I have a 97 4AT. I am ordering a set of Bilstein shocks next week, but I heard about the "throwing codes" issue. My car is all the way in Thailand and I don't want to face this problem. Will my 97 C5 throw codes after replacing the Bilstein? What in addition should I order to solve this problem?

What are the differences between these 3, and how will I know which one I have?...
FE1 Base Suspension
FE3 Sport Suspension (Included With Z51)
F45 Selective Real Time Damping, Electronic

I really have no knowledge about my Vette. All I know is that the stock suspensions are way too soft and I really need something stiffer than that. So, how will I know which one I have, and is it okay for me to replace the shocks and not have the car throw any "codes" or have any problems that require a reprogram/retune?

 

Okay after I've done a "google" search, I found out the my C5 should have an F45, due to the 3 choices of tour, sport, and performance that I can choose from behind my gear. So is this right? And, what can I do to be able to put aftermarket shocks on my C5?

 

Get some z06 parts (springs, shocks, and sway bars) for about $1350 from gmpartsdirect.com. In your case just order the springs and sway bars, also get a "backbone" from EliteEngineering (~$150-350) and you should be well on your way to stiffer suspension.

Don't even replace your shocks if you don't want codes to show up, you can acheive a stiffer ride with sways and springs...

hope this helps.

 

Has anyone tried these? http://www.thelapd.com/Merchant2/mer...e_Code=thelapd
(LAPD F45 Real-Time Dampening Simulators)

I know its a little too pricey, but its the only way that will make aftermarket shocks work. Are they easy to install?

 

You can have a dealer or tuner disable it or you can unplug the connectors at the shocks yourself and put some resistors in-line to fool the system and then install what you want.

Using Tech 2:

Startup Tech2
Enter Diagnostics menu
Enter year of car
Enter Passenger Car menu
Select Body from the menu
Select Y body from the menu
Select body style from the menu (Coupe/Sedan is FRC/Z06)
Select transmission type
Select Body Control Module
Select Special Funtions
Select BCM RPO Reprogram
Select car country of origin (US and Canada)
Toggle off Real Time Damping (RPO F45)
Save Options
Turn off Tech2

Cycle the ignition(I always pull the minifuses for the PCM, BCM and then plug them back in to be sure, as sometimes cycling the ignition is not enough.

A buddy of mine had this done at a local dealer - 10 minutes and $25.

To use the resistor method:

The resistor method uses 15 ohm, 3 watt resistors. You'd need to seal those up well to avoid contaminant and water issues. Also, you must leave the switch in the cabin in one position permanently or you'll blow the resistors when you turn the switch, forcing you to replace the resistors.

I would go the Tech II method. Much cleaner and you can re-enable it easily anytime if you decide to revert the car to stock.

Here's what the Tech II looks like. Some tuners have them as well and you can even find them on ebay for $2K or more.

 

You can do it one of two ways.
1st) Make your own simulators out of 30-50W/10-15 ohm resestors. Follow this attached link to a thread I started some time ago.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ght=f45+delete

Parts cost me < $10. The home made simulators worked perfect but I was not comforable with them in the wheel well getting all wet even though I sealed them up real good.

2nd) I eventually hooked up with Rich Willhoff at Woodard Chevrolete (Thanks Rich) He had one of there tech's hook up a Tech II scaner and delete the F45 option from the BCM. If you go this route you must first discnnect the wire harnesses from the RTD module in the drivers side rear compartment then use the Tech II to delete the option. Do not reconnect the wire harnesses back to the module other wise on the next ignition cycle the BCM will see the RTD module and reinstall the f45 option. If this happens you will throw suspension codes and your car will go into reduced engin power mode (cant go over 80mph). I went with the 04 Z06 shocks, sway bars and springs. Car handles great now, one of the best mods I've done so far.
Good luck with the install, if you have any questions feel free to PM me.
Dave

 

My car is in Thailand. Now I'm in CT going to school and ordering things, and I would like to make sure I get everything I need to make my C5 complete. There are GM dealers in Thailand, but the Chevrolets there are different from here and I'm pretty positive that they will not know how to work on a Corvette cuz we have the ONLY C5 in Thailand, of the the FEW Corvettes.

It would be nice if I can just go to the dealer and have them use the Tech2 to reprogram it for me, but I guess not in Thailand.

So, anything about the "simulators"?... http://www.thelapd.com/Merchant2/mer...e_Code=thelapd thelapd
(LAPD F45 Real-Time Dampening Simulators)

 

If your not comfortable making your own simulators the LAPD ones will work fine, I've have not heard any negitive feed back on them. $200 is good insurance considering where the car is and they are very easy to install.