2011 GS with F55
02-08-2010, 10:22 AM
#42
Race Director
F55 is a fantastic suspension. Every Corvette owner should drive the Beartooth Pass in WY/MT. I felt more comfortable driving my C6 in tour mode on the Wyoming side because the road was so bumpy and you are on the side/top of a mountain. They may fail someday unlike regular shocks that WILL fail. After 50-60k with regular shocks on most cars the car starts to feel loose.
Many people think the F55 in tour mode will get rid of bumps and say it is not working or try to make it work on a smooth road. It takes out the sharpness of a bump or expansion joints. Just drive down I84 in southwest Idaho. In sport mode I thought my teeth were going to be jarred loose, in tour it was at least tolerable.
Many people think the F55 in tour mode will get rid of bumps and say it is not working or try to make it work on a smooth road. It takes out the sharpness of a bump or expansion joints. Just drive down I84 in southwest Idaho. In sport mode I thought my teeth were going to be jarred loose, in tour it was at least tolerable.
02-08-2010, 07:07 PM
#43
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The F55 package is one of my favorite features on my C6. I would love to see GM open the options up a little. I would love to have a 3Lt GS coup with an LS7, F55, NPP, and dual Roofs...
It would be the perfect Corvette for me....
It would be the perfect Corvette for me....
05-26-2010, 11:54 AM
#47
Team Owner
I bought a 2007 that had the F55 suspension as an option. The car had about 28K miles and upon inspection, the driver side, rear shock did indeed have a major leak as the metallic fluid was encrusted on the shock, coming from the top seal. I drove the car for months, and could not feel any defect and the switching back and forth seemed to work OK - no messages on the DIC either. I did some research and apparently failed F55 shocks are more common that I had believed, and as you may know, they are quite expensive units. I was worried about that leak and concerned that a failure could occur causing other unintended consequences. So, I did the conversion and put Bilstiens on for now, as the whole process was cheaper than one replacement F55 shock. I kept all of them and can easily convert back if desired, after buying a replacement. BTW, the Bilstiens are great and for a daily driver, just fine for me. 
The good thing about F-55 is that is it's a safety feature in that it keeps all 4 wheels planted to the ground whereas in the other non F-55 Corvettes they loose contact with road.
Also F-55 option provides a comfortable ride on beat up roads.
05-26-2010, 12:12 PM
#48
Melting Slicks
But since we're on the topic, anybody know any definitive differences between "base" and ZR1 F55?
05-26-2010, 03:37 PM
#50
Team Owner
F55 shock prices should go down as more of them are made for more models of Corvette.
Since R&D can be spread out to more units price will decrease.
BTW ZR1 (and thus Z06) F55 Shocks are a different part number (I just looked them up in the electronic part catalog), the rest seem to be the same (this is under 2011 as well).
The even funnier thing is the ZR1\Z06 shocks are $500 a unit as opposed to the Coupe\GS ones which are $1000 a unit.
Since R&D can be spread out to more units price will decrease.
BTW ZR1 (and thus Z06) F55 Shocks are a different part number (I just looked them up in the electronic part catalog), the rest seem to be the same (this is under 2011 as well).
The even funnier thing is the ZR1\Z06 shocks are $500 a unit as opposed to the Coupe\GS ones which are $1000 a unit.
Just like when ABS started from Mercedez and now it's standard on all cars that cost less.
05-26-2010, 03:39 PM
#51
Safety Car
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According to the July issue of Car and Driver when the 2011 GS goes on sale late summer it will come with option code F55. In addition models equipped with manual gearboxes will have Goodyear's new F1 Supercar G:2 tires. They drove one at Buttonwillow and report skidpad grip increased by o.o3g and the grip gave way in a more progressive fashion. And the magnetorheological dampers keep body motions more buttoned down.
Of course anyone knowlegeable about modern automotive suspensions knows Magnetic Selective Ride Control is far superior to the current conventional G/S suspension and will be delighted that the 2011 will G/S will finally have a contemporary suspension system.
Of course anyone knowlegeable about modern automotive suspensions knows Magnetic Selective Ride Control is far superior to the current conventional G/S suspension and will be delighted that the 2011 will G/S will finally have a contemporary suspension system.
05-26-2010, 03:47 PM
#52
Team Owner
According to the July issue of Car and Driver when the 2011 GS goes on sale late summer it will come with option code F55. In addition models equipped with manual gearboxes will have Goodyear's new F1 Supercar G:2 tires. They drove one at Buttonwillow and report skidpad grip increased by o.o3g and the grip gave way in a more progressive fashion. And the magnetorheological dampers keep body motions more buttoned down.
Of course anyone knowlegeable about modern automotive suspensions knows Magnetic Selective Ride Control is far superior to the current conventional G/S suspension and will be delighted that the 2011 will G/S will finally have a contemporary suspension system.
Of course anyone knowlegeable about modern automotive suspensions knows Magnetic Selective Ride Control is far superior to the current conventional G/S suspension and will be delighted that the 2011 will G/S will finally have a contemporary suspension system.
05-26-2010, 05:52 PM
#54
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C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
I've driven with a disabled shock over 120 mph at the drags (see below). The DIC indicated a 158 mph limit, but my car's not fast enough to test that limit at the track.
It's an '08, so maybe earlier years have different limits.I had to replace a broken electrical connector for one of my shocks (long story) and the stealership wanted to sell me a whole new shock for $700. A sharp parts guy at another dealer found the connector only for $25. That was 6 months ago, so I suspect I was quoted less than list.
05-26-2010, 11:52 PM
#55
Team Owner
If one fails, it's not necessary to replace all 4. Just the one, because they work at full capacity until the end, unlike regular shocks that gradually die.
I've driven with a disabled shock over 120 mph at the drags (see below). The DIC indicated a 158 mph limit, but my car's not fast enough to test that limit at the track. It's an '08, so maybe earlier years have different limits.
I had to replace a broken electrical connector for one of my shocks (long story) and the stealership wanted to sell me a whole new shock for $700. A sharp parts guy at another dealer found the connector only for $25. That was 6 months ago, so I suspect I was quoted less than list.
I've driven with a disabled shock over 120 mph at the drags (see below). The DIC indicated a 158 mph limit, but my car's not fast enough to test that limit at the track.
It's an '08, so maybe earlier years have different limits.I had to replace a broken electrical connector for one of my shocks (long story) and the stealership wanted to sell me a whole new shock for $700. A sharp parts guy at another dealer found the connector only for $25. That was 6 months ago, so I suspect I was quoted less than list.
05-27-2010, 01:04 AM
#56
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There are professional/knowledgeable parts people and there are order takers. I prefer the former. It's just too bad the service department isn't that good.
05-27-2010, 01:08 AM
#57
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If I lived in a location where the roads were other than third world (those of you that have been here understand what I am talking about) I would love to have a tighter suspension.
But the F55 is well suited to some locations. Still needs the upgraded sway bars but that's an easy mod.
If your roads suck, get the F55.
But the F55 is well suited to some locations. Still needs the upgraded sway bars but that's an easy mod.
If your roads suck, get the F55.
05-27-2010, 01:18 AM
#58
Drifting
F55 is a fantastic suspension. Every Corvette owner should drive the Beartooth Pass in WY/MT. I felt more comfortable driving my C6 in tour mode on the Wyoming side because the road was so bumpy and you are on the side/top of a mountain. They may fail someday unlike regular shocks that WILL fail. After 50-60k with regular shocks on most cars the car starts to feel loose.
Many people think the F55 in tour mode will get rid of bumps and say it is not working or try to make it work on a smooth road. It takes out the sharpness of a bump or expansion joints. Just drive down I84 in southwest Idaho. In sport mode I thought my teeth were going to be jarred loose, in tour it was at least tolerable.
Many people think the F55 in tour mode will get rid of bumps and say it is not working or try to make it work on a smooth road. It takes out the sharpness of a bump or expansion joints. Just drive down I84 in southwest Idaho. In sport mode I thought my teeth were going to be jarred loose, in tour it was at least tolerable.
05-27-2010, 12:06 PM
#59
Team Owner
If I lived in a location where the roads were other than third world (those of you that have been here understand what I am talking about) I would love to have a tighter suspension.
But the F55 is well suited to some locations. Still needs the upgraded sway bars but that's an easy mod.
If your roads suck, get the F55.
But the F55 is well suited to some locations. Still needs the upgraded sway bars but that's an easy mod.
If your roads suck, get the F55.