selective suspension question ?
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
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selective suspension question ?
how big a difference is there between the 3 suspension settings? could you tell which suspension setting you were in without looking at selecter. i spoke with 2 owners of 01 verts and both stated they did not notice a big difference between settings. i am interested in an 07 vette but my 2 biggest decisions are standard or automatic and suspension type. i live in r.i and the roads are full of pot holes and bumps so i think the z51 is out. so i have to choose between stock and selective. would you spend the extra money for the selective suspension again ? thanks steve.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 139
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From: North Myrtle Beach South Carolina
There are only two settings on the C6 magnetic ride control system - - tour and sport. My wife and I can definitely tell the difference; the tour mode is better than our Cadillac and the sport mode tightens the car for a firmer ride. I use the sport mode whenever I want to play around with the A6 paddle shift transmission. Our 2006 is the best Corvette we have owned period! We've owned five others and have gone from base suspension to selective ride (3 settings) to the Z51 in the C5's. Our order of preference in a C6 would be magnetic selective ride, then Z51 and then base suspension. The C6 is so awesome that I believe any suspension would be fine but I would use the base suspension in a daily driver because it is standard on the car; if I raced or was a very aggressive driver, I would want the Z51 (expensive option); and, since my wife and I are refusing to grow old, we use the magnetic ride (expensive option) to change our moods! HA! HA! Hope this helps!
Night Race Blue 427
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,794
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From: Muncie, Indiana ...... Can I buy an amplifier on time ... I ani't got no money now but I'll pay you before I die
They didn't start using the Magnetic Selective Ride like they have now until 2003 model year. For the C6 the use different computer program than was used on the C5 for more of a difference between the two settings. Now that I've 15,000 miles with it I won't have another Corvette without it. It's like having two Corvettes in one.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 26,714
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From: Houston, TX
I can definitely tell which mode I'm in. But many people just don't understand the Magnetic ride shocks. Having two positions is only a small part of what they are all about.
This is not about having two different shock valving settings. There are sensors that sense the road conditions and make constant variable changes in the shock damping characteristics, no matter which mode you are in. In neither mode is it simply a matter of firm or soft.
This is not about having two different shock valving settings. There are sensors that sense the road conditions and make constant variable changes in the shock damping characteristics, no matter which mode you are in. In neither mode is it simply a matter of firm or soft.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 745
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From: Denver Colorado
Good article on the F55. The article is now a bit long in the tooth, but should give you a good background into the F55 system.
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/....php?qstId=503
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/....php?qstId=503
Team Owner
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St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'10
NeighborI'd say first and foremost you won't go wrong with either one. I had the base on my C5 and was fine with it. It is a little firm in the bumps but not bad. The F55 is awesome. The Tour setting is softer than my base C5 was and the Sport setting is firmer than my base C5 was. There is a noticeable difference betwee the two. B.T.W. there are only two settings not three. Good luck in your decision.
Paul
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Racer
Joined: Nov 1999
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Originally Posted by mountainlover
Definitely feel the difference in the 2 settings with F55. I am glad I got it and highly recommend it.
There's a big difference between the two settings on rough roads, especially those washboard surface blacktop roads! I recommend F55 also. rambo
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
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From: Tucson Arizona
The f55 is a plush setup (even used on some Ferrari's I read). Whether or not one can tell which mode you're in may depend somewhat on the road surface conditions and how aggressively one is driving. I personally like it and believe it is money well-spent.
I would also definitely go with a MN6 transmission.
I would also definitely go with a MN6 transmission.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 199
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From: CINCINNATI OH
Those of you that have the F55..and you say you can tell when you are in tour or sport. When do you notice it more? For instance is it immediate? As soon as you switch? I have it and am having a hard time telling the difference. Nothing real noticable when I switch.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,945
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From: Salinas Ca.
It took me about 3k miles to appreciate the differences between sport and tour on my 05. I put on the Z51 sway bars and it took some more adjusting on my part. If I had it to do over again (and I may) I might have left the stock sway bars on, or maybe just gone back to stock on the rear bar. In any event, my experience with the F55 is very positive. Plus, my wife really likes the comfortable ride.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2005
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I would spend the extra money for the selective suspension again. As jschindler said, it is not just a matter of firm or soft. The ride control is working at all times.
It's very easy to tell the difference between the two modes. The sport mode firms up the damping considerably. Try going over a pothole in the tour mode and then again in the sport mode, you'll notice the difference. The same is true when taking a tight turn at speed.
It's very easy to tell the difference between the two modes. The sport mode firms up the damping considerably. Try going over a pothole in the tour mode and then again in the sport mode, you'll notice the difference. The same is true when taking a tight turn at speed.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
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From: San Francisco CA
Originally Posted by Pozzo
I would spend the extra money for the selective suspension again. As jschindler said, it is not just a matter of firm or soft. The ride control is working at all times.
It's very easy to tell the difference between the two modes. The sport mode firms up the damping considerably. Try going over a pothole in the tour mode and then again in the sport mode, you'll notice the difference. The same is true when taking a tight turn at speed.
It's very easy to tell the difference between the two modes. The sport mode firms up the damping considerably. Try going over a pothole in the tour mode and then again in the sport mode, you'll notice the difference. The same is true when taking a tight turn at speed.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 26,714
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From: Houston, TX
Originally Posted by dwilzen
Those of you that have the F55..and you say you can tell when you are in tour or sport. When do you notice it more? For instance is it immediate? As soon as you switch? I have it and am having a hard time telling the difference. Nothing real noticable when I switch.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,775
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From: Rehoboth Beach Delaware
Originally Posted by jschindler
I can definitely tell which mode I'm in. But many people just don't understand the Magnetic ride shocks. Having two positions is only a small part of what they are all about.
This is not about having two different shock valving settings. There are sensors that sense the road conditions and make constant variable changes in the shock damping characteristics, no matter which mode you are in. In neither mode is it simply a matter of firm or soft.
This is not about having two different shock valving settings. There are sensors that sense the road conditions and make constant variable changes in the shock damping characteristics, no matter which mode you are in. In neither mode is it simply a matter of firm or soft.
Thinking in the realm of "two positions", "sport-touring", "hard-soft", with a realized difference when the switch is turned, is thinking in the technology of a standard valved shock.
The beauty of the variable magnetic system is that they are designed not to be initially noticeable, but "step up to the plate", when a certain handling characteristic is required based on sensor feedback.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,775
Likes: 1
From: Rehoboth Beach Delaware
Originally Posted by dwilzen
Those of you that have the F55..and you say you can tell when you are in tour or sport. When do you notice it more? For instance is it immediate? As soon as you switch? I have it and am having a hard time telling the difference. Nothing real noticable when I switch.
Drive along a smooth highway at 75MPH and switch back and forth and you'll probably wonder if the system is working. Push it through corners, or on irregular road surfaces and the system will react as designed in each mode.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,640
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From: Muscle Shoals, AL
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
I'm loving my F55. Please see the related thread today.
Worth every penny to me. Ain't life grand when your biggest decisions or standard or F55 and manual or auto?
Worth every penny to me. Ain't life grand when your biggest decisions or standard or F55 and manual or auto?
Night Race Blue 427
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,794
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From: Muncie, Indiana ...... Can I buy an amplifier on time ... I ani't got no money now but I'll pay you before I die
Originally Posted by dwilzen
Those of you that have the F55..and you say you can tell when you are in tour or sport. When do you notice it more?
Last edited by Corvette Junkie; Jul 23, 2006 at 08:43 AM.
