Magnetic ride
Popular Reply
Feb 1, 2016, 08:54 PM
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,352
Likes: 568
From: Ventura County, Calif
No, suspension info isn't in the VIN.
Of course on a 2014, you have to have Z51 first before you can have Mag Ride.
Two visual ways to check. Look through a rear wheel at the shock. If it's yellow, it isn't Mag Ride. If it's black, it is. Or, open the hood and see if there is a black wire coming off the top of the driver's side shock. If it's there, it's Mag Ride.
Of course on a 2014, you have to have Z51 first before you can have Mag Ride.
Two visual ways to check. Look through a rear wheel at the shock. If it's yellow, it isn't Mag Ride. If it's black, it is. Or, open the hood and see if there is a black wire coming off the top of the driver's side shock. If it's there, it's Mag Ride.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,352
Likes: 568
From: Ventura County, Calif
No, suspension info isn't in the VIN.
Of course on a 2014, you have to have Z51 first before you can have Mag Ride.
Two visual ways to check. Look through a rear wheel at the shock. If it's yellow, it isn't Mag Ride. If it's black, it is. Or, open the hood and see if there is a black wire coming off the top of the driver's side shock. If it's there, it's Mag Ride.
Of course on a 2014, you have to have Z51 first before you can have Mag Ride.
Two visual ways to check. Look through a rear wheel at the shock. If it's yellow, it isn't Mag Ride. If it's black, it is. Or, open the hood and see if there is a black wire coming off the top of the driver's side shock. If it's there, it's Mag Ride.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,050
Likes: 124
From: Wichita KS
Raise the cover over the battery up (like you were going to change the battery) and you will find the RPO tag.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,596
Likes: 120
From: East Tennessee
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Joined: Mar 2005
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From: La Center WA
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,729
Likes: 62
From: South Lyon MI
Simply put, the oil in the shocks have metallic particles in them. When you run current thru them, it excites the electrons and they expand. Upon expansion, the viscosity of the oil changes depending upon the current. This lets you control the how the shocks act because you're in control of the fluid and how it passes thru the valving in the shock. You can soften or stiffen the shocks within a rather wide range.
The long and the short of it is that you can make it stiffer and softer as you need to and tie it into a program. The cars are pre-programmed so you just switch the drive mode and a new shock profile is enacted for touring, sport, and track.
It also allows for a softer spring in the cars as well. You can compensate for spring rate with the shocks. That's why most people say they ride better. Its not because of the shock its because the shock allows you to use softer spring without sacrificing performance. It also has the PTM which allows for varying degrees of traction control and help.
I'm not an engineer and am open to be corrected but this is my understanding of how the system works.
The long and the short of it is that you can make it stiffer and softer as you need to and tie it into a program. The cars are pre-programmed so you just switch the drive mode and a new shock profile is enacted for touring, sport, and track.
It also allows for a softer spring in the cars as well. You can compensate for spring rate with the shocks. That's why most people say they ride better. Its not because of the shock its because the shock allows you to use softer spring without sacrificing performance. It also has the PTM which allows for varying degrees of traction control and help.
I'm not an engineer and am open to be corrected but this is my understanding of how the system works.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,547
Likes: 609
From: Southeast, WI
Simply put, the oil in the shocks have metallic particles in them. When you run current thru them, it excites the electrons and they expand. Upon expansion, the viscosity of the oil changes depending upon the current. This lets you control the how the shocks act because you're in control of the fluid and how it passes thru the valving in the shock. You can soften or stiffen the shocks within a rather wide range.
The long and the short of it is that you can make it stiffer and softer as you need to and tie it into a program. The cars are pre-programmed so you just switch the drive mode and a new shock profile is enacted for touring, sport, and track.
It also allows for a softer spring in the cars as well. You can compensate for spring rate with the shocks. That's why most people say they ride better. Its not because of the shock its because the shock allows you to use softer spring without sacrificing performance. It also has the PTM which allows for varying degrees of traction control and help.
I'm not an engineer and am open to be corrected but this is my understanding of how the system works.
The long and the short of it is that you can make it stiffer and softer as you need to and tie it into a program. The cars are pre-programmed so you just switch the drive mode and a new shock profile is enacted for touring, sport, and track.
It also allows for a softer spring in the cars as well. You can compensate for spring rate with the shocks. That's why most people say they ride better. Its not because of the shock its because the shock allows you to use softer spring without sacrificing performance. It also has the PTM which allows for varying degrees of traction control and help.
I'm not an engineer and am open to be corrected but this is my understanding of how the system works.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,352
Likes: 568
From: Ventura County, Calif
This is possibly the best tech article on F55. It was written by member Hib Halverson in 2003 when the the 1st gen F55 was released in the C5. So keep in mind that the C7 is operating with the gen 3 version of the system, much improved but the basics are the same.
Bottom line, it isn't about a hard or soft ride, it's about wheel control.
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...h-car-444.html
Bottom line, it isn't about a hard or soft ride, it's about wheel control.
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...h-car-444.html
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,884
Likes: 2,884
From: Toronto
I have a question. My car isn't built yet but I ordered Mag Ride. Can I have the suspension soft but the rest of the car in Track Mode (for the louder exhaust, tighter suspension etc.)?
I would consider configuring this way for daily commuting on the rougher roads. Thx
EDIT: I continued to search and according to this thread Mag Ride is directly linked to drive mode and can't be over-ridden. It would be great if someone else could confirm. Thx
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ng-mode-2.html
I would consider configuring this way for daily commuting on the rougher roads. Thx
EDIT: I continued to search and according to this thread Mag Ride is directly linked to drive mode and can't be over-ridden. It would be great if someone else could confirm. Thx
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ng-mode-2.html
Last edited by Maxpowers; Mar 2, 2016 at 04:14 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,420
Likes: 231
From: Licking MO
I have a question. My car isn't built yet but I ordered Mag Ride. Can I have the suspension soft but the rest of the car in Track Mode (for the louder exhaust, tighter suspension etc.)?
I would consider configuring this way for daily commuting on the rougher roads. Thx
EDIT: I continued to search and according to this thread Mag Ride is directly linked to drive mode and can't be over-ridden. It would be great if someone else could confirm. Thx
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ng-mode-2.html
I would consider configuring this way for daily commuting on the rougher roads. Thx
EDIT: I continued to search and according to this thread Mag Ride is directly linked to drive mode and can't be over-ridden. It would be great if someone else could confirm. Thx
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ng-mode-2.html
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,884
Likes: 2,884
From: Toronto
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 16,376
Likes: 404
From: Should this thoughtful, valuable contribution meet with no acknowledgement or 'thanks' this post----
let me add, with mag ride there is way more difference among the driving modes than in the past. And, what is really great about it is if you live in an area where your roads vary from super smooth to greatly in need of repair, you will learn to work the mode **** for comfort on the bad roads; and utilize track mode, if you like, on the smooth roads. The Corvette with mag ride is essentially several cars in one. It's a lot of fun to compare the differences in road feel. Personally, I would not order a vette without it.
