FX3 Vs F45
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,997
Likes: 1
From: Lake Ozark MO
Re: FX3 Vs F45 (Colbalt Blue)
Someone please correct me if I'm wrong here... but the FX3 shock actually has 3 different shock rates corresponding to the 3 different settings on the selector.
The F45 shock has only two different damping rates but is coupled with a processor that will select the proper rate (of the two) for each individual shock depending on inputs from the upper control arm sensor and the setting of the selector.
Basically the FX3 just has 3 settings. The F45 (real time damping) adjusts each shock to it's soft or firm setting according to immediate inputs from the control arm sensors. It's much more dynamic.
Reviewers have mixed results on the feel of the system. The F45 on Sport was still not satisfying for me. I thought the system wasn't firm enough overall and replaced them with a set of Z51 Bilsteins.
I've found it to be a sufficient combination for the roads I drive.
The F45 shock has only two different damping rates but is coupled with a processor that will select the proper rate (of the two) for each individual shock depending on inputs from the upper control arm sensor and the setting of the selector.
Basically the FX3 just has 3 settings. The F45 (real time damping) adjusts each shock to it's soft or firm setting according to immediate inputs from the control arm sensors. It's much more dynamic.
Reviewers have mixed results on the feel of the system. The F45 on Sport was still not satisfying for me. I thought the system wasn't firm enough overall and replaced them with a set of Z51 Bilsteins.
I've found it to be a sufficient combination for the roads I drive.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,521
Likes: 0
From: West Islip New York
Re: FX3 Vs F45 (Colbalt Blue)
The FX3 from is a completely dynamic system which adjusts the shocks in real time as you drive. The 3 position switch sets a baseline envelope for the contoller to adjust the shock dampening based on vehicle speed. The advantage of this system is that controller chips can be programmed and interchanged for various shock characteristics based on how you want the car to handle.
Its just not a soft, meduim or firm 3 setting system.
Its just not a soft, meduim or firm 3 setting system.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 16,950
Likes: 0
From: Stafford, Virginia Kittah, Kittah, Kittah...
Re: FX3 Vs F45 (Colbalt Blue)
The F45 system is an improved version of FX3... From what I remember reading they are pretty much identical except that with the F45 system each shock can be individually adjusted by the controller rather than adjusting all 4 in the older system...
One disadvantage of the system is that the shocks for F45 were made by Delphi rather than Bilstein... The older FX3 Bilstein shocks could be rebuilt by them and customized to your liking... The newer Delphi shocks cannot be rebuilt and must be replaced...
I liked my F45 suspension, and when I had it working I could feel the difference at higher speeds... Right now I have cheapy Gabriel non-adjustable on the car until I get around to replacing the OE shocks...
One disadvantage of the system is that the shocks for F45 were made by Delphi rather than Bilstein... The older FX3 Bilstein shocks could be rebuilt by them and customized to your liking... The newer Delphi shocks cannot be rebuilt and must be replaced...
I liked my F45 suspension, and when I had it working I could feel the difference at higher speeds... Right now I have cheapy Gabriel non-adjustable on the car until I get around to replacing the OE shocks...
