Total ride height adjustment
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 960
Likes: 40
Just realize that lowering a car with less spring pre-load produces a softer suspension.
Here is a link:
https://www.cycleworld.com/sport-rid...e-and-preload/
Figure 1 is a stock spring, Figure 2 is a stock spring compared to a higher rate spring, and Figure 3 is a stock spring compared to the spring with increased pre-load.
So work Figure 3 in reverse and consider the stiffer suspension to be the stock suspension and then note the effect of less spring pre-load as making a softer suspension.
Also, Figure 3 shows the effect of spring pre-load as being a translation which is the netting of a constant value. So overall, changes in spring pre-load do not change the spring rate but translates the use of the spring to a different force range of the spring
.
Here is a link:
https://www.cycleworld.com/sport-rid...e-and-preload/
Figure 1 is a stock spring, Figure 2 is a stock spring compared to a higher rate spring, and Figure 3 is a stock spring compared to the spring with increased pre-load.
So work Figure 3 in reverse and consider the stiffer suspension to be the stock suspension and then note the effect of less spring pre-load as making a softer suspension.
Also, Figure 3 shows the effect of spring pre-load as being a translation which is the netting of a constant value. So overall, changes in spring pre-load do not change the spring rate but translates the use of the spring to a different force range of the spring
.
Last edited by B Stead; Aug 18, 2019 at 04:55 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,641
Likes: 2,689
From: Pacific Northwest
Having Z51 and Also E60 Does Not Result In Height Adjustability Loss
I wrote to Harlan seeking clarification as this was a significant question as to whether having Z51 and E60 resulted in the loss of adjusting spring perches height adjustability.
I wrote to Harlan seeking clarification as this was a significant question as to whether having Z51 and E60 resulted in the loss of adjusting spring perches height adjustability.
Originally Posted by John
Your help again please!
SUBJ: If Z51 & E60 combined, retains ride height adjustability?
Harlan,
Thanks. This has been a hot topic in both forums this past weekend, but I did not want to bother you during the weekend.
We all so appreciated your response back a week ago, then confirming that as we thought, that the Z51 has adjustable spring perches to adjust ride height.
However, if one were to get a Z51 and add in additionally E60 lift option, does one lose the ability to adjust a C8’s height?[/Quote=JohnElegant]
[[b]Quote=Harlan]It’s two different things so one does not effect the other.
Now - if someone lowers there car with Z51 spring seats, obviously the front lift will not go as high as it is all relative.
SUBJ: If Z51 & E60 combined, retains ride height adjustability?
Harlan,
Thanks. This has been a hot topic in both forums this past weekend, but I did not want to bother you during the weekend.
We all so appreciated your response back a week ago, then confirming that as we thought, that the Z51 has adjustable spring perches to adjust ride height.
However, if one were to get a Z51 and add in additionally E60 lift option, does one lose the ability to adjust a C8’s height?[/Quote=JohnElegant]
[[b]Quote=Harlan]It’s two different things so one does not effect the other.
Now - if someone lowers there car with Z51 spring seats, obviously the front lift will not go as high as it is all relative.
Last edited by elegant; Aug 19, 2019 at 10:02 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 4,079
Likes: 2,413
From: Florida
Lower than 1.57" and you're scraping everything and really going for a "stanced" look as opposed to performance. Id be shocked if any reputable aftermarket coilovers would be at their optimum damping dropped lower than that either. They may alllow you to dump to 2" but the ride and performance of the damper would be outside its range and suffer
Mike
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 1,227
Likes: 861
From: Philadelphia Suburbs
Rear ground clearance?
Yes but 1.57 is actually a very significant drop. Usually h&r oe performance springs drop .8" or so, more aggressive sport springs around 1.25" and dumped "race" springs around 1.75". I just use those as examples.
Lower than 1.57" and you're scraping everything and really going for a "stanced" look as opposed to performance. Id be shocked if any reputable aftermarket coilovers would be at their optimum damping dropped lower than that either. They may alllow you to dump to 2" but the ride and performance of the damper would be outside its range and suffer
Mike
Lower than 1.57" and you're scraping everything and really going for a "stanced" look as opposed to performance. Id be shocked if any reputable aftermarket coilovers would be at their optimum damping dropped lower than that either. They may alllow you to dump to 2" but the ride and performance of the damper would be outside its range and suffer
Mike
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 4,079
Likes: 2,413
From: Florida
As far as it is advertised and implemented on other platforms this is a front axle lift only. It is not air ride that raises the entire car. The rear of our car would technically be a minute bit lower with the front axle lift raised. Generally, raising the front only takes care of most clearances. The rear diffuser area should be able to clear most driveways backing out. If you back out you can leave the front lift down until the rear clears the crevice and then stop the car and raise the front and continue backing out. Doubt you'd need to though. Rear should be fine.
Mike
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 15,323
Likes: 2,071
From: Guelph, Ontario
As others have said, that is a pretty significant drop! Most people will be perfectly satisfied with that level of a drop on their C8.
Last edited by Patman; Aug 23, 2019 at 05:34 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 233
Likes: 29
Great thread. Clearly GM knows the C8 looks better to the eye of most people with smaller tire/fender gaps as evidenced by the 3 original reveal cars and the images on the C8 configurator. Hoping all C8 owners can achieve that same look if they are so inclined and are not limited by base vs Z51 vs front end lift, etc.
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 15,323
Likes: 2,071
From: Guelph, Ontario
Great thread. Clearly GM knows the C8 looks better to the eye of most people with smaller tire/fender gaps as evidenced by the 3 original reveal cars and the images on the C8 configurator. Hoping all C8 owners can achieve that same look if they are so inclined and are not limited by base vs Z51 vs front end lift, etc.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 178
Likes: 150
From: Madera ca
I cornered one of the engineers(who asked not to be named) at Laguna Seca raceway last weekend and asked about this. He told me the reveal cars were weighed down so they would sit lower. Then he said the cars will settle after some driving. The Zeus Bronze car was exactly one inch higher on all 4 corners than the red cutaway car they had... yes I took a tape measure. The red car was obviously adjusted to the lowest point in the rear. The front, with the front end lift was hard to see any threads or adjustments.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 302
Likes: 232
From: FL
Don't know how precise the factory sets the corner weights, but jacking with the perch height will undoubtedly change the wheels weights, which can cause wheel lock under braking, among other handling issues. Additionally, the geometry of the suspension is designed for a certain ride height. Changing the ride height will adversely effect the bump steer, that is toe in or toe out under bump. Be very cautious in making these changes you could be creating an unpleasant handling vehicle.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,559
Likes: 4,501
From: North Dallas 40 TX
Don't know how precise the factory sets the corner weights, but jacking with the perch height will undoubtedly change the wheels weights, which can cause wheel lock under braking, among other handling issues. Additionally, the geometry of the suspension is designed for a certain ride height. Changing the ride height will adversely effect the bump steer, that is toe in or toe out under bump. Be very cautious in making these changes you could be creating an unpleasant handling vehicle.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 302
Likes: 232
From: FL
You'll need a setup platform to get wheel weights correct and new steering components to correct for bump steer change. Spindles will lower the car, but so will adjusting the spring perches.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 373
Likes: 119
Don't know how precise the factory sets the corner weights, but jacking with the perch height will undoubtedly change the wheels weights, which can cause wheel lock under braking, among other handling issues. Additionally, the geometry of the suspension is designed for a certain ride height. Changing the ride height will adversely effect the bump steer, that is toe in or toe out under bump. Be very cautious in making these changes you could be creating an unpleasant handling vehicle.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 302
Likes: 232
From: FL
I agree, but it still makes many unwanted changes that can't be corrected by an alignment. The largest change will be in bump steer which is very important for proper handling. Perhaps they have different steering components to correct these issues, but I seriously doubt anyone, outside of a racer, would take the time and expense to do it right.