C7 lowered...Before and After
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Denison, TX
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To each his own...
As mentioned, the rear was almost all the way down from the factory, the front was WAY up there. If you look at the leading top 1/3rd (front tire) of the "Before" picture and then the after picture, you will see the difference.
As far as scraping, EVERY Corvette (2 C5's, 2 C6's, 1 C7) I've owned scraped the rubber front air dam leaving my driveway (same house through 5 Corvettes now). With this car (C7) lowered, it scrapes more than it did, possibly a little more than either of my C6's but not much (neither were lowered). My C5's scraped the worst of any (again, neither were lowered), I guess because of the longer front overhang of the C5 generation.
In the end, I am not a fan of the "slammed" look, my car does not remotely look slammed, it looks like how it should have come from the factory, in my opinion. As always, your mileage may vary.
Jimmy
As mentioned, the rear was almost all the way down from the factory, the front was WAY up there. If you look at the leading top 1/3rd (front tire) of the "Before" picture and then the after picture, you will see the difference.
As far as scraping, EVERY Corvette (2 C5's, 2 C6's, 1 C7) I've owned scraped the rubber front air dam leaving my driveway (same house through 5 Corvettes now). With this car (C7) lowered, it scrapes more than it did, possibly a little more than either of my C6's but not much (neither were lowered). My C5's scraped the worst of any (again, neither were lowered), I guess because of the longer front overhang of the C5 generation.
In the end, I am not a fan of the "slammed" look, my car does not remotely look slammed, it looks like how it should have come from the factory, in my opinion. As always, your mileage may vary.
Jimmy
Would you mind posting some pictures of before and after from the same angles? I would love to see! I honestly just can't tell much difference from the two pictures that you posted.
If I end up wanting to do this, it's your fault!
Glen e... What is it that you're talking about removing?
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2,072
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From: Lincoln, CA.
I know a few guys that took those air dams off and have not had an issue after doing so. Driving here in CA during this hot summer through stop and go traffic did not show any rise in engine temperature. Two C5's , one C6, and two C7's.
Dose anyone have the "definitive" answer to the question of how important the air dams are and EXACTLY there fiction?
Dose anyone have the "definitive" answer to the question of how important the air dams are and EXACTLY there fiction?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 13,934
Likes: 4,257
From: NC
Yep, I lowered all of my c5s and scraped around in them too! LOL
Would you mind posting some pictures of before and after from the same angles? I would love to see! I honestly just can't tell much difference from the two pictures that you posted.
If I end up wanting to do this, it's your fault!
Glen e... What is it that you're talking about removing?
Would you mind posting some pictures of before and after from the same angles? I would love to see! I honestly just can't tell much difference from the two pictures that you posted.
If I end up wanting to do this, it's your fault!
Glen e... What is it that you're talking about removing?
Jimmy
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 13,934
Likes: 4,257
From: NC
I've thought about removing that piece (I'm not really sure it does much except make noise) but I wasn't sure if it would have any effect on cooling. The C5's were "bottom feeders", I assume (you know what happens then) that the C6 and C7 are not.
Jimmy
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: NC
As far as alignment, I don't think one should consider my car as the ANSWER. I would caution everyone to go have it checked after lowering, just for peace of mind. For $45 (if no adjustment is needed), it's cheap insurance verses having to replace tires prematurely because of uneven wear.
Jimmy
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: Ft Lauderdale
Tech Contributor
when Daytona calls me to run the big race, I'll put it back on...LOL
Last edited by Glen e; Oct 1, 2014 at 12:04 PM.
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Hey Jag,
As far as alignment, I don't think one should consider my car as the ANSWER. I would caution everyone to go have it checked after lowering, just for peace of mind. For $45 (if no adjustment is needed), it's cheap insurance verses having to replace tires prematurely because of uneven wear.
Jimmy
As far as alignment, I don't think one should consider my car as the ANSWER. I would caution everyone to go have it checked after lowering, just for peace of mind. For $45 (if no adjustment is needed), it's cheap insurance verses having to replace tires prematurely because of uneven wear.
Jimmy
Race Director
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From: Lawton, OK
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2020 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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C7 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
2017 C7 of Year Finalist
2015 C7 of the Year
St. Jude Donor '14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19
the car was designed to be totally aerodynamic and I'm sure in the wind tunnel it means something...but around town getting groceries and even going on a "spirited run" I'm sure it does not mean a damn thing. Mine has never moved a temp degree in the hottest of Florida weather. It looks much better off IMO.
The Z51 was initially supposed to have the center air dam, but it was removed to provide air flow for cooling. It must not be that big of a deal.
Race Director
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From: Ft Lauderdale
Tech Contributor
moreover than that - when chev sells the z51 spoiler over the counter for the base car, they make no mention of taking the spoiler off the front so it's a z51 underneath. Nor is there a TSB citing it as a problem. The wing also makes no mention of spoiler mods in the install PDF. The question I have what spoiler config does the ZF1 package run?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,333
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From: USA
Hey Jag,
As far as alignment, I don't think one should consider my car as the ANSWER. I would caution everyone to go have it checked after lowering, just for peace of mind. For $45 (if no adjustment is needed), it's cheap insurance verses having to replace tires prematurely because of uneven wear.
Jimmy
As far as alignment, I don't think one should consider my car as the ANSWER. I would caution everyone to go have it checked after lowering, just for peace of mind. For $45 (if no adjustment is needed), it's cheap insurance verses having to replace tires prematurely because of uneven wear.
Jimmy
I'm **** so while the car is on the alignment rack I just have the tech align it to the preferred specs. That way I feel more comfortable when certain curcumstances occur which change the alignment such as; a 300 pound person in the passenger seat (no, not my wife), a full tank of fuel, an empty tank of fuel, loading the rear with heavy items, etc.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 222
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From: Daytona Beach Florida
yes, I see your front ride height is much better after lowering. way too much air between top of tire and fender wheel opening from factory. Did the same to mine. Ride is exactly the same, no alignment needed and looks great now. Had the " 4 wheel drive " look before, not exotic sports car look as it should have.