kowalski340

Hey everyone, I'm looking for some suggestions as to what shocks I should be buying for my 89 trackday project. The car is an 89 Z51 car that currently weighs 2950 pounds wet. race weight will be close to 2800-2900 wet including driver. I will be utilizing my stock 89 Z51 springs front and rear. Now for the hard part, my budget is 450 dollars shipped. thanks

kowalski340

the reason I re posted this question is that I didn't get any concrete answers about which specific shocks everyone was using on their TRACK car. the point is I was considering coilovers but now I am not and I was hoping that everyone can help me decide what brand and model to buy. I have heard lots of bad things about bilstein what is up with that? would I be better off with koni? if so what specific model?

0Randy@DRM

I have been hearing a lot of trash talking too. I don't like that at all. We have been winning on Bilsteins for almost 20 years. For the cash you will not find a better shock.

What do you have on there now??? If they are bilsteins you can send them out for a rebuild and revalve, for less then your 450 budget.

Randy

kowalski340

I have the original FX3 bilstein shocks on the car now. The car is a 1989 Z51 FX3. I like the idea of sending them to you for a rebuild and a revalve but I want to get rid of the FX3 can DRM help me out?

Sidney004

Bilstein used to offer custom FX3 contollers where you could have different settings, more understeer, more oversteer. I have one of these myself. It could enhance the capability of the FX3 system compared to regular Bilsteins.

wtknght1

I loved my old 89 with the FX3 and Z51 options - great car. I put over 25K track miles on that car and never replaced a shock or FX3 controller - bulletproof car!

For the kind of money you are talking about, Randy is correct...just make sure they aren't leaking and are working properly. I don't even think I'd fool with multiple adjusters. Get the camber, ride height, cornerweight, toe, etc all set on there and make minor tire pressure adjustments. You'll do really well and on budget...and won't have any problems!

Your car doesn't happen to be White with a blue interior does it??? I've been trying to find my old 89 for years. That was a great ride...my first vette!

waddisme

There is a set of 4 Koni FSDs with 200 mi in the "For Sale" section for $500! Seems like a good deal to me.

0Randy@DRM

The FX3 was a great system. The only reason I say was, is because the system cost a ton to keep running nowdays. The trick controler info has been forgotton over the years. We can still have a little fun with them but not like the olden days.

Your FX3 shocks can't be built into the non-fx3 shocks. So you will have to buy new or find some old NON shocks. Your stock FX3 parts are worth some money so you can almost pay for the new setup by selling your old stuff.

Let me have a look around here, we had a million shocks sitting around at the farm, but with the move I don't know how many are still here. Maybe I can find a used set that we can send out there, that way we can stay under budget so you can buy some more gas

Randy

kowalski340

Randy I really appreciate the help and the effort on your part! wtknght1 my car is charcoal metallic with a black interior. Sorry but it looks like the search continues!

wtknght1

Rats! Somewhere out there, somebody owns a really rare 1989 Z51 FX3 6-speed...white with a blue interior. I have never seen another one.

rasrboy

Bilstein did a lot of work with Tom Moraca and visa versa. He had your same car and they engineered sets for those cars with race valving.

If you call them, ask them about Moraca valving, it is actaully in there system the last I heard.

Like Randy said, they are a great shock, maybe they just need some TLC.

Good luck,

Aaron Quine

0Randy@DRM

I looked high and low for the missing big plastic tub of non-fx3 shockes. I can't find them anywhere. They may have been sold, thrown away, or other. On my way home, I'm going to run by Doug's houes and check there also.

Randy

ZR1 MK

You could keep and revalve the fx3s and manually put them in full firm if you eliminate the remaining fx3 system.
Or you could get the aftermarket controller and chip A207 that puts them in full firm on setting 3. The other settings are good street use or wet track conditions.
Morocco is good but lacks rebound in the rear shocks, especially if you dont adjust your rear toe link for near zero bump steer. Class rules forced some overly stiff rebound numbers.
I have some valving figures if your interested. Just need you email and a few days.

kowalski340

Randy, thanks for checking around I'm hoping you find some non fx3's laying around. ZR1 that might be an option for me maybe I should look into rebuilding the fx3's sinceI already have them. what do you think about that randy?

kowalski340

I just remembered that one of my actuators in the front is bad and I don't really want to pay 400 for a new one on top of everything else. I also heard that the fx3 defaulted to a softer setting above 60-70 mph is that true? I would like to eventually mess with it and get crazy with some fx3 programming like the racers did in the late 80's and early 90's

0Randy@DRM

The only problem that I can see is the shafts getting replaced. It is very common thing for bilstein, with the FX3. There is a little seal in there, that with age is failing. Since they still offer a warrenty even after the shock has been worked on, they feel the need to replace them 9 out of 10 times.

There is Corvettes in bone yards everywhere, go find some shocks, send them over and still have the car on all 4. Stay on budget and still be fast!!! I will even make the first phone call to a local place.

Randy
Did you see the red C4 that we built with the 4 controlers?

kowalski340

no i didn't see the red c4 where do I find it? I love the trick fx3 stuff!

ZR1 MK

The shocks go full firm if a code is triggered.

I repaired an actuator that lasted years, but eventually got two used for the rear at a bargin price. Still going after many years.