#007 is equipped with F45 Real Time Damping (RTD). While RTD was a neat gimmick when I bought the car, reality is that the only time I moved the dial in the last 4 years was to switch from "Perf" to "Tour" when drag racing. The F45 RTD shocks were manufactured by Delphi. Unlike Bilstein who offers a rebuild service for the FX3 shocks ($55/shock), the Delphi units are "Throwaway". A review of the cost of replacing these shocks (~$600 was the best price I could find), indicated the gimmick was no longer very attractive. With that in mind, I settled on '90 Z51 Bilstein shocks. Having previously owned a '90 Z51 car, I somewhat knew what to expect relative to ride. The Z51 shocks combined with the F45 springs (same as the base suspension springs), provides a ride that's controlled in both rebound and compression, but not harsh. While not a "9/10s" solution like adjustable Koni's or a "100%" solution like coil-overs, it is a nice upgrade to a base suspension or F45 equipped car.

For those who still have the original shocks, I highly recommend checking them. Most likely they'll need replacement. A simple test is to remove one of the front shocks and see if you can compress it by hand. Two of mine had 0 rebound and the other two were easily compressed.

In order to avoid setting the "SERVICE RIDE CONTROL" (SRC) Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL), I snipped the connector ends from the old F45 shocks. I modified each connector to accept a 220 ohm resistor and then plugged them into the female connectors that are part of the chassis wiring harness at each corner. No MIL and a factory wiring appearance to all but the most astute observer :-) I did have a brief bout with confusion (some may say it's not brief [grin]). While checking the wiring modifications, I turned the key to "RUN" and got the SRC MIL (!). I pulled the SRC codes and found DTCs indicating out of range position sensors. After a moment of thought, I realized that the codes were set because I had yet to install the new shocks and the suspension was "sagging". I temporarily propped the suspension, turned the ignition key to "RUN" and the problem was solved.

Here's Jim Mason's writeup from the Tech Tips section of http://www.hashmarks.com: Brad

Wow, I see lots of modifying, cutting, etc...

I just pulled the fuse in the ABS compartment and no SRC light since I changed the shocks about 2 years ago...

As a test I pulled the fuse and my speedo display started flashing "SYS" and triggering nusiance codes in the CCM :(

The resistors cost cost me $0.50 and I simply inserted them into the open connector ends. Not cutting, no splicing, just a little electrical tape to hold them in place.

:cheers:

I took mine out, replaced them with Bilstein Z51s and never jumped anything. Never have had a problem.