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How is the ride on a lowered C5?

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Old 05-09-2003, 12:49 PM
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FL1BY
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Default How is the ride on a lowered C5?

Has the ride comfort of lowered cars by bolts in the front and rear deminished any? I have head of a crappy ride as the resut of lowering the C5. This could be the next project on the car....
Old 05-09-2003, 01:01 PM
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THRAP 42
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Default Re: How is the ride on a lowered C5? (FL1BY)

FL1BY,
Is the ride deminished? - Yes. Is it crappy? - No.

The ride does suffer a little. I have mine lowered to the max using the stock bolts, but I also have the F45 that lets me play with the ride some. It does get a little harsher, but it's okay. I've done one-way trips of over 1k miles non-stop (gas/food) and been fine.
It does scrape a lot on the front air dam and on the rockers sometime (I've got rollers in the front and bars on the rockers) but I'm just careful and the car is fine.
Well worth the effort in my book.

later,
Old 05-09-2003, 01:29 PM
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Jack Behrle
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Default Re: How is the ride on a lowered C5? (FL1BY)

Just lowered mine to the limits on stock bolts and would not go any lower. The ride is slightly choppier but I do have Bistein sports so they were firm to begin with.
Still evaluating but I think I will keep it the way it is.
Old 05-09-2003, 02:25 PM
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chuckster
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Default Re: How is the ride on a lowered C5? (FL1BY)

I lwered mine 1.5" all the way around. I can fit 2 fingers in between the fender and wheel.. I have not realized and noticeable degradation. But I drive in Florida and the roads are good here..

If you are driving in a potholed mine field then you will most likely hate the ride... :smash:
Old 05-09-2003, 02:31 PM
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wtlytng
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Default Re: How is the ride on a lowered C5? (chuckster)

:iagree:
Old 05-09-2003, 02:42 PM
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Crushinator
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Default Re: How is the ride on a lowered C5? (wtlytng)

I lowered mine with the stock bolts and to be honest, I couldn't feel a difference in the ride quality.
Old 05-09-2003, 04:13 PM
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low flyier
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Default Re: How is the ride on a lowered C5? (Nat02Z06)

is there a good quality how to on lowering that someone has posted that i could use :confused: cost an location of rollers and rockers would be a great help also,thank's
Old 05-09-2003, 05:40 PM
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Fast Mover
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Default Re: How is the ride on a lowered C5? (low flyier)

Had mine lowered all the way on stock bolts. The ride quality sucked. I began hearing new rattles from inside the car that were never there before. I had the car raised a little, added the rear lowering bolts with the red bushing. It improved. After a week I had it aligned and the ride improved some more. I am kinda happy with the ride now but If i had to do all over again I would have left stock.
Old 05-09-2003, 06:40 PM
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joeflyer
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Default Re: How is the ride on a lowered C5? (BRADS C5)

I have the same feelings as Brad. When lowered significantly, the ride is really rough. I spent 9 months raising the body back up. Getting it even is not easy. Plus $150 for an alignment.
Old 05-09-2003, 09:41 PM
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Dr. Dan
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Default Re: How is the ride on a lowered C5? (joeflyer)

joeflier-Thanks for that info. I had always thought the same thing. Kind of like driving a (really fast) brick. Don't really like the look of stock, but don't want to feel every expansion strip in the road either. Does anyone know if the F55 would significantly help the lowered ones?

Dan
Old 05-09-2003, 10:01 PM
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msuc5vette
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Default Re: How is the ride on a lowered C5? (Dr. Dan)

Over expansion joints the ride is most noticibly crappier, if one wheel hits a bump and the other doesnt it's not bad.

I have mine all the way down on stock bolts.

I haven't changed mine back, but it is definately affected.
Old 05-09-2003, 10:37 PM
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Default Re: How is the ride on a lowered C5? (low flyier)

is there a good quality how to on lowering that someone has posted that i could use cost an location of rollers and rockers would be a great help also,thank's
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

:withstupid: Please help us out!
Old 05-09-2003, 10:40 PM
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Toms03Z
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Default Re: How is the ride on a lowered C5? (FL1BY)

I have the front bushings cut and longer bolts in the rear. The ride and handling feel great in my opinion, the way a sports car should feel.
Old 05-10-2003, 08:48 AM
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jawsski
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Default Re: How is the ride on a lowered C5? (Toms03Z)

change stock shocks to Bilsteins and enjoy the ride :yesnod:
Old 05-10-2003, 12:41 PM
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RUGBY
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Default Re: How is the ride on a lowered C5? (Toms03Z)

I have the front bushings cut and longer bolts in the rear. The ride and handling feel great in my opinion, the way a sports car should feel.
Also changed to Bilstein Sports + my wife hates it, so I did something right :smash:
Old 05-10-2003, 01:11 PM
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MTWallet
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Default Re: How is the ride on a lowered C5? (low flyier)

is there a good quality how to on lowering that someone has posted that i could use :confused: cost an location of rollers and rockers would be a great help also,thank's
Hey guys, its easy to do. Just locate the front and rear leaf springs and the bolts are located at the ends of each spring.

Here is my writeup:
-FRONT-
Support the front of the car on jack stands placed under the front crossmember. Lift slightly under one end of the spring to take the pressure off of the bolt (be sure to put a piece of wood or something between the jack and the end of the spring to keep from damaging it). Turn the bolt counter-clockwise all the way until it stops. Repeat for the other side.

Here are pics of the front bolts: (click to enlarge)




-REAR-
While holding the head of the bolt, back off the top nut until there are 2 or 3 threads showing, repeat for the other side. If there is a significant difference in the number of threads showing before lowering, be sure to turn the nuts the same amount on each side.

Here are pics of the rear bolts: (click to enlarge)



I hope this helps... Good Luck! :cheers:
Old 05-10-2003, 01:42 PM
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Umrswimr
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Default Re: How is the ride on a lowered C5? (FL1BY)

I dropped mine almost tot he bottom of the stock bolts and got about 5/8" all the way around. Ride quality dropped, but it was well worth it IMHO. I then got the QA1 adjustable shocks and the car dropped EASILY another 3/4". I now cannot get 2 fingers between the wheel and fender and old three fingers under the front air dam. Ride is still a little rough and not perfect, but I like the look SOO much better.

FYI: the car looks, IMHO, much better if you drop the car evenly all the way around. The rear can be lowered more than the front, but then it looks a little funny.

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Old 05-10-2003, 01:45 PM
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Andy@A&ACorvette
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Default Re: How is the ride on a lowered C5? (low flyier)

This is what you need. Frame Savers and Rocker Rails.
http://www.AACorvette.com
Old 05-10-2003, 03:30 PM
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BQuicksilver
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Default Re: How is the ride on a lowered C5? (Andy@AandACorvette)

My .02, do it in proportion to the quality of your roads. I'd consider 1.5" down south, but here in Indiana where potholes abound, 1" would be pushing it. I'm going with .5" to just help out the asthetics a little.
Old 05-10-2003, 04:53 PM
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SHOWTIME!
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Default Re: How is the ride on a lowered C5? (BQuicksilver)

lowering improves the ride :thumbs:



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