Non 1LE ZL1 lowered on 19 inch wheels
 

Hi all,
I have seen a few threads around this subject, but haven't seen any real world/long term reviews or issues.
I'm planning to go down to 19s in a non-1LE ZL1, so I can get bigger tires and save some weight. Also planning to lower the car no more than 0.4-0.5 inches to get rid of wheel gap.

The offset of wheels will be close to ZL1 1LE specs.

I'd like to hear from people who have gone down this path or similar and hear about their issues of driving their cars on the street and back roads. How much more careful you have to be and what are some of the typical places where you'd have issues driving your ZL1 with the mentioned set up. Basically want to know how much of a hassle it is to lower it and go down a size on wheels.



Thank you in advance for your input.

Interesting, I didn’t realize going with a smaller wheel and more rubber is less weight or are you going with a smaller diameter tire overall? So the reason for wanting to lower the car is because of the smaller diameter to compensate or just for visual?

Going with lighter wheels and same tire specs as 1LE. Lowering it is for aesthetics.

I can share my experience relative to a lowered ZL1 and having many lowered cars (in general) over the years. I have a ZL1 1LE on 19’s with the stock tire size. Lowered about 3/4”-1” on DSC Tractive coilovers.

Compared to lowered C6/C7 Corvette’s, a lowered ZL1 is far easier (practical) for normal driving. It has significantly more clearance for things like speed bumps, uneven incline/entrances,etc…. My C6 Z06 requires almost constant attention to the road and is somewhat limited in where I can drive it as a result of the ride height. My ZL1 really has no limitations that I’ve encountered. I’m not sure if that is a result of my sensitivity to the C6Z, but I haven’t encountered any scenarios where my ZL1 is limited due the ride height. It’s nice to have a car that is lowered and I really don’t have to think (worry) when driving around.

Thank you so much! This is really helpful. I'm also coming from a few lowered cars including C6 and it was always too taxing to watch the road for bumps or dips and how fast you can go over them. This is what Im trying to avoid.

Im bringing this thread back from the dead lol. Does anyone have any pics of a ZL1 (non 1LE) with 19 inch rims and it being lowered? I plan on doing the same thing.

I'm also look for the opinion of track/autocross users and their experience on lowering

https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=579962
Good info in this thread towards the middle

https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=562863

https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=603546

Just looked at all of these threads, thank you so much

I have a non-1LE ZL1 with 19's, 1LE size tires, and Eibach lowering springs. I also have a DSC sport suspension controller, and Vorshlag camber plates. I track my car regularly, and it does incredibly well.

Looks like your car checks all the boxes for what he was asking about so the question remains, did you have any issues that he needs to know about with this setup or was it all straight bolt on and no other modifications needed?

Thank you all for your responses. Updating this thread for anyone thinking of going this route. Went ahead with the 19inch wheels and Eibach lowering springs.
Car feels more nimble with 19inch forged wheels. Rides great and feels a bit more planted.
as far as issues, definitely have to take some speed bumps and driveway at an angle, other than that pretty happy with the results.

Specs:
19inch Apex VS-5RS in ZLE Specs
Eibach Lowering Springs

Posted these pics in another thread as well.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...3b103d42_b.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...3b103d42_b.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...e589bc12_b.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...6e5fe6d7_b.jpg

If you haven't done so, move the wiring harness that's located in the left rear wheel well under the liner.

You have a good chance at rubbing the harness thats located in there and when damaged, it'll cut power to the fuel pump....takes maybe 10 minutes from start to finish to complete.

Thanks for the reminder. I haven’t seen any evidence of rubbing, but I’ll do that to be on safe side. Thanks again.

I have Eibach springs on mine with 20" wheels, your front wheel gap is a LOT more than mine. Your rear gap looks about like mine but my front gap is the same as the rear. Maybe the front springs haven't settled much yet unless its the smaller 19" wheels.