0" are simply out of adjustment or the measurement is incorrect... or maybe the car has less than 2 gallons of fuel in the tanks... or the front tires are low on pressure... etc.

I'm thinking that there is NO one exact figure that will apply to all C6s, or all 2007 C6s, etc. There may be a published factory "spec", but all cars will vary for multiple reasons. Thus the one number you are searching for doesn't really exist.

My vote is that the average minimum clearance for all bone stock C6s is 3.0". It may not be necessary to try to dial it in any closer due to the variation. Just my opinion anyway.

 

There is no specified height for the air dam. There was a post with many responses about 18 months ago and EVERYBODY had a different measurement to the air dam. Z51, F55 or Base, all were different, by that I mean all Z51's were different from each other and all F55's and Base suspensions were different from each other. There are too many factory tolerance variables to specify one air dam clearance.

The only height clearance measurement I could find in the Service Manual is to a specific point on the lower ball joint.

If you play with corner weighting for extreme handling the height isn't considered, only the weight on the corner. You could possibly end up with a different height at each corner just to get close to ideal corner weight.

 

I have a stock (not lowered) '06 C6, and a set of your standard race ramps, and my air damn scrapes on the ramps.

 

I have found that the scraping is more like a minor rub for the first 3-5 inches when entering the ramp. (C6's) Then it clears the rest of the way.

If the ramps are not placed into the tires prior to traversing and they become offset by a few inches (one forward of the other); then one side will rub pretty good. Is this the case? Also, Can I get a measurement this weekend.

Thanks.. Ben B.

I foresee a road trip to measure (and Test Drive.. ) a few Vettes.. Please keep them coming. I am starting to think I was on irregular concrete..or I need glasses..ha!

 

By the way, my 2 7/8 inch measurement on the 07 convertible is a Z51 if that makes any difference.

 

Good rule of thumb: obstruction height - 1/4" to 1/2" = your clearance height