C5 Selective Real Time Damping.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 34,479
Likes: 531
From: Central PA. - - My AR15 identifies as a muzzleloader
I believe in the Beer Fairy
Both systems use electronics to control the damping of the shocks. The F45 has valving in the shocks and the F55 uses a special fluid containing magnetic particles that are aligned in specific orientation by the electronics to accomplish the changes in damping. Three switch settings on F45 and only two switch settings on F55 on the center console. Both are extremely expensive to replace the shocks when they wear out. Expect to pay north of $2000 for the shocks alone plus installation if you don't do your own work. Conventional shocks go for $300 to $400 for all 4 shocks plus installation. You cannot just replace the shocks without some way to fool the computer.
I would generally agree that the best approach for disabling the F45 suspension option is to remove it from the BCM as an RPO. However, not all C5 owners with cars equipped with RPO F45 have the availability of obtaining access to a Tech II to be able to remove the RPO from the BCM. For those people the resistor or Simm option is available as a viable alternative. While there are some reports of problems with the resistors or Simms over time, they are not wide spread based on what I have seen/read on this forum.
As a side note. I just went from a Z51 C5 w/completely rebuilt suspension (including urethane) to a Mag Ride C6. Saying the difference is night and day doesn't do it justice. I can't speak to the ride quality of the C5 F45/55 suspensions, but the Mag Ride is amazing. Mine basically never leaves tour and it rides like a Cadillac. Wheew...
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 106
Likes: 7
From: Chandler AZ
What Tech2 knockoff ? Did you get? Anyone in Phoenix?
So far, the knock offs on Amazon that I found will not do real time damping in RPO deletion of the*I have a 2004, so I have F 55.
Do you have to plug the shocks back in to remove the RPO real time damping ?
?I have the original GM shocks in a box.
Do you have to plug the shocks back in to remove the RPO real time damping ?
?I have the original GM shocks in a box.
