fx3 question?
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Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: queens newyork
fx3 question?
Iv read alot about some corvettes comming with fx3 suspension? does it come on corvettes stock? and if so what is the advantages you have if you have it? I have a 1989 corvette and I want to know if my corvette has it?
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
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Selective Rice Control (called FX3 as that is the RPO code designation) was available as an option on both coupes and convertibles. FX3 was available by itself with the base springs or it was included with the Z51 and Z07 performance suspension which was a coupe-only option.
Corvette engineers worked with Bilstein to create this suspension and it was modeled after a Ferrari suspension design.
The system is also speed-sensitive in that as vehicle speed changes, the shock stiffness changes for each of the three settings. There is a controller behind the driver's seat that gets input from the wheel speed sensors and automatically adjusts the stiffness by sending a signal to each of the shock actuators.
If you have a rotary **** labeled "Tour" "Sport" and "Performance"on the console between the power window switches, then the car has FX3. But keep in mind that some owners removed the shocks when something failed or broke in the shocks or actuators as the cost of replacement parts are high.
The fX3 shocks are made by Bilsteins and painted yelllow. There is a small actuator on top of the shock with a wire harness connected to it.
Corvette engineers worked with Bilstein to create this suspension and it was modeled after a Ferrari suspension design.
The system is also speed-sensitive in that as vehicle speed changes, the shock stiffness changes for each of the three settings. There is a controller behind the driver's seat that gets input from the wheel speed sensors and automatically adjusts the stiffness by sending a signal to each of the shock actuators.
If you have a rotary **** labeled "Tour" "Sport" and "Performance"on the console between the power window switches, then the car has FX3. But keep in mind that some owners removed the shocks when something failed or broke in the shocks or actuators as the cost of replacement parts are high.
The fX3 shocks are made by Bilsteins and painted yelllow. There is a small actuator on top of the shock with a wire harness connected to it.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Peoria Arizona.. Resident Gold Cylon
Selective Rice Control (called FX3 as that is the RPO code designation) was available as an option on both coupes and convertibles. FX3 was available by itself with the base springs or it was included with the Z51 and Z07 performance suspension which was a coupe-only option.
Corvette engineers worked with Bilstein to create this suspension and it was modeled after a Ferrari suspension design.
The system is also speed-sensitive in that as vehicle speed changes, the shock stiffness changes for each of the three settings. There is a controller behind the driver's seat that gets input from the wheel speed sensors and automatically adjusts the stiffness by sending a signal to each of the shock actuators.
If you have a rotary **** labeled "Tour" "Sport" and "Performance"on the console between the power window switches, then the car has FX3. But keep in mind that some owners removed the shocks when something failed or broke in the shocks or actuators as the cost of replacement parts are high.
The fX3 shocks are made by Bilsteins and painted yelllow. There is a small actuator on top of the shock with a wire harness connected to it.
Corvette engineers worked with Bilstein to create this suspension and it was modeled after a Ferrari suspension design.
The system is also speed-sensitive in that as vehicle speed changes, the shock stiffness changes for each of the three settings. There is a controller behind the driver's seat that gets input from the wheel speed sensors and automatically adjusts the stiffness by sending a signal to each of the shock actuators.
If you have a rotary **** labeled "Tour" "Sport" and "Performance"on the console between the power window switches, then the car has FX3. But keep in mind that some owners removed the shocks when something failed or broke in the shocks or actuators as the cost of replacement parts are high.
The fX3 shocks are made by Bilsteins and painted yelllow. There is a small actuator on top of the shock with a wire harness connected to it.
FX-3 in the 89 was very rare. The switch designs were different from any other model year. All ZR-1s had FX-3 Standard. The actuators can be repaired in the $130 region and shocks are still available in the $200 a piece region.
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It is basically obsolete, it was only used in 1996, then the system was changed in 1997. You probably won't be able to find parts for it anymore unless they are used. You can easily by pass the system and just run regular shocks with simulaters or use a tech II to turn the system off.
Advanced
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From: New York
It is basically obsolete, it was only used in 1996, then the system was changed in 1997. You probably won't be able to find parts for it anymore unless they are used. You can easily by pass the system and just run regular shocks with simulaters or use a tech II to turn the system off.
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From: sterling va usa
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From: Peoria Arizona.. Resident Gold Cylon
Great Pic of the 89 FX-3 setup! Mine works in My 91 as well. Ferrari’s used it as well. Must be something to it for handling at different speeds. I upgraded mine as well with DRM coilovers. My Z goes where pointed now and turns like on a rail
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"In '89, Selective Ride (FX3) came only in combination with the Performance Handling Package (Z51), but when you ordered those two, in a strange twist, the car was downgraded to softer, base springs, stabilizer bars and front lower control arm bushings.
In 1990, FX3 no longer required Z51 but, if you ordered both, again, you got base springs, bars and bushings.
Unfortunately, this downgrade was not widely known. Many unsuspecting '89/'90 customers, wanting the stiffer springs and bars, ordered Z51 along with FX3 but never knew their cars had base parts."
Melting Slicks
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I have a 92 with FX3. When I first got it almost 10 years ago, the dummy light was on. By the time I tracked down a used replacement actuator, another shock had developed a broken gear. After 6 months or so I replaced the shock to find the little light remaind on. Another actuator has shreaded it's gear socket.
I finally got over the last hurdle and got the system working and went for a ride. Honestly unless I am traveling at 60+ MPH I can't tell the difference between settings, and then it is so subtle what is the point.
So if you are racing the car, maybe it is an asset. If you run 1/4 miles, you can get the system re-tuned to make dramastic changes in suspention load balancing on launch, which makes the system really worth wild.
However for normal daily driving, the next time the light turns on: I'm just pulling the damb bulb. (I say that, but I probably fix it just because I will know it's broken and that will bother me to end.)
Jay
I finally got over the last hurdle and got the system working and went for a ride. Honestly unless I am traveling at 60+ MPH I can't tell the difference between settings, and then it is so subtle what is the point.
So if you are racing the car, maybe it is an asset. If you run 1/4 miles, you can get the system re-tuned to make dramastic changes in suspention load balancing on launch, which makes the system really worth wild.
However for normal daily driving, the next time the light turns on: I'm just pulling the damb bulb. (I say that, but I probably fix it just because I will know it's broken and that will bother me to end.)
Jay