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How Low is Too Low...?

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Old 06-06-2005, 05:53 PM
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MiamiDave
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Default How Low is Too Low...?

I have base suspension with Bilsteins and Z06 bars and lowered and alligned to factory stops.

Want to go a half cut bushing lower in the front, and a little more in the back, but don't want to screw up my handling and aerodynamics for looks. I also don't want to lose too much of my ride quality...

Can these things really possess track-like handling past the factory stops...?
Old 06-06-2005, 06:06 PM
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kg54trains
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Default lower is not better

If you intend not to ride the c5 ok, but start thinking about servicing the car, and a flat tire if your lowered. A flat and your car height drops to the road and the road will eat your fiberglass till you stop. I am sure you can think of the additional problems that come from this complusive desire to lowered this vehicle to the dirt. Stop, Look, Think and make a good choice for the type of driving you will use with your car.
Old 06-06-2005, 07:51 PM
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vettethret
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Originally Posted by kg54trains
If you intend not to ride the c5 ok, but start thinking about servicing the car, and a flat tire if your lowered. A flat and your car height drops to the road and the road will eat your fiberglass till you stop. I am sure you can think of the additional problems that come from this complusive desire to lowered this vehicle to the dirt. Stop, Look, Think and make a good choice for the type of driving you will use with your car.
I don't know where you got this one, but my car is lowered 4" and I've gotten a flat with my 20" rears, I was no where close to scraping the car, which is not fiberglass anymore by the way! I've been lowered like this for over a year and no problems besides a less than perfect ride. I do have stiff coil overs, T1 sways, and no sidewall on my tires so that doesn't help. Go for it, the looks and cornering you get are more than worth it.
Old 06-06-2005, 07:52 PM
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Originally Posted by vettethret
I don't know where you got this one, but my car is lowered 4" and I've gotten a flat with my 20" rears, I was no where close to scraping the car, which is not fiberglass anymore by the way! I've been lowered like this for over a year and no problems besides a less than perfect ride. I do have stiff coil overs, T1 sways, and no sidewall on my tires so that doesn't help. Go for it, the looks and cornering you get are more than worth it.
Hear hear!!!
Old 06-06-2005, 07:58 PM
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Y2Kvert4me
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Originally Posted by vettethret
I don't know where you got this one, but my car is lowered 4" and I've gotten a flat with my 20" rears, I was no where close to scraping the car, which is not fiberglass anymore by the way! I've been lowered like this for over a year and no problems besides a less than perfect ride. I do have stiff coil overs, T1 sways, and no sidewall on my tires so that doesn't help. Go for it, the looks and cornering you get are more than worth it.
Yeah...but with 20's the car only drops 1/4" if the tire goes flat.

Old 06-06-2005, 08:04 PM
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vettethret
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Originally Posted by Y2Kvert4me
Yeah...but with 20's the car only drops 1/4" if the tire goes flat.

sure nuff!
Old 06-06-2005, 08:32 PM
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mixermike
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i own 3 cars and a truck,everything is lowered but the wife's new beetle! PRAISE THE LOWERED
Old 06-06-2005, 09:42 PM
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RonJ
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Originally Posted by mixermike
i own 3 cars and a truck,everything is lowered but the wife's new beetle! PRAISE THE LOWERED

Geez, my stock height 01 has trouble straddling a dead ground hog on the road. You lowered guys must inhale your share of dead skunks .....

Ron ...
Old 06-06-2005, 09:58 PM
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jmiller
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Originally Posted by RonJ
Geez, my stock height 01 has trouble straddling a dead ground hog on the road. You lowered guys must inhale your share of dead skunks .....

Ron ...
No joke! I ran over a possum and I felt it hit everything under the car. I just knew it was going to knock the exhaust off (and I'm at the stock 4x4 height)
Old 06-06-2005, 10:16 PM
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Originally Posted by RonJ
Geez, my stock height 01 has trouble straddling a dead ground hog on the road. You lowered guys must inhale your share of dead skunks .....

Ron ...
You learn to look a quarter mile ahead and dodge everything. 2300mile round trip from CT to KY and back for the Cruise In - and nary a thing was hit or scraped or dragged. It's just technique.
Old 06-06-2005, 11:06 PM
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mixermike
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what he said
Old 06-07-2005, 01:14 AM
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MiamiDave
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Just looking to drop another 1/2 inch really. Lowered to the stops and really little problems scraping or rubbing. Don't want to got otally slammed, just wondering where the threshold is where the suspension A arms are no longer in allignment and the lowering begins to truly negatively effect handling and ride.
Old 06-07-2005, 01:33 AM
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Originally Posted by jmiller
No joke! I ran over a possum and I felt it hit everything under the car. I just knew it was going to knock the exhaust off (and I'm at the stock 4x4 height)
3am in the morning on I 70 i ran over a dead deer at 80 mph I thought it destroyed my car but i geuss the stock height helped me out.....stock heigh on my stang was like 8 inchs of the ground i think lol
Old 06-07-2005, 09:57 AM
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You can cut 2/3 off the bushings, and put longer bolts in the back and the car can still be properly aligned. Go ahead and lower it, just be sure to keep some rake front to rear for aerodynamics.
Old 06-07-2005, 02:37 PM
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vettethret
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Originally Posted by EnglandGreen
You learn to look a quarter mile ahead and dodge everything. 2300mile round trip from CT to KY and back for the Cruise In - and nary a thing was hit or scraped or dragged. It's just technique.

I once sucked up a man hole cover in my intake and had to buy a new one! The good news is that it didn't hydrolock the motor!
Old 06-07-2005, 02:44 PM
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Originally Posted by vettethret
I once sucked up a man hole cover in my intake and had to buy a new one! The good news is that it didn't hydrolock the motor!

I've seen some crazy stuff turn up in these ram air hoppers....
Scott
Old 06-07-2005, 02:53 PM
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2000BSME
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I've hit countless items at my lowered height, including something that looked like the arm off of a chair. I thought for sure I busted something up, but when I inspected I couldn't find much damage. I do have several bone jarring scrape encounters of the underbody kind to my experience. The car holds up well.

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Old 06-07-2005, 04:44 PM
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FKING1
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IMO, wheel arch to ground: 26 frt & 27 rr is max one can go without scraping on gum wrappers. Some have gone lower but I found this is ideal for my 00 F45 Coupe.
Fred
Old 06-07-2005, 05:20 PM
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ArKay99
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Also, put a pair of A&A rocker rails and frame savers on and you can bobsled over what you would've run over.
Old 06-07-2005, 06:20 PM
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I'm at 26 3/8 Front, 27 Rear. And I use my A&A frame savers and rocker rails all the time



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