F45 Tech Question
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 35
From: Folsom Lake CA
F45 Tech Question
I recently lowered my coupe on stock bolts. Net change in height was about 7/8 of an inch front and back. Car handles better now, and surprisingly, instead of riding harsher, it rides pretty darned nice now.
However, I've noticed that now it's VERY hard to tell between ride comfort levels when I switch settings on my F45 dial. Granted, I've not even put 100 miles on it yet, but so far, it almost feels like it rides the same in all 3 settings. I'm sure each setting still changes shock-metrics, and maybe I just haven't driven over roads yet that I might notice a difference on, but I used to be able to tell immediately when I changed settings. (And, no, I did not unplug the shocks during the lowering process.)
Has anyone else experienced this? Or, better yet, can someone technically explain how the F45 works, so that I might try to figure out what's going on, and whether or not I should just leave it like this, or do something about it, like raise the car up 1/2 way, or ...?
Thanks in advance.
However, I've noticed that now it's VERY hard to tell between ride comfort levels when I switch settings on my F45 dial. Granted, I've not even put 100 miles on it yet, but so far, it almost feels like it rides the same in all 3 settings. I'm sure each setting still changes shock-metrics, and maybe I just haven't driven over roads yet that I might notice a difference on, but I used to be able to tell immediately when I changed settings. (And, no, I did not unplug the shocks during the lowering process.)
Has anyone else experienced this? Or, better yet, can someone technically explain how the F45 works, so that I might try to figure out what's going on, and whether or not I should just leave it like this, or do something about it, like raise the car up 1/2 way, or ...?
Thanks in advance.
Last edited by MrLeadFoot; Feb 20, 2006 at 07:24 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 35
From: Folsom Lake CA
Originally Posted by phils C5 vette
Mine is standard hight. and its hard to tell the differance.
I can tell between tour and performance, but that's about it
I can tell between tour and performance, but that's about it
FWIW, the softest setting is supposed to be softer than base shocks, which I notice quite easily, especially since the ride is more "floaty". The middle setting is supposed to be stiffer than the base suspension, which I can also tell is on because the float is gone. The firmest setting is supposed to be a little stiffer than the Z51, which I can also feel because the shocks seem to react quicker by compressing and rebounding less.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,063
Likes: 0
From: Long Island, New York
Originally Posted by MrLeadFoot
That is so interesting how some people say they can hardly tell the difference in settings. I wonder if it's a matter of how sensitive some folks are, compared to others.
FWIW, the softest setting is supposed to be softer than base shocks, which I notice quite easily, especially since the ride is more "floaty". The middle setting is supposed to be stiffer than the base suspension, which I can also tell is on because the float is gone. The firmest setting is supposed to be a little stiffer than the Z51, which I can also feel because the shocks seem to react quicker by compressing and rebounding less.
FWIW, the softest setting is supposed to be softer than base shocks, which I notice quite easily, especially since the ride is more "floaty". The middle setting is supposed to be stiffer than the base suspension, which I can also tell is on because the float is gone. The firmest setting is supposed to be a little stiffer than the Z51, which I can also feel because the shocks seem to react quicker by compressing and rebounding less.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,172
Likes: 71
From: MA
I also have F45 and can't hardly tell the difference. The sense that on a washboard road the firmest setting is a little jittery. I was wondering if the Goodyear EMTs have an effect because of their stiffer sidewalls. My car has 25K so I am assuming that they are a little harder than when they were new. Does anyone have an F45 with non EMT tires? I would be interested if you could feel more difference between settings
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 8,004
Likes: 250
From: Tampa Fl
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
when cruzing, I use the tour and its a smoother ride
When playing, I use the performance.
I dont use the sport. I dont feel much between tour and sport, or sport and performance.
I think the 2004 vehicle only have tour and sport
When playing, I use the performance.
I dont use the sport. I dont feel much between tour and sport, or sport and performance.
I think the 2004 vehicle only have tour and sport
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,037
Likes: 0
From: renton washington
Originally Posted by 01vetter
I also have F45 and can't hardly tell the difference. The sense that on a washboard road the firmest setting is a little jittery. I was wondering if the Goodyear EMTs have an effect because of their stiffer sidewalls. My car has 25K so I am assuming that they are a little harder than when they were new. Does anyone have an F45 with non EMT tires? I would be interested if you could feel more difference between settings
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 35
From: Folsom Lake CA
Originally Posted by mixermike
i have a 98 coupe with F45, kumho mx's non runflats,lowered cut bushing.i notice a difference between each setting. before i lowered it i always had it set on touring,after lowering i have it set on sport, it just firms it up a little. i have 35,000 miles on the clock, all original suspension
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,461
Likes: 161
From: Las Vegas Nevada
St. Jude Donor '08
Originally Posted by MrLeadFoot
The firmest setting is supposed to be a little stiffer than the Z51, which I can also feel because the shocks seem to react quicker by compressing and rebounding less.
Clayton
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,590
Likes: 5
From: Forsyth Illinois
The difference in the settings is slight. If you pick a road that has some differences in it, ie some rough, some flat, some humps and valleys, and try it in all three modes you can easily tell the differences.
There is a off ramp near me that has 35mph speed limit. I can take it at 70mph with no problem. When I change the setting you will be able to really notice the difference.
Mark
There is a off ramp near me that has 35mph speed limit. I can take it at 70mph with no problem. When I change the setting you will be able to really notice the difference.
Mark
Former Vendor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,749
Likes: 4
From: Valencia Ca
Originally Posted by MrLeadFoot
I recently lowered my coupe on stock bolts. Net change in height was about 7/8 of an inch front and back. Car handles better now, and surprisingly, instead of riding harsher, it rides pretty darned nice now.
However, I've noticed that now it's VERY hard to tell between ride comfort levels when I switch settings on my F45 dial. Granted, I've not even put 100 miles on it yet, but so far, it almost feels like it rides the same in all 3 settings. I'm sure each setting still changes shock-metrics, and maybe I just haven't driven over roads yet that I might notice a difference on, but I used to be able to tell immediately when I changed settings. (And, no, I did not unplug the shocks during the lowering process.)
Has anyone else experienced this? Or, better yet, can someone technically explain how the F45 works, so that I might try to figure out what's going on, and whether or not I should just leave it like this, or do something about it, like raise the car up 1/2 way, or ...?
Thanks in advance.
However, I've noticed that now it's VERY hard to tell between ride comfort levels when I switch settings on my F45 dial. Granted, I've not even put 100 miles on it yet, but so far, it almost feels like it rides the same in all 3 settings. I'm sure each setting still changes shock-metrics, and maybe I just haven't driven over roads yet that I might notice a difference on, but I used to be able to tell immediately when I changed settings. (And, no, I did not unplug the shocks during the lowering process.)
Has anyone else experienced this? Or, better yet, can someone technically explain how the F45 works, so that I might try to figure out what's going on, and whether or not I should just leave it like this, or do something about it, like raise the car up 1/2 way, or ...?
Thanks in advance.
Thanks,
Charlie
Racer
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 320
Likes: 0
From: Hanson Ma
F45
99 vert. never noticed a difference before lowering or after. figured either the shocks were worn or it was the worn run flats being to stiff. In the process of putting on KDW 2s maybe that will make a difference. Only other suspension change is ZO6 sway bars. Shocks have 44000 miles on them so they might be gone too.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 35
From: Folsom Lake CA
Originally Posted by CharlieTuner@AandACorvette
Look on the a-arms and you notice a link that connects to a "feedback" module located on the chassis. Re-establsh the original geometry and all will be fine.
Thanks,
Charlie
Thanks,
Charlie
If so, then I guess raising the car even only 1/2 way back up will again change the behavior of the F45, right?
Last edited by MrLeadFoot; Feb 21, 2006 at 11:10 AM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Originally Posted by CharlieTuner@AandACorvette
Look on the a-arms and you notice a link that connects to a "feedback" module located on the chassis. Re-establsh the original geometry and all will be fine.
Thanks,
Charlie
Thanks,
Charlie
Even with the correct adjustments, the differences between the settings is not all that drastic. Like it was stated previously by VET IT B, small bumps in the road are noticed more in performance than in tour. Your butt meter needs to be well tuned to notice the setting differences. If your shocks are worn out the electric metering valve in the shocks will not be able to provide the necessary dampening to allow you to see a noticeable difference.
If you can, remove one of the front shocks and examine the compression and rebound dampening as compared to a new one at the dealer. If it is very noticeable, it's time for new shocks!!
Bill C
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 35
From: Folsom Lake CA
Originally Posted by Bill Curlee
Charlie hit the nail on the head!!!! Even with the correct adjustments, the differences between the settings is not all that drastic. Like it was stated previously by VET IT B, small bumps in the road are noticed more in performance than in tour. Your butt meter needs to be well tuned to notice the setting differences.
If your shocks are worn out the electric metering valve in the shocks will not be able to provide the necessary dampening to allow you to see a noticeable difference.
If you can, remove one of the front shocks and examine the compression and rebound dampening as compared to a new one at the dealer. If it is very noticeable, it's time for new shocks!!
Bill C
Even with the correct adjustments, the differences between the settings is not all that drastic. Like it was stated previously by VET IT B, small bumps in the road are noticed more in performance than in tour. Your butt meter needs to be well tuned to notice the setting differences. If your shocks are worn out the electric metering valve in the shocks will not be able to provide the necessary dampening to allow you to see a noticeable difference.
If you can, remove one of the front shocks and examine the compression and rebound dampening as compared to a new one at the dealer. If it is very noticeable, it's time for new shocks!!
Bill C
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 11,138
Likes: 11
From: Fremont CA
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I have the F55 (next generation). When I bought the car about 19 months ago, I really felt the difference between Tour & Sport. After about 10 months, evrything felt like Sport. I think they are not made to last at all. A great selling feature, but a lousy long term feature. Shoulda got the Z51
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 187
Likes: 0
From: Chandler Az
Originally Posted by Bill Curlee
Charlie hit the nail on the head!!!! Even with the correct adjustments, the differences between the settings is not all that drastic. Like it was stated previously by VET IT B, small bumps in the road are noticed more in performance than in tour. Your butt meter needs to be well tuned to notice the setting differences.
If your shocks are worn out the electric metering valve in the shocks will not be able to provide the necessary dampening to allow you to see a noticeable difference.
If you can, remove one of the front shocks and examine the compression and rebound dampening as compared to a new one at the dealer. If it is very noticeable, it's time for new shocks!!
Bill C
Even with the correct adjustments, the differences between the settings is not all that drastic. Like it was stated previously by VET IT B, small bumps in the road are noticed more in performance than in tour. Your butt meter needs to be well tuned to notice the setting differences. If your shocks are worn out the electric metering valve in the shocks will not be able to provide the necessary dampening to allow you to see a noticeable difference.
If you can, remove one of the front shocks and examine the compression and rebound dampening as compared to a new one at the dealer. If it is very noticeable, it's time for new shocks!!
Bill C
I to lowered mine 1.25" and notice very littel difference before and after. I did notice a bigger difference when I changed to pilot tires