f55 equiped or f45
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
From: houston tx
f55 equiped or f45
not to sure what it means. some one told me its adjustable shocks. my c5 has a ride control switch. i move it around but it doesnt really adjust anything or do anything i cant feel a differnce on any setting. it has tour, sport, and perfomance. they told me a set of shocks about $2,500 i was awww hell na 
!! lol. i get back to you lol. i was ready to spend bout $1000 on some bilstein shock so much for that plan
!! lol. i get back to you lol. i was ready to spend bout $1000 on some bilstein shock so much for that plan
Last edited by Corvette X; Jul 9, 2007 at 11:31 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,933
Likes: 30
From: San Rafael CA
If you have the 3 position switch, you have the F45 suspension option - also called "Real Time Damping" (RTD).
There is a kit available from GM to upgrade to the F55 option, also known as "Magnetic Suspension Ride Control" (MSRC).
There is a kit available from GM to upgrade to the F55 option, also known as "Magnetic Suspension Ride Control" (MSRC).
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 409
Likes: 1
From: Warrington Cheshire, England
,
,
In the fluid in the shock, there are carbon particles.
When the switch is in the sport mode, it passes a current through the magneheilic (sp) fluid, and all the carbon bits, line themselves up in an orderly fashion.
This then causes more resistance to the shock absorber going up and down.
this electrical supply is controled by the BCM, and switches thousand times a second according to the number of pot holes you hit !!
,
In the fluid in the shock, there are carbon particles.
When the switch is in the sport mode, it passes a current through the magneheilic (sp) fluid, and all the carbon bits, line themselves up in an orderly fashion.
This then causes more resistance to the shock absorber going up and down.
this electrical supply is controled by the BCM, and switches thousand times a second according to the number of pot holes you hit !!
Racer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 403
Likes: 2
From: Glen Allen VA
Ditch the F45.
I have a 98-coupe with the F45 option. I bought the car early this year and had the same experience, felt like the switch was doing nothing. A month later "shocks inoperative" "service ride control" appeared on the DIC. The F45 went south. F45 shock prices are out the roof so here's what I am in the middle of (total cost is about $600):
1. removing the F45 option from the Body Control Module (need a TechII and costs about $37.50 labor at most performance shops).
2. Installing C6 Z06 shocks (about $230 from Gene gmpartshouse.com - labour runs about $300).
3. C5 Z06 sway bars with metallic end links (optional, not doing this one).
People have reported a tremendous driving improvement after the above suspension install.
1. removing the F45 option from the Body Control Module (need a TechII and costs about $37.50 labor at most performance shops).
2. Installing C6 Z06 shocks (about $230 from Gene gmpartshouse.com - labour runs about $300).
3. C5 Z06 sway bars with metallic end links (optional, not doing this one).
People have reported a tremendous driving improvement after the above suspension install.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,933
Likes: 30
From: San Rafael CA
,
,
In the fluid in the shock, there are carbon particles.
When the switch is in the sport mode, it passes a current through the magneheilic (sp) fluid, and all the carbon bits, line themselves up in an orderly fashion.
This then causes more resistance to the shock absorber going up and down.
this electrical supply is controled by the BCM, and switches thousand times a second according to the number of pot holes you hit !!
,
In the fluid in the shock, there are carbon particles.
When the switch is in the sport mode, it passes a current through the magneheilic (sp) fluid, and all the carbon bits, line themselves up in an orderly fashion.
This then causes more resistance to the shock absorber going up and down.
this electrical supply is controled by the BCM, and switches thousand times a second according to the number of pot holes you hit !!
Also, the current is not controlled by the BCM, but by a seperate computer that is dedicated to ride control.
For a detailed description of the sytem, see:
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/....php?qstId=503
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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
There a few people on the forum who sware by the F-45 system. I my self feel that they were a complete waste of money. If you up-grade to the 06 C6 ZO6 shocks, you will be very satisfied!!!There a direct bolt in no mus no fuss install! You can program the option out of the BCM with a TECH II.
I could tell the difference between each mode but the differences in each seting were so minute that the system was worthless to me. Ive been told that during "EXTREME" driving conditions that they work well.
I need a set up that works on the street. The C6 Z06 shocks work very well for me in my 02 Z06.
BC
I could tell the difference between each mode but the differences in each seting were so minute that the system was worthless to me. Ive been told that during "EXTREME" driving conditions that they work well.
I need a set up that works on the street. The C6 Z06 shocks work very well for me in my 02 Z06. BC
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
From: houston tx
so i can take off the "ride control option" completly remove it and put some c6 shocks? i was told i couldnt i dont know? if so i stay in houston where can i get this done at , franks corvettes maybe? or say if i want to stay with ride control option is there any bad *** ones i can buy besides oe
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,933
Likes: 30
From: San Rafael CA
so i can take off the "ride control option" completly remove it and put some c6 shocks? i was told i couldnt i dont know? if so i stay in houston where can i get this done at , franks corvettes maybe? or say if i want to stay with ride control option is there any bad *** ones i can buy besides oe
1) Maintain the current system, purchase replacement shocks for about $2,000 and keep it going.
2) Upgrade the system to the F55 suspension (see article I linked to above for more info on MSRC system) by purchasing GM kit part number 12499507
3) Turn off the "active" suspension option in your car and put on "standard" (non-active) shock absorbers such as the C6 shocks or Bilsteins, or whatever. This requires either a set of resistors to "fool" the suspension control computer into thinking the active shocks are still on the car, or a visit to someone with a Tech2 to deprogram the F45 option out of the car's BCM.
HTH
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
From: houston tx
one more thing how often should they be replaced im hearing a squeaking noise when i go over humps an speed bumbs. it kinda sounds like and old car with the shocks gone out. not that loud but i hear it and i hate it so im guessing i need new ones i have bout 120,000 miles on it
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,799
Likes: 1
From: Dayton Ohio
one more thing how often should they be replaced im hearing a squeaking noise when i go over humps an speed bumbs. it kinda sounds like and old car with the shocks gone out. not that loud but i hear it and i hate it so im guessing i need new ones i have bout 120,000 miles on it
Racer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 403
Likes: 2
From: Glen Allen VA
