I will be installing Bilstein Sports shocks on my coupe. I currently have the F45 suspension package. Is there any thing I should be concerned about before I start the install? Any problems that may arise after the install?

Thanks.

 

I use this info to install my Bilstein Sports Shock: http://www.c5forum.com/diy/shocks.php

 

You'll need a Tech-2 to disable the F45 sensors, or you'll have codes galore, and the car will go into reduced-power mode.


Asterisk means option is enabled.

 

Buy some zip ties. Compress the shock and zip tie it to keep it compressed. Cut the zip tie when you get it in position. Makes the job a lot easier.

 

Would he need to "corner balance" the car after changing to Bilstein shocks. I'm hearing a lot about that lately... (just wanna know, cuz I'm about to do this mod too)...

 

Corner Balance??? What's that???

 

lets just say you dont need to corner balance your car at all. It is something that people do that track a lot.

If you are going to get the car aligned then corner balancing is not much more money so you might want to do it then.

You will not need to corner balance or even get an alignment with new shocks as long as your car was aligned properly before.

That being said I took my car in and it was way out of alignment....

 

http://www.dietersmotorsports.com/te...nerbalance.htm

or

http://www.elephantracing.com/techto...nerbalance.htm

What is corner balance?

Corner balancing is the process of shifting the weight carried by each wheel to approach optimal values. Although some weight can be shifted between wheels by physically relocating parts of the car, the corner balance process is focused on shifting weight by adjusting the suspension spring height. Any relocation of parts should be performed before corner balancing begins.

Why corner balance?

A properly corner balanced car will handle evenly in left and right turns. Unbalanced handling occurs when front-to-rear weight distribution is not equal for left and right sides.

In a symmetric car out-of-balance is easily understood as excessive weight carried by one pair of diagonal wheels resulting in a teeter-totter affect. If the imbalance is extreme, one of the light wheels may be completely off the ground even at rest!

Street cars are rarely corner balanced and typically have no provision for adjusting spring height. That's because their spring rate is relatively low, perhaps 100 lbs/in. With such low spring rates it would take a huge imbalance in spring height to have a significant affect on corner balance.

Performance and race cars may have spring rates of 300, 400, 500 lbs/in and higher. Corner balance becomes much more important due to the high spring rates - small changes in height greatly impact weight carried. Additionally, we are much more concerned with handling and performance with race cars so corner balance becomes very important.

 

Thanks guys!




Any other hints or commets??

 

Where did you buy your Bilsteins from, and how much..

 

I bought mine from Turner Motorsports and paid 312.39 shipped. I also have the HDs and lovem. Another option is to buy the f-45 simulators (from LS1Speed.com) in place of using the tech 2, I had to do this cause I couldn't find any dealerships around Kansas City that knew how to turn it off. Now I'm in the process of trying to find a good tuner close to me, wish me luck on that one, ha.

 

Where can I get one? How much money are we talking about?



I've read on another forum that the simulators on ls1speed.com will do the job. I've also read that I can use the Bilstiens without doing anything else and just ignore the DIC messages. Speed will be limited to 80MPH. I don't like this option.

Somehow, I feel I didn't do my homework on this mod. I read so many posts about members buying aftermarket shocks for their cars but not many post on what to do about the BCM programming.

Still looking for solutions.

 

Ttt

 

It's too much $$ for a backyard mechanic:
http://www.ntxtools.com/network-tool.../otc-3628.html

If you can find a friendly dealer tech, they should be able to do it for you.

 

Man, you aren't joking! I hope the GM dealer here on Guam has this puppy. If not, it looks like I'll be selling a set of Bilstien shocks!

 

All GM dealers have to have one. That is what they use to diagnose problems. They cost about $3k. Due to a fortunate occurrence I happen to have my own. I guess you are a little too far to stop over.

 

Can you find a tuner somewhere and send them your PCM to just have it turned off?

Just an idea

 

striper, I understand it a fairly straight shot over the Arctic Circle from Guam to NJ. There should be enough driving time to see if I can pin my speedo! I'll try to be there before dinner!