Please give your input on the FX-3 and Z07 options ( 94-95)
Firmness and weak points with the system with high miles ( repair / cost of parts and cost of parts for Z07 etc.)
Would like to install 91 Z07 parts into perhaps a 94-95 with the FX-3 .
Heard that year was the firmest ( tough as nails on the driver :yesnod: )
My corvette bible tells me that over the years from 90 on the FX-3 option was selected less and less . Reasons ? Is it worth it ?
Please keep in mind that this vehicle will be running on the German Autobahn and not highway speed here .
Thanks for your .02 worth -
Oh , ( P.S) on the LT1 - how much do you loose in horsepower because of the stricter C.A emissions ?Smog pump is larger and ...?
Nicklas

 

I have a 92 with FX3, parts are expensive and I got better performance on my old car without it. At least you have a greater range of parts you can choose from. I have a trouble light on the system now that is going to require me to rebuild the two front shocks or buy new ones. I'd pass on FX-3. The 03 50th will have ferromagnetic fluid shocks. No gears etc. A magnetic field will vary the density of the fluid. Fewer moving parts, computer controlled. Should work good. We'll see.

 

Can't disagree with Jeff more....

I've clocked over 70k miles on my Z07 since I bought it new. I've had to rebuild the shocks ONCE, around 60k miles (replaced 1 actuator as well).

The '91 Z07 springs are not that harsh. In Tour mode, mine rode significantly better than my '86 Z51 did. They only show up harsh when you kick it into Sport & Touring mode.

It is an excellent system when it is working. Like I said, my shocks have been replaced once on 11 years. I had Bilstein re-valve them when they had them so now everything is clicked up one notch. What was Sport is now Tour, the Performance is now Sport and the Performance setting is 100% locked with 0 mph input.

The signature files shows a carousel turn at TWS...going about 50 mph & pulling 1.4 G's (yes, I have a g-analyst...don't mistake it for the g-tech) and you can see it is very flat.

The real beauty of this system is I can get a smooth highway ride 5 seconds later just turning the dial.

I think the reason it was selected less in later years was the price. I think it was a $1400 markup on mine for the Z07 system. The later years are hard to find, and even harder to get someone to let go of. Your only problem will be finding the Z07 springs. They are not available from GM anymore, so you'll need to get a Z07 "clone" that some of the spring suppliers build. Make sure the spring rates are the same as the original springs.

You want a front spring rate of 115.5 N/mm and the rear at 57.2 N/mm. Also, replace the bushings with urethane ones while you are there. The Z07 came with a harder rubber lower control arm bushing. You can't get them either, so the urethane is the next best thing.

Here is a good link showing the differnce between the years http://www.zr1.net/ZR1_suspension.html

You won't be sorry...


[Modified by Joe90, 4:36 PM 8/22/2002]

 

We have a '91 coupe, automatic with FX-3. In '91 you had to have the stick to get the Z07 package. The FX-3 option was $1,100. We had it worked on three times under warantee, usually when/after doing autocross. Each time it was fixed, the bill would have been $1,000-$1,200. (Luckily, we bought the extended warantee for an optional $1,100.) We said that if it ever went out after warantee (5-years) we would replace it with a set of adjustable Koni's. Foretunately, it hasn't gone out after the warantee ended. On the other hand, because the cost of repair can be so expensive, we haven't autocrossed since the warantee expired. (The shocks alone are/were $300 each and one time two were replaced at once.) Car now has 57K miles and the other day driving up to the Monterey event, the service light for the FX-3 came on! However, turning off and restarting extinguished it and the system works OK. But soon...

The '92 system softened the tour mode some and may have firmed up the sport mode a touch.

 

Thanks for the input guys :cheers:
Got your site Joe - if further down the road problems develop - i'll be knockin' for further enlightenment .
Whats the total $$ on your set-up ?
Have to contact them companys' to see if they are avail . on the European market . German TUV ( Inspection ) is extremly strict and requires a so called " ABE" # . A number the manufactor gives as a certified and stress tested product - #stamped into it ( even tinting foil ). With out the # the Engineers will test it themself ... and that is :sad: - big bucks . Heard that rims imported from the U.S to Germany after testing cost a guy 7000$ with-out that # .
Kind of stupid describing this as a guy that has to watch stuff like that ( everything stock would be the easiest ).Weight of all the add-ons -- fuel runs at 4$ a Gallon.
You guys don't know how lucky you still are in the U.S ...thinking of OMBIII - hmmm , sure over the years it will get stricter too .
Any changes ... and i mean anything must be certified by a Engineer - you have a print out with all!! data about the vehicle in the vehicle . They do pull over and check it over . :mad
Need a set-up that can run with M3's and Porsches .They electronically puke out at 156 m/ph ( 250 km/h).
So with other words - trying to cover a wider range of speed to create a stable plattform with out sacraficing either end of speed .( and not going $wise over board)
Sorry to bore many people to death with this stumbling about German laws...
Nicklas

 

Note to myself .... Porsches are not governed - BMW and Mercedes(stock) are .
Hope there ain't no Porsche flaming awaitin' me now :smash:

 

Nicklas,

I don't know, maybe I was blessed with a very good car. I autocrossed mine an average of 18-20 weekends a year (times 7 events per weekend times an average of 2.5 runs per event comes out to about 350 runs per year). My FX3 never went out. Got a ton of 1st place trophies from it. Don't know why taddalin's was puking like that...must have been a Friday car :lol:

http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c4/joe90/index9.shtml

This is the build-up page for my motor. I spent $4771 for the engine build. Add another $1600 for the CNC work on the heads, $4k for 2 sets of racing wheels, $350 for the rollbar, $300 for the re-worked shock controller.etc. Honestly, I don't even WANT to think about what I've spent so far.

I'm building a 427 SB for it now. I already have $5k just in the shortblock. I have to invest another $3k for heads and about $1k for the intake. But that is the easy part. I need to beef up the rest of the drivetrain to hold up to the 750-800 N/A HP it will produce. That will cost $5k for the ZF rebuild and another $2k for the rear-end.

And people say boats are just holes you pour money into :crazy: This thing is like the biggest black hole I've ever seen.

I'm doing all this work to run in the open road races over here...our version of the German autobahn. :lol: http://www.bborr.com/

My target is 200 MPH. I think I'll be able to hit that target easily.


[Modified by Joe90, 5:24 PM 8/22/2002]

 

:flag i salute you :cool:
Sounds like a ton of fun your auto cross :cool:
Thanks for all the info - will focus on the suspension - engine stays stock ( perhaps when i mentioned Porsches ... i'd like to run with the field not kill em :smash: )
These upgrades in your engine alone are worth a nice size barrel ... with-out a bottom of course :eek: :)
My barrel must have a budget to it - only way to get this project off the ground .
Starting to understand your point on the value of a Z07 for certain set-ups/requirements.
Will have to either find one of them or duplicate .
Perhaps a sort of frame connector- like my GTA with subframe-connectors and a camber claw and sorts .
Bilstein or Koni yellow/red also would be a way to go .

Thanks for helping a nOOb broaden his Vette horizon . :seeya
Nicklas

P.S Joe - gotta have ***** to break the 2's - myself never been past 140
good luck & god speed :blueangel:

 

I am a fan of AC/DC....you gotta have big ***** :yesnod:

I've been in the 150 range quite a few times in high-speed autocrosses. Sustained speeds of that type are another realm entirely.

I remember being in Germany about 7 years ago and cruising at 150 (mph) in an Audi on the autobannen...man what a rush. Wish sometimes we had that kind of freedom, but there are too many idiots on the road here to kill you. At least in Germany you have lane discipline...the passing lane is for that only. If you get caught cruising there it is a SIGNIFICANT fine.

Wish they would just enforce those kinds of laws here.

Good luck on the project. Keep the shiny side UP....

 

I have a 95' with FX3 and the soft ride FE1 springs. In my opinion the springs are way too soft. Even in "performance" mode I get too much body roll. I need an upgrade also!