F45 Shocks
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 68
Likes: 14
From: Motor City
F45 Shocks
Hello Gurus,
My CE F45 option sled is a bit jouncey in the *** end. I am going to try replacing the bushings first, but if I get in there and find out I need to replace one or both shocks....... UGHGhghghgg.
I have already looked into it and I realize these fancy schmancy shocks are a devil to find and booku bucks if I do.
But I am asking if anyone has a better option. The car lives and drives in Michigan, so they will never need SPORT mode,
but I want to keep it original and I am not interested in putting cheap Gabriels on it and plug in the 'dummy' shock sensor to keep it from going to safety mode.
Thanks for any suggestions.
My CE F45 option sled is a bit jouncey in the *** end. I am going to try replacing the bushings first, but if I get in there and find out I need to replace one or both shocks....... UGHGhghghgg.
I have already looked into it and I realize these fancy schmancy shocks are a devil to find and booku bucks if I do.
But I am asking if anyone has a better option. The car lives and drives in Michigan, so they will never need SPORT mode,
but I want to keep it original and I am not interested in putting cheap Gabriels on it and plug in the 'dummy' shock sensor to keep it from going to safety mode.
Thanks for any suggestions.
Last edited by Stylincoyote; May 17, 2021 at 11:20 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 156
Likes: 36
From: Cleveland Ohio
I have an F45 car and replaced my shocks with the Bilstein Z51 spec shocks. I did that because the rebound rates are different than the base Bilstein shocks-the F45 springs are REALLY soft so I wanted just a little more control. I live in Ohio and really haven't been bothered by it. It definitely rides and handles better than it did with the worn out F45s.
The '96 F45 does not need a dummy plug for the sensor--that's only the case on the C5 version of the F45. The "Service Ride Control" light will come on the DIC but you can just take the bulb out for that.
Obviously you lose the ability to set the suspension modes-but you said you wouldn't want sport anyway. There's also plenty of debate if the F45 was a noticable difference anywhere other than track time.
The '96 F45 does not need a dummy plug for the sensor--that's only the case on the C5 version of the F45. The "Service Ride Control" light will come on the DIC but you can just take the bulb out for that.
Obviously you lose the ability to set the suspension modes-but you said you wouldn't want sport anyway. There's also plenty of debate if the F45 was a noticable difference anywhere other than track time.
Last edited by djpink889; May 17, 2021 at 01:57 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 1,925
Likes: 610
From: Orange, CA
You cannot keep it original. The shocks are not produced. The only option, then, are NOS shocks and...well, good luck with shocks that are that old. Unless you are keeping it original with the intention of the car winning points as a static show car for originality, do not bother retaining the F45 system. It is a liability.
Just get the dummy sensors (or make your own for cheap!) and replace the shocks.
EDIT: Actually, speaking of the shocks, if there's no actual systems integration with the F45 system, you can probably just unplug the F45 computer and call it a day. No need to disassemble the dash to remove the Service Ride Control light.
Just get the dummy sensors (or make your own for cheap!) and replace the shocks.
EDIT: Actually, speaking of the shocks, if there's no actual systems integration with the F45 system, you can probably just unplug the F45 computer and call it a day. No need to disassemble the dash to remove the Service Ride Control light.
Last edited by Nomake Wan; May 17, 2021 at 11:48 PM.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 68
Likes: 14
From: Motor City
You cannot keep it original. The shocks are not produced. The only option, then, are NOS shocks and...well, good luck with shocks that are that old. Unless you are keeping it original with the intention of the car winning points as a static show car for originality, do not bother retaining the F45 system. It is a liability.
Just get the dummy sensors (or make your own for cheap!) and replace the shocks.
EDIT: Actually, speaking of the shocks, if there's no actual systems integration with the F45 system, you can probably just unplug the F45 computer and call it a day. No need to disassemble the dash to remove the Service Ride Control light.
Just get the dummy sensors (or make your own for cheap!) and replace the shocks.
EDIT: Actually, speaking of the shocks, if there's no actual systems integration with the F45 system, you can probably just unplug the F45 computer and call it a day. No need to disassemble the dash to remove the Service Ride Control light.
Thanks!
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 1,925
Likes: 610
From: Orange, CA
Looking at the pinout of the PCM, there is no pin going to the F45 system. As such there's no way for the F45 system to put the car into limp mode. The above poster is likely correct that this "feature" wasn't introduced until the C5 Corvette.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 156
Likes: 36
From: Cleveland Ohio
You 100% DO NOT have to create a dummy plug or have any negative effects on your car by removing the F45 shocks for regular shocks. If there is a “limp” mode it doesn’t show up until deep into triple digit speed.
On my car the light did not come on until I removed the plugs-so just tape up the plugs and you should be fine. If it does come on it really is not hard to take the bulb out. This is a simple swap that will not cause you any ill effects.
On my car the light did not come on until I removed the plugs-so just tape up the plugs and you should be fine. If it does come on it really is not hard to take the bulb out. This is a simple swap that will not cause you any ill effects.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 132
Likes: 21
From: By the redwoods via New Hampshire
After unplugging the system if you wanted to preserve the F45 for originality you could probably send the original shocks out for rebuilding. As an example, Bilstein doesn't rebuild FX3 shocks anymore but, there are a few companies that do. They may rebuild F45 shocks, too. If your C4 is in good shape and worth the money, you could rebuild the shocks and put them away so you could sell the car later with the system working or with the car for the next owner to install.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 1,925
Likes: 610
From: Orange, CA
After unplugging the system if you wanted to preserve the F45 for originality you could probably send the original shocks out for rebuilding. As an example, Bilstein doesn't rebuild FX3 shocks anymore but, there are a few companies that do. They may rebuild F45 shocks, too. If your C4 is in good shape and worth the money, you could rebuild the shocks and put them away so you could sell the car later with the system working or with the car for the next owner to install.
No one that I am aware of rebuilds F45 shocks, which is why it's a dead-end for anyone who cares about their car being able to drive rather than winning points at a Corvette show. If you know of someone who does, I'm sure the community would love to hear about it.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 132
Likes: 21
From: By the redwoods via New Hampshire
Bilstein will rebuild the FX3 shocks as long as they're not the original ones (for example, if you replaced your FX3 shocks or they were replaced by a previous owner, chances are your replacement shocks are rebuildable as they will be labeled as Bilstein rather than Delco).
No one that I am aware of rebuilds F45 shocks, which is why it's a dead-end for anyone who cares about their car being able to drive rather than winning points at a Corvette show. If you know of someone who does, I'm sure the community would love to hear about it.
No one that I am aware of rebuilds F45 shocks, which is why it's a dead-end for anyone who cares about their car being able to drive rather than winning points at a Corvette show. If you know of someone who does, I'm sure the community would love to hear about it.
Last edited by Palanon; May 19, 2021 at 11:46 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 156
Likes: 36
From: Cleveland Ohio
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 132
Likes: 21
From: By the redwoods via New Hampshire
That's what I was trying to find. If someone out there was willing to try and rebuild the Delphi F45 shocks. The 2 companies in my files for rebuilding FX3 and other types weren't interested in trying. I actually have a message into a guy that I used to rebuild and custom valve my track bikes. However, it's race season so I'm not holding my breath. If anything, it would be something he would "experiment" with in the off season. They really are a weird setup. I can't verify since I don't have one or a good picture of the area the rod enters the body but, I have a suspicion the body is peened over the seals ( for lack of a better word ). Making them a single use throw away shock.