FE1 RPO code soft ride
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 12,505
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Base car has the FE1, while the base car with Z51 option has the FE3 suspension instead.
The difference in suspension itself, the sways from and back are stiffer on the FE3, the shocks are stiffer on the FE3, and only the front trans spring is stiffer on the FE3 (back one is the same for both).
As for driving the two, granted that the FE3 will be more level in the corners, but if you do not know how to brake transfer the weight into a corner to make the front end stick more, may be better off with a FE1 suspension if you are just gliding through the corners. Hence Fe3 was made for autocross, where you do break into the corner to transfer weight to the front end to get it to stick better, and if you do this correctly with the FE1 set up, front end dives too much isntead.
As for Z51 option on base model (up to 2009, since option was dropped in 2010 when the GS was the model built for autocross use, and Z51 option dropped for the base models), comes with a lot more than just the stiffer suspension, such at extra coolers, slightly different gear ratios, as well as better brakes as well.
The difference in suspension itself, the sways from and back are stiffer on the FE3, the shocks are stiffer on the FE3, and only the front trans spring is stiffer on the FE3 (back one is the same for both).
As for driving the two, granted that the FE3 will be more level in the corners, but if you do not know how to brake transfer the weight into a corner to make the front end stick more, may be better off with a FE1 suspension if you are just gliding through the corners. Hence Fe3 was made for autocross, where you do break into the corner to transfer weight to the front end to get it to stick better, and if you do this correctly with the FE1 set up, front end dives too much isntead.
As for Z51 option on base model (up to 2009, since option was dropped in 2010 when the GS was the model built for autocross use, and Z51 option dropped for the base models), comes with a lot more than just the stiffer suspension, such at extra coolers, slightly different gear ratios, as well as better brakes as well.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 215
Likes: 55
From: North Texas--McKinney area
Base car has the FE1, while the base car with Z51 option has the FE3 suspension instead.
The difference in suspension itself, the sways from and back are stiffer on the FE3, the shocks are stiffer on the FE3, and only the front trans spring is stiffer on the FE3 (back one is the same for both).
As for driving the two, granted that the FE3 will be more level in the corners, but if you do not know how to brake transfer the weight into a corner to make the front end stick more, may be better off with a FE1 suspension if you are just gliding through the corners. Hence Fe3 was made for autocross, where you do break into the corner to transfer weight to the front end to get it to stick better, and if you do this correctly with the FE1 set up, front end dives too much isntead.
As for Z51 option on base model (up to 2009, since option was dropped in 2010 when the GS was the model built for autocross use, and Z51 option dropped for the base models), comes with a lot more than just the stiffer suspension, such at extra coolers, slightly different gear ratios, as well as better brakes as well.
The difference in suspension itself, the sways from and back are stiffer on the FE3, the shocks are stiffer on the FE3, and only the front trans spring is stiffer on the FE3 (back one is the same for both).
As for driving the two, granted that the FE3 will be more level in the corners, but if you do not know how to brake transfer the weight into a corner to make the front end stick more, may be better off with a FE1 suspension if you are just gliding through the corners. Hence Fe3 was made for autocross, where you do break into the corner to transfer weight to the front end to get it to stick better, and if you do this correctly with the FE1 set up, front end dives too much isntead.
As for Z51 option on base model (up to 2009, since option was dropped in 2010 when the GS was the model built for autocross use, and Z51 option dropped for the base models), comes with a lot more than just the stiffer suspension, such at extra coolers, slightly different gear ratios, as well as better brakes as well.
