I’ve just gone through the Magnetic Ride Control (MRC) calibration update on my 2016 Z06 / Z07 and figured I’d compile all the little snippets I’ve gathered along the way across the many threads and posts I've read, apologies if somebody has already done this?

What does it do and which cars can it be performed on?

This brochure is a great summary and includes the MSRP which I’ll cover next.

Below is also an excellent summary of the changes from “Tadge”:Model(s)

• 2016 to 2018 Base+F55
• 2014 to 2018 Z51
• 2017 to 2018 Grand Sport
• 2017 to 2018 Grand Sport w/Z07
• 2015 to 2018 Z06
• 2015 to 2018 Z06w/Z07
• For 2018 (except Base+F55) MRC vehicles, please see footnote

Changes

• Major Improvements in impact isolation and integration – Impacts are softer, and less harsh. When the vehicle does encounter rough roads, the structural feel is greatly improved.
• Major improvements in ride motions at all speeds. Much more balanced and less abrupt. The car is more poised in compression and rebound, resulting in a flatter ride. This is not implying stiffer body motions, but the vehicle exhibits more a more composed ride.
• Parking lot and low speed (25mph and less) the ride motions are more compliant and less jarring.
• Handling is more responsive and much more precise. The response of the vehicle is more exact reacting to driver steering inputs.
• For 2018 vehicles (except Base+F55), some of the final improvements being implemented for the MRC upgrades were part of the 2018 production release. Thus the improvements for 2018 vehicles are also very significant but not quite as dramatic as the 2014 to 2017 packages.

Model(s)

• 2016 to 2018 Base+F55
• 2014 to 2018 Z51
• 2017 to 2018 Grand Sport
• 2017 to 2018 Grand Sport w/Z07
• 2015 to 2018 Z06
• 2015 to 2018 Z06w/Z07
• For 2018 MRC vehicles (except Base+F55), please see footnote

Changes

• Sport also has major improvements in Impact isolation and integration. With these new improvements the impact isolation and integration is better than the Tour mode with the original production calibrations. Impacts are softer, and less harsh. When the vehicle does encounter rough roads, the structural feel is greatly improved.
• Major improvements in ride motions at all speeds. Much more balanced and less abrupt. The car is more poised in compression and rebound, resulting in a flatter ride. The Sport mode exhibits significantly more body motion control that Tour.
• Handling is more responsive and much more precise. The response of the vehicle is more exact responding to the driver steering inputs weather using Sport mode as a daily driver, or carving through a mountain road.
• Parking lot and low speed (25mph and less) the ride motions are more compliant and less jarring.
• For 2018 vehicles (except Base+F55), some of the final improvements being implemented for the MRC upgrades were part of the 2018 production release. Thus the improvements for 2018 vehicles are also very significant but not quite as dramatic as the 2014 to 2017 packages.

Model(s)

• Grand Sport (FE6) and Z06 (FE6)

Changes

• The new track mode is better balanced and response to driver inputs are much more linear near and at the limit of adhesion. With the new Track calibration, the redistribution of the damping in the body, wheel, and handling algorithms makes the car more fluid as it is cornered. The rotation of the car is more precise at initial turn in, and maintains its path through the turn. As the driver rolls into the throttle, vehicle heading is better sustained.
• The new Track calibrations increases driver confidence. This, coupled with the vehicle being better balanced during the cornering maneuvers resulted in an average of a 1 second lap time improvement over the original calibration.
• Revised temperature compensation tables. As the fluid heated up, during long continuous and repeated runs, sometimes over 100 degrees Celsius (212 degrees Fahrenheit), the damping is effected, not only on an absolute basis, but also the front to rear effecting the balance of the car. New temperature compensation tables were developed to make the balance of the car much more consistent regardless of the damper fluid temperature.

Model(s)

• Grand Sport w/Z07 and Z06 w/Z07

Changes

• Both of these foundation Track calibrations are included in 2017 production.
• The foundation calibrations are solid performers as indicated in the Z06 w/Z07 VIR lap times of 1:55.95 on the full course and 2:39.77 on the Grand Course. The lap times for Grand Sport are 1:59 on the Full Course and 2:45 on the Grand Course.
• As explained in the Grand Sport FE6 and Z06 FE6 Track mode paragraph, the new temperature compensation tables are now included in these Track calibrations as part of the Chevrolet Performance offerings and 2019 production.

How much does it cost?

The GM MSRP is $350 including installation. GM actually charge the dealership $280 for the software download and as the price is MSRP the dealer has the right to modify this charge if they see fit, so always check in advance. The dealer I went to wasn’t aware of this MSRP and tried to charge me >$500, but once I showed them the above brochure as proof of GM’s pricing they charged me the $350 MSRP accordingly. Another general tip is asking your dealer if they offer service discounts for being a member of your local Corvette Club, mine does, I got $111 discount on the MRC update + oil change #BOOM!



Dealership awareness of procedure

From all the threads I’ve read, and from my own personal experience this is going to be hit and miss. My particular dealer wasn’t familiar with this update which brings me to another helpful piece of info which I found here. The key line to share with the dealership is “Refer to Service Document ID 4873206 for more information.”, once I did this it was all clear to them. Something to think about in advance is depending on which model of Corvette you have the “track” calibrations are optional and from what I’ve read this is for people who are already fluent and happy with their current track mode and don’t want it modifying.



How long does it take?

The install itself doesn’t take long, mine was done in 1 – 2 hrs. However to get the full benefits from the update the car has to sit for 8 – 10 hrs with the engine off for the temperature offset correction to take place. This doesn’t need to be performed immediately after the update, you can still drive your car home and simply leave it overnight and it will perform this task accordingly.



So what are the results like? Is it worth it?

Reading lot’s of threads there’s mixed opinions on this. Personally I can say it’s worth it to me for my model of car, it’s not a night and day change, but the damping feels more refined, you can still feel the thumps but the thumps are a little softer. Steering response also feels sharper to me, I didn’t expect this tbh. Again don’t expect a complete transformation of the cars response to bumps and it’s handling, but expect a bit more refinement that’s noticeable but not dramatically.



If anybody has anything to add or any corrections please don’t hesitate to respond and I’ll edit my post accordingly.

 

Had mine done last September. Similar situation as yours with the dealer not being familiar with the update. Despite being the highest Corvette seller in Oklahoma, their Corvette specialist was not aware of the update at all. I provided the bulletin and they were able to complete it without issue. My car is only a Z51 but much more refined Touring setting and seems to be more responsive in Sport. Haven't tried Track but nothing would have changed for my 2014. For $350 I highly recommend it to people who complain about their ride (provided they have MRC).

 

I have a 2017 Z06 (non-Z07). For me, the update was very noticeable.

Prior to the update, my car rode equally harsh in Tour and Sport modes. I really couldn't feel much of a difference between the 2 modes. I had the update done shortly after I bought the car, in November of 2021.

My dealer charged $350. They have a separate performance center & a dedicated Corvette mechanic that runs it. He was aware of the update; but I got the impression that he had never done one before. His difficulty was downloading the software from the GM server, which delayed the process a bit. I drove it home right after the update. At first, it didn't ride well immediately afterwards. But, over the course of the following few weeks, the ride seemed to get better & better.

I would say that the ride in Tour mode is MUCH improved. It ALMOST makes the run-flat tires tolerable. The ride is only harsh over larger bumps & deeper cracks in the road....which there are a lot of where I live. Handling in Tour mode is also much more refined (and sharper, as mentioned by the OP). I actually rarely feel the need to switch to Sport mode.

The ride in Sport mode was also more smooth after the update. But again, I rarely feel the need to use it because Tour mode is so good on the street.

With all of this being said, the continued harshness over larger bumps & cracks still bothered me. I had been running new Michelin Pilot All Season 4 tires during cold weather, and Super Sports in warm weather. I recently switched to non-run-flat tires for my warm weather setup, which completely eliminated the harshness. I'm very happy with the way that it handles & rides now. I absolutely love the Continental ExtremeContact Sport 02 tires on my Z06. I'm currently trying to sell the AS4 tires, so that I can replace them with the Continental all seasons.

 

With all of this being said, the continued harshness over larger bumps & cracks still bothered me. I had been running new Michelin Pilot All Season 4 tires during cold weather, and Super Sports in warm weather. I recently switched to non-run-flat tires for my warm weather setup, which completely eliminated the harshness. I'm very happy with the way that it handles & rides now. I absolutely love the Continental ExtremeContact Sport 02 tires on my Z06. I'm currently trying to sell the AS4 tires, so that I can replace them with the Continental all seasons.[/QUOTE]

I’m already planning on my next tire set being Extreme Contact Sport’s :-), bought four rear tires as they were / are on sale, so I’m all prepped for plenty of heavy right foot driving!

 

Thanks for compiling all the info - should help those that need to have the update done.

 

Great write up. I bought mine with the update already installed so I never got to feel the before and after difference.

 

I have a 2014 Z51 with MRC. I want to get this update done and I’m wondering if this will give me the option to select suspension settings while I’m in “Driving Mode” set up? My Driving Mode settings only gives me the option for engine sound management and steering. I have my original owners manual from 2014 and it reads that suspension should be an option. Will the software update add this to the option list?
TIA
Dennis

 

The update does not add any functions or features.

 

Is there a way to tell if your car has been updated already - like by the previous owner?

 

As Elk notes this update doesn't add any features, and although I've only been a Corvette owner for < 3 months I've yet to hear anybody state they have suspension settings within Driving mode settings in the menu system? For instance I have just engine sound management and steering also (2016 Z06/Z07 3LZ). The suspension settings automatically change between driving modes (Touring, Sport, Track) obviously.

 

There used to be a webpage link which allowed people to determine this, but the link is no longer active. There is a GMVIS report you can ask from your dealer showing the service history of your car and an update like this should appear there?

If anybody has any other methods of detection please chime in?

 

Thanks for the quick reply, and doing all the leg work and sharing the information! I do think it’s strange they mention suspension settings as early as 2014 in the owners manual? Maybe it was in the works for a while. I thought I recalled seeing someone with the suspension option on their display, can’t remember what year or which model.

 

I agree. The link is not working.

THis is it: https://tis2web.service.gm.com/tis2web/

 

To the best of my knowledge there is one shared manual for each year. It thus covers all available systems and features which might be on the car that model year.

This is why the phrase "if so equipped" and similar appears so many times in the manual.

Not all C7 Corvettes are equipped with Magnetic ride control. Your C7 may not be.

 

Hey guys, my first post on CF. I bought a 2016 Z06 last month and just had a local dealer do the MRC update. As others have said, I noticed a significant ride improvement in Tour mode. I still have run-flats and I'm looking for additional improvement when I get Continentals next spring.

It looks to me like this website works to check your VIN.....https://tis2web.service.opel.com/tis2web/

Mine hasn't shown up yet but I just had the update done.

 

That website has been out of service all year. Good to see it's back!

 

The one I found says "opel' instead of "gm", but it seems to work for my VIN.

 

Thank you for sharing this. Since the GM one had been out of service we had no way of checking for the upgrade on our cars. Have you checked back on your VIN to see if the upgrade now shows?

 

How did you get it to work, it’s doing nothing for me?

 

Put in VIN > Get Cal ID > With Semi Active Damping > Complete History

No, my update doesn't show up.....