Go coilovers and have a pro tune out the F55 option.

The thing I find ironic is people who think it is so freakin cool that the Z06 and ZR1 now come with ride control shocks, never see threads like this. And thus they never know that magnetic ride control blows in the long term.:down:

 

The magnetic ride control shocks have amazing potential, just not sure the technology is here yet for their longevity. I mean look what Pratt-Miller did with them on the C6RS....

 

I was under the impression that the F55 option shocks were designed to last the life of the car. I also thought they were re-buildable?

 

I've also heard thay can br rebuilt but I have no info on how.

I really only have one rear thats been leaking and maybe one front shock. Less than 60k miles hardly the life of the car. 1000 a shock they should come with a life time warranty.

 

Holly crap! How many miles on the car ?

I'd scrap that option based off the replacement cost you mentioned...

How about gene culley from GMParts.com or something like that...?

Maybe partstaxi.com has a take off set for pennies on the dollar..

 

Look at PFADT's new upside down coil overs.:thumbsup: These will transform your car for sure. As far as the F55 going into limp mode. you can buy sims and plug them in to fake the system or buy 20watt 20 amp resistors and wire 2 each for each shocks elec connection. There is a thread on this . Do look at the PFADT shocks. I have the PFADT old style and LOVE THEM . The new ones are much improved. and are less than $2k for all 4. artyon:

Good Luck

Paul

 

Also told by west coast corvettes that the the by-pass sensors won't work on the 04 commemorative edtion.

 

Is there something unique about the '04 CE? I've heard of guys overriding the programming with a Tech2 or using the jumpers. Not sure why that particular year would be different :huh:

The LG adjustable coil overs are on my list of suspension upgrades. I looked at the PFADT. The results of their dyno (not engine dyno) results are similar, but the LG has less unsprung weight than the PFADT ones. Plus I like the color rofl.

FWIW, the new Featherlight Generation single adjustables from Pfadt are inverted and aluminum bodied, so unsprung weight is about as low as it can get :thumbsup:

 

Go to corvette forum . find the thread posted by c5com67.
F55 suspension- delete- success. He also says if you have trouble Andy from A&A can help. It can be done, It's been done, just to a little searching and you will get what is needed. I dont think west coast corvettes is who has the final word on this.

Again Good Luck

Paul

 

Thank you for the leads.

 

The LG adjustable coil overs are on my list of suspension upgrades. I looked at the PFADT. The results of their dyno (not engine dyno) results are similar, but the LG has less unsprung weight than the PFADT ones. Plus I like the color rofl.

If they could get the mag ride control bugs worked out, it has the potential to be an amazingly versatile system and I look forward to its advancement.

 

How much if you replaced them yourself?

 

About $600 Ea.

 

Somehow all four of mine are showing signs of leaking but are working properly...the difference in each switch position is obvious. Are they performing at optimum levels? Likely not.

I'm very disappointed as well. I love the system from a performance/ride compromise standpoint but have zero confidence in buying replacements when the originals don't last. They started leaking with 12k miles on the odometer. Who among us is really surprised though. Honestly, shocks are not high on the reliability list for GM. They have a great piece of technology but aren't building them to last. Too bad for us.

I'll replace with coil overs when the time comes, otherwise it's just pissing away money since the leaking appears to be unavoidable.

Here's a business opportunity for someone...manufacture aftermarket replacements. Heck the foreign cars are advertising this system now. Patents may be why we don't see them...I don't know, but I'd bite on a set and give them a go and I'd bet they could be made at a very high standard of reliability without costing as much as OEM replacements.

 

In my first post i made an error.:lookinup: The resistors i read about were 20ohm /20 watt. 2 per conn. The shock pigtails were cut off and soldered to the resistors. The guy even had pics of what he did. Sorry but i never bookmarked the thread.

Paul

 

C5 or C6? your car looks like yours is a F45, not F55 which is the C6 version. You can get rid of them for good with Zo6 shocks and swaybars, and new metal end links, for a great all around ride...and lower the car too for 'on rails' cornering...you'll never miss the F45s. Later, you can go to COs for adjustability.

 

My Vette is a 04 and I thinks its the first year for the F55. It diffently fas F55 shocks the same as in the C6

 

Haven't looked at those yet, I'm a long way from purchasing. Need to finish the engine, then do the trans/diff first lol

 

There is a great video on U tube put out by GM about the F55 MR fluid shock with a nice side by side comparison of the f55 and standard shocks on a road course and you can see that the f55 are far more superior. I would have put up the link if I knew how. After watching it I think I may just stay with it and only repace the two that are leaking the MR fluid

 

I have the same issue-however, you can get the cheaper shocks but you have to buy a set of simulators to trick the sensors. That being said, I have no idea how different the ride quality will be-but that’s what I’m going to do.