Lowering rear only
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 10,089
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Originally Posted by EuroRod
Has anyone lowered only the rear of their C6 to just level the car? Pics? Thanx.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,533
Likes: 0
From: az
Originally Posted by EuroRod
Has anyone lowered only the rear of their C6 to just level the car? Pics? Thanx.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,418
Likes: 1
From: Chicagoland Area IL
Originally Posted by shopdog
The car is designed to have a 5 degree rake for aerodynamic purposes. Of course if you're never going to drive it fast, I suppose removing the rake wouldn't matter much. Just be sure to get it realigned after you do it because changing the rake angle will change the suspension geometry.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,533
Likes: 0
From: az
Originally Posted by c6 corvette Z51
wow, you just answered a question that i have had for a long time, thanks. how low do you think the car can go with the lowering bolts without cutting the bushings?
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,254
Likes: 0
From: Ft. Liquordale Florida
Originally Posted by shopdog
The car is designed to have a 5 degree rake for aerodynamic purposes. Of course if you're never going to drive it fast, I suppose removing the rake wouldn't matter much. Just be sure to get it realigned after you do it because changing the rake angle will change the suspension geometry.
Wouldn't lowering the rear end also change the weight distribution too? My impression from GM's advertising of a "near perfect 50/50 F/R weighting" would lead me to believe that dropping the rear only would throw more weight that way and cause the car to handle differently.
Rick
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 18,396
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Thanx for the input. I realized that the aerodynamics of a rear-only lowering job would change somewhat. I have the lowering bolt kit and will probably start with the rear-only approach, as I am concerned with the front scraping too much. If anyone has any hi-speed experience with a rear-only lowering job, sure would appreciate any comments on stability at speed. Thanx again.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Austin Texas
Originally Posted by shopdog
The car is designed to have a 5 degree rake for aerodynamic purposes. Of course if you're never going to drive it fast, I suppose removing the rake wouldn't matter much. Just be sure to get it realigned after you do it because changing the rake angle will change the suspension geometry.
Lowering only the rear changes the roll center in the rear and does not change the roll center in the front, leading to an increase in the understeer of the car. Google up "Roll couple distribution" to see how this works.
And of course, after lowering you still have to reset the suspension alignments for reasonable tire wear.
Lowering the rear does not change the position of the CoG longitudinally by more than a hundred microns or so and does not change the front to rear weight distribution by a measureable amount.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,533
Likes: 0
From: az
Originally Posted by EuroRod
Thanx for the input. I realized that the aerodynamics of a rear-only lowering job would change somewhat. I have the lowering bolt kit and will probably start with the rear-only approach, as I am concerned with the front scraping too much. If anyone has any hi-speed experience with a rear-only lowering job, sure would appreciate any comments on stability at speed. Thanx again.
i guess it depends on how much you lower the rear. if you only lower 1/2 inch or so, i don't see how the rake angle is too much an issue. i know the rake is there because the car is capable of carrying some weight in the back. full tank of gas vs low on gas is a difference of 100lb or so plus it is reasonable to assume there could be a luggage weight of another 100 lb, maybe more. these 200 lb + variable will lower your rear weight some what.
Last edited by cbrf4i1; Mar 6, 2006 at 02:52 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
Improper rake leads to high speed instablity over 120 mph.
Lowering the car more then 1" cause suppenions and alignment challanges.
Car that is lowered too much will cause the car to bounce of jump if you hit a bump and bottom out the suppension.
Cars look cooler but may not be really worth it.
Lowering the car more then 1" cause suppenions and alignment challanges.
Car that is lowered too much will cause the car to bounce of jump if you hit a bump and bottom out the suppension.
Cars look cooler but may not be really worth it.
