Thoughts on Lowering a C5

[jdanehy1]

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.

 

[Pac-man]

I've had two C5's and lowered them both. It only takes about half an hour. Huge improvement in looks and handling. As far as scraping goes, you have to be more careful but the spoiler is relatively cheap at around $100 if you ever need to replace it. My last C5 had zo6 wheels and tires and the profile is actually a little lower that regular C5 tires. I scraped the heck out of that cars spoiler but never had to replace it. They are very durable. Definately lower the car, don't baby it, use it and enjoy it.

 

[jdanehy1]

Pac-man

Thanks for your input. Cab I assume you did not cut the bolt but just adjusted it ? I understand that you can go 1" by just adjusting. I am inclined to go in that direction.

Was the "ride" harsher than stock ?

 

[Pac-man]

The ride is actually softer. A Chevy tech explained why to me but I have since forget. You would think it would be stiffer but not true. I just adjusted the stock bolts, got 1and1/2 in. lower. The susp. takes a few days to adjust and settle in and the car evens out. If you have ride control it still works. You'll be glad if you lower it.

 

[BHP]

Unless you are driving above legal speeds you can remove the air dam to eliminate the scraping. There are also no cooling issues either. I also recommend the frame saver wheels from Andy @ A&A Corvettes.

 

[VetteFanatic]

My 2003 Vert is also lowered and I have an issue also with my driveway. It was an easy fix. One sheet of 4X8 pressure treated plywood, 2 2X4X8's set right in the middle. Cut two handle holes in the plywood. Sounds kinda lame but it works... and saves the money on replacing the air dam. I also bought the frame savers and the wheels for the front but they don't help until it's already been scraping on the sidewalk for a foot or two. All I do is leave the plywood there till I get back and into the garage. Then I pick it up and slide it into the garage. Do lower it, its worth it !! How elso could you take exit ramps at 70mph ?

 

[toomuchtorque]

I don't know much about the science behind it, but what about trimming the spoiler however much you lower it? I don't think it would have any negative effects (although I hope somebody corrects me if I'm wrong).

 

[Pac-man]

Just let it scrape, eventually it will trim itself. The spoiler is made of an extemely hard compound and it's very durable. It's also on a hinge, so obviously it's made to flex and scrape. Don't worry, just lower it and drive it. (and srape the hell out of the spoiler) By the way, you'll know your low when your going 120 and you hit a dip in the road and you hear the spoiler hit the ground. Lets you know your still alive.

 

[powderski13]

No real problems with lowering, you just have to be more careful. I cut about 1/2 of the front bushing off the front and lowered the back about 1". You can lower a base suspension car more than a Z51 or Z06 suspension due to softer springs in the base suspension. Would install A&A frame savers and rocker rails to protect the body.

 

[01TriBlack]

This wouldn't be an issue for everyone, but car washes are not crazy about putting a lowered 'vette on their track - in fact, some of them won't. I brought mine in the other day (I know, shame...shame) and the manager came out and said my car looked lowered and he wouldn't put it on the track if it was.

 

[jdanehy1]

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

 

[Pac-man]

I second that. I've never been to a car wash in my life. Yeah, go right ahead and drag my Vette through the car wash, the wheels don't even fir in the grooves.

 

[01TriBlack]

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

Maybe I'm not Corvette-worthy. :t Cheers!!

 

[ocguy]

Afraid Of Lowering, Like I Was?????

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

 

[MsSchroder]

ocguy, do post pics.

I've compared my car to lowered versions and the lowered ones look so much better. I've just not had the nerve to do it yet. I know it is supposed to be simple. But then again, so am I with things mechanical.

Tammy

 

[Remo]

I've had two C5's and lowered them both. It only takes about half an hour. Huge improvement in looks and handling. As far as scraping goes, you have to be more careful but the spoiler is relatively cheap at around $100 if you ever need to replace it. My last C5 had zo6 wheels and tires and the profile is actually a little lower that regular C5 tires. I scraped the heck out of that cars spoiler but never had to replace it. They are very durable. Definately lower the car, don't baby it, use it and enjoy it.

Diesel,

Any issues with front end aliagnment after the lowereing?

Remo:cool

 

[tomls1]

how about jacking the car...is it much more of a hassle?

 

[ocguy]

ocguy, do post pics.

I've compared my car to lowered versions and the lowered ones look so much better. I've just not had the nerve to do it yet. I know it is supposed to be simple. But then again, so am I with things mechanical.

Tammy

Ok.. here's the pics, difference isn't much in front, like others have stated, but rear is 5/8" lower. Just enough to notice, and YES, it handles even tighter around corners, and is still very comfortable and controlled in "tour" mode. Rears on mine were middle of the adjustment, and fronts were already lowered. Let me know what you all think. Oh, and here's the exhaust plate I recently added

 

[bluecoupe]

Maybe I'm not Corvette-worthy. :t Cheers!!

You drive it until it is dirty enough for a carwash. That makes you worthy in my book. Besides you paid for it.

 

[Bioscache2]

I usually don't like taking it to the carwash but sometimes there is no other way. There is one out here in CO called Waterworks that does an amazing job. They are a detail center as well. They are truly brushless in that they have developed a spray only system to clean and then hand dry it. Teams dry the car and they even have a quality manager inspect every car after its done. They guarantee the weather (if it rains/snows in 24 hours they wash it again for free). I have even returned because someone splashed up mud on the drive home and they washed it for free. I got it detailed once and the detail guy stayed after buisness hours to get it done because I wasn't available later that week. I have never seen such quality service in any customer service buisness, let alone a car wash before and to say I am impressed would be an understatement. As a result when time is short (whcih it often is for me) I take it to them. Also how did I find them, other local vette owners recommended them.