My 92 6 speed vert definitely needs shocks. Driving on the freeway where they join sections and its sometimes a little uneven when I hit those doing 80 she bounces. They're not even that big of a variance in the road, just a little. In my silverado you don't even feel it.
She has the switch for the selective suspension on the console, touring, sport or performance and it has what I believe is factory wiring. I took the console off last night to install a new stereo and she has factory wiring going all the way into the harness. When I look at her RPO codes she only lists FE1 for base suspension and JL9 for standard brakes. I don't have FX3 or Z51 or any other codes to indicate performance or selective suspension. The front shocks have lines going to them that get lost in the wiring harness/firewall. So I'm trying to figure out what shocks to order. On Rockauto they have Bilstein rears for adjusted suspension WITH Z51. Their Bilstein fronts don't mention the adjusted suspension. Other brands of shocks say Except electric suspension or with or without electric suspension for the same shock. I don't see fittings on those ones though.
I'm going to put new tires on so I want to get the suspension sorted out first. I appreciate the advice or suggestions.

 

I believe that in 1992 you could order FX3 without the Z51 performance suspension package. It sounds to me like you have a Selective Ride System (FX3) car, otherwise the shocks would not have the Bosch servos and wiring from the tops of them and you'd have a blank panel where the rotator switch is on the center console. You can verify this by opening up the cubby behind the driver's seat, look under the plastic tray, and alongside the ABS system you'll see a black box mounted on the sidewall of that cubby well. If you don't have this control box, then somehow you have all the hardware for FX3 without having the actual system itself, which wouldn't make much sense but whatever.

1992-1995 FX3 shocks are different than the 1989-1991 version. The Bilstein shock part numbers if you want the FX3 versions are Front #20-070274, Rear #20-070281. They are still available as I just installed some in my car this month.

If you decide to convert your car over to the standard Bilsteins for 1992 (without FX3) I believe you'll need some different mounting grommets/nuts for the shock top bolts. They don't have provisions to mount the servos on top and are simpler than the FX3 shocks.

Zip Corvette has both types available; FX3 run about $230 apiece and the non-FX3 are ~$110 apiece. The FX3 control box is available used here and looks like this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/22469471039...sAAOSw01Vhkrid

Let us know how it goes - Cheers.

 

Does the VIN on the SPID 'console door' match the windshield VIN and Certification Label (driver door) of the car?

Forget about Rock Auto!!!

 

I don't have the FX3 RPO code, just the FE1. She appears to have factory wiring for it though. I think it would be difficult to add this later on or at least add it looking as factory as mine does. I took a few pics of how she is now. The wire from the top of the shock in pic 2 goes to the plug in pic 3. This is the pass side. The driver side has the same thing where the wiring goes from the top of the shock, follows factory push pins into the side panels and then plugs into a factory clip in the wiring harness.

I also verified the vin on the glove box sticker matches the vin on the car. It even lists the correct colors, convertible, bose, 6 speed etc which would be very difficult to find another with all those same configurations. I'm going to guess this is one of those cars that the RPO codes don't 100% match what the car came with from the factory.
Thanks for the link above. I'll check it out as I would prefer to get the correct FX3 shocks and not ditch all this.

 

You can't rely on the information on the actuator that you've included in your snapshot. It's certainly odd to not display the option on the SPID label. You might carry the VIN to a dealer parts dept and ask them to check the VIN for option content? To ID the shock get the information from the 'tube' of the shock.

 

That is definitely an FX3 car as your wiring is factory correct with the right wiring, connectors, wraps, and locations, and you even have the inner fender wheel well cover which has cutouts in the shock tower area for the Bosch servos to exit their wiring to the rear of the bulged cover area. The back half of that bulge is cutoff for the wiring to route back from the shock top.

Unless someone went to a lot of trouble to swap and wire in all that hardware after the build, that's factory wiring and hardware.

 

That is definitely the FX3 shock system with wiring so somewhere along the line it was put in the car. I have a hard time believing someone would go to the trouble to install it rather than having it come out of Bowling Green that way.

it would be interesting to order the build sheet for the car from the museum and confirm it was put on at the factory but left off of the SPID label.

 

I would love to do order the build sheet. How do I go about that? I do plan on keeping this car. At 184k on the clock I am going to drive and enjoy her. I don't mind spending money on her, but hate wasting money on parts I'll end up not happy with. She gets such good millage I save money driving her. She is in the mid 20s mpg as I drive a lot of freeway.

 

Here's the RPO sticker.

 

You can order both the build sheet and a reproduction window sticker from the Corvette Museum. Just search for the musuem and their website will have ordering information. It maybe in gifts or the museum store.

Also you can download the Corvette DNA app free and it will have the same information the Corvette Blackbook has.

 

I just checked it out. I will search my car for the build sheet and will eventually order that. I am going to be throwing a lot of money at her in the next few weeks. Shocks, tires, harmonic dampner, timing chain, knock sensors, oil pan/timing chain gaskets, injectors and a bunch more of "while I'm there might as well" parts.
Thank you all for the replies!

 

The package from "Corvette Museum' will always be available! I wouldn't rush to the purchase!

You can take the VIN to a GM dealer like I mentioned earlier and get the VIN run with a request for options. That information will generally also include ID for the ECM and other components including a production date.. There should be 'NO CHARGE' from a GM Dealer Parts Department for that service.

 

I will go that route for verifying the shocks. Great idea and thanks for the suggestion.

 

That will only maybe MATCH the SPID or if the FX3 is mentioned then the SPID would be assumed an error! To actually ID the shock you'll need to get the stamped information on the shock 'tube' - should be easy!