Factory Ride Height
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2018
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Factory Ride Height
Had a question on ride height. I recently purchased a used 2017 GS and adjusted the height up today. It appears the front was close to as low as it could go. I screwed the bolt back down about 9 turns and got a little over 3/4 of an inch in height. A little more clearance is just a little more practical for me especially with some of the speed humps in the area. It is my understanding that there were no spec settings on this and they could come from GM pretty much anywhere. Is there a "too far" in either direction that you can adjust or is any place it can adjust to acceptable from a handling or warranty stand point?
I understand that a lower cg is better on a track day but to and from work is not the track. Just want to make sure that an adjustment won't cause excessive wear on any components or create a need to do a new wheel alignment. Thanks in advance.
I understand that a lower cg is better on a track day but to and from work is not the track. Just want to make sure that an adjustment won't cause excessive wear on any components or create a need to do a new wheel alignment. Thanks in advance.
Last edited by zcobrausa; Dec 28, 2018 at 05:07 PM.
Sr.Random input generator
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,803
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From: Sammamish, WA
There are actually specs for the factory ride height, and the cars certainly don't come from factory at their lowest height.
Many here are obsessed with what they call "4x4 look", and they lower their cars all the way, and some even switch to aftermarket bolts, or cut the stock bolt for even more drop. This messes up city driveability, makes it easier for shocks to bottom out, and causes rubbing with tires under compression
Many here are obsessed with what they call "4x4 look", and they lower their cars all the way, and some even switch to aftermarket bolts, or cut the stock bolt for even more drop. This messes up city driveability, makes it easier for shocks to bottom out, and causes rubbing with tires under compression
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,568
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From: Near Charlotte NC
Before I ordered mine,I noticed that the ride height varies a lot from car to car on the lot.
When my ('17 Z51) came in,it too was a little too high for my liking,but after about 1k miles it settled about 1/3 in and is ok.
\db2
When my ('17 Z51) came in,it too was a little too high for my liking,but after about 1k miles it settled about 1/3 in and is ok.
\db2
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,681
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From: NY
I raised my car back up on the stock bolts. Used to stock friends Z06s as reference for measurements. Taking the measurement from center of the wheel well to the ground on each corner and visibly counting all threads seen on the keys. The manual posted is the best guide you'll get! An get an alignment after any sort of suspension change. I know mine was jacked up after lowering it. And raising it back up.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2018
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Thanks. The P and R measurements table was a great help. I had just raised it to what looked reasonable. My front ended up right in the spec. I have to raise the rear a little more. The front to rear rake was a little more then I would have expected based on the spec.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2015
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I'm at 26.5 and 27.75 and I like it. It's lower than the spec but 29.0 in the rear is super tall.
Last edited by BrunoTheMellow; Jan 2, 2019 at 04:13 PM.
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Tech Contributor
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Sr.Random input generator
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Sammamish, WA
FYI, you can settle the suspension by simply humping on your car on both sides:
Last edited by X25; Jan 2, 2019 at 05:55 PM.
Tech Contributor
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That sounds about right. I remember measuring about 735mm bone stock, and settling at 715-720 mm with my coilovers.
FYI, you can settle the suspension by simply humping on your car on both sides:
https://youtu.be/XhrQPRPmBz4
FYI, you can settle the suspension by simply humping on your car on both sides:
https://youtu.be/XhrQPRPmBz4
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 2,518
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From: Fl
The bolts are adjustable in a range GM designed for a reason. I lower mine for looks on the street and back up for the track. It’s not hard, bottle jack under the spring with the car elevated.
It would be great to adjust camber for street and track too. The car “hunts” on the street when above negative 2 camber. Has anyone tried washers on and off for street vs track?
It would be great to adjust camber for street and track too. The car “hunts” on the street when above negative 2 camber. Has anyone tried washers on and off for street vs track?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2015
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The bolts are adjustable in a range GM designed for a reason. I lower mine for looks on the street and back up for the track. It’s not hard, bottle jack under the spring with the car elevated.
It would be great to adjust camber for street and track too. The car “hunts” on the street when above negative 2 camber. Has anyone tried washers on and off for street vs track?
It would be great to adjust camber for street and track too. The car “hunts” on the street when above negative 2 camber. Has anyone tried washers on and off for street vs track?
Racer
Joined: Jul 2018
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The bolts are adjustable in a range GM designed for a reason. I lower mine for looks on the street and back up for the track. It’s not hard, bottle jack under the spring with the car elevated.
It would be great to adjust camber for street and track too. The car “hunts” on the street when above negative 2 camber. Has anyone tried washers on and off for street vs track?
It would be great to adjust camber for street and track too. The car “hunts” on the street when above negative 2 camber. Has anyone tried washers on and off for street vs track?
Tech Contributor
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Race Director
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From: Supporting the Corvette Community at Abel Chevrolet in Rio Vista, CA 707-374-6317 Ext.123
St. Jude Donor '08
The bolts are adjustable in a range GM designed for a reason. I lower mine for looks on the street and back up for the track. It’s not hard, bottle jack under the spring with the car elevated.
It would be great to adjust camber for street and track too. The car “hunts” on the street when above negative 2 camber. Has anyone tried washers on and off for street vs track?
It would be great to adjust camber for street and track too. The car “hunts” on the street when above negative 2 camber. Has anyone tried washers on and off for street vs track?
