FX3 or QA-1?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2010
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FX3 or QA-1?
I have a 90 base coupe with a working FX3 setup. All four shocks are original with 96K on them and I assume they're due for a rebuild. I understand that Bilstein rebuilds them for around 170 per shock. I love being able to cruise to an autocross with all my fillings intact, flip a switch and have taut handling. My question is: is it worth rebuilding the Bilsteins and possibly have FX3 computer problems/broken actuator problems later? Or just buy a set of QA-1's 12 step adjustable shocks for around 160 a piece? Thoughts greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance--GD
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2012
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From: Murphy NC
You can also look at Viking Double adjustables. VSK221 is the complete kit for all 4 shocks. all 4 are less than 700.00.
http://www.vi-king.com/index.html
Forgot to mention that I have them on my 95. I really like them.
http://www.vi-king.com/index.html
Forgot to mention that I have them on my 95. I really like them.
Last edited by NuckinFutz93; Nov 27, 2013 at 09:55 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,284
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From: Murphy NC
Granted, you have to adjust these by hand, but you should be checking your tires condition and pressures before your first run anyway, whats 5 extra mins to adjust your shocks. Plus, these are a lot more precise than the stock FX3 set up.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
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I have a 90 base coupe with a working FX3 setup. All four shocks are original with 96K on them and I assume they're due for a rebuild. I understand that Bilstein rebuilds them for around 170 per shock. I love being able to cruise to an autocross with all my fillings intact, flip a switch and have taut handling. My question is: is it worth rebuilding the Bilsteins and possibly have FX3 computer problems/broken actuator problems later? Or just buy a set of QA-1's 12 step adjustable shocks for around 160 a piece? Thoughts greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance--GD
http://deltavee.net/
From this single post on the CF:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1585127481-post14.html
It would certainly be worth the conversation regarding the rebuild.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2010
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I will give deltavee a call after the holiday. My big concern through this all has been: what if I drop $400-$600 on my FX3's only to have the electronics putz out a month later and be looking at another $600-ish bill? If NuckinFutz is super happy with his shocks set on "Kill" (I didn't know that was a setting!) I am leaning towards ditching the FX3 and just putting in manually adjustable shocks. Opinions? Flames? Funny animated gifs?
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Drifting
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,284
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From: Murphy NC
One thing about adjustables, you can dial them in and just about have a 90/10 drag shock with a few clicks. You can even stiffen up the rears to help launch straight, if you have a minor pull one way or the other.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2012
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From: Murphy NC
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: NEwhere Ohio
I still think it would be neat to do it by flicking a **** on-the-fly. prob another thing that could break
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2013
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That was exactly what I had planned to do with the coilovers I bought. Bilsteen wants almost 800.00 to rebuild my shocks. Im debating doing it now. It would be nice to have that soft setting for weight transfer at the track with the flip of a switch. I might just go with the qa1 adjustable shocks though and forget about the coilovers. Its alot of extra cash to swap everything.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,363
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From: 1994 LT1 Coupe 6-speed with FX3 & 2000 LS1 Vert 6-Speed with F45 Hunterdon County, NJ
consider buying new instead of rebuilding FX3s
captainkawasaki,
if you do lean towards replacing the FX3s with FX3s, consider buying new instead of rebuild as the rebuild (through bilstein) had (presume still does) a much shorter warranty, versus when brand new carry a lifetime warranty (this is what I concluded a few years ago for the 94.
See same at Ecklers -- http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/catal.../?q=fx3+shocks
$239 each for your year
if you do lean towards replacing the FX3s with FX3s, consider buying new instead of rebuild as the rebuild (through bilstein) had (presume still does) a much shorter warranty, versus when brand new carry a lifetime warranty (this is what I concluded a few years ago for the 94.
See same at Ecklers -- http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/catal.../?q=fx3+shocks
$239 each for your year