Mag Ride Question
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 5
Likes: 8
Mag Ride Question
Hi all, never owned Corvettes or any GM before, ready to order C8.
Question about the mag ride, is it actually an additional switch or button that you can push or set up in the computer? Or is it something that's being built into the car that's 'always on'? I'm confused because I keep seeing people say how good it is that with a switch of a button you can go from a GT cruiser to a sports car, but I thought all the modes already come with the base trim anyways, like going from Touring to Sport. Can I put it this way that mag ride makes each mode even better and you don't have to do anything?
Hope my question makes sense, thanks in advance.
Question about the mag ride, is it actually an additional switch or button that you can push or set up in the computer? Or is it something that's being built into the car that's 'always on'? I'm confused because I keep seeing people say how good it is that with a switch of a button you can go from a GT cruiser to a sports car, but I thought all the modes already come with the base trim anyways, like going from Touring to Sport. Can I put it this way that mag ride makes each mode even better and you don't have to do anything?
Hope my question makes sense, thanks in advance.
Last edited by Zhan94; Nov 12, 2020 at 12:19 PM.
Popular Reply
Nov 12, 2020, 12:20 PM
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,562
Likes: 1,361
If you have mag ride it is always on. The switching being referred to are the different modes of the system. Weather, tour, sport, track, etc. Each mode is configurable across multiple systems, steering, brake, transmission, power delivery, exhaust loudness, etc.
There are great videos from GM that give an overview of the system.
There are great videos from GM that give an overview of the system.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,562
Likes: 1,361
If you have mag ride it is always on. The switching being referred to are the different modes of the system. Weather, tour, sport, track, etc. Each mode is configurable across multiple systems, steering, brake, transmission, power delivery, exhaust loudness, etc.
There are great videos from GM that give an overview of the system.
There are great videos from GM that give an overview of the system.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 1,766
Likes: 1,244
From: Central Texas
St. Jude Donor '21
Without MSRC you still have all of the modes (Weather, Touring, Sport Track, My, Z) but there’s are no suspension setting changes available. Modes can still change exhaust (if you have NPP performance exhaust), braking, throttle response, etc. With MSRC there will also be suspension setting changes available with the different modes.
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 5
Likes: 8
Without MSRC you still have all of the modes (Weather, Touring, Sport Track, My, Z) but there’s are no suspension setting changes available. Modes can still change exhaust (if you have NPP performance exhaust), braking, throttle response, etc. With MSRC there will also be suspension setting changes available with the different modes.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 1,766
Likes: 1,244
From: Central Texas
St. Jude Donor '21
Here’s what the owner’s manual says about the suspension mode setting:
“Suspension:
This setting adjusts the firmness of the suspension in the vehicle. Suspension adjust stiffness of the shocks and/or springs. The ride is more comfortable at lower settings and is stiffer at higher settings for better control.
Tour, Sport, Track”
So the three suspension settings available if you have MSRC are Tour, Sport, and Track. Your selectable modes, “My Mode and Z Mode” could be set to any of those 3 settings.
In the table in that section of the manual it also says the Suspension setting is only available with Magnetic Ride.
Also says this about MSRC:
“Magnetic Ride Control (if equipped)
Adjusts the shock dampening firmness based on driving conditions to improve comfort and performance.”
“Suspension:
This setting adjusts the firmness of the suspension in the vehicle. Suspension adjust stiffness of the shocks and/or springs. The ride is more comfortable at lower settings and is stiffer at higher settings for better control.
Tour, Sport, Track”
So the three suspension settings available if you have MSRC are Tour, Sport, and Track. Your selectable modes, “My Mode and Z Mode” could be set to any of those 3 settings.
In the table in that section of the manual it also says the Suspension setting is only available with Magnetic Ride.
Also says this about MSRC:
“Magnetic Ride Control (if equipped)
Adjusts the shock dampening firmness based on driving conditions to improve comfort and performance.”
Last edited by 16falcon; Nov 12, 2020 at 11:29 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 753
Likes: 241
From: New Hampshire
I gave my final build sheet yesterday and was not going to order the mag. The guy talked me into it and also quoted the re sale value. I guess when your spending this kind of money whats another 1800 for a super option. This option is so popular they now let you order it on any vehicle. When it came out a year ago I think only the z51 offered it
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 35,018
Likes: 12,401
From: NE South Carolina
Hi all, never owned Corvettes or any GM before, ready to order C8.
Question about the mag ride, is it actually an additional switch or button that you can push or set up in the computer? Or is it something that's being built into the car that's 'always on'? I'm confused because I keep seeing people say how good it is that with a switch of a button you can go from a GT cruiser to a sports car, but I thought all the modes already come with the base trim anyways, like going from Touring to Sport. Can I put it this way that mag ride makes each mode even better and you don't have to do anything?
Hope my question makes sense, thanks in advance.
Question about the mag ride, is it actually an additional switch or button that you can push or set up in the computer? Or is it something that's being built into the car that's 'always on'? I'm confused because I keep seeing people say how good it is that with a switch of a button you can go from a GT cruiser to a sports car, but I thought all the modes already come with the base trim anyways, like going from Touring to Sport. Can I put it this way that mag ride makes each mode even better and you don't have to do anything?
Hope my question makes sense, thanks in advance.
This pic from the Owner's Manual may help BUT you'll have to study and NOTE, the main difference with MRC, as noted where I highlighted on yellow, is RIDE.
Fact is the base car with no MRC and Z51 without MRC changes many variables when you rotate the **** and go through the various DRIVE MODES. BUT only if you have MRC does the ride change from softer to harder. Frankly since the springs and sway bars don't change and from my experience, it's like going from a modestly stiff ride to a very stiff ride BUT it's the shocks changing not anything else.
As was noted, it's also always on (has to be or you would not have shocks) and makes shock adjustments based on a number of sensors and inputs several times a second.
Last edited by JerryU; Nov 13, 2020 at 11:31 AM.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 6,671
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2020 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
One interesting thing we don't talk about much is Z mode. I set my car up for My Mode and with the Mag ride, you can make the car less harsh when driving over typical roads with potholes and uneven surfaces.
Then in Z mode, set it up to be more firm. With one button press it instantly changes the personality. Without Mag ride, it changes but it would not effect ride quality or stifness.
Then in Z mode, set it up to be more firm. With one button press it instantly changes the personality. Without Mag ride, it changes but it would not effect ride quality or stifness.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,045
Likes: 747
From: Keller Texas
I had Mag Ride on an earlier C7 and thought it was a waste of money because the difference between the ride and that of my friends C7's without it was hard for me to distinguish. I opted for it on our HTC and although I've not driven a C8 without it, I believe I'd have to study the owner's manual to tell the difference. In my opinion, the 'seat of the pants' difference is not justified in the cost.
It's really up to you to decide based on your driving and feel.... NOTE: If you keep the car for a long period of time you need to realize that replacement shocks are VERY expensive!
It's really up to you to decide based on your driving and feel.... NOTE: If you keep the car for a long period of time you need to realize that replacement shocks are VERY expensive!
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 35,018
Likes: 12,401
From: NE South Carolina
With Z MODE you can set all controllable variables wherever you'd like INCLUDING POWER, which you cannot do in MY MODE, Touring or Sport. In fact as I have mine set the big difference is POWER set at Track.
When setting POWER to Track you don't get more BUT it controls the way it's applied. You can set ride to the softest MRC allows like Touring. NPP, Brakes, Steering can be set to whatever you'd like.
WITH POWER SET TO TRACK:
When setting POWER to Track you don't get more BUT it controls the way it's applied. You can set ride to the softest MRC allows like Touring. NPP, Brakes, Steering can be set to whatever you'd like.
WITH POWER SET TO TRACK:
- The car will upshift at much higher rpm than when in TOURING, SPORT or MY MODE.
- It will seldom shift past 5th gear (Note 4th and 5th are also OD ratios) providing engine torque with modest throttle increases WITHOUT downshifting.
- It will NOT go into V4 mode.
- When braking it will downshift at higher rpm as it downshifts and rev match perfectly in each gear.
- Note, if desired to can still use the shift paddles. So if it's in 5th and your cruising, pull the upshift paddle and you can shift to 6th or 7th. If making an aggressive turn you can downshift at whatever rpm you'd like as you brake.
Last edited by JerryU; Nov 13, 2020 at 12:42 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 12,812
Likes: 10,229
From: Garden Valley CA
I had Mag Ride on an earlier C7 and thought it was a waste of money because the difference between the ride and that of my friends C7's without it was hard for me to distinguish. I opted for it on our HTC and although I've not driven a C8 without it, I believe I'd have to study the owner's manual to tell the difference. In my opinion, the 'seat of the pants' difference is not justified in the cost.
It's really up to you to decide based on your driving and feel.... NOTE: If you keep the car for a long period of time you need to realize that replacement shocks are VERY expensive!
It's really up to you to decide based on your driving and feel.... NOTE: If you keep the car for a long period of time you need to realize that replacement shocks are VERY expensive!
The standard OEM front shocks are $95.89 on RockAuto (the rears aren't yet available). The front MSRC shocks are $247.79. So $400 vs $1000 for a set of 4.
And the shocks are covered under the 3 year bumper to bumper warranty. And, if you are really concerned, they are also covered under the GM extended warranty.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
Likes: 9,822
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Hi all, never owned Corvettes or any GM before, ready to order C8.
Question about the mag ride, is it actually an additional switch or button that you can push or set up in the computer? Or is it something that's being built into the car that's 'always on'? I'm confused because I keep seeing people say how good it is that with a switch of a button you can go from a GT cruiser to a sports car, but I thought all the modes already come with the base trim anyways, like going from Touring to Sport. Can I put it this way that mag ride makes each mode even better and you don't have to do anything?
Hope my question makes sense, thanks in advance.
Question about the mag ride, is it actually an additional switch or button that you can push or set up in the computer? Or is it something that's being built into the car that's 'always on'? I'm confused because I keep seeing people say how good it is that with a switch of a button you can go from a GT cruiser to a sports car, but I thought all the modes already come with the base trim anyways, like going from Touring to Sport. Can I put it this way that mag ride makes each mode even better and you don't have to do anything?
Hope my question makes sense, thanks in advance.
The display showing the differences in suspension performance starts at 1.25 in the video. It is more than a way to adjust how stiff the shocks are. It varies it's response based on road conditions which means it can make the car more controllable by the driver when unexpected road conditions are encountered.
Bill
