Ditch the F45 selective ride control?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 1,324
Likes: 18
From: St. Peters MO
Ditch the F45 selective ride control?
Can you dis-able, the F45 selective ride control system on late C4's and go with normal shocks? (Bilstein's of course)
Or, will it set a "code" in the computer?
Or, will it set a "code" in the computer?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 773
Likes: 2
From: Minneapolis MN
I know on some cars doing this(disabling) may cause speed limiter to "kick" in to as low as 80mph.This may happen to your car since it is OBDII(1996 or newer).I would bit the bullet & repair system so everything is working correctly.I have FX3 & enjoy it.The FX3 is similar to F45 but you have the more advanced system & I would "assume" that your(F45) system is more reliable than FX3 setup.Yes disabling will set a code/light but bulb can be removed(not recommended).
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 15,344
Likes: 4,009
From: Texas
I pulled my shocks and all the sensors. Just pull the bulb for the Service Ride Control light and you'll be fine. No codes (except in the RTD computer 
), no performance limiters (including ABS, ASR, general performance, etc).
I'm assuming you're going to use the car for auto-x or road course. Koni adjustables are a nice shock. I use them as well. F45 was a nice idea in '96, just didn't work very well even when new (too little range).
), no performance limiters (including ABS, ASR, general performance, etc).I'm assuming you're going to use the car for auto-x or road course. Koni adjustables are a nice shock. I use them as well. F45 was a nice idea in '96, just didn't work very well even when new (too little range).
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,146
Likes: 3
From: The Motor City
Mine started as a low miler with fx3 working properly. I removed the fx3 and the leaf and replaced with qa-1's coilovers. The car never felt/rode better in it's life, not to mention I can set ride height and shocks the way I want.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 1,324
Likes: 18
From: St. Peters MO
Yes Jim, that's it. I am looking at an LT4 for a 2nd Vette and it has the F45 system, my current 1996 does not. I probably would perfer to be able to run what shocks I want , and springs, ect..,
I would certianly try the existing system first, to see how I like it.
Thanks!
I would certianly try the existing system first, to see how I like it.
Thanks!
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 15,344
Likes: 4,009
From: Texas
Yes Jim, that's it. I am looking at an LT4 for a 2nd Vette and it has the F45 system, my current 1996 does not. I probably would perfer to be able to run what shocks I want , and springs, ect..,
I would certianly try the existing system first, to see how I like it.
Thanks!
I would certianly try the existing system first, to see how I like it.
Thanks!
If I was starting from square 1, I'd go buy a C5. Cheaper in the long run and it's just a better chassis overall vs the C4, especially on road courses.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 3,494
From: Akron Ohio
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C5 of the Year Winner - Modified
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
I spoke with Randy at DRM about shock options for my car. He said the FX3 is not that great. You are better off with a non-adjustable Bilstein valved properly than the FX3. Give Randy a call hes a good guy. They also have coilovers if you decide to go that route.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 3,494
From: Akron Ohio
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C5 of the Year Winner - Modified
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
[quote=96GS#007;1571954230]I installed '90 Z51 springs and sway bars in mine, in addition to the Koni shocks, Global West aluminum bushings in the upper and lower a-arms, poly for the dog bones and sway bar mounts, etc. Does pretty well.
quote]
This sounds like the setup I am building, '90 Z51 springs, aluminum bushings, VB&P bars, Banski rear end kit, DRM valved Bilsteins.
quote]
This sounds like the setup I am building, '90 Z51 springs, aluminum bushings, VB&P bars, Banski rear end kit, DRM valved Bilsteins.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 1,324
Likes: 18
From: St. Peters MO
My 96 vert. has a 90 front spring and an 84 rear spring, poly bushings, stiff Bilstien's in front and QA1 adjustables in rear. stock LT1 motor.
But, that said, a C5 is not out of the question.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 20,974
Likes: 261
I did not think anything special of fx3 but an expensive problem to fix.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 773
Likes: 2
From: Minneapolis MN
I pulled my shocks and all the sensors. Just pull the bulb for the Service Ride Control light and you'll be fine. No codes (except in the RTD computer ), no performance limiters (including ABS, ASR, general performance, etc).
I'm assuming you're going to use the car for auto-x or road course. Koni adjustables are a nice shock. I use them as well. F45 was a nice idea in '96, just didn't work very well even when new (too little range).
), no performance limiters (including ABS, ASR, general performance, etc).I'm assuming you're going to use the car for auto-x or road course. Koni adjustables are a nice shock. I use them as well. F45 was a nice idea in '96, just didn't work very well even when new (too little range).
I have read on some vehicles the limiter will kick in but can't remember the year & make.I agree if you want to race the car their are better suspension "set-ups" avalible.I just think its cool having remote adjustable suspension but it is very expensive to fix
I sure the newer(2010 zr-1) you would notice a difference in settings/range(I'm assuming) compared to a older FX3 equipped corvette.Plus look how good it(2010 zr-1) handles
with adjustable suspension but that is about 15 years worth of improvements(FX3,F45,F55).
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,027
Likes: 1
From: Woodland CA
While doing a search on the FX3 and F45 systems, I have a question after reading some of this information. I have a 1996 LT1. It was built in June 1996. How can I tell if it has the F45 system since NASCAR314 mentioned that his 1996 did not have the F45?
While driving, turning the **** to any of the 3 positions for Tour, Sport, and Perf, I really don't notice any difference in the feel of the car. The manual says, "you may have a ride control system in your Corvette called Real Time Damping (RTD)..."
So how do I know what I have?
While driving, turning the **** to any of the 3 positions for Tour, Sport, and Perf, I really don't notice any difference in the feel of the car. The manual says, "you may have a ride control system in your Corvette called Real Time Damping (RTD)..."
So how do I know what I have?
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
While doing a search on the FX3 and F45 systems, I have a question after reading some of this information. I have a 1996 LT1. It was built in June 1996. How can I tell if it has the F45 system since NASCAR314 mentioned that his 1996 did not have the F45?
While driving, turning the **** to any of the 3 positions for Tour, Sport, and Perf, I really don't notice any difference in the feel of the car. The manual says, "you may have a ride control system in your Corvette called Real Time Damping (RTD)..."
So how do I know what I have?
While driving, turning the **** to any of the 3 positions for Tour, Sport, and Perf, I really don't notice any difference in the feel of the car. The manual says, "you may have a ride control system in your Corvette called Real Time Damping (RTD)..."
So how do I know what I have?
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,027
Likes: 1
From: Woodland CA
