Good Afternoon.
I have a 1990 convertible and the only option that is missing from the car is the FX3 Selective Ride Control Option.
Has anyone ever attempted to add it to their car?
Are the parts available?
Does anyone have an approximate cost on what it would take to get the components?
Would I be better off looking at a different option?
Thank you as always for your input.

 

My guess the cost would be prohibitive, even if it is possible. My '92 has the FX3 and I can tell you it's not worth chasing. The ride adjustments don't kick in until something like 50 mph. I find I leave it on the lowest setting all the time. (And, yes, it is in good working order.)

 

There's certainly better ways to spend money on the car than trying to add FX3. Aside from the shocks, actuators, control module, and selector switch, there's the wiring, some of which runs in the frame. Also, there may be ECM/PROM programming.

 

Plan on a couple thousand dollars just for parts.

Interesting project to waste money on and pass time I suppose, but otherwise not worth the effort.

 

IIRC, some did add the FX3 system to a car but it was a big job.

The BCM does have to have the FX3 error codes installed and that cannot be done to your existing BCM. You have to get a new (reman) BCM and add the vehicle mileage, VIN and the FX3 data.

So is it worth it? I would suggest looking for another car with FX3 as an installed option if you really want that option. Otherwise you can go with a good set of shocks like Bilstein Z51-specific shocks, or even QA1 single or double adjustable shocks.

My old '92 vert has the FX3 option and I really liked it. Some folks don't like the system but it does work. Bilstein engineered this system for Corvette and it was based on a Ferrari adjustable suspension that Bilstein also developed for them.

Not only can you adjust shock stiffness by the console switch, but the system is also speed sensitive. There is some overlapping but for the most part, you can tell how stiff the shocks are at most speeds. FX3 came two ways; FX3 was available as a standalone option with the soft base springs. When you ordered the Z07 performance suspension (coupes only) FX3 was part of that package.

A number of years ago, a Forum member worked with Bilstein to create a performance valving option. You could send in your FX3 shocks for this upgrade which I believe was called "Moracca" or something similar. Made a huge difference in shock performance. Doug Rippie Mortorsports also developed a special controller that used replaceable PROM's to further modify how the actuators worked.

 

Here you go, you 2 can just swap cars.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/sout...louisiana.html

 

Early FX3 owners got ripped off.

The Inside Story of C4's Shock Absorber Revolution, Selective Ride Control
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...fx3/index.html

"In '89, Selective Ride (FX3) came only in combination with the Performance Handling Package (Z51), but when you ordered those two, in a strange twist, the car was downgraded to softer, base springs, stabilizer bars and front lower control arm bushings.
In 1990, FX3 no longer required Z51 but, if you ordered both, again, you got base springs, bars and bushings.
Unfortunately, this downgrade was not widely known.
Many unsuspecting '89/'90 customers, wanting the stiffer springs and bars, ordered Z51 along with FX3 but never knew their cars had base parts."

 

I think that I will invest the time and money into a coilover system.
have a great holiday.

 

What sort of improvement are you looking for?