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Whats The Difference?

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Old Jul 21, 2004 | 11:22 AM
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Default Whats The Difference?

Between Active Handling and F45 suspension.
Thx
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Old Jul 21, 2004 | 11:28 AM
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The F45 is the actual suspension parts - springs, sway bars, shocks, etc.

Active Handling is a system that monitors the car's attitude in a curve and corrects for the driver's intended line via individual application of brakes to the separate wheels.
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Old Jul 21, 2004 | 12:04 PM
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Active Handling - originally designated as JL4, is a system that will actually apply opposite front brake to control a spin. Option F45 is a suspension package that is adjustable for sport or touring, by adjusting the shock valving. F45 was replaced in '03 by F55 which is commonly referred to as Magnetic ride.

Active handling became standard equipment in '01 - and was optional starting on later model '98's.

Here's some more info on Active Handling....

http://www.idavette.net/facts/s1998/jl4k.htm

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Old Jul 21, 2004 | 12:15 PM
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Just wondering....

So is Active handling and the F45/55 the best combination for handling?

What is the suspension considered if it is not upgraded to the F45/55
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Old Jul 21, 2004 | 12:19 PM
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Originally Posted by V8 ETE
Between Active Handling and F45 suspension.
Thx
Check out these two links for some very good reading:
Active Handling
http://corvetteactioncenter.com/tech...ehandling.html


F55 Magnetic Ride Control
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...003/msrc2.html
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Old Jul 21, 2004 | 12:20 PM
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Originally Posted by Wicked Weasel
Just wondering....

So is Active handling and the F45/55 the best combination for handling?

What is the suspension considered if it is not upgraded to the F45/55
You'll get a lot of opinions on what's "best." The best handling package in terms of "go fast" equipment is the Z51 option, which gives you slightly stiffer springs, bigger sway bars, and a power steering cooler. Just depends on how you intend to use the car.
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Old Jul 21, 2004 | 12:26 PM
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Originally Posted by Wicked Weasel
Just wondering....

So is Active handling and the F45/55 the best combination for handling?

What is the suspension considered if it is not upgraded to the F45/55
As the others have said - the best handling would probably be the Z51 (non-adjustable) suspension. The base suspension is called FE1 or referred to as base suspension. My car originally came that way back in '98 - but with the optional JL4 active handling. Since then, the suspension has been upgraded with Bilstein sport shocks, Hotchkiss sways with urethane bushings, and BFG KDW's. It handles pretty good - jmho, of course!
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Old Jul 21, 2004 | 12:40 PM
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Originally Posted by V8 ETE
Between Active Handling and F45 suspension.
Thx
The F45 suspension is exactly the same as the base suspension with the exception of electronically-adjustable shocks to control firmness.

The Active Handling system is a safety system that helps correct understeering or oversteering by using sensors to detect that control is being lost. These sensors include a steering angle sensor, yaw-rate sensor, lateral accelerometer and sensors in the ABS and Traction Control systems and will selectively apply brakes and spark retardation as needed in order to help correct the situation.

Active handling, optional since 1998, standard on all Corvettes since 2001:
http://corvetteactioncenter.com/tech...ehandling.html

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Old Jul 21, 2004 | 12:46 PM
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The second generation Active Handling system makes use of the F45 suspension (if your car is so equipped) for stability control. It would make sense that the F55 suspension is also used by the current Active Handling system for stability control, but I have not confirmed this.
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Old Jul 21, 2004 | 12:47 PM
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Originally Posted by Wicked Weasel
Just wondering....

So is Active handling and the F45/55 the best combination for handling?

What is the suspension considered if it is not upgraded to the F45/55

Z51 is the best suspension option. It allows tighter cornering.
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Old Jul 21, 2004 | 01:08 PM
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Default Z51

Originally Posted by rworkman
Z51 is the best suspension option.
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Old Jul 21, 2004 | 02:50 PM
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Originally Posted by rworkman
Z51 is the best suspension option. It allows tighter cornering.
Z51 Then add Hotchkis sway bars and Bilstein shocks
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Old Jul 21, 2004 | 05:05 PM
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Originally Posted by Tiger Shark
The second generation Active Handling system makes use of the F45 suspension (if your car is so equipped) for stability control. It would make sense that the F55 suspension is also used by the current Active Handling system for stability control, but I have not confirmed this.

To the best of my knowledge, Active Handling does not utilize the F45 or F55 for input to the A/H system computer. The non F45 and F55 cars A/H work just like those with it. If the F45 and /or F55 were required for A/H to accomplish it's task, then one of those two types of suspensions would be required on all A/H equipped Corvettes.
Again that's to the best of MY knowledge.

BTW, the Z51 suspension is the better of the two suspensions, FE1 VS Z51.
The 2001 - 2004 FE4 Z06 suspension is the best, with the 04 Z06 shocks being the best within that grouping for handling. The F55 provides the best controlled ride of all, and because of the increased control over road irregularities, better handling can be achieved over non-F55 cars with the base suspension. That's to the best of my knowledge, with some opinion thrown in for good measure.


zo6vettepilot

Last edited by ZO6vettepilot; Jul 21, 2004 at 05:12 PM.
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