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From: Early 2020 Z51 Coupe, Original Owner, Ahwatukee Foothills, AZ
Used my Lift once and that was by accident. Wanted trying to push the front camera button and missed. Owned the car 5 years and now AND Lift it's due for service, WTF. Was thinking maybe I could just drain the fluid completely out and figure out a way around the CEL. Pretty sure removing Lift now with Z51 and Mag Ride would be not worth the hassle or cost.
Well, guess it's kind of good to now that before the prior administration the option in 2020 was only $1495. Believe I heard it's doubled or pretty close to have in price today. That is if you really think you got to have this memory Lift gimmick and got to have it then go for it.
The C8 today compared to other generations, "when it wasn't even an option", has better clearance. Go figure.
From: Early 2020 Z51 Coupe, Original Owner, Ahwatukee Foothills, AZ
Originally Posted by JerryU
Had on my 2020 C8, had about 25 places in town remembered. Mostly driveways. One good example is FedEx. Off a 4-lane divided highway. Traffic typical going 60 mph. IF I stopped before going into the driveway and pulled in on an angle could just get by without scraping. The many times I had to do that would sure have been rearended. Recall whenIi scraped my 2017 Grand Sport (no lift option available) went into a driveway in town going very slow at an angle. But that was off a 4 lane road. Could NOT back out into traffic so crawled out forwad. Scraped! Can't always control where you have to enter or leave.
This is an exmaple with my 2024 E-Ray. Was planning to buy a splitter and side skirts but have not. It comes with a minim splitter. When I I scarped my 2020 C8 splitter slightly exiting a driveway in town thought will be no problem with the E-Ray mini splitter. Raised the car and heard a slight scrap. Wasn't much BUT without the lift would have been.
We have rain depressions next to curbs in town. The E-Ray wheel went into it and caused a geometry resulting in a minor scrap. Was surprised. If I had no Lift, would have been 1 1/2 inches lower!!
And that was with the standard Mini-Slitter that comes with all E-Rays. If I had a larger splitter, it would have scraped with LIFT!
Hey Jerry,
If I'm reading your comments correctly, is it correct to understand that having front Lift in your E-ray it's a must have, more so than it was in your C8?
I have the front lift, use the front lift, and need the front lift to avoid scraping where I live and travel. If you live in a flat area that doesn't have dips and such and you don't use the C8 for road trips you could probably get away without it, taking care to go slowly and at an angle when you do encounter something that would make you scrape.
Also, the front lift is less important if you get a non-Z51 and don't plan on having a front splitter.
If I'm reading your comments correctly, is it correct to understand that having front Lift in your E-ray it's a must have, more so than it was in your C8?
It's really up to where you live BUT:
If you have the Base C8, non Z51 so no Splitter the need is lowest.
If you have a Z51 that includes an inexpensive 3 piece Splitter that can bend somewhat and is cheap to replace there is more of a need.
If you have what I did, a C8 Z51 with an aftermarket version of the GM 5VM definitely need. Particularly if the OEM that is carbon fiber. It is brittle and cracks, not reparable.
The E-Ray with the standard Mini-Splitter is somewhat like the Z51 it terms of chance of scraping. BUT the Mini-Splitter is painted composite. May be able to buy one of the three sections separately.
If you order the E-Ray Ground Effect Option of buy an aftermarket Splitter definitely need a Lift.
I agree with some of the posters here. I have a front lift on my car and it's been a life saver on more than one occasion. After having it I would never get another Corvette that didn't have it.
It's Awesome being able to program in areas where you need to use it and have it automatically raise up...
Not necessary. The C8 is higher than my C6 Z51. Plus the mag ride keeps the car at a nice ride height under compression. It's also another subsystem to have problems with.
For those who cringing at the $2595 cost (albeit was a much more "must have" at the $1495 I paid for the same system on my 2020 C8 Z51) here are some of the other "supercar" prices for their Lift option:
Ferrari 458 Lift Cost $4500
Porsche 718 Spider Lift Cost $3700
Lambo Huracan Lift Option Cost $4000
Hmm, guess when GM Marketing folks saw 58% of the 2020 C8's ordered the $1495 Lift Option (as I did having scraped my aftermarket 2014 C7 Z51 Splitter and my 2017 C7 Grand Sport Stage 2 Aero Option Splitter) they saw a good place to increase margin. Yep, if a low option take can't get a lot more profit. But it only dropped to 53% ordering the Lift in 2024 from GM Statistics.
Not necessary. The C8 is higher than my C6 Z51. Plus the mag ride keeps the car at a nice ride height under compression. It's also another subsystem to have problems with.
It's NOT how high, it's the the geometry of wheel to low points. In my case the rain drain depressions used as you enter many driveways in town.
My C6 Z51 scaped even when I left my own driveway. My 2020 C8 with 5VM splitter did not without using the Lift. But the C6 it was the large air dam that scraped. No big deal, about twice a year I would sand off the flexible rubber like air dam frayed bottom edge.
But the C6 and C7 had what GM called a radiator support (which was its function.) I also referred to as a "Skid Pad" as it served that function as well. Recall one time when mine scraped going into a driveway to a Mall. There was a large rain drainage depression, and I would crawl in very slow. BUT that day there was a car speeding that came around a corner as I was crawling into the driveway. Should I speed up and maintain my record of never having an accident with another car? Yep! Skid Pad scraped.
I was fortunate as it was a minor scrape but that aluminum on pavement sound was terrible. So I screwed on a sacrificial piece of aluminum. Wasn't just me. Recall a post where they had to have it replaced. Expensive. A company developed and offered a plastic protector that glued on. No noise and helped it slide it you hit pavement.
I added to my 2014 C7!
As I noted, it's a geometry issue. Even my E-Ray with Lift Raised had a very minor scrape on an aero panel screw head. It is slightly lower than the mini splitter that comes with the E-Ray. IF I had the optional ground effects option or aftermarket splitter it may have scraped.
I have a 2023 Z-51 Coupe and I use the lift when it is needed and it has come in handy on many more occasions than you would think.
What looks like a slight incline or gradual angle can get real different at different angles, especially when turning.
The front Z-51 splitter looks like it has good clearance but remember the length of the car is about 15 feet long and the nose sticks out a lot.
Another good feature is when the nose is lifted, the car is a little higher and easier to get in and out of by a slight amount and you will notice it.
You cannot go wrong, it is a useful option that can save you the damage and also give you added confidence when approaching questionable clearance street conditions.
You got a CEL to do the 5 year maintenance on the lift? Brake service is due at 5 too, CEL for that too?
I've never heard of the check engine light happening to do required maintenance.
Originally Posted by ArizonaZ06
Used my Lift once and that was by accident. Wanted trying to push the front camera button and missed. Owned the car 5 years and now AND Lift it's due for service, WTF. Was thinking maybe I could just drain the fluid completely out and figure out a way around the CEL. Pretty sure removing Lift now with Z51 and Mag Ride would be not worth the hassle or cost.
Well, guess it's kind of good to now that before the prior administration the option in 2020 was only $1495. Believe I heard it's doubled or pretty close to have in price today. That is if you really think you got to have this memory Lift gimmick and got to have it then go for it.
The C8 today compared to other generations, "when it wasn't even an option", has better clearance. Go figure.
Used my Lift once and that was by accident. Wanted trying to push the front camera button and missed. Owned the car 5 years and now AND Lift it's due for service, WTF. Was thinking maybe I could just drain the fluid completely out and figure out a way around the CEL. Pretty sure removing Lift now with Z51 and Mag Ride would be not worth the hassle or cost.
Well, guess it's kind of good to now that before the prior administration the option in 2020 was only $1495. Believe I heard it's doubled or pretty close to have in price today. That is if you really think you got to have this memory Lift gimmick and got to have it then go for it.
The C8 today compared to other generations, "when it wasn't even an option", has better clearance. Go figure.
Originally Posted by EvanD
You got a CEL to do the 5 year maintenance on the lift? Brake service is due at 5 too, CEL for that too?
I've never heard of the check engine light happening to do required maintenance.
@ArizonaZ06 , did you get a message or just an MIL (aka CEL). If it was a CEL how did you determine that it wants you to service the front lift?
In any case, yes the front lift fluid is supposed to be changed at 5 years. But if you got a CEL, its likly an actual issue - not a service reminder. You also may have gotten a "Service Front Lift System" message - that too is likely an actual issue, not a service reminder. If you have scan tool, you could reset it, but if its an issue, it will return. If the issue goes away, the message or CEL will clear after several ignition cycles.
From: Early 2020 Z51 Coupe, Original Owner, Ahwatukee Foothills, AZ
Originally Posted by Andybump
@ArizonaZ06 , did you get a message or just an MIL (aka CEL). If it was a CEL how did you determine that it wants you to service the front lift?
In any case, yes the front lift fluid is supposed to be changed at 5 years. But if you got a CEL, its likly an actual issue - not a service reminder. You also may have gotten a "Service Front Lift System" message - that too is likely an actual issue, not a service reminder. If you have scan tool, you could reset it, but if its an issue, it will return. If the issue goes away, the message or CEL will clear after several ignition cycles.
As I understand servicing the Memory Lift your correct, 5 years is recommend to change the fluid. Have not ever gotten a CEL on Lift, but I'm thinking of draining the fluid entirely and somehow disabling the Lift system which I believe at that time a CEL would continue to appear.
Really can't easily permanently remove my lift having Mag and Z51 on my early 2020. If this was an easy route this would be my go to. If I go ahead and drain and disable my Lift, wouldn't you think after clearing the CEL it would continue to return the CEL? Bottom line wish I never had this option and where I live is NOT flat. On a usually cloudy day in the Valley of the Sun, here's my driveway with a 8" entrance clearance. Of course never take this driveway head on or head out like my typically does in here SUV. And the best thing, she's a lady and is scared to drive my C8. I'll take this any day, my lady is almost perfect in everyway and it took me 1 wife and 55 years to find her.
Just a note, there are plenty of speed dips and humps all over my city of 5 million.
For those who cringing at the $2595 cost (albeit was a much more "must have" at the $1495 I paid for the same system on my 2020 C8 Z51) here are some of the other "supercar" prices for their Lift option:
Ferrari 458 Lift Cost $4500
Porsche 718 Spider Lift Cost $3700
Lambo Huracan Lift Option Cost $4000
Hmm, guess when GM Marketing folks saw 58% of the 2020 C8's ordered the $1495 Lift Option (as I did having scraped my aftermarket 2014 C7 Z51 Splitter and my 2017 C7 Grand Sport Stage 2 Aero Option Splitter) they saw a good place to increase margin. Yep, if a low option take can't get a lot more profit. But it only dropped to 53% ordering the Lift in 2024 from GM Statistics.
Not having priced options since I ordered mine 4 years ago, I had no idea that they had increased the price by $1000! Holy crap. At that price I would have to ponder the value. At $1500 it's a no brainer, .. .. Same with the base price now that I take a peek. At $60K---great value, but a $10,000 price increase in 5 years? .. Still a value compared to any other car of similar performance, but I would have been priced out if trying to order today. ... Whew!
These cars are low enough, and I need the lift just to pull out of my driveway, as well as various restaurants and stores. The GPS remembers the locations and it's never a concern ever again.
Not having priced options since I ordered mine 4 years ago, I had no idea that they had increased the price by $1000! Holy crap. At that price I would have to ponder the value. At $1500 it's a no brainer, .. .. Same with the base price now that I take a peek. At $60K---great value, but a $10,000 price increase in 5 years? .. Still a value compared to any other car of similar performance, but I would have been priced out if trying to order today. ... Whew!
Yep, looking at the results the fact that the option was selected at almost the same percentage, I rate that as smart marketing!
I say the same re the 3LT 2020 C8 and 3LZ E-Ray I selected to get the interior color I wanted (Natural Dipped for my LBR Exterior 2020 and Artemis for my Cacti exterior E-Ray.) Doubt GM had much cost difference so a ~$3000 higher Profit for GM. I would have opted for the GT2 seats in both cases but essentially what I got for ~$3000 extra was the colors I wanted. Oh a few minor other things like that nicely stitched headliner on the roof! But have to bend my neck unnaturally to see it. Never do! Smart Marketing, I didn't have to pick those interior colors, my choice.
As I understand servicing the Memory Lift your correct, 5 years is recommend to change the fluid. Have not ever gotten a CEL on Lift, but I'm thinking of draining the fluid entirely and somehow disabling the Lift system which I believe at that time a CEL would continue to appear.
Really can't easily permanently remove my lift having Mag and Z51 on my early 2020. If this was an easy route this would be my go to. If I go ahead and drain and disable my Lift, wouldn't you think after clearing the CEL it would continue to return the CEL? Bottom line wish I never had this option and where I live is NOT flat. On a usually cloudy day in the Valley of the Sun, here's my driveway with a 8" entrance clearance. Of course never take this driveway head on or head out like my typically does in here SUV. And the best thing, she's a lady and is scared to drive my C8. I'll take this any day, my lady is almost perfect in everyway and it took me 1 wife and 55 years to find her.
Just a note, there are plenty of speed dips and humps all over my city of 5 million.
Yes its due for service at 5 years. You have the option to just not use the lift if you wish. The lift cylinders internal to the shocks may have issues if they are completely dry, even if you found a way to prevent the CEL. You might also need to replace them with appropriate, non-front lift shocks. There are Z51 shocks with mag-ride and without front lift ( I see you have mag-ride).
I used the front lift for about a month. I had it memorize about 20 locations. It does help, however I found I needed to slow over traffic humps in any case so now I just slow a little more. I have deleted all the memorized locations and have not used front lift for the last 3 years. Obviously if you don't know there is a "bump" ie night time raining etc, you will scrape. I never look under the car but have heard scrapes. Probably less expensive to paint.
Unfortunately the cost has risen to $2600? and there is service required at 5 years (cost?) At that price I would not buy it. If my garage had an odd approach elevation I might consider but ... Previously had an SLK350 (120 mm clearance compared to C8 135mm) and never had a problem.
