FX3 custom valving

[mike100]

The Bilstein shop is local here in town, but before I call I wanted to ask if anybody has done anything special with their FX3 shocks.

After putting a few miles on my '91, I have some thoughts on the stock settings.
---------------------------------------------------------------------

1) Basically the Tour setting is too soft-even for the speed limit.

2) The stiffness (compression) is ok and can be adjusted with the knob. This could be further altered with a new controller (like the Lingenfelter one).

3) The rebound is waaaay too soft and allows a lot of old school tuna-boat bounce when you get going a little faster over dips etc. I either have worn out shocks, or, what I suspect more, Bilstein always valves their shocks a bit cushy-which has been my experience.

Somebody tell me about anything they have done to sport up the system more. I will call the rebuild shop, but I think my opinion is going to be to maybe stiffen the compression up 5% and maybe 20% or more on rebound if possible.

[Daniel_Mc]

I am running the moracco valving with a custom controller on the FX3's for my 89 track car and it is much better than the stock FX3 set up it is firm in tour and just gets stiffer. I still feel it could be a little more stout.

Hope this helps.

Daniel

[mike100]

I am running the moracco valving with a custom controller on the FX3's for my 89 track car and it is much better than the stock FX3 set up it is firm in tour and just gets stiffer. I still feel it could be a little more stout.

Hope this helps.

Daniel

Ok...I do want it to be firmer (with or without the controller), but not too stiff for the street. I've heard of the valving, but I guess i can ask about it when I call them. I really mostly want them to physically dial in more rebound damping- hopefully they can do it on these shocks. I know they can on their standard ones.

Is your stiffness more from the controller setting or the valving?

[XfireZ51]

Ok...I do want it to be firmer (with or without the controller), but not too stiff for the street. I've heard of the valving, but I guess i can ask about it when I call them. I really mostly want them to physically dial in more rebound damping- hopefully they can do it on these shocks. I know they can on their standard ones.

Is your stiffness more from the controller setting or the valving?

Mike,

I'm with you. I have the DRM coilovers on mine but would like a firmer ride particularly on the rebound. Keep us posted on what you hear from Bilstein.

[-=Jeff=-]

from a CF thread in 2007:

- Bilstein also just gave me more info on this - they do still sell a controller and chip that forces a 75% front lock and a 100% rear lock "all the time" as an option. It makes the car very unfriendly for the street and I think that's why they originally said to go with the stock controls.

[Daniel_Mc]

Mike,
I would call Randy at DRM he knows the stuff and especially these cars. Sounds like what you are looking for is shocks only I don't think the controller is what you are looking for. The turnaround is quick if you are going to have them rebuilt, something like 3 weeks, and if you are even thinking of going coil-overs go ahead and have the snap rings installed for the sleeves.

Daniel

[lbszr]

Here's a link to some set up options for the fx3 and a really nice Z.

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/418999/1990-chevrolet-corvette/page-8

I didn't realize gm programmed the controller for 150mph before the shocks are in full firm mode, I mean, come on, what were they thinking :icon_scra

[mike100]

Bilstein is about a 10-15 minute drive from where I work, so I will try to make time tomorrow to ask them if they can do what I want with FX3 shocks. If they aren't too busy, I would plan to remove the shocks and maybe get it turned around in a week.

I recall back in the 90's I was able to drop off shocks in the morning and get them on the way home from work. The one thing I hope for is to talk to somebody who actually knows about the things (I might have to drive over there). I do not think the shocks are actually in need of a rebuild- they are in much better condition than my fx3 on my 95, but I'm sure the charge would be about the same just to take them apart.

[-=Jeff=-]

Here's a link to some set up options for the fx3 and a really nice Z.

I didn't realize gm programmed the controller for 150mph before the shocks are in full firm mode, I mean, come on, what were they thinking :icon_scra

I don't see a link

[lbszr]

I don't see a link

Sorry about that. Must be the beer.

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/418999/1990-chevrolet-corvette/page-8

[scottfab]

I had them rebuild mine in about 99 or so.
They claimed they use the stock valve dimensions.
But I have reason to believe they used a more aggressive
valve profile because a few weeks earlier they had developed
and produce 10 but found they were wrong.
I think I got one of those but they never admitted to it.
The touring mode on mine is like a rock truck then get even
harsher on the other settings. In the firmest setting it is absolutely
solid (maybe the 75 front and 100 lock back).
I just don't think your teeth should rattle together when in touring mode.

Good luck

[mike100]

I had them rebuild mine in about 99 or so.
They claimed they use the stock valve dimensions.
But I have reason to believe they used a more aggressive
valve profile because a few weeks earlier they had developed
and produce 10 but found they were wrong.
I think I got one of those but they never admitted to it.
The touring mode on mine is like a rock truck then get even
harsher on the other settings. In the firmest setting it is absolutely
solid (maybe the 75 front and 100 lock back).
I just don't think your teeth should rattle together when in touring mode.

Good luck


I had a bit of back and forth with them 15 yrs ago on a pair of regular shocks...I got so tired of taking them off the car, I bought a pair of Konis with the adj screw.

I did talk to them today and I may pull them off the car next week. The idea is to not increase the compression valving at all, only the rebound. From there, one can dial up or down the firmness with the controller/programming. It should be a simple task if I tell them to not touch the compression.

I may try to talk to the actual guy who does it before I commit to putting the car up on stands for 10 days.

[mike100]

Well, I dropped off 4 shocks in person (they are just down the way-sorry UPS, no money for you this time).

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c265/mschrameck/Cars/DSC03743.jpg

The plan is to go 10% stiffer on compression and 30% more on rebound. If I need more compression, I can dial that up with a custom controller- I think that should make the shocks just about right.


perched in the bat cave...
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c265/mschrameck/Cars/DSC03742.jpg

[FU]

The plan is to go 10% stiffer on compression and 30% more on rebound. If I need more compression, I can dial that up with a custom controller- I think that should make the shocks just about right.

How well did this 10/30 work out for your car Mike ? The reason i'm asking is it's getting around that time for some needed repairs . And the shocks are on that list. :cheers:

[mike100]

The plan is to go 10% stiffer on compression and 30% more on rebound. If I need more compression, I can dial that up with a custom controller- I think that should make the shocks just about right.

How well did this 10/30 work out for your car Mike ? The reason i'm asking is it's getting around that time for some needed repairs . And the shocks are on that list. :cheers:

I followed up in a separate post:
http://www.zr1.net/forum/showthread.php?t=14842

It's much better, but I will likely still do a custom controller even though I don't have to. What I think I will do is move sport to tour, competition to sport, and make the firmest setting something custom. tour is still useless, so I would rather replace it as mentioned above.