Thoughts on Lowering a C5

[Vettefan87]

Car wash. Did you say car wash ? I think it would be a crime to put a Corvette through a car wash. Thats no way to treat a Corvette. I have only washed mine every week by hand since I got it on January 22.........try hand washing at 32 degrees. I told my grand-daughter to "watch it" when she came out the door . . . . too late she fell on her back. Car wash ?

Jim Cincinnati, Ohio

Why? The touchless ones work perfectly. I have taken mine through the touchless one a couple of times. Us black Corvette drivers need all the help we can get to keep ours clean. As long as it it touchless it is fine to go through the carwash.

 

[Rain]

yes, lower it - you will love it.. (and if ya dont. you can raise it back up)

just adjust your driving. watch inclines and drops when going in and out of parking lots and driveways. go slow, even if it scrapes.. its designed to handle em.
Get the A&A combo deal - rocker rollers and frame savers.
Avoid speed bumps if you can.. easy to bottom out the rocker panels that way.

You eventually figure out how to handle these items and really enjoy the ride!

jacking the car is a bit different too. standard jack will no longer fit under there.
I used to pull ontop of a set of 2x4s and then get a jack under there..
now I have a low profile jack from SAMS CLUB that does the trick.

good luck
Rain

 

[03 RoadKing]

I would guess that the ride not being as harsh is because the lowering process puts less tension on the spring. I'm lucky enough to have a lift and can see the bolts to adjust to lower the rear and can see the same bolts on the front. Someone said something about shaving a bushing, where is it located and is this something that is required. I'm thinking of lowering mine and when it comes time to replace tires go to 19 on the front and 20's on the rear. Also someone asked about alignment haven't seen an answer. Is it an issue, in the past when I've monkeyed with the height the alignment has changed and since Vettes are adjustable front and rear?????

 

[Glennm27]

Take it down.

The plastic air dam under the nose is in 3 pieces. The center section is hinged and you aren't going to hurt it with a little scraping. The two corner pieces are very flexible and again, you aren't going to hurt them by light scraping. Also, the corner pieces can easily be replaced for about $11 each.

 

[SirDfw]

Oh, let me tell you...DO IT! I have 04 vert and lowering it only improves looks, and handling, despite what others say. GM allows up to 15mm of adj.... hence, ADJUSTABLE SUSPENSION!!! I have RIDE CONTROL suspension, and it's yes... even more comfortable on "touring" mode. It is so easy, you'll probably be like me and think, "Why was I making such a big deal of this?" You don't even have to take wheels off to loosen nuts on stock bolts. You'll need a 13/16 socket and 18mm wrench for back, and 10mm combination wrench for fronts. As soon as you jack it up, leaf unloads pressure so you can make adjustments. At first (rear), I only took half the avail. threads, set it down, and realized it wasn't squat. So, I jacked her back up, and loosened till she bottoms out, where snap ring is to keep from ever removing too far Anyways, the car is flatter in corners, and does look better. I'll post pics in the next couple days about it ok? I love this car, and just looking at this engineering marvel underneath is a pleasure every owner needs to experience. Anyways, I installed different LOW beam headlamps, went to West Coast Corvettes (online) and paid 34 bucks each.. but... theyre 80Watts instead of silverstars 55Watts, so the lite is Zenon and brighter than hell! Not been flashed once either, in case you're concerned about that
Steve

Ok, I'm sold! Met a group of people in the Walmart parking lot this evening, all Corvette owners. They told me the first mod to do is lower the car. I am not totally tech lame,however, this is my first Corvette. Exactly which bolts am I adjusting and how do I locate them? I was also advised to have a wheel alignment done after I got the car lowered.

 

[KANE]

I have a 2004 Lemans Edition (blue) coupe. I have seen photos (only) of lowered C5s. I think it is an improvement in the looks. I have to enter and leave my driveway at a very oblique angle to avoid scraping the aerodynamic spoiler on the front. I usually avoid any scraping. I wonder if lowering is going to be worthh the hassle of going in and out of the drive. Since lowering would improve the looks I am biased towards lowering BUT would like to hear from those that have actually done it for their feedback.

As for handling- I wouldn't know if it makes a difference. I regularly sling my C5 through curves on the Autobahn at 100, 120, and 140mph (not kilometers- miles!). Many of the "country roads" are the same- unrestricted speed limits. My C5 isn't lowered. I've pushed past 911s, Boxters, M3s, and Alfas.

I think it isn't worth it unless you really like the stance.