Can the controller be reprogrammed? If so, who can do it?

If not, am I doomed to buy a "piggyback" system to plug in multiple chips which I don't want or need?

TIA

 

Ive looked into this, although note tht I dont have an FX3 car.

Heres how I would do it:

I would use a soft base springs, 32 mm z07 front anti-rollbar, and polyurethane or Delrin bushings. DRM relocated trailing arm brackets for max weight transfer.

I would then set up a 'soft' as a drag race mode (maximum front end lift up and rear squat)

'normal' for normal driving

'stiff' for autoX or track.

Except im not sure anyone has ever done this. It certainly is possible.

DRM - regretfully doesnt offer their ride controller anymore.
LPE - I think might.

There is a Bilstein guy who is remotely familiar with the system. I believe his last name Alvarez.

The main feature of the aftermarket ride controller's disable the stock units 'speed-changing feature that stiffens the suspensin as speed increases. It also allows use of removable chips to control the settings.

Im told that system reacts too slow to make it work right for autoX or road racing.

Bilstein can revalve the fx3 shocks to a 'Morraca' setting.

The problem with that is I believe it just makes them ever stiffer across the whole soft-normal-firm range.

It would not get me that drag race mode that Im after.......

 

Doug Rippie Motorsports did have a controller that used replaceable PROM's. You would replace the entire controller with the DRM unit and then use one of their chips. As I recall, the chips were available in different settings or you could have them program a custom chip based on your needs.

Bilstein should still be able to rebuild the FX3 shock and have them use the Moracca valving. That valving was designed by one of the early CF members. I had the FX3 shocks on my '92 done by Bilstein and sent them to one of their facilities near San Diego. At the time, it was about $100 per shock.

You didn't say what you are after in terms of handling; do you want to autocross the car? Do track days? It's not that hard to do shock swaps on a C4 so you might want to think about a specific shock set that is adjustable like Koni's or even Penske's. The front shocks can be swapped without jacking the car up or even removing the wheels. The rear shocks are a little more difficult but you don't need anything other than a floor jack and a few tools.

 

DRM doesn't do it anymore. They told me to call Ramone at 800 537 1085 to see if he cam help me. I will check LPE who seems to have a "piggyback" system. I'd rather have the unit reprogrammed than to put a piggyback thing in place.

I am looking for hard street driving with possible track once in a while

 

Ramone is out with surgery and will not be able to answer questions. Will update others when I get it. Apparently their R&D manager has quit a few weeks ago and they are sorting through his pile of stuff till the next guy comes along. Lingenfelter has the piggyback unit only. My shocks have recently been replaced and at the time, I didn't have new ones revalved so in a couple years, maybe I might if this doesn't work out.

 

I saw EM had a replacement computer and the chips on their web site.
http://emracingcorp.com/scripts/prod...?idproduct=295

Was thinking about it for my '89

 

Hello,

I have a DRM controller that I will be selling. Also have re-valved FX3 shocks.

The controller locks the shocks at 3 different settings. Was a great reliable system that I will miss. Only selling due to solid axle conversion. PM me if interested.

Regards,
Steve

 

PM Sent. I can wait a bit since I am waiting for Bilstein to get back to me on what they can reprogram it for, etc, etc. Called EM and LPE but apparently these systems are so old, most of them are unsure about it.