Notices
C5 General General C5 Corvette and C5 Z06 Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

[Z06] Lowered suspension sucks....

Old 04-24-2017, 04:36 PM
  #1  
Blownchevelle68
Instructor
Thread Starter
 
Blownchevelle68's Avatar
 
Member Since: Apr 2015
Posts: 116
Received 17 Likes on 13 Posts
Default Lowered suspension sucks....

New tires installed last week and I thought I'd try lowering the car a little so it didn't look so 4X4ish.......Turned the stock bolts on the back down to 3 threads exposed and fronts to 10 threads exposed (just as a starting point)

Drove the car a whole day before pulling it back in the shop and putting everything right back where it used to be. Luckily I took note of the factory settings. Car rode rough, front end was dodgy and felt unstable at anything above 90.

I love the look of them lowered but can't stand how it drove.
Old 04-24-2017, 04:41 PM
  #2  
C5SCCA
Pro
 
C5SCCA's Avatar
 
Member Since: Oct 2007
Location: Tulsa Oklahoma
Posts: 607
Likes: 0
Received 29 Likes on 26 Posts

Default

Haha, I just got done lowering mine! We'll see how it goes I guess.
Old 04-24-2017, 04:50 PM
  #3  
racebum
Race Director
 
racebum's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jan 2008
Location: oregon
Posts: 15,978
Received 153 Likes on 146 Posts

Default

you have to do all 4 corners and you have to do it right. 1/2" down from stock is still very good for compliance and it looks a bit nicer. measure from multiple points before and after. the drivers side ideally will be 1/8Th of an inch higher than the passenger

it is slightly stiffer than stock but you still maintain good compliance which keeps the car fast. these guys slamming on stock bolts just wind up with a slower car that rides rough
Old 04-24-2017, 05:02 PM
  #4  
Blownchevelle68
Instructor
Thread Starter
 
Blownchevelle68's Avatar
 
Member Since: Apr 2015
Posts: 116
Received 17 Likes on 13 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by racebum
you have to do all 4 corners and you have to do it right. 1/2" down from stock is still very good for compliance and it looks a bit nicer. measure from multiple points before and after. the drivers side ideally will be 1/8Th of an inch higher than the passenger

it is slightly stiffer than stock but you still maintain good compliance which keeps the car fast. these guys slamming on stock bolts just wind up with a slower car that rides rough
1/2" was all I could get out of the back measured 28 1/4" to fender lip, front measured 27 1/4ish. Looked nice but just did not feel right. At the lift points measured just under 5" on the front and 5.50" rear.
Old 04-24-2017, 05:54 PM
  #5  
FYRARMS
Le Mans Master
 
FYRARMS's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jul 2007
Location: Oswego IL
Posts: 5,986
Received 3,221 Likes on 1,583 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by Blownchevelle68
front end was dodgy and felt unstable at anything above 90
Did you get an alignment after lowering to correct the added negative camber and toe changes?
Old 04-24-2017, 06:13 PM
  #6  
I’m Z one
Melting Slicks
 
I’m Z one's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,318
Received 242 Likes on 150 Posts
2022 Corvette of the Year Finalist -- Modified
2021 C5 of the Year Winner - Modified

Default

Refer to my thread I recently posted
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...alignment.html
Old 04-24-2017, 06:18 PM
  #7  
Drewstein
Melting Slicks
 
Drewstein's Avatar
 
Member Since: Feb 2006
Location: Scottsdale Az
Posts: 3,191
Likes: 0
Received 41 Likes on 32 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by FYRARMS
Did you get an alignment after lowering to correct the added negative camber and toe changes?
Doubt it. Sounds like he didn't do it right and is wondering why it's "dodgy".

Next he'll complain his tires suck when he installs them without balancing...

I've had several slammed C5s and one slammed C6 without any issues when done right.
The following 2 users liked this post by Drewstein:
FYRARMS (04-25-2017), LoganExplosion (04-28-2017)
Old 04-24-2017, 07:06 PM
  #8  
Blownchevelle68
Instructor
Thread Starter
 
Blownchevelle68's Avatar
 
Member Since: Apr 2015
Posts: 116
Received 17 Likes on 13 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by FYRARMS
Did you get an alignment after lowering to correct the added negative camber and toe changes?
No didn't get that far....It honestly was a rough enough ride that I didn't bother with alignment. It will get one now at any rate but I couldn't get past the ride quality.


Originally Posted by Leader One
Refer to my thread I recently posted
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...alignment.html
Thanks will definitely check it out. At one point when I was adjusting everything I was taking it for test drives after making small changes, and it did feel pretty good but once the front got a little lower and sat for awhile, it seemed to hammer on even small bumps.

Originally Posted by Drewstein
Doubt it. Sounds like he didn't do it right and is wondering why it's "dodgy".

Next he'll complain his tires suck when he installs them without balancing...

I've had several slammed C5s and one slammed C6 without any issues when done right.
Actually yes it was done right....Measured at several points on the frame to make sure each side was close in measurements. It's more along the lines of the shocks were not happy with end result. Did the car need aligned-yes but no reason to run that out if it's going to ride harsh. Which is not what I'm wanting.
Old 04-24-2017, 08:34 PM
  #9  
racebum
Race Director
 
racebum's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jan 2008
Location: oregon
Posts: 15,978
Received 153 Likes on 146 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by Blownchevelle68
1/2" was all I could get out of the back measured 28 1/4" to fender lip, front measured 27 1/4ish. Looked nice but just did not feel right. At the lift points measured just under 5" on the front and 5.50" rear.
it's possible your car may have been lowered before? there is usually more to be had than 1/2"

you also have to do an alignment as the tires toe out when you go down

if you live somewhere rural where the roads are bumpy the car is likely fastest at the stock ride height. you need all the compliance you can get

Last edited by racebum; 04-24-2017 at 08:35 PM.
Old 04-25-2017, 09:13 AM
  #10  
C5SCCA
Pro
 
C5SCCA's Avatar
 
Member Since: Oct 2007
Location: Tulsa Oklahoma
Posts: 607
Likes: 0
Received 29 Likes on 26 Posts

Default

My experience is definitely opposite of yours. I noticed a negligible decrease in ride quality through about 80 miles of driving. I'll drive it another day or two to let it settle, check the rake, and then align it.
Old 04-25-2017, 09:20 AM
  #11  
Blownchevelle68
Instructor
Thread Starter
 
Blownchevelle68's Avatar
 
Member Since: Apr 2015
Posts: 116
Received 17 Likes on 13 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by C5SCCA
My experience is definitely opposite of yours. I noticed a negligible decrease in ride quality through about 80 miles of driving. I'll drive it another day or two to let it settle, check the rake, and then align it.
If you don't mind, what measurements are you at on the frame, at the jacking points?
Old 04-25-2017, 03:23 PM
  #12  
C5SCCA
Pro
 
C5SCCA's Avatar
 
Member Since: Oct 2007
Location: Tulsa Oklahoma
Posts: 607
Likes: 0
Received 29 Likes on 26 Posts

Default

It's 4.5" at the Passenger Front, 5" Passenger Rear jacking point. This is about 1/2 inch lower all the way around than stock.

Fender Measurements:
DF: 27.25"
DR: 28.25"
PF: 27"
PR: 28"

I probably should tweak the driver's side slightly. At 180lbs, I doubt I smash the car 1/4inch.

I'll try to align in it in the next week or so and update you with where its at.
Old 04-25-2017, 03:58 PM
  #13  
racebum
Race Director
 
racebum's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jan 2008
Location: oregon
Posts: 15,978
Received 153 Likes on 146 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by C5SCCA
It's 4.5" at the Passenger Front, 5" Passenger Rear jacking point. This is about 1/2 inch lower all the way around than stock.

Fender Measurements:
DF: 27.25"
DR: 28.25"
PF: 27"
PR: 28"

I probably should tweak the driver's side slightly. At 180lbs, I doubt I smash the car 1/4inch.

I'll try to align in it in the next week or so and update you with where its at.
180lbs should come down around 1/8th of an inch. maybe 1/4? it was really hard to tell that exact. i'm the same weight as you and went for the same thing. for alignment specs factory isn't bad but you may modify the toe a bit. slightly less toe in up front helps steering response. i think i used .04 in each side and out back the factory spec can be improved quite a lot going from the stock toe out which is imo an autocross alignment to .05 to .08 in each side. factory camber and caster are fine for more 200+utqg street tires

it looks like you spent some time on the lowering. took me around 3 hours to dial in. it doesn't go quick if you're particular and trying for a really even job

Last edited by racebum; 04-25-2017 at 03:59 PM.
Old 04-25-2017, 05:29 PM
  #14  
Blownchevelle68
Instructor
Thread Starter
 
Blownchevelle68's Avatar
 
Member Since: Apr 2015
Posts: 116
Received 17 Likes on 13 Posts
Default

Going to give it another try. Starting off measurements:

DF 5 13/16" @ jack point
28" to fender

DR 5 9/16" @ jack point
28.5" to fender

PF 5.5" @ jack point
27.5 to fender

PR 5.5" @ jack point
28.5" to fender

Some of the front measurements are off as I don't believe it had enough drive time to settle after putting back to factory.
Old 04-25-2017, 06:18 PM
  #15  
Blownchevelle68
Instructor
Thread Starter
 
Blownchevelle68's Avatar
 
Member Since: Apr 2015
Posts: 116
Received 17 Likes on 13 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by C5SCCA
It's 4.5" at the Passenger Front, 5" Passenger Rear jacking point. This is about 1/2 inch lower all the way around than stock.

Fender Measurements:
DF: 27.25"
DR: 28.25"
PF: 27"
PR: 28"

I probably should tweak the driver's side slightly. At 180lbs, I doubt I smash the car 1/4inch.

I'll try to align in it in the next week or so and update you with where its at.
Thanks! That's fairly close to where I was at as well.
Old 04-25-2017, 09:50 PM
  #16  
C5SCCA
Pro
 
C5SCCA's Avatar
 
Member Since: Oct 2007
Location: Tulsa Oklahoma
Posts: 607
Likes: 0
Received 29 Likes on 26 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by Blownchevelle68
Thanks! That's fairly close to where I was at as well.
I hope it works this time for you, because it looks so much better than stock.
Old 04-26-2017, 01:31 AM
  #17  
striper
Le Mans Master
 
striper's Avatar
 
Member Since: May 2005
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Posts: 6,366
Received 246 Likes on 215 Posts

Default

IMO I think that maybe you overlooked the fact that your original shocks are worn and need to be replaced. On lowered cars some shocks work better than others. I have Bilstein Sports which are a popular choice on lowered cars and seem to work well. You might want to consider changing them soon, especially if you are going to try lowering again.

Get notified of new replies

To Lowered suspension sucks....

Old 04-26-2017, 09:23 AM
  #18  
Blownchevelle68
Instructor
Thread Starter
 
Blownchevelle68's Avatar
 
Member Since: Apr 2015
Posts: 116
Received 17 Likes on 13 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by striper
IMO I think that maybe you overlooked the fact that your original shocks are worn and need to be replaced. On lowered cars some shocks work better than others. I have Bilstein Sports which are a popular choice on lowered cars and seem to work well. You might want to consider changing them soon, especially if you are going to try lowering again.
Thanks I'll check them out!
Old 04-26-2017, 05:55 PM
  #19  
S.C. vette
Melting Slicks

 
S.C. vette's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jul 2014
Location: The Lowcountry South Carolina
Posts: 2,782
Received 314 Likes on 258 Posts
Default

My two cent, I luv my lowered ride and look... you'll figure it out
Old 04-26-2017, 09:24 PM
  #20  
Blownchevelle68
Instructor
Thread Starter
 
Blownchevelle68's Avatar
 
Member Since: Apr 2015
Posts: 116
Received 17 Likes on 13 Posts
Default

Lowered it even turns on each side, front and back. Need to fine tune a little more but here is where I'm at:

DF 5 7/16" JP and 27 7/16" fender
DR 5.5" JP and 28 3/16" fender
PF 5" JP and 27" fender
PR 5 1/8" JP and 28 1/8" fender

Before:



After:


Last edited by Blownchevelle68; 04-26-2017 at 09:31 PM.

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Quick Reply: [Z06] Lowered suspension sucks....



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:10 PM.