The C8 Looks Low and Mean

[John]

Thanks to atsam@IG for these latest pictures. First the newest pictures, then some older ones which show, IMO, has the C8 is low and mean looking. It again looks a little less than the C7. As the C7 is 48.6” tall, and based on earlier scaling by fvsand skank, I believe its height is about a full inches lower, @47.6”. Look at how much less tall it appears than the neighboring Porsche, and even not as tall as the C7.

Are these new wheels? I heard at the BASH that part of the reason the Camaro’s wheel options has grown to now 21, and as Harlan become its Product and Marketing Manager a few years ago, has been Harlan’s wanting more wheel options. Many of us have been clamoring for at least a third wheel option. If so, thank you Harlan!

[JB]

Lean low amd mean...cant wait!

[electroVette]

This shot really captures the lines. My only criticism of the C8's design is the rear lip/spoiler area. Perhaps it would have worked better if they'd skipped the lip and instead designed a beautiful spoiler that doesn't disrupt the lines so much.

I do prefer the lip to the spoilers we've seen, but track use will almost certainly require the spoiler. Hopefully a retractable spoiler will be an option on all variants.

[John]

The upcoming MacLaren (I think in just a few weeks), has a flat rear deck just like the above. But guessing at its over $300K (and some suggesting I am way, way low on that price), it would have an aero spoiler — the latter I believe we will not see on our C8’s until the Z06 version.

[electroVette]

The McLaren's rear deck is a bit different, with an integrated spoiler that avoids the tacked-on look of the C8's spoiler, but it's a McLaren so of course it looks better:



Not trying to bash the C8, it's an amazing design under that camo, but GM's spoiler design has always been kind of meh for me.

[JB]

Look at those tight wheel gaps...slick if expensive...

thanks for posting up.

[John]

Going to be easier for each of us to adjust each of our four corner’s wheel gaps on the C8, with its adjustable coil overs. And slam it for those who wish with its optional E60 Axle Front Lift Height system still allowing us to navigate speed bumps, steep driveway aprons, etc.

[smoove7410]

Has anyone found information of an adjustable coil-over being offered? Having an adjustable perch vs springs are two different ball games (I've run KW coil-overs on vehicles in the past).

[John]

Here’s the best info we have:

1) We know that option E60, the Axle Front Lift Height system will be available; and,
2) The below CAD screen print.



Does those two items help you/anyone to learn anything to answer the question?

[JB]

Can you lower a vehicle with mrc shocks?

honestly i lowered two of my previous corvettes the recommended amount in the owners manual which was I believe at the time 7 mms...and that was with traditional shocks.

i was under the impression mrc shocks did not fare well longer term with lowering.

did the c7 further development of mrc shocks resolve the lowering issue...

i never liked lowering to much as many of the entrances to shopping centers etc caused bottoming out even with standard heights..

i remember one time leaving a shopping center with my current corvette at standard height relatively slowly but the pitch of the road versu the andle of the exit caused quite a bang...the hit was so jarring ithe force of the hit cracked the upper portion of the radiator...

i had quick patched the crack and then immediately replaced the radiator...

all was well...but lowering this same vehicle was not part of my agenda..

im sure the c8 wheel gap will be fine.

i do notice the mclarens and other rear mid engine exotics do manage tighter wheel well openings...

somehow Id imagine their owners are not taking their sports cars to trader Joes (its a chain of health food like supermarkets) that I frequent about once a month ...

[John]

You can lower a MSRC vehicle. That is what I did on my current Z06, and many of my friends have also done on theirs.

It sure does making certain locations tougher or impossible to get into or out of. Andy why E60 will be my first chosen option.

[smoove7410]

From that picture, I see a coil spring and what most are thinking is a perch (making it an adjustable coil-over) looks to be part of the lift system. I do hope that they are adjustable as that makes one less item to buy.

[Racer86]

Going to be easier for each of us to adjust each of our four corner’s wheel gaps on the C8, with its adjustable coil overs. And slam it for those who wish with its optional E60 Axle Front Lift Height system still allowing us to navigate speed bumps, steep driveway aprons, etc.

If you lower the car, remember fender gaps are great, but you are also changing the corner weights. How important are corner weights to handling?
Think of a chair with one short leg. It rocks or toggles back and forth on the 2 diagonal long legs. Now think about the weight on each tire or corner. A corner with reduced weight is like the short leg on the chair. It will cause the car to handle different on right and left hand corners.
Also lowering the car, you will put the suspension on a different part of the bump steer curve. Maybe on the street, you will not notice these changes, but they are still critical to correct handling.
I know many Corvettes are lowered, and I agree, it looks better, but remember you have changed many values in your suspension. On the street, no problem, but ontrack this will rear it’s head in handling problems, if you don’t address the other problems. Ever wonder why they make different front uprights with dropped spindles. Not because it’s fun, but because it’s the correct way to lower the front end.

Just food for thought, hope your not on a diet

[Milliwatt Rob]

Corvette modified for Vermont mud season

[Racer86]

Need to adjust the fender gaps on that mudder