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Old Oct 26, 2023 | 05:25 PM
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Default MRC question

Does MRC control any other part of the suspension system besides shocks?
Reason why, my wife is complaining our 2016 Z51 w/o MRC is too stiff and uncomfortable for her so I went to the dealer to get a price on base level shocks and they said it's a no no cause it'll affect other parts of the suspension. I thought MRC only adjusts shock stiffiness so is that correct?

Last edited by C7nut; Oct 26, 2023 at 06:12 PM.
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Old Oct 26, 2023 | 06:08 PM
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If you don't have MRC you might be able to swap out to a non-Z51 spring and shock set up. I'm sure there might be some guys here that would happily trade you?
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Old Oct 26, 2023 | 06:20 PM
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Originally Posted by Flattman
If you don't have MRC you might be able to swap out to a non-Z51 spring and shock set up. I'm sure there might be some guys here that would happily trade you?
Thanks for the quick response but why the springs?I I thought MRC controls only the shocks?
I don't expect the shock switch to ride as soft as the base unit but I'd like to lesson some of the stiffness.
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Old Oct 26, 2023 | 06:25 PM
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Originally Posted by C7nut
Thanks for the quick response but why the springs?I I thought MRC controls only the shocks?
I don't expect the shock switch to ride as soft as the base unit but I'd like to lesson some of the stiffness.
I'm sure someone more familiar with the differences will chime in - yes, MRC only controls the shocks. But the springs are stiffer on the Z51 as well. You might have a couple of options based on what some others have done. I wouldn't be surprised if someone suggests potentially moving away from run-flats.
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Old Oct 26, 2023 | 06:28 PM
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Originally Posted by C7nut
Thanks for the quick response but why the springs?I I thought MRC controls only the shocks?
I don't expect the shock switch to ride as soft as the base unit but I'd like to lesson some of the stiffness.
Non Z51 springs are softer. MRC only effects the shocks. If you change out to base springs and shocks you will get a softer "floaty" ride.
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Old Oct 26, 2023 | 06:52 PM
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Just in case you were not aware of this issue, there was a Mag Ride software update made available to Corvette owners back in 2016 for $350.00. The software update did soften the ride quite a bit, Search the forum for Mag Ride update & maybe this will cure your issue. Including myself & many others I know, the update made the ride much more palatable.
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Old Oct 26, 2023 | 06:58 PM
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Originally Posted by DrivesWithTwoFeet
Non Z51 springs are softer. MRC only effects the shocks. If you change out to base springs and shocks you will get a softer "floaty" ride.
I am not looking to get a floaty ride, just lessen the harshness.. I don't track the car.
Hopefully the base shocks and Z51 springs together will get something close to MRCs softest setting on a Z51
But, I'm not sure. Advise needed.
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Old Oct 26, 2023 | 07:01 PM
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Originally Posted by C7nut
I am not looking to get a floaty ride, just lessen the harshness.. I don't track the car.
Hopefully the base shocks and Z51 springs together will get something close to MRCs softest setting on a Z51
But, I'm not sure. Advice needed.
I can't see the compression and rebound characteristics of the base model shocks being compatible with Z51 springs.
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Old Oct 26, 2023 | 07:16 PM
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Originally Posted by Flattman
I can't see the compression and rebound characteristics of the base model shocks being compatible with Z51 springs.
That's exactly why I am so unsure of doing it. Are there shocks out there more compatable to achieve my objective?
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Old Oct 27, 2023 | 12:14 AM
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Originally Posted by BELVIN20
Just in case you were not aware of this issue, there was a Mag Ride software update made available to Corvette owners back in 2016 for $350.00. The software update did soften the ride quite a bit, Search the forum for Mag Ride update & maybe this will cure your issue. Including myself & many others I know, the update made the ride much more palatable.
he doesn’t have Mag ride though….

OP - if you swapped springs and shocks, yes sir, it’ll be a base…. It’s still stiff though, so, best of luck!
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Old Oct 27, 2023 | 12:34 AM
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Originally Posted by C7nut
Does MRC control any other part of the suspension system besides shocks?
Reason why, my wife is complaining our 2016 Z51 w/o MRC is too stiff and uncomfortable for her so I went to the dealer to get a price on base level shocks and they said it's a no no cause it'll affect other parts of the suspension. I thought MRC only adjusts shock stiffiness so is that correct?
Correct. My 2017 base (non-Z51) SR (Sting Ray) has it.
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Old Oct 27, 2023 | 01:05 AM
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Originally Posted by BELVIN20
Just in case you were not aware of this issue, there was a Mag Ride software update made available to Corvette owners back in 2016 for $350.00. The software update did soften the ride quite a bit, Search the forum for Mag Ride update & maybe this will cure your issue. Including myself & many others I know, the update made the ride much more palatable.
It was 2017 or 2018.

...... a bit more.....
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Old Oct 27, 2023 | 01:07 AM
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Originally Posted by C7nut
I am not looking to get a floaty ride, just lessen the harshness.. I don't track the car.
Hopefully the base shocks and Z51 springs together will get something close to MRCs softest setting on a Z51
But, I'm not sure. Advise needed.
Get softer shocks, than what it's got.
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Old Oct 27, 2023 | 01:56 AM
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My Wife does not like the Z51 in Sport Mode, it makes her queasy. She does like the Touring Mode. I have had the Magnetic Ride Update.

There are threads about someone making the base model stiffer like a Z51, so, you might be able to reverse what they did.
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Old Oct 27, 2023 | 03:12 AM
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Even with the base shocks you still may find the ride a little harder. I don't think the modification will be a great improvement. The Z51 spring rates are just different. I certainly would not downgrade the suspension & go backwards. It's a Z51, you chose it, drive it.
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Old Oct 27, 2023 | 07:22 AM
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Originally Posted by fuzzy03cls
Even with the base shocks you still may find the ride a little harder. I don't think the modification will be a great improvement. The Z51 spring rates are just different. I certainly would not downgrade the suspension & go backwards. It's a Z51, you chose it, drive it.
I've driven a Z51 with MRC. In touring mode the ride is noticeably softer then my car without MRC.
Since MRC adjusts only shocks, all else including the suspension is identical on Z51's w/o MRC, I'm hoping to get a softer ride by exchanging the shocks.
Is there something I'm missing?
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Old Oct 27, 2023 | 08:27 AM
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MRC is the shocks. Wiring is connected directly to it. A Z51 without MRC is a completely different shock.
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Old Oct 27, 2023 | 10:29 AM
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Shocks are only about $90-100 each. You biggest change will be to swap to base rear shocks as a trial. I went the other way on my base 19 (w/o mag ride) to Z51 shocks and there is a noticeable difference. My only concern is that you may mess up some of the other things that you get when changing weather, touring, sport etc. modes. Normally other things such as steering feel etc are changed. When the ecu sees missing shocks will that shut off the entire system or just the mag ride?
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Old Oct 27, 2023 | 10:53 AM
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Originally Posted by CraigStu
When the ecu sees missing shocks will that shut off the entire system or just the mag ride?
. The OP doesn't have MR so not an issue.
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Old Oct 27, 2023 | 11:13 AM
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Originally Posted by CraigStu
Shocks are only about $90-100 each. You biggest change will be to swap to base rear shocks as a trial. I went the other way on my base 19 (w/o mag ride) to Z51 shocks and there is a noticeable difference. My only concern is that you may mess up some of the other things that you get when changing weather, touring, sport etc. modes. Normally other things such as steering feel etc are changed. When the ecu sees missing shocks will that shut off the entire system or just the mag ride?
Thanks for responding. I didn't think about the different modes I don't believe sport and track modes change suspension stiffness?

Last edited by C7nut; Oct 27, 2023 at 11:20 AM.
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