Facts -

GM Mag Ride Calibration Cost = $350 (Labor Incl).

DSC Sport Mag Ride Tune = $1,290 for Parts Only.

Difference in lap time gained with either tunes is +1 sec.

To that effect, I honestly have no idea how the GM Mag Ride calibration improves the original set up from GM. Looking for someone to explain the details on this thread.

Despite the cost of the DSC unit, the one thing it has going for it is infinite levels of adjustability in the hands of someone who knows/wants to tweak different parameters.

It appears with the GM update, the update is essentially plug/play and forget about it. Warranty is intact.

As someone who won't be looking to tweak the setup infinitely, I prefer the plug and play approach as I do not track enough to warrant playing with parameters.

I am hoping this thread serves to educate people like me as to why the DSC unit is worth the additional $940 or 249% more than the GM calibration.

My primary reason to consider both items is wanting to put the power down in any gear. I want the car to hook up with minimal traction issues around the circuit or back roads.

Let's all discuss.

 

The DSC offers so much more functionality. Want a softer setting in Track mode? Done. Want to make a stiffer base profile than the typical track setting? Done.

The DSC also adjusts the suspension during launch, acceleration and braking. And you can configure just how it does that. The GM calibration never used g-force, brake or accelerator position in its calculations and afaik it still doesn’t after this update.

Once you spend the $1300 you’ll never remember it again.

 

I bought the DSC box and also got the tractive shocks. For me it was a bargain because I can not only adjust a parameter but I can adjust the speed that the adjustment takes place. If the suspension needs tightening up at higher speeds then I can just adjust it at the higher speed. If it's not soft enough at a lower speed I can adjust the ride in the speed range I want to. If I want it to ride softer at a lower speed, as supplied at mid speeds, and firmer at high speeds I can always do that.
If you're tracking the car and picky about how you want it to perform go with the DSC. If you never track the car and you just want to do something to mod it go with the GM update.
The way I'm wired I'm always looking for ways to improve things. I'd probably love the GM update, for a little while. Then I'd want to make it better. Ymmv

 

The DSC sounds like something that would really benefit someone who knows how to make adjustments that result in superior controlled handling; but it presumes that you know how to fine tune the parameters, and that you understand the resulting effects - not saying that it won't help the average enthusiast, but that it is a superior tool in the hands of someone who spends a lot of time at the track, and who can understand the dynamic changes.

 

There have been multiple threads on this before so I'm likely repeating myself but here are my thoughts.

First, I don't think install costs is really material. The GM tune you must have the dealer install which of course also means a trip to the dealer. Anybody should be able to install the DSC controller at home and I've done several now in the paddock at the track without pulling the wheel.

As far as the updated GM "tune" is concerned I have no doubt that Jim Mero knows more about tuning the C7 chassis than anyone and the C7 in stock form is a phenomenal car. Within the confines of what the stock suspension control module can process it's probably about as good a config as you're going to get assuming you are running all stock hardware, stock tires, and like the setup/feel the way Jim does. I don't imagine the improvement to the tour and sport mode are that significant but I think it's great they've at least tried to improve them.

I have a 2017 Z07 and at this point I'm really not clear whether the OEM controller config that was in my car was the updated "tune" or not but I can definitely say that the car rides noticeably better with the DSC Sport controller. Whether that difference is worth ~$1000 is entirely dependent on your sensitivity, roads you drive on, and willingness to spend the extra money. I think that a lot of people on this forum either are numb to it or drive on very smooth roads as the C7 Z06 definitely rides rougher than the Z51 and the Z07 stock is noticeably worse. In fact, a big reason I elected not to get a Z07 on my 2015 was because the feedback I heard from all the GM engineers was that it was rough to drive around town.

Now on the track I know that the DSC controller was good for a solid 2 second improvement at VIR right out of the gate. What the lap time doesn't tell is just how much more controlled and predictable the car felt. In the end one of the biggest contributors to improved lap times is driver confidence. It also was able to soak up curbs without unsettling the car and this in turn lets me use more of the track.

The primary difference between the DSC controller and the stock controller with the new tune is that the GM tune does not react to inputs like DSC does. Just take a stock Z06 slam on the brakes and watch the nose dive. Now do that again with a DSC equipped car and see how it stays flat. If you read Mike's posts about the launch control you will see that the DSC controller reads the *rate of change* of the accelerator pedal and uses that to dynamically change the shock settings for maximum grip out of the hole. There is just so much more going on than simply a change in the shock map. In order to make this happen DSC had to design a build a much more powerful suspension controller than the GM unit so that it had the processing power to read, calculate, and response to all of these inputs in time to actually change how the car reacts. Just check out this tutorial I posted a while ago on the software to get a sense for all the dynamic inputs.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-tutorial.html

Of course, the next thing to consider is whether you like the same feel in the car as Jim Mero does and whether you want to change core components like tires. One of the reasons GM hasn't offered the MPSS tire on the Z07 is because they say all the systems are tuned for that exact tire. The DSC controller does let you adjust to your driving style and while it might seem kind of daunting Mike has been very generous of his time in taking feedback from folks (including myself) and suggesting changes. As more folks get these controllers that will only get better as we have a larger community of users uploading maps.

So in summary, I have no doubt the GM tune is an improvement and if cost is a major driver it sounds like a nice improvement but it's not a direct comparison to what the DSC controller offers.

 

I installed the DSC and I’m pretty sure the shocks operated outside of their “window”. All 4 shocks failed on my Z07 and were replaced. All 4 shocks were leaking.... hmmmmm I wonder why lol.

I took out my DSC and plan on getting the GM update for now.

 

The GM update to the Mag ride part number is not active. Does anyone know when the update will be available to purchase and install?

 

The DSCsport controller runs well within the current demands of the mag shock if anything DSC is less harsh to the shock as we typically run less current the only time the current is up is when there is demand. There is a limit max as defined in the shack cal section) it is set lower than the OE controller.
We have have not found dampers leaking even on the hardest run track cars. Something else may be up.
If you want your unit bench tested were glad to run it on the test bench for you

 

I was actually testing the unit for someone else... this was a while ago. The fact is, all 4 shocks failed... did I have 4 bad shocks? Doubt it... do I like your products, yes.

It’s the touring mode that makes my eyebrow raise... any idea how much farther the shock travels in your spec vrs GM’s?

 

I would still bench test the unit it cannot go over 2000ma its restricted in the code
was the car full stiff? you will know the ride is like a solid chassis its pretty harsh? I agree all 4 need to troubleshoot
Thanks,

 

testing for someone else, and not even yours - so where are some pictures as those tell a story.......and my eyebrows raise to think all four failed at the same time - there is more going on here than what is being thrown out here

 

yes sounds fishy

 

Seriously? Lol... my last thread was about how I loved the DSC Tractive shocks... I have pictures of my shocks. I’m a development driver for auto manufacturers, someone sent a DSC sport controller and I installed in my personal car. I started rubbing in the rear and we found all 4 shocks leaking. Nothing more, nothing less... I actually love the capability of the DSC unit. There are countless members who can vouch for my word, so let’s move on.

Please answer my question, how far does the shock travel in DSC touring mode vrs GM touring mode.

 

I ran most of a session at VIR in tour mode and never bottomed out or had a problem. I wasn't running at 10/10's or even at 8 but I have never had it bottom out in tour mode.

 

Sorry if I was miss-understanding. I have to tell you I have the Tractive on my car love them I have new rear damper valving its even better especially on bumpy tracks.
Im sorry in regards to your car. It sounds more like the dampers never came to life for some reason like the file was corrupt or there is a zero typed in possibly. sounds like the bump rubber didnt stop the piston rod from traveling too far??
Let me know if there is any way I can help
And Thank You for help and support

 

Nice think about the tractive shocks is that they go to full firm when they don't get power. Ask me how I know.

 

its easy to figure out thats for sure

 

Have I revalved your rear dampers ? I have a new setting incredible on bumpy tracks

 

The dampers haven't been touched since I installed them which if I remember correctly was early April.

Herman

 

reading through all of this I think I want to order up a unit. Send me a message please.

Thanks