I want to purchase a late model C4 and need som more info. If a car is equipped with the FX3 shock pkg. Can this be removed. If so I saw a post about pulling a wire. Will this stop the light from coming on in the dash. Will this harm the car/computer in any way.

Ray

 

Why do you want to disable it?

 

I luv my FX-3. I wouldn't disconnect it either. It is a nice option and
I can really feel the difference in ride selections. Of course I am not
having any problems with mine. But I'm **** about keeping the options
working as they should.

 

It would be better to find a car with the base suspension than simply disabling an FX3 system. IMHO, The FX3 system is a very good tadjustable shock system and will be a great option to have. I like the system on my 92 vert and it works fine.

The FX3 system not only adjusts with the switch on the console, but the controller also gets vehicle speed input and adjusts the shock valving based on the switch setting and the speed. For example, the shock stiffness on the "Tour" setting and 70MPH is actually stiffer than the shock stiffness at the "Performance" setting and 25MPH.

To answer your question, it can be disabled and it won't affect the rest of the car. I would not retain the FX3 shocks if you decide to disable it. Any good quality shock will work in their place and installation is no different than any other C4 shock. The SRC light in the DIC can simply be removed. There will be codes set in the CCM but that by itself won't hurt anything.

I f you do remove the FX3 shocks and actuators, you should keep them with the car and pass them on to the next owner. Actuators are expensive and will probably be hard to find in a few more years.

 

What? Disable the FX-3? I can't think of any reason why someone would want to do this! I like my FX-3 too! At times when someone is trying to sell a vette that has FX-3 and the FX-3 needs servicing, they look for a way to turn the light off so the potential buyer won't know that FX-3 needs work. I am not accusing this poster of that. I just am stating that I believe it happens. Why would you want to disconnect it???????

B.

 

Posts like this just make me wonder why people would buy the car and "handicap" it..........

 

From what I have read it was an option that doesnt do much but is real expensive to fix. I thought I read somewhere the shocks are 200-300 each. As I said at the beginning of my post, I want to buy a late C4 and am trying to figure what options I want/dont want. The FX3 seems like a option that isnt worth its cost vs performance.

Ray

 

The FX3 system has a very wide range of adjustments as I mentioned. Evne though you only see 3 different switch positions, the shock controller is adjusting the system in real-time as speed changes.

I have run my 92 with FX3 at track days at Portland Int'l Speedway and I tested the system at speed in each of hte different settings. The car was scary at the tour setting compared to the Performance setting on subsequent laps.

IMHO, it's a very good system and the fact that GM installed it on all ZR-1's says something about it. Yes, it can be pricey to repair, but it is worth the money from a handling standpoint.

Bilstein can repair individual shocks if they go bad and can even provide custom valving for specific applications like autocross. Doug Rippie Motorsports has a different controller you can install that utilizes replaceable custom PROM chips to further customize the system.

If you're worried about repair costs, then look at cars without the FX3 package. If FX3 is on a car and it's working properly, you will have a car with better handling characteristics that a base FE1 car.

FX3 was available as a separate option but it was included on the Z07 suspension package and had much stiffer springs and larger brakes. The Z51 suspension is also a desirable option on certain years. In 1996, there was a Z51 option along with F45 Selective Real-Time Dampening which was a much-improved version of FX3.

 

I think this is the same as the F45 option in '96. I like my selective damping and would not want it disabled. If I ever get a newer Corvette I'll make sure that option is on it.

 

Couldn't live without my FX3.

 

I think this is what you are looking for, go to the following site for information:
https://www.casperselectronics.com/M..._Code=Corvette


By the way, if you simply disconnect the FX3 shock actuators, and just pull the light bulb out, your Vette will be limited to a top speed of 80mph.

 

Mine has this option and I wish it didn't I dread the day it starts screwing up and it doesn't make that big of a difference anyway so if something happens I'll keep the system in but disable it and put regular bilsteins.

BUT while it's working why disable it? use it while it works and if it starts messin up THEN disable it.

 

Come on Wildman....it makes a HUGE difference in my car. Turns the hard riding sports car into a cadillac. If it isn't making a difference for you, then it must NOT be working.

-Rick

 

No it's working I can tell it is plus my dad bought the car new and the fx3 hasn't changed since then but all in all I don't think it makes a big difference.

I think it's a ok option but when it goes I won't replace those $600 parts.

Like I told the guy while it's working WHY disable it? I don't understand why he wants to do this if it's working fine.

 

Yeah, exactly. It is confusing. I notice the difference FX-3 makes. If it goes out, I will probably not replace the $600 shocks. I will go with regular shocks. But I will not rid the car of the system. I agree with wildman.

 

Thanks for the info. I wanted to know if there was a way around a costly repair. If not I wouldnt purchase an FX3 car. Based on your comments I would buy a car if it had FX3 or not. If it then became inoperative then I guess I would use regular shocks. I am looking for a daily driver not a garage queen. Thanks

Ray

 

Rebuild the shocks you will notice a difference. Mine were going at 25,000 miles. Shocks will still go bad even if they are not used.

 

It works fine the car is on 33k right now and the difference is the same as when it was new.

Maybe u guys took it wrong I'm not downing the option just saying if it goes I will go with the regular bilsteins.

if it's works keep it...if it goes well it's up to you on whether it's worth fixing, personally it's not to me.

 

A gear on one of my shocks broke earlier this summer, so at 75k miles I went ahead and replaced all four shocks, (original style Bilstein FX-3). I can definitely feel more of a difference between the settings with new shocks.