Hey guys new to the corvette scene, I just picked up a 92 red c4 vette and it definitely needs shock replacement 147k miles with original AC delco shocks. I've been recommended by another c4 owner to go with the Billstein Sports. my question is are they a good replacement to compare with the factory and being that I have the Select Ride system will i have a light flashes if i use something other than a oem replacement?
thanks

 

Yes I'm no expert,I have the FX3 as well, you can get yours rebuilt by Bilstein, If you want to retain the selectride system.

 

honestly I'd rather just replace them but, I don't want to have a stupid light flashing. Is their a way to use a resistor or something to short the light out? How much is the cost of a rebuild?

 

check this out


http://www.digitalperformance.com/bilstein/services.php

you can remove the module in the compartment behind the driver, it will say Bilstein on it.

that will make the lights go out, and if it's is an 89 unit you you want to sell it?

 

thanks for the info, does anyone have a picture of where the compartment etc is. and its a 92 sorry

 

the 2 rear storage bins, it the one behind the driver, lift out the tray and insulation, should be mounted by one screw against the center most wall.

 

You will find that the FX3 Selective Ride Control system does work as intended and IMHO well worth keeping. Is the SRC light on now? If it isn't on while driving but it does come on when you first turn the ignition key to RUN, that means the system is working properly.

The shocks can be rebuilt by Bilstein for around $100-125 each and outside of buying new FX3 shocks, that's the best way to go. Their rebuild service is in Poway CA (near San Diego) and you can call them at 800-537-1085.

If you don't want to have them rebuilt right away or can't have the car down for the two weeks it takes, then buy some cheap basic shocks and send the FX3 shocks away when you are ready.

Bilstein can even provide custom valving for the shocks if you want better performance, Ask about their "Morroca" valving. This valving was orginally designed by a CF member and Bilstein worked with him to make it available for FX3 owners.

Doug Rippie Motorsports has a different FX3 contoller unit that uses a replaceable PROM. They burn PROMs that can make even more changes to the shock setting and you can go from a street ride to a full-blown race type of handling.

There are lots of possibilities with the FX3 system. You just have to want to stay with it.

As far as the light, yes, you will get a light when you disconnect the wires from the shock actuator (the black cylinder at the top of the shock. The easiest way to deal with the light is to remove it from the DIC.

When you remove the rear shocks and disconnect the wire, make sure you tie the wire securely to something so it won't slip back down the inside of the frame rail. It's a royal PITA to fish around to get it back.

 

thanks for the info c4 cruiser i really apreciate it, you actually addressed the next question i was going to ask. In that do you guys think replacing the shocks with the fx3 oem ones which i found at ZIP for around 500 a set. Do you think its worth it to just go back to oem and have a all original car? and yes the fx3 system is working properly right now.

 

yes, mine has problems, so I have to do something, you OTOH, can just rebuild the shock without trying to diagnose.

 

IMHO, the FX3 is worth keeping even if it means swapping in a cheap set of base-tye of shocks while the original are rebuilt. I had FX3 on my old '92 vert and really liked it. I could feel the difference between the three selector settings. But that car had 10K on it when I bought it '97 and sold in '05 with 42K miles. Like any other shock they will eventually wear.

Do yours show any excess moisture on the outside? The FX3 shock was deliberately overfilled with oil so that the increased rate on the Performance setting could force oil out and not cause any issues. A very light film that has attracted dirt is OK , but if the shocks show a coating of oil, the internal gas seals are probably on their way out.

I looked at the ZIP website and there are no FX3 shocks for $500 a set. They show individual FX3 shocks at $220 each. They do have Bilstein shocks either the Sport version or Z51 shocks, and they run $300 or so for a set.

Copnsidering that FX3 by itself was a $1695 option in '92, it might help to hold some value down the road by keeping the system in working order.
ZIP shows "Bilstein Z51" shocks for later C4's but they really are an aftermarket upgrade over the base AC Delco shocks. Bilstein made the FX3 shocks for Corvette.

Does your car have Z07 or just the FX3 shocks? 1991 was the first year for RPO Z07 which replaced Z51 and it included the FX3 system. But you could also get FX3 by itself along with the base springs.

 

Ill check tomorrow about the code to see which option it is exactly. Do you think that the Billstein Sport is a better performing shock than the Fx3 Billstein or is it not much of a difference and I would be better off paying the extra money and keeping the fx3 function?

 

Our 94 has FX3 shocks and I replaced all 4 with brand-new ones from Ecklers about 4 years ago for $165 +/- each -- the car rides GREAT with the new shocks (100k miles).

Your luckier than I was though, we had 3 bad actuators (motor that sits on top of shock), now replaced and working great too...

2 things to keep in mind --

One -- on having Bilstein rebuild the shocks -- there is NO warranty -- by contrast, buy new and you have a lifetime warranty (hence why I bought new and didn't rebuild).

Two -- There were two different versions of the FX3 controller/shocks -- not sure the year of the change -- but the difference was in the amount of rotation of the shock control gear.


Lastly, if you do replace the shocks (yourself or via a 'mechanic'), be careful and gentle with the actuators -- they are VERY difficult (and expensive) to find/replace. Suggest doing searches and reading everything about the FX3.