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When we first saw pictures of the "manufacturing validation build" cars, there was wide variation in ride heights. Most assumed that this was because they were pre-production cars, but even with current customer cars there is a wide variation in ride heights. [Most "visually measure" ride height as the distance between the top of the tires and the bottom of the outer fender lip immediately above that, though officially the ride height is measured as the distance between the fender's lowest, outer "lip" above the tire centerline, and the flat/level pavement on which the car is parked.]
Look at the ride height differences in these two customers cars:
As in the following thread, there is a relatively easy, no cost way to lower your car's ride height:
http://www.stingrayforums.com/forum/stingray-build-section/892-lowering-your-stingray.html
But, "how come" cars are coming with such ride height differences now? I know many (including me) earlier conjectured that it was "when the cars was build;" and/or, "how many miles and how time they had elapsed after manufacture to "settle down" etc. That does not seem correct based on recent comparisons of cars showing significant ride height differences between cars with roughly the same mileage, with roughly the same amount of time since they were built. Other theories include the observation that, in general, Z-51's tend to have higher ride heights. This may be accurate, but even if true, why is this the case, for to get better aero for better high speed handling, you want less distance between the bottom of a car and the pavement (and most racing series specify a minimum ride height). Thankfully GM allows ride adjustments within a wide-enough range to allow owners to make height adjustments (and if car is lowered using the factory adjusting bolts, as opposed to aftermarket drop links, keep the car's warranty in tact).
Any ideas as to what is going on, what is causing these significant car-to-car differences?
Look at the ride height differences in these two customers cars:


As in the following thread, there is a relatively easy, no cost way to lower your car's ride height:
http://www.stingrayforums.com/forum/stingray-build-section/892-lowering-your-stingray.html
But, "how come" cars are coming with such ride height differences now? I know many (including me) earlier conjectured that it was "when the cars was build;" and/or, "how many miles and how time they had elapsed after manufacture to "settle down" etc. That does not seem correct based on recent comparisons of cars showing significant ride height differences between cars with roughly the same mileage, with roughly the same amount of time since they were built. Other theories include the observation that, in general, Z-51's tend to have higher ride heights. This may be accurate, but even if true, why is this the case, for to get better aero for better high speed handling, you want less distance between the bottom of a car and the pavement (and most racing series specify a minimum ride height). Thankfully GM allows ride adjustments within a wide-enough range to allow owners to make height adjustments (and if car is lowered using the factory adjusting bolts, as opposed to aftermarket drop links, keep the car's warranty in tact).
Any ideas as to what is going on, what is causing these significant car-to-car differences?