Question about the selective suspension in a C5

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Oct 21, 2011 | 01:03 PM

Praetorian27

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Oct 2011

Posts: 374

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From: Greenville NY

Question about the selective suspension in a C5

I was looking a couple potential C5's to buy and was wondering about the selective suspension. It has 3 settings...sport touring and performance I think are the 3 choices. In a C5 that doesn't have this selection, what is the suspension set at? One of the three or something totally different?

Thanks!

Oct 21, 2011 | 02:26 PM

Jnape

Burning Brakes

Joined: Mar 2008

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From: Middle Of Kali CA

Older C5's were F45 and has sport or touring. The newer C5's were F55 and the same 2 selections. The replacement factory shocks are stupid expensive. The F45 are easier to bypass and put on regular shocks. The F55 can be bypassed but only with a Tech 2 and following the procedure to the tee.

My F55 is always in sport and I wish I didn't have the option.

Oct 21, 2011 | 02:35 PM

Praetorian27

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Oct 2011

Posts: 374

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From: Greenville NY

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jnape

Whoa. I have some research to do! Is F45 and F55 the type of suspension on the C5? Are these F suspensions on all C5's or just on the selectable suspension ones? Why do you wish your car didn't have this option?

Oct 21, 2011 | 03:41 PM

Sonny71

Drifting

Joined: Jul 2006

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From: Sloatsburg NY

Oldtimer

F45 was an option from the beginning (1997) and was switched over to F55 in 2003 these options ran about $1700 and are on about 15% of the car made each year.

Oct 21, 2011 | 05:37 PM

lionelhutz

Race Director

Joined: Apr 2007

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From: South Western Ontario

If they don't have the switch then they just have normal shocks.

The active suspension shocks are expensive to replace and apparently they don't ride as well - I suspect they tend to bottom out easier, especially if lowered at all.

Peter

Oct 21, 2011 | 06:09 PM

leadfoot4

Team Owner

Joined: May 2001

Posts: 87,391

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From: Western NY

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jnape

Older C5's were F45 and has sport or touring.

Actually, there are 3 positions....Touring, Sport, or Performance. The perceptable change in ride is so subtle, I can't notice it. Had I known in 2001, what I know today, I wouldn't have ordered the F45 suspension, I would have ordered the Z51 suspension instead.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Praetorian27

Not really..."F45" or "F55" is the option code, not a suspension design, something like an engine designation could be LS1 or LS3. F45 is the early generation selective ride option, while F55 is the second generation selective ride option.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lionelhutz

I can't tell too well about bottoming out, but my F45 car has been lowered about an inch or so, since it was a couple of months old....

Last edited by leadfoot4; Oct 21, 2011 at 06:12 PM.

Oct 21, 2011 | 08:03 PM

Bill Curlee

Tech Contributor

Joined: Dec 1999

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From: Anthony TX

CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet

St. Jude Donor '08

In my honest opinion,,,, The F45 selective Ride suspensions SUCK! Period. They use the BASE suspension springs and sway bars and the ride settings are basically indistinguishable

I had the F45 on my 98 Coupe and hated every second of it. Get a car with a performance suspension or up grade to one.

My ZO6 was just what I was looking for in the handling world.

Its easy to upgrade a base suspension car to Z51 or ZO6 or even use some C6 parts. I have C6 ZO6 shocks on my 02Z and that improved it a lot.

Some people go to Coil overs and sell their OEM suspensions in the C5 Parts wanted/for sale section... Thats a good way to save cash.

BC