C5 Corvette: Lowering Modifications
Lowering the Corvette is an obvious modification that many owners do. Here are a few options.
This article applies to the C5 Corvette (1997-2004).
Lowering your C5 can dramatically improve not only the look of the vehicle by reducing that unsightly fender gap, but also your car's handling and responsiveness in corners. The method that you go about in lowing your Corvette is entirely up to you and will depend on your mechanical aptitude as well as how much you would like to invest in the project. The price is going to range from free and a few hours of your time, if you decide to use the factory bolts for lowering, all the way to well over $3,000 if you choose to go with coil overs and have them installed by a professional. The choice is yours.
Lowering your car will improve the handling and cornering abilities of your C5 and allow it to respond well when you turn the steering wheel and need it to stick to the asphalt; however, since you are lowered now, the car is actually going to be limited (depending which method you choose) on how much suspension travel is still available. Lowering a vehicle often times produces a rough, almost one-ton truck like ride which may not be pleasant or tolerable, especially in a daily driver situation. Make sure before you invest your hard earned time and money into your project that you ride in a lowered Corvette first.
Lowering Modifications for the C5 Corvette
Stock Bolts
DIY Cost – Free
Professional Cost – $200-500
Skill Level – Easy
Your C5 can be lowered on stock bolts by simply "loosening" what the factory equipped the suspension with already. This is a very easy mod and can be done with simple hand tools in a matter of a few hours. The advantage is that the process is free and, most importantly, can be reversed and the ride height returned to original if the ride or look doesn't fit your style. The disadvantage is that the total amount the car can be lowered is only about 3/4" all the way around, so if you are desiring a more "slammed" look, you will need to try another approach. It's recommended that you start here before jumping in with both feet (and your checkbook) so that you can get a feel of how the car will ride and see if it is to your liking. Remember, using this method you can also go back easily and for no cost.
Aftermarket Lowering Bolts
DIY Cost – Less than $100
Professional Cost – $300-700
Skill Level – Easy
If only going down less an inch isn't low enough for you, consider the aftermarket lowering bolts that several companies offer. These can be purchased for less than $100 and simply require you to remove your stock lowering bolts and replace them with the aftermarket components. The job is very easy and will take only a few hours. The advantage is that the cost is low and you will be able to lower your car around 2" using this method. It is also easily reversible and doesn't require much of a financial investment. However, when you get this low on bolts, only you are now limiting suspension travel greatly, and the car's factory suspension geometry can be compromised. At this point you'll want to think about addressing the entire suspension package as a whole.
Coil Overs
DIY Cost – $500
Professional Cost – $700-3,000
Skill Level – Moderate
Last, but not least, would be installing coil overs. Coil overs, although pricey, are a sexy way to be able to lower your vehicle but also have the ability to fine tune the suspension as well as adjust the ride height up or down to your desired stance. Coil overs improve ride quality more than stock and will enable your C5 to handle and corner better.
Drop Spindles
DIY Cost – $2,600
Professional Cost – $4,000+
Skill Level – Moderate
Another approach is to add drop spindles from a company such as LG Motorsports. Drop spindles will lower your car approximately 1" all the way around but will keep the factory suspension geometry and, most importantly, allow for full travel of the suspension. Although a bolt-on application is not horribly complicated, it will take some time and a little mechanical know-how as you will have to disassemble the suspension on all four corners to replace the spindles. One disadvantage to this method is the incredible expenses involved.
Related Discussions
- Stock Bolts - CorvetteForum.com
- Coil Overs - CorvetteForum.com
