View Full Version : Lowering kit from Mid-America?
LilRedCorvette
10-12-2004, 07:49 PM
Being at Spook this weekend I got probably a hundred different opinions on how to improve LilRed. Has anyone used this kit and is it any good? For $39.99, it's making me wonder. [:-?]
http://www.madvet.com/shop?frame=1.1088
Does lowering throw me into another group? Also, I am assuming this is something I can take to Koon's and have Joe do, right? How many labor hours does it take?
Thoughts, anyone? [:-/]
janderson
10-12-2004, 08:26 PM
Anything other than the stock suspension hardware throws you into at least group II.
You can lower the car to the limits of the stock hardware.
At least thats how I read the rule book. Gives those C5 guys an unfair advantage cause their hardware is designed to allow them to lower the car some [:(]
LilRedCorvette
10-12-2004, 08:48 PM
Anything other than the stock suspension hardware throws you into at least group II.
You can lower the car to the limits of the stock hardware.
At least thats how I read the rule book. Gives those C5 guys an unfair advantage cause their hardware is designed to allow them to lower the car some [:(]
I would like to spend at least 1 year if possible in Group 1. We shall see. As things wear out on this car I wanted to upgrade. Since I am going to upgrade my bushings this winter, I thought this might be a "might-as-well" project. Getting a case of the might as wells lately. This might be a project that I will do down the road if I am able to.
Got a lot of feedback this weekend that I am sorting through. I would like to get LilRed as close to the edge of street legal as possible without having to trailer it in for autoX. I don't have the space or the $.
LilRedCorvette
10-12-2004, 08:56 PM
Woodsie-
Lost your reply...[:-/]
janderson
10-12-2004, 09:19 PM
Woodsie-
Lost your reply...[:-/]
I saw it before it dissappeared.
He basically said the same thing as I did - a lowering kit would put you in group II
LilRedCorvette
10-12-2004, 09:22 PM
Woodsie-
Lost your reply...[:-/]
I saw it before it dissappeared.
He basically said the same thing as I did - a lowering kit would put you in group II
Okies, thanks...
Woods977
10-13-2004, 06:20 PM
Woodsie-
Lost your reply...[:-/]
I saw it before it dissappeared.
He basically said the same thing as I did - a lowering kit would put you in group II
Okies, thanks...
Sorry, don't where the post went. But basically you will be in Group 2. Also, I would not recommend it...yet.
With no disrespect your ability have not reached where the vette is. In time once you feel you have reached the C4's limits then you might want to consider improving the suspension system.
I would however recommend some autox tires like Hoosiers, Kumos, stainless steel brake lines, performance pads, roll bar and harness. (mainly safety items)
I have been doing this for a while and I can take a stock Z06 and run with the top 3 drivers that have $$$$ in their vettes.
LilRedCorvette
10-13-2004, 07:44 PM
Sorry, don't where the post went.
Yeah, I tried to reply to it yesterday and it didn't show up either. No biggie. Thanks for taking the time to re-type your post.
But basically you will be in Group 2. Also, I would not recommend it...yet.
With no disrespect your ability have not reached where the vette is. In time once you feel you have reached the C4's limits then you might want to consider improving the suspension system.
I would however recommend some autox tires like Hoosiers, Kumos, stainless steel brake lines, performance pads, roll bar and harness. (mainly safety items)
I have been doing this for a while and I can take a stock Z06 and run with the top 3 drivers that have $$$$ in their vettes.
Woodsie, I understand what you're saying. I know I'm no expert, not even close. I don't expect to be any good for a long time, maybe even ever. I am not relying on my car's performance to make me a better driver. I know it won't. I plan on doing a driving school after I have my second foot surgery. It makes no sense for me to do it now with an aching foot when I could be spending that down-time and $ on repairs to make the car ready for spring. Also, I am not sinking $$$ into my car in order to try to beat bone stock cars; not at all. I really could care less about that.
However, I bought this car with the intention of it being a "project car". This is "fun" for me. I wanted to upgrade things when they needed to be replaced, with better, higher performance items. This is as much of a hobby for me as doing the autoXs. I'd like to push the car as far as I can performance-wise yet still be street legal. I don't have the space/facilities to be towing my "toy" to the track. I do plan on having a second vette someday for a DD that I will for the most part leave stock, but that will have to wait.
That's why I post questions/updates on my car...to get various opinions. If you saw some of my previous posts, I already have the Goodridge stainless steel brake lines/SuperBlue in, as well as the Hawk HP Plus pads. I plan on replacing my shocks (Bilsteins) and bushings with urethane ones, as you well know they are in need of replacement! [:D] After that, harnesses are on the list...and the Hoosiers or Kumhos will come when I have the $ and space to store them.
Thus the reason for this post; I know some people have lowered their vettes (both using and not using this kit from Mid-America) and thought if I am working on the suspension anyways, that it might be a good "might as well" project to consider for the winter. I want to do things in a fairly logical order, if that's even possible. I don't really care too much what group I wind up in, that's secondary to me.
So...how many labor hours does it take to lower it? Can Joe Malo do this at the shop? I'm only tossing the idea around for now as an eventual project, but I would like to know...
Thanks to EVERYONE so far...keep the replies/opinions comin'... [:)]
Woods977
10-13-2004, 09:05 PM
Joe would be an excellent person to do the Ploy bushing and yes you need them. Since the suspension is already apart you can lower the front since the A-Arms are off the car. The Mid-Am kit works well. How long does it take, it depends how detailed you are. I have done it a week, Joe M could do it in a day.
Good Luck
LilRedCorvette
10-13-2004, 09:15 PM
Joe would be an excellent person to do the Ploy bushing and yes you need them.
Can you tell me which poly bushing kit to buy?
Since the suspension is already apart you can lower the front since the A-Arms are off the car. The Mid-Am kit works well. How long does it take, it depends how detailed you are. I have done it a week, Joe M could do it in a day. Good Luck
Just the front gets lowered? I was under the impression that the whole thing got lowered. Can you clarify? Thank you.
Woods977
10-13-2004, 09:52 PM
Joe would be an excellent person to do the Ploy bushing and yes you need them.
Can you tell me which poly bushing kit to buy?
Since the suspension is already apart you can lower the front since the A-Arms are off the car. The Mid-Am kit works well. How long does it take, it depends how detailed you are. I have done it a week, Joe M could do it in a day. Good Luck
Just the front gets lowered? I was under the impression that the whole thing got lowered. Can you clarify? Thank you.
The front you cut the spring cushions, on the rear you install longer bolts. This allows the rear ride height to be lower
For poly bushings I use DRM
www.dougrippie.com
LilRedCorvette
10-13-2004, 10:01 PM
The front you cut the spring cushions, on the rear you install longer bolts. This allows the rear ride height to be lower
For poly bushings I use DRM
www.dougrippie.com
Got it, thank you! [B-)] I take it I would be purchasing the complete bushing kit, DRM part# 20-500 for $329.95? Or should I be buying things separately? After talking with various people at Spook, some suggested different sizes for the front and rear sway bar bushings. [:-/] Thoughts?
Woods977
10-13-2004, 11:04 PM
I go with the 30 mm sway bar for the front and 24 mm/26mm bar for the rear. Rippie sells them as well. I would buy the whole kit for future improvements
Akcelr8
10-14-2004, 06:04 PM
Sounds like another "Suspension by Woods" in the making [:D] .
One thing to think about when you lower the car, howerve... too low and it's absolutely no fun to drive on the street as everything (and I mean everything) seems to hit the chin spoiler. Trying to pull into drive ways, gas stations, parking lots, etc becomes a royal pain.
Just my 2 cents.
z06racing
10-14-2004, 07:11 PM
I have been doing this for a while and I can take a stock Z06 and run with the top 3 drivers that have $$$$ in their vettes.
[=D>] Woodsie..... Did you see my reply to your question to me on the other thread??? What tires did you have on that beast? The F1's??
LilRedCorvette
10-14-2004, 09:17 PM
Sounds like another "Suspension by Woods" in the making [:D] .
He doesn't appear to want to do it, as he suggested in his other post that I take it to Joe.
One thing to think about when you lower the car, howerve... too low and it's absolutely no fun to drive on the street as everything (and I mean everything) seems to hit the chin spoiler. Trying to pull into drive ways, gas stations, parking lots, etc becomes a royal pain.
Just my 2 cents.
Yeah, that's the drawback that I've been thinking about. It's a PITA now as it is w/o being lowered. Weighing whether or not the better handling is worth it...
No big deal...I can think about it as it can always be done later...I've got plenty of "projects" for LilRed anyway.
Being at Spook this weekend I got probably a hundred different opinions on how to improve LilRed. Has anyone used this kit and is it any good? For $39.99, it's making me wonder. [:-?]
http://www.madvet.com/shop?frame=1.1088
Does lowering throw me into another group? Also, I am assuming this is something I can take to Koon's and have Joe do, right? How many labor hours does it take?
Thoughts, anyone? [:-/]
I bought the lower kit - back then, it was only avail. from Guildstrand Racing and remember having Virginia Spring & Alignment install it for me - 50 bucks for the kit back in 1990, almost 500 bucks for the installation and subsequent alignment there [:-/]
I have had it on the car ever since w/ zero issues and love the way it looks - no more 4x4 look [;)]
CONEKLR - did his own version, buying longer bolts somewhere and removing the wedges completely (in the driveway at his house) he certainly saved a bundle - the car does ride low - about 1.5"'s lower than mine...
Hope this helps
LilRedCorvette
10-15-2004, 11:53 PM
89X2-
Your avatar looks familiar...you're on CorvetteForum too aren't ya?
89X2-
Your avatar looks familiar...you're on CorvetteForum too aren't ya?
[;)] yep, I am at the CF.com site and also the www.corvetteactioncenter.com ste [B-)]
Hope the info in the post above is of some help [:-/]
What else are you doing to your car??
-enjoy!
LilRedCorvette
10-16-2004, 12:24 AM
89X2-
Your avatar looks familiar...you're on CorvetteForum too aren't ya?
[;)] yep, I am at the CF.com site and also the www.corvetteactioncenter.com ste [B-)]
Ack! You changed your avatar...you trying to be in cognito? j/k
Hope the info in the post above is of some help [:-/]
What else are you doing to your car??
-enjoy!
Thanks. Doing various things, right now just trying to get the car more solid. Replacing shocks along with upgrading to poly bushings, and thinking about lowering. Just got through upgrading brake lines and pads, and adding a bias spring. Gonna grab a K & N filter as well. Eventual adds might be harnesses, camber brace and a good set of race tires; basically safety items. We'll see if the $ gods smile upon me and what I feel like doing at the time...
LOL
89X2-
Your avatar looks familiar...you're on CorvetteForum too aren't ya?
[;)] yep, I am at the CF.com site and also the www.corvetteactioncenter.com ste [B-)]
Ack! You changed your avatar...you trying to be in cognito? j/k
Hope the info in the post above is of some help [:-/]
What else are you doing to your car??
-enjoy!
Thanks. Doing various things, right now just trying to get the car more solid. Replacing shocks along with upgrading to poly bushings, and thinking about lowering. Just got through upgrading brake lines and pads, and adding a bias spring. Gonna grab a K & N filter as well. Eventual adds might be harnesses, camber brace and a good set of race tires; basically safety items. We'll see if the $ gods smile upon me and what I feel like doing at the time...
The K&N Filter was the first thing I did to my car - that was in the "dark days" of TPI mod's I also added what is believed to be a set from the first batch of C'vette Flowmasters - they remain on the car today!
Lowering came next and then I upgraded the pads - www.praisedynobrake.com << [;)]
however, I did not change the bias spring or lines, yet...
...look around the woods for a money tree otherwise, try lady luck & the lottery if you are ISO the money Gods [:D]
-enjoy!
LilRedCorvette
10-16-2004, 12:47 AM
The K&N Filter was the first thing I did to my car - that was in the "dark days" of TPI mod's I also added what is believed to be a set from the first batch of C'vette Flowmasters - they remain on the car today!
Lowering came next and then I upgraded the pads - www.praisedynobrake.com << [;)]
however, I did not change the bias spring or lines, yet...
The Goodridge stainless steel lines, Super Blue Racing brake fluid, and Hawk HP Plus pads were among my first upgrades. Poor brakes were overheating at the track. Had no choice but to upgrade, but was happy to...what a difference! I can stop on a dime now. Replaced the water pump (started to leak), new Dexcool, and added Water Wetter...my temps don't even go over 200. Again...what a difference.
The Borla exhaust with Megs tips, chrome emblems, and window tint were "inherited" mods that I cannot take credit for. But they are mods nonetheless, I suppose. *shrugs*
...now all you need is a "top end kit" - heads & cam [:D]
Sounds like you DO enjoy your car - [>:)]
LilRedCorvette
10-16-2004, 01:01 AM
...now all you need is a "top end kit" - heads & cam [:D]
Oh boy...<sigh>...trying to keep myself somewhat reeled-in here. Someone else posted in another thread a really expensive set of wheels I should get and I told him I'd pass. Although you never know. I'm trying to avoid going too crazy on this s**t. This may be difficult.
Sounds like you DO enjoy your car - [>:)]
H*ll yeah. [:D]
...now all you need is a "top end kit" - heads & cam [:D]
Oh boy...<sigh>...trying to keep myself somewhat reeled-in here. Someone else posted in another thread a really expensive set of wheels I should get and I told him I'd pass. Although you never know. I'm trying to avoid going too crazy on this s**t. This may be difficult.
Sounds like you DO enjoy your car - [>:)]
H*ll yeah. [:D]
I know of a set (brand) of wheels that weigh roughly 14 lbs per wheel [:D] and are lighter than any coparable aluminum wheel [B-)]
At $1,290 per wheel, they are not cheap - but who said going fast(er) was [:p]
...don't forget, a wheel is only part of the total weight at each corner - tire weight varies as well [:-/] between brands and (over)size
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