FX-3 Control Module programming

[boostedmaxPSI]

I have a '91 ZR-1, I do not have any codes and my system seems to be working as it should.

My car has a DRM FX3 Controller and a Bilstein programmed AK2116 (chip and controller) for 92-95 FX3 cars. My shocks have been re-valved by Bilstein to match the controllers program. Bilstein provided a customer program B-260 to work with the re-valving of the shocks and my coil over suspension for a complete package.

Here's the situation, seems my fronts are too soft in suspension travel. They do not seem to have the same firmness that the rears do when I move the selector switch to "Sport" mode. I get this feeling when I travel at normal highway speeds and I hit a dip in the road.

I recently picked up another FX3 controller (89-91 part) and 4 actuators for comparison between modules and chips, for testing only. After reviewing my Bilstein paperwork and looking at the FX3 module, seems I have an FX3 controller for a '92-'95 MY.

The cutoff year for the controller was October 91. Cars before this date would require the MY89 to MY91 controller. My car was manufactured late 1990!?!?! Why the '92-'95 controller?

Questions:

What is the difference between the controllers from MY89-91 and MY92-95. Is it just programming or a physical difference such as wiring?

What does Slalom 1 AX2116 actually do? Seems this is the entry level for road racing. Close to stock but a bit more aggressive??? just a guess.

What does the Bilstein chip with program B-260 actually do?

Again, system works and does not throw any codes. Just curious how the DRM FX3 module and B-260 with re-valving are different from the stock system.

[GOLDCYLON]

Well I know the shocks are different for the run stops on the 89-91s vs 92s and up. If you have a 92 and up programmer I am making the bold assumption your running the later shocks as well. Or changed out the top gears?

http://www.captainzcnc.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/shockgearsrevised.jpg

[boostedmaxPSI]

Well I know the shocks are different for the run stops on the 89-91s vs 92s and up. If you have a 92 and up programmer I am making the bold assumption your running the later shocks as well. Or changed out the top gears?


Well look at you! In fact they did change the tops out and I have them in a baggie. Didn't understand why that was done.

Now I do. Thank you

[boostedmaxPSI]

So does this mean the FX3 controller and actuators that I just purchased from a '91 Z are not compatible with my system?

Gears removed from Bilstein.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-3UqF8rCtr1o/UXlgZAmzwqI/AAAAAAAAApM/zK53vEfO09k/w640-h480/20130425_115427.jpg

[GOLDCYLON]

So does this mean the FX3 controller and actuators that I just purchased from a '91 Z are not compatible with my system?

Gears removed from Bilstein.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-3UqF8rCtr1o/UXlgZAmzwqI/AAAAAAAAApM/zK53vEfO09k/w640-h480/20130425_115427.jpg

The actuators are all the same from 89-95. So any actuator will work. The Pic above is not the gears. The gears are as pictured in my original post do you see the difference in the stop lengths?

As pictured above those are call the actuator Cups they are also compatable with all FX-3 systems from 89-95

http://www.captainzcnc.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/105_0586a.jpg

[boostedmaxPSI]

Missed your picture the first time. I will have to pull the actuator and check.


Thoughts on the controller programs?

[GOLDCYLON]

Missed your picture the first time. I will have to pull the actuator and check.


Thoughts on the controller programs?


Well my thoughts are this the controller must have been modified to run on the earlier FX-3 systems. The top gear stop lengths are different. I would be interested to know if they changed the top gears of the shocks to accomodate the later controller.

[boostedmaxPSI]

This is the driver side on my '91.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-fvuD4pepcSw/UXmGNxUx2UI/AAAAAAAAApc/e_Qbv5h-nlo/w360-h480/20130425_143734.jpg

It was tough to get my phone in there to take a quality picture however, the stop length covers 3 teeth on the gear like the '92-'95 shown in your picture.

[Daniel_Mc]

Frank,

I don't remember what # controller did what with DRM but I do remember that one controller I had it did not matter what setting you were in because it was irrelevant . What the customer controller did was in “Tour” you had 50% front and 100% rear shock. In “Sport” you had 100% front and 50% rear shock and in “Performance” you had 100% both front and rear.

Now with the stock FX3 system the computer has several different levels within each setting (I don’t remember how many but I think 3). I know that Exotic Muscle still has the custom FX3 computers maybe they could help you as to what program you have going on. With our Rippie car we chose to keep the stock FX3 computer then valve the shocks to the Moracca setting for a more firm ride. It has worked like a champ over the years.

What spring rates are on your Z? I know in the past years that a higher rate was normally used. I have seen 700 pound front springs before on a “Street” C4 for comparison I am running 400 front and 275 rear on a more track oriented L98 C4 and it does just fine. I believe most now use a 450 front and 275 rear spring on the front of the ZR-1’s for street applications.

Are the shocks bottoming out? How much rake do you have?

Daniel

[GOLDCYLON]

This is the driver side on my '91.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-fvuD4pepcSw/UXmGNxUx2UI/AAAAAAAAApc/e_Qbv5h-nlo/w360-h480/20130425_143734.jpg

It was tough to get my phone in there to take a quality picture however, the stop length covers 3 teeth on the gear like the '92-'95 shown in your picture.

So as expected they are using the later shocks and the later FX-3 module. Makes sense now. What are the spring rates of your coil overs front and rear? GC

[boostedmaxPSI]

So as expected they are using the later shocks and the later FX-3 module. Makes sense now. What are the spring rates of your coil overs front and rear? GC


The coil overs are Callaway using Hyperco springs. I will have to look thru my documents to find what rate.

From my Doug Rippie parts Catalog 3rd edition:

DRM FX3 Shock Controller
Seldom will a single suspension setting meet all driving needs.
The DRM FX3 shock controller eliminates the speed sensor and sets the front permanently to maximum firmness, the rear shocks can be adjusted to best match handling charachteristics to driving conditions.


My car seems to have the fronts set to permanent softness. I will find what spring rates I have and report back. However, the controller description does point to what I'm seeing. That is the rears seem to be adjusting to greater firmness when I move the selector from "tour" to "Sport".

Prices from 1995 are shown in my price sheet as:

24-250....1989-95 Corvettes $229.95
w/DRM HPXG.1G prom installed $275.00
seperate DRM HPXG.1G prom $149.95

[Daniel_Mc]

The rate of the spring should be on one of the flat ends of the coil. You just have to remove them from the car to verify.

Daniel

[GOLDCYLON]

The rate of the spring should be on one of the flat ends of the coil. You just have to remove them from the car to verify.

Daniel

Yep on the flat portion.

[boostedmaxPSI]

Well, I'm not going to pull the car apart to find that one out.

I do have a copy of the Hyperco reciept and invoice from them to Callaway Cars dated 5/06/1993 : )

Item No. 1010B0250.
Desc. 2.5" I.D. Suspension Coil

According to they Hyperco website and catalog. I have qty 2, 250 rate springs.

[boostedmaxPSI]

Frank,

I don't remember what # controller did what with DRM but I do remember that one controller I had it did not matter what setting you were in because it was irrelevant . What the customer controller did was in “Tour” you had 50% front and 100% rear shock. In “Sport” you had 100% front and 50% rear shock and in “Performance” you had 100% both front and rear.

Now with the stock FX3 system the computer has several different levels within each setting (I don’t remember how many but I think 3). I know that Exotic Muscle still has the custom FX3 computers maybe they could help you as to what program you have going on. With our Rippie car we chose to keep the stock FX3 computer then valve the shocks to the Moracca setting for a more firm ride. It has worked like a champ over the years.

What spring rates are on your Z? I know in the past years that a higher rate was normally used. I have seen 700 pound front springs before on a “Street” C4 for comparison I am running 400 front and 275 rear on a more track oriented L98 C4 and it does just fine. I believe most now use a 450 front and 275 rear spring on the front of the ZR-1’s for street applications.

Are the shocks bottoming out? How much rake do you have?

Daniel

I love the rake, car is very low to the ground. Not sure what the front rates are, the rears according to my Hyperco reciept, they are 250 in the rear.

Not bottoming out, the first owner spent a lot of time setting up the car and suspension for Big Bend open road racing. That how he spent the first 10 years of the cars life.

[-=Jeff=-]

DRM used 425 on ZR-1 typically but could be 400 as well