Ground Clearance?
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Ground Clearance?
Hello all,
I've been reading posts on this forum for a while now since we plan on buying a Corvette soon and because it looks like its going to happen this week, I decided to go ahead and make an account so I could pose some of my questions.
The car we are about to buy is a 2010 Grand Sport with the Heritage package, and I was wondering how likely I am to bottom out on hills, especially my driveway which is a pretty steep incline. I've been driving a 2010 Camaro SS lately which could get up the driveway just fine, so if any one who is familiar with the similarities between the two cars' ride heights could give me an opinion, it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Miles
I've been reading posts on this forum for a while now since we plan on buying a Corvette soon and because it looks like its going to happen this week, I decided to go ahead and make an account so I could pose some of my questions.
The car we are about to buy is a 2010 Grand Sport with the Heritage package, and I was wondering how likely I am to bottom out on hills, especially my driveway which is a pretty steep incline. I've been driving a 2010 Camaro SS lately which could get up the driveway just fine, so if any one who is familiar with the similarities between the two cars' ride heights could give me an opinion, it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Miles
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 82,175
Likes: 1,319
From: McKinney TX
St. Jude Donor '21-'22-'23-'24
The air dam on the front underside of my car has a 4" clearance. The driveway at my sister's house is about 45°, so I won't even try to drive up it. I just park in the street.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 10,954
Likes: 261
From: Greensboro NC
2015 C6 of the Year Finalist
If the driveway goes up to an incline quickly from a flat street you may have a problem scraping the plastic splitter on the corner or front edge.
As long as it is a more gradual incline then you could be fine if you approach it at 45 degrees.
I don't know why it is but I seem to have more problems going down (exiting) a driveway than entering it.
As long as it is a more gradual incline then you could be fine if you approach it at 45 degrees.
I don't know why it is but I seem to have more problems going down (exiting) a driveway than entering it.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,913
Likes: 395
From: Cary NC
Driveways, both commercial and residental, are the real problems. Some are not passable without horrible rending noises from the air dam, some are if you take it slow at an angle. You get a sense of what you can handle pretty fast. But you aren't likely to damage anything beyond a relatively inexpensive plastic air dam.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,694
Likes: 106
The important part not to scrape IMO is the chin spoiler, which sits at 5-1/2" on my F55 '12 GS. Non-F55 cars (like 2010 GSs) sit quite a bit higher, so I wouldn't worry too much. Attacking entrances/driveways at an angle affords you substantially more clearance, but if you have to leave nose first, it could be a problem, even sideways. Good luck.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,009
Likes: 2,707
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
The front splitter on a GS is easy to hit, and I'm told it's pricey to replace.
I don't know if it's practical to remove it and have a nose more like a "base" C6.
I don't know if it's practical to remove it and have a nose more like a "base" C6.
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 10,954
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From: Greensboro NC
2015 C6 of the Year Finalist
The stock OEM GS splitter is a plastic piece and not that expensive.
Drifting
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,728
Likes: 36
From: TX / CO
My Vettes lowered and I have a steep transition from street to driveway. I enter and exit the driveway at about a 60* angle and there are no issues.
Enjoy you're ride when you get it, they're a ton of fun.
Enjoy you're ride when you get it, they're a ton of fun.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,697
Likes: 94
From: Canton MI
2017 C7 of the Year Finalist
The important part not to scrape IMO is the chin spoiler, which sits at 5-1/2" on my F55 '12 GS. Non-F55 cars (like 2010 GSs) sit quite a bit higher, so I wouldn't worry too much. Attacking entrances/driveways at an angle affords you substantially more clearance, but if you have to leave nose first, it could be a problem, even sideways. Good luck.
My car is a non F55 car. Do the F55 cars really sit over an inch higher?
Also, you are looking at about $150 minimum to replace it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,068
Likes: 1
From: Tuscaloosa Alabama
I can slide a 2x4 under my front splitter and its scrubs. I DD the car, the plastic underneath scrubs all the time, learn to drive slower on drive entrances and inclines always angle severly and youll be fine.
No issues here.
No issues here.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 606
Likes: 0
From: Buena Park CA
If I remember correctly, the air dams were 3 1/2" and the splitter/valance was 5 1/2" on my 2012 GS. The air dams are somewhat flexible and will bend back.
I have seen the 3 pieces of the air dams advertised at $89. The splitter/valance is under $200 (not sure of the exact price). Both look very easy to replace.
I have seen the 3 pieces of the air dams advertised at $89. The splitter/valance is under $200 (not sure of the exact price). Both look very easy to replace.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 10,954
Likes: 261
From: Greensboro NC
2015 C6 of the Year Finalist
Tech Contributor
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 10,954
Likes: 261
From: Greensboro NC
2015 C6 of the Year Finalist
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 18,093
Likes: 1,585
Although longer and overall steeper than mine, your approach doesn't look any worse and I am fine if I take mine at an angle.
Attachment 47705404
Attachment 47705404
Last edited by R&L's C6; Oct 23, 2012 at 06:39 PM.