Has Anyone Gone From Fx3 To Z-51 Bilsteins If So Was There A Big Difference My 95 Needs New Shocks I Found New Fx3's For $680 Shipped And There Are Z-51's For $299 Shipped But I Kinda Want To Know If There Is A Major Difference In Feeling Between The Two.. Input Please.......

 

???

 

Other than the obvious, the FX3's are electronically three way adjustable. The Z51's will give you the sporty/bumpy ride.

If you like a good tight, firm ride, the Z51's are great. If you got use to the touring mode on the FX3's you may want a more absorbing shock.

 

I ahve the Z51 bilsteins on my FX3 car. I thought the FX3 was a waste of an option and never really saw any difference on my car. I always left it in "perf" mode anyway.

When it came time for new shocks, I chose monroe (DONT ever put these on, they SUCK). I hated them for years. They were like the "touring" mode all the time. They weren't stiff enough for me. Lots of roll, etc around tight corners, but the ride was a lot smoother.

When it came time for new shocks again, I went with the Z51 bilsteins. Bought a set of 4 for $240 brand new from Ecklers. They ride stiff, but thats the way I like it!


Just make SURE that if you go with non FX3 shocks, you remove your little actuator caps and wiring and save them. I guarantee you can pay for your new shocks (and then some) by selling those parts off on the CF here

 

GIjoe,
How do you keep the error light from coming on?

 

unplug the src cpu

 

You can have Bilstein rebuild your shocks for less than the price of replacements. Bilstein can also revalve these shocks for specific performance applications. Bilstein has a specific valving setup (Morocca) that was developed with the help of a CF member.

Doug Rippie Motorsports used to have replacement FX3 controllers that used replaceable proms to further refine the FX3 system. They had a variety of chips available that could make changes in how the controller worked based on the selector switch and vehicle speed.

Don't sell the FX3 system short; it's a great system once you know how it works and what can be done to it to get street comfort and great performance handling.

 

I have chosen to keep FX3 on my car.

 

I think that you made a good choice. If I can figure out how to copy and e-mail a write up from the ZR-1 Registry I'll PM you.

It was an article written for our newsletter by one of the engineers who was on the development team for the FX3 system. It was written recently to explain to all us new Z owners just what the system is all about and the engineer even comparred the FX3 sys to the new magnetic ride control system.


Tom

 

I would be VERY interested in this, as I was also heavily involved in the development of the shocks for both the FX3 and MagneRide systems. I would also be happy to try and answer any questions you might have.

 

I had this done, costs about $100 a SHOCK (new rods).
I notice a bigger difference when turning the **** now.
The Morocca valving is very stiff, the soft setting is stiffer than the stock FX3 Perf. setting!

 

The FX3 system is fairly simple in operation. The shocks themselves are based on a standard Bilstein monotube shock with the addition of a bypass valve that is driven by an electric motor that attaches to a drive shaft that runs through the middle of the shock rod. The shocks are valved very stiffly and the damping force is adjusted by opening the bypass valve to allow shock oil to flow through a passage in the rod that bypasses the main shock valving. There are two versions of these shocks. The first was available in model years 1989-91. This version used a simple needle valve for the bypass. The shocks were totally redesigned in 1992 to add a second valving assembly for the bypass flow. The shock system controller was updated at the same time to take advantage of the updated shocks. This version of the system was used from 1992-1995.

The system adjusts the damping force based on vehicle speed in three pre-defined ranges. The ranges are selected by the switch on the console. The stiffness of the shocks is automatically determined solely based on vehicle speed. The shock settings for each driver setting are hard programmed into the ECU and can only be changed by using a re-programmed controller.

The system works well and does allow you to soften up the ride. As we all know, a C4 can beat you up on a long ride. The shocks themselves are quite reliable. The biggest problem with the system is the electric actuators and the system of mounting it to the shock. It is fairly complex, hideously expensive, and somewhat prone to positioning errors over time due to exposure to water, grit, etc.

The ride control system used in 1996 is totally different and is far more sophisticated. If anyone is interested, I can explain how that works also.

 

Thanks To All That Have Replied , I Should Be Doing Something Soon ,maybe After Thanksgiving .i'll Let All Know About The Difference, My System Has 113k On It So I'm Excited To See An Inprovement And How Well It Does On My Car....long Live Fx3

 

Sure thing....... the article is actually an interview done by Hib Halverstrom with the engineer....I forget the gentlemen's name....explaining the systems used in the C4/ZR-1's. I'm not sure if it goes into the 96 system...been a long time since I read the article.

gotta go on a cruise now!
I'll PM those interested later.

Tom