Quote:
Originally Posted by Meanmyz
I would like to lower a 1995 ZR-1 about 1 inch from the stock height. As you know our cars ride quite high in stock form.
- I do like the supple ride that the stock car provides but know there is some room for a firmer ride that I would put up with.
- I am not a hard core racer, but I do enjoy road racing events like SORC in Nebraska and BBORR in Texas.
It seems that there are as many "cons" to lowering as "pros". I don't want to decrease the ride quality or handling characteristics that Corvette engineers spent countless hours trying to perfect.
The problem:
- Lowering kit - Some research suggests that the cheap lowering kits (wedges for the front) actually decrease the performance of your suspension because in cutting off the leaf spring rubber bumpers, you actually "un-tension" the leaf spring, getting an even more bouncy soft ride. Is this true?
- Coilovers - I have read articles by Hib Halverson on this subject and he is not a fan of coilovers for the reason that these reduce suspension travel, which is the gold standard of ride quality. There are also full discussions on how the leaf spring also acts as a sway bar and coilovers can be a small can of worms unless you really understand them. Some guys on this site have also taken them back off because they didn't like them.
- This car does get driven at high speed and I plan on taking it to BBORR where you are running at high speed for 118 miles. Will coilovers or a lowering kit put shafts and suspension pieces at angles that are detrimental?
What about lowering with the wedge kit and doing Moracca valving? I have come across forum threads where guys said that unless you are a racer, Moracca valving is pretty stiff for the street....?
The car sits quite high and the front spoiler must be 4+ inches off of the ground. Is there a way to "have your cake and eat it too" with lowering a ZR-1? Thanks for any replies from guys that know.
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Short answer: been there, done that - liked the results
More detailed answer: I owned a 94 LT1 coupe before acquiring the 90 ZR-1. I lowered the 94 (front & rear). The process is fairly straightforward, but not necessarily a quick & easy process (referring to the front).
I got a set of wedges for the front spring, removed the spring, made the alteration, and reinstalled the front spring. This dropped the front at least 2", possibly 3". Removing the front spring was a b***h and, without proper tools, was probably not all that safe. If you have a lift and other tools the job would be easier, but I did it in my garage using jack stands, floor jack, etc. and would NOT do that ever again ... at least not that way. The rear is much easier - find grade 8 bolts that are at least 2" longer than stock. IMPORTANT: I recommend that you cross drill the ends of each of these bolts and install a cotter pin to prevent the nut from working itself off. It is possible for the nyloc nuts (or other safety nut) can work itself off with potentially disastrous outcome. Anyway, once I did this the handling on the track (street, too) improved noticeably and I really liked the way the car looked. Here's a
PHOTO. and
ANOTHER.
I wanted to lower the ZR-1 but ultimately decided not to ... the front was tough for me to do and I had gotten older and decided I didn't wish to take the safety risk. I'm fairly certain I have the wedge kit that I bought for the Z ... PM me if you're interested. You will have to find a nuts/bolts store that specializes in the unusual in order to find the longer bolts ... readily available until you try finding the grade 8 hardness. Home Depot & Lowes won't have them.
Coil Overs might be worth looking at but I have no knowledge of "how to" or cost involved. Perhaps someone else will chime in.