One is unable to lower a Z51 optioned car (or any base Vette) without adding coil-overs or purchasing some type of kit, is this correct?

I was hoping to have my car lowered a bit and need to know what is involved.

TIA

--BierGut

 

 

Simple google search will give you all you need and there are stock bolts you can adjust to lower the height of the car.

 

You can lower any of the C6's from 1/2" to 1" (it may vary) in about an hour tops. If you jack the car up you will see a bolt that goes through the spring on each side near the end.

Here is a video on how to do it

 

here is one of thousands on google. This one has pictures

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...ing-a-z51.html

 

Great -- thank you very much, guys.

 

Remember to turn the adjusting bolts the same amount on each side front and rear. Don't run them all the way down, you'll mess up the ride and handling by screwing up the corner weight.

Don't forget to get an alignment after you lower, changing the ride height changes the poor factory alignment. Tires are EXPENSIVE.

 

My Z51 lowered with all oem parts. Just adjusting bolts and cut bushings...

 

You southern guys with your smooth, flat roads…

My '13 rides at stock height and I still can't keep the nose from eating asphalt simply driving down the road. If I didn't scrape at least half a dozen times on every trip, I'd figure the air dam or the splitter finally tore off….

 

Three years ago I lowered my car using the stock adjusters shortly after I purchased it in 2007 shown with the grey wheels the chrome wheels are now.
I ran them all the way up until snug then backed them off 1 full turn it took four turns to bottom. I measured the before and after drop and it was appox. 9/16". The ride/driving was not compromised and it's feels better cornering. The alignment was never checked and the the stock tires were wearing perfectly after 9k miles. Speed bumps taken slow are not a problem but steep drives I get a little scrap on the rubber spoiler not an issue.
You results may vary.

 

Just lower all the bolts all the way up into the leaf springs....best free mod you can do these cars. The lowered height really makes the car look better.

 

"Best free mod"? If you determine ruining your cars ride and handling as the best mod then I'm glad you don't work on my car.

The car may 'look better" to you but I bought my car for the good stock looks AND the great stock performance and handling.

Lowering the bolts all the way will definately screw up the ride and handling. the car isn't delivered to you with the bolts set at the half way (or highest adjustment). Each car is adjusted different on each wheel to a standard determined height. The individual wheel adjustment is done to offset production variations of parts and assembly.

Changing any one of the multiple adjustments of the suspension changes the alignment, a $149.00 alignment isn't free. Neither is replacing your tires because of increased wear.

 

To each his own I guess. I lowered my 2005 on stock bolts and had it that way for years without any issues with ride or handling. Having a car with a lower center of gravity is one of key features in better handling but you are more than welcome to believe the opposite. As far as ride quality, the half inch drop you get from lowering on stock bolts do little to affect (if any) the ride quality. It is not like the car is dropped so far to affect the travel of the shocks. If you want to talk harsh ride, coilovers did that. The handling was amazing but I felt every little crack on the road.

Yes, lowering on stock bolts may not be completely “free” since you should get an alignment but then again, my brand new 2013 needs one with no change to the suspension at all (steering wheels is not centered, car drifts slightly to the right). If you do a search you will find quite a few people with a new C6 needing an alignment from the factory.

I have held off doing the alignment because I am still debating on if I should lower my GS. Not for the reasons you mention, but more of an issue with the front splitter being so low already.

 

do you do front and and back the same way?

 

Where did you read or hear that because it's obvious you are not talking from experience.

 

rofl

 

Experience? Both my '05 and my '08 were corner weight checked and aligned with less than 1,000 miles.

The '05 was done by a professional SCCA specialist, he allowed me to be right at the car while he was doing the alignment. Asked me if I wanted the car lowered before he started. When I said no he said good, cause lowering caused him more work to re-set the corner weight balance while maintaining alignment. After the alignment was done he then did the corner weight check with me in the car.

The factory alignment was way off, the factory corner weights were nearly perfect.

The '08 was done the same way, alignment then corner weight check, much the same results as the '05, alignment poor, corner weight nealy perfect. While the car was on the alignment I asked about lowering, the Tech pulled the front down and the alignment scales showed a MASSIVE misalignment the second he touched the car. Lowering the car a 1/2 inch or so on the front threw out every alignment setting that had just been made. As soon as he released the bumper the alignment specs went back to acceptable.

Follow up alignment on the '08 last month. While the car as on the alignment rack with the alignment done a strong gust of wind blew thru the garage and rocked the car, the alignment values all went nuts, off the scale just from a gust of wind.

Spend some time on the Internet researching alignments, you'll find that with the Corvette suspension that changing any setting changes the other settings. Most obvious is the camber change when lowering or raising a car, you can see the top of the wheel move in and out with the height change. Obvious camber change results in a not so obvious toe change, not obvious like the camber but still measureable on the alignment rack. Remember that alignments are done in fractions of a degree, very little movemen causes massive changes.

You can believe whatever you want, I know that on my Corvettes that changing the ride height of the car changes the alignment specs.

 

While I appreciate your passion on this subject, the idea that a gust of wind throwing your cars physical alignment off is ludicrous. Following this type of logic your car should basically fall out of spec the moment you take one small bump, or on reaching your first highway speed leave your car in horrible condition. Air does not change mechanical settings of a stationary vehicle anymore than eating a doughnut causes excessive tire wear on your spare tire.

To help you here is a great 101 on car alignment Alignment 101 for Wind Challenged Cars

Lowering a car will change physical settings of the alignment but to the level of change is predicated on the settings previous to lowering. Hence, some may have no issues with lowering where others may see significant changes. In the end, its everyone's choice on what they do.

 

I stand corrected on your experience.

 

The "gust of wind" statement was just to bring attention to how small of a change in wheel position effects alignment.