This is a rather expensive option now....2600 dollars. I am ordering a 70th ann. Z51 vert. Do I need this? I have not had much issues with my previous Corvettes....currently have a C7 Z06 and rarely scrape the bottom of the front piece under the bumper (no carbon fiber on mine) but I don't know if the C8 Z51 is more likely or less likely to scrape. I don't feel I need this on my C7 Z06 and I'm reluctant to pay 2600 for something I may not need on my C8. Added weight and complexity as well but if most people want it than it could affect resale I guess. Thoughts?

 

Not at all necessary and it’s somewhat problematic. I had it on my first one and #2 and #3 don’t have it and I don’t miss it either.

 

No.

 

There are certain bumps and dips in the road and parking lots where you will scrape your front end if you drive over them without the lift, and will pass over them without scraping with the lift if you have activated it. I have the lift, but I have scraped when I misjudged a dip and did not activate it. So, to avoid scraping you can use the lift (if you have it) or you can observe the dip or bump, and either avoid it, or approach at an angle that minimizes the chance of scraping. Either way, you must see the issue and take an action to avoid it. Also, I have the Z51 with the standard Z51 splitter. The scrapes that I have can only be seen if one lay their head on the ground and looks up. And, if it needs replacement its relatively inexpensive. Of course if one has carbon fiber there, its a bigger deal.

Bottom line - the lift give you an additional way to avoid scraping besides avoiding the bump/dip or approaching at special angle. Its not necessary, but it is a convenience. I have it and would get it again.

 

It all depends on where you plan on driving your car. There are some places where there is no way I wouldn't scrape without the life (and I still have to be careful with it lifted). My sister's driveway is one of them.

 

You won't know you need it, until you need it. I have it on my C8 and it has operated flawlessly since day one. It has come in handy on more than one occassion.

 

I believe the C8 has more front clearance than your C7.

 

Wish I had my money back. Never used it.

 

Comes in handy for me. I also only paid 1495 for it on my 2020.

 

C8 has more clearance. I've never had a problem and I pay attention to how I approach problematic areas. Just not a problem. Those that have will say they love it and it's saved them over and over and those of us who don't have it will say don't waste your money.

 

I drove a BRZ with this cherry blossom red STI rubber aero lining under the STI front splitter and lowered 1.25"-1.5" so it was significantly lower than a stock C8. I'd gone through 2 black versions of the red rubber lining prior (each cost about $120 to replace) after scraping through some pretty steep dips/speed bumps on SoCal roads. But they protected my splitter which remained flawless.



Rather than Front Lift, I plan to get Scrape Armor and lower Z51 by the factory recommended 10mm (0.4"). That should be more stress-free than the years of driving my BRZ which was much lower with a flimsier rubber guard. The Scrape Armor and Z51 splitter can be replaced multiple times over before approaching the cost of Front Lift. There's also risk of Front Lift fluid leaks which owners have reported (not common but still a risk). That fluid is corrosive and can damage or accelerate wear on the things it touches. Further, you have to manually activate Front Lift the first time you approach obstacles which you may not always see (in unfamiliar areas and/or at night or if you're distracted). Once you make that first accidental scrape which is always a risk, the value of that big cost option diminishes. Whereas Scrape Armor is always on and active and doesn't require your manual intervention (why I'd still get it as a failsafe even with Front Lift). So you can drive somewhat more passively but it wouldn't hurt to slow down/angle into obstacles (requires the same attentiveness as using Front Lift anyway so no huge loss in convenience). Compared to Front Lift, Scrape Armor removes complexity and weight (a sports car ethos I always try to pursue).

 

It is less likely to scrape. Here's the approach angles:Base / no E60 = 11.8 degrees
.
Base with E60 = 14.2 degrees
Z51 / no E60 = 9.8 degrees
Z51 with E60 = 11.1 degrees
Z06 / no E60 = 9.2 degrees
Z06 with E60 = 11.6 degrees
Z06 with Carbon Splitter / no E60 = 8.5 degrees
Z06 with Carbon Splitter with E60 = 10.8 degrees

The base C7 was 9 degrees and less with a front splitter..

 

Question for those that have E60/Lift. Are you able to park it while its in lifted mode? Meaning the car sits higher when exiting/entering.

 

You can park while lifted, but when the engine shuts off, it starts to lower. If you open a door, it will temporarily stop lowering, but then it will resume lowering, regardless of whether or not the door is closed. You cannot use it to park the front end over a curb - it will lower back down.

You can start the engine, then activate the lift if you want to do that. It might make it easier for your passenger to enter. Mine is set to raise in my driveway, so it always lifts when I start the car.

 

My C6 Grand Sport's front splitter would scrape so much that I considered the part to be a "consumable" and would keep two extra replacements on hand in the garage. My C8 has the front lift along with the aero delete option which leaves off the front splitter. I rarely use the lift and have never scraped with the car in the lowered position. If given the opportunity, I would not purchase the lift option again.

 

I have the 5VM splitter and also lowered the car .75". Definitely need the front lift in some places. Still, everyone says it has better clearance than earlier generations, so if you don't need it on your C7 you won't need it on your C8. I viewed it as one of those things that are better to have and not need than to need and not have.

 

I have the LIFT on my 22 HTC Z51. I need it with the roads and speed bumps in my area. Never had a problem since day one.

 

My C8 sports a $159.00 5VM plastic front splitter courtesy of eBay. Once it has scraped enough times to be noticeable, I will replace it with another $159.00 splitter from eBay. Clearly, I would have to go through a lot of $159.00 splitters to equal the $2,600.00 investment in front lift.

 

You wont need it if you havent had issues with previous vets. The C8 has a better approach angle than the C7 did. You'll be fine.

One less thing to break too.

 

There are a number of places where we use the lift and would have a problem without it including... our home driveway, the mall entrance where my wife shops most, and a couple of garage buildings we visit regularly.