mag ride vs standard shocks
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 2,706
Likes: 897
From: CONCORD CA.
mag ride vs standard shocks
i'm quickly approaching the time were i need to replace my front shocks.
i do have the mag ride shocks and, was wondering if anyone has converted to standard shocks.
i'm sure that their has been a few. was it worth it?
in the short term, i'm looking to spread out some recent work & repairs. the biggest hit being a new engine.
that one busted my budget. along with the shocks, i feel that i have some minor front suspension work too,
( as evidenced by the front tire wear. drivers sides outer / passenger side inner ). they are both bad enough to require replacement.
so on original question ( shocks ), i was thinking about going with standard units in the short term.
then after i replenish my budget, replace with the mag ride units.
yes? no?
i do have the mag ride shocks and, was wondering if anyone has converted to standard shocks.
i'm sure that their has been a few. was it worth it?
in the short term, i'm looking to spread out some recent work & repairs. the biggest hit being a new engine.
that one busted my budget. along with the shocks, i feel that i have some minor front suspension work too,
( as evidenced by the front tire wear. drivers sides outer / passenger side inner ). they are both bad enough to require replacement.
so on original question ( shocks ), i was thinking about going with standard units in the short term.
then after i replenish my budget, replace with the mag ride units.
yes? no?
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 12,502
Likes: 3,631
Mag ride shocks (MRC) will run about $450 each.
If you use standard shocks for all four corners, will have to go into the BCM programming menu to turn off the F55 module so you don't get codes, then go back in and turn it back on when you install the MRC shocks again. If your looking to have a dealer do this since you don't own a tech II, then $150 a shot to break out the tech II to do the programing each time.
Now the next glitch and in order for the MRC shocks in the back to work correctly, the F55 system has to be in play. Hence with F55 turned off, nothing will be energizing the rear MRC shocks, and they are going to be unbelievable soft instead (car will not be drive-able).
So for starters, would double check the MRC shocks, since they have been know to last over 100K miles without problems. Hence if they are leaking, and since the fluid is the shock is heaver in iron partials, any fluid wiped off the shocks that is shock fluid should stick hard to a magnet/should be able to pick the shock towel up with a magnet.
As for tire wear, would have the front suspension check out, including the ride height adjusters, since problem does sound like front end out of alignment isntead.
Note here, after market ride height adjusters tend to go on in a year,and when they do go out, take the front end out of alignment as well. So on that note, would plan on pulling both trans spring to change the ride height adjusters back to OEM style that will last when checking the front suspension, have the ride height/ corner balanced correct, reset the ride height sensor back to 2.9 volts on a tech II, before the wheels are realigned to the correct corner balance ride height levels.
If you use standard shocks for all four corners, will have to go into the BCM programming menu to turn off the F55 module so you don't get codes, then go back in and turn it back on when you install the MRC shocks again. If your looking to have a dealer do this since you don't own a tech II, then $150 a shot to break out the tech II to do the programing each time.
Now the next glitch and in order for the MRC shocks in the back to work correctly, the F55 system has to be in play. Hence with F55 turned off, nothing will be energizing the rear MRC shocks, and they are going to be unbelievable soft instead (car will not be drive-able).
So for starters, would double check the MRC shocks, since they have been know to last over 100K miles without problems. Hence if they are leaking, and since the fluid is the shock is heaver in iron partials, any fluid wiped off the shocks that is shock fluid should stick hard to a magnet/should be able to pick the shock towel up with a magnet.
As for tire wear, would have the front suspension check out, including the ride height adjusters, since problem does sound like front end out of alignment isntead.
Note here, after market ride height adjusters tend to go on in a year,and when they do go out, take the front end out of alignment as well. So on that note, would plan on pulling both trans spring to change the ride height adjusters back to OEM style that will last when checking the front suspension, have the ride height/ corner balanced correct, reset the ride height sensor back to 2.9 volts on a tech II, before the wheels are realigned to the correct corner balance ride height levels.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 2,706
Likes: 897
From: CONCORD CA.
Mag ride shocks (MRC) will run about $450 each.
If you use standard shocks for all four corners, will have to go into the BCM programming menu to turn off the F55 module so you don't get codes, then go back in and turn it back on when you install the MRC shocks again. If your looking to have a dealer do this since you don't own a tech II, then $150 a shot to break out the tech II to do the programing each time.
Now the next glitch and in order for the MRC shocks in the back to work correctly, the F55 system has to be in play. Hence with F55 turned off, nothing will be energizing the rear MRC shocks, and they are going to be unbelievable soft instead (car will not be drive-able).
So for starters, would double check the MRC shocks, since they have been know to last over 100K miles without problems. Hence if they are leaking, and since the fluid is the shock is heaver in iron partials, any fluid wiped off the shocks that is shock fluid should stick hard to a magnet/should be able to pick the shock towel up with a magnet.
As for tire wear, would have the front suspension check out, including the ride height adjusters, since problem does sound like front end out of alignment isntead.
Note here, after market ride height adjusters tend to go on in a year,and when they do go out, take the front end out of alignment as well. So on that note, would plan on pulling both trans spring to change the ride height adjusters back to OEM style that will last when checking the front suspension, have the ride height/ corner balanced correct, reset the ride height sensor back to 2.9 volts on a tech II, before the wheels are realigned to the correct corner balance ride height levels.
If you use standard shocks for all four corners, will have to go into the BCM programming menu to turn off the F55 module so you don't get codes, then go back in and turn it back on when you install the MRC shocks again. If your looking to have a dealer do this since you don't own a tech II, then $150 a shot to break out the tech II to do the programing each time.
Now the next glitch and in order for the MRC shocks in the back to work correctly, the F55 system has to be in play. Hence with F55 turned off, nothing will be energizing the rear MRC shocks, and they are going to be unbelievable soft instead (car will not be drive-able).
So for starters, would double check the MRC shocks, since they have been know to last over 100K miles without problems. Hence if they are leaking, and since the fluid is the shock is heaver in iron partials, any fluid wiped off the shocks that is shock fluid should stick hard to a magnet/should be able to pick the shock towel up with a magnet.
As for tire wear, would have the front suspension check out, including the ride height adjusters, since problem does sound like front end out of alignment isntead.
Note here, after market ride height adjusters tend to go on in a year,and when they do go out, take the front end out of alignment as well. So on that note, would plan on pulling both trans spring to change the ride height adjusters back to OEM style that will last when checking the front suspension, have the ride height/ corner balanced correct, reset the ride height sensor back to 2.9 volts on a tech II, before the wheels are realigned to the correct corner balance ride height levels.
as far as i know, it's just one front shock that is leaking ( drivers side if that matters ). would obviously do both fronts though. i'm sure i'll bite the bullet and stay with the mag rides. just been a 5 - 6 month run of repairs that are adding up.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 2,706
Likes: 897
From: CONCORD CA.
now that the engine has been addressed ( a new engine will do that ), i can focus on the shocks. based on the how it is currently driving,
i'm not doubting the condition of the shocks. it does feel a skittish and not as well planted as i remember it.
especially with over 165k miles on them. i'm the second owner ( 67k miles are mine. ). according to car fax report, i've seen that that one of rear shocks were replaced early on. so as far as i can tell, the other 3 shocks, are all still original. i'll have to bite the bullet ( again ) and replace them.
as much as i enjoy ownership, i'm currently in the bottom cycle on the expense side of the scale.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 606
Likes: 99
From: Binghamton New York
2024 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2018 C1 of Year Finalist
"Skitish" on these cars can very well be tires and or alignment. I'd do both before shocks.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 2,706
Likes: 897
From: CONCORD CA.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,363
Likes: 543
From: Sarasota FL
St. Jude Donor '25-'26
Or turn off the F55 system completely, add 4 DRM shocks, and leave it that way. The DRM shocks have very good reviews vs standard shocks. MRC system $150, DRM shocks $450.
Too bad you are in CA. I have 4 stock Z06 shocks (these are not MRC shocks) in storage. They have 13,000 miles on them. I replaced them with the DRM shocks.
Too bad you are in CA. I have 4 stock Z06 shocks (these are not MRC shocks) in storage. They have 13,000 miles on them. I replaced them with the DRM shocks.
Last edited by Keppler; Jun 22, 2020 at 09:51 PM.
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 2,706
Likes: 897
From: CONCORD CA.
Or turn off the F55 system completely, add 4 DRM shocks, and leave it that way. The DRM shocks have very good reviews vs standard shocks. MRC system $150, DRM shocks $450.
Too bad you are in CA. I have 4 stock Z06 shocks (these are not MRC shocks) in storage. They have 13,000 miles on them. I replaced them with the DRM shocks.
Too bad you are in CA. I have 4 stock Z06 shocks (these are not MRC shocks) in storage. They have 13,000 miles on them. I replaced them with the DRM shocks.