Who has removed the fx3 Holstein shocks to lower

[zr1assassin]

I want to lower the car and I wouldn't mind getting rid of the cumbersome hokee selective ride fx3 Bilstein bs shocks system. Who has done this, what shocks did you use, how much did it lower it?

[XfireZ51]

Removing the Bilsteins won’t lower the car unless u use coilovers. Otherwise u need to remove the mounting spacers on the leaf springs.

[RussMcB]

I'm curious - What do you think is bad about the FX3 Bilstein shocks? I think they're pretty cool and work well (for me).

[Ccmano]

Removing the Bilsteins won’t lower the car unless u use coilovers. Otherwise u need to remove the mounting spacers on the leaf springs.

Spacers on the front Springs, longer drop bolts on the rear springs. The spacers will only give you an inch give or take. If you want to go farther on the front it will require coilovers or different springs. Based on what you did on your C7 you might as well just go to the coilovers straight away for unlimited adjustability.
H
:cheers:

[zr1assassin]

Thanks guys, I should elaborate a little I guess. I have a "service ride controls" light on ( typical ) for these fx3 systems as I'm sure all of you have had to Jack with at some point😠. I could chase it down to which actuator, hope it's that and not the shock but all the shocks probably need rebuilt anyways, it's a 26yr old car, so now your looking at what 1500-2000? And honestly if I remember correctly from my 90z you really don't get a hole lot of change out of the system when it's working properly. On my c7z when you change ride settings IT CHANGES, you feel a huge difference! Maybe I just have a bad taste in my mind for these c4 fx3 systems but I'm like (yup not dealing with this headache) when the light came on. I might just throw new shocks on and cut the adjustable ride system out of the entire equation, then do the drop tricks, an inch or two would be good enough. .....your thoughts?

[WVZR-1]

It costs nothing to do the diagnostics so I believe it's where I'd start! It's certainly more salable (if removed) if you know it's shortcomings. Drive it!! I thought I had seen you mention getting it back into 'shape'!

The SRC 'DIC' is I guess what you were questioning in that very early post when you were just an interested buyer a couple thousand miles away!!

[zr1assassin]

It costs nothing to do the diagnostics so I believe it's where I'd start! It's certainly more salable (if removed) if you know it's shortcomings. Drive it!! I thought I had seen you mention getting it back into 'shape'!

Ya this is part of getting it back into shape, the system needs addressed and I'm sure it could use new shocks

[Vette73]

Thanks guys, I should elaborate a little I guess. I have a "service ride controls" light on ( typical ) for these fx3 systems as I'm sure all of you have had to Jack with at some point😠. I could chase it down to which actuator, hope it's that and not the shock but all the shocks probably need rebuilt anyways, it's a 26yr old car, so now your looking at what 1500-2000? And honestly if I remember correctly from my 90z you really don't get a hole lot of change out of the system when it's working properly. On my c7z when you change ride settings IT CHANGES, you feel a huge difference! Maybe I just have a bad taste in my mind for these c4 fx3 systems but I'm like (yup not dealing with this headache) when the light came on. I might just throw new shocks on and cut the adjustable ride system out of the entire equation, then do the drop tricks, an inch or two would be good enough. .....your thoughts?
I, like you purchased my 91 Z sight unseen.....Saw 60 photos prior and a video as well.....When car arrived it was exactly as described more or less...Nice paint, good rubber and mechanically sound.....
To be honest this was my first endeavor into C-4 land.....I must say the ride is very stiff, even on the softest setting...My rears are leaking and have picked up a good set from a forum member which I have not yet installed..

I don't daily drive my Z, if I did I think my car would be destroyed within a few years......Between the temp going from 2 degrees to 98 degrees in the year and the amount of vehs on the road, the streets take a beating...

You would think with the amount of money we pay to live in NY the streets would be in better shape..

With that,
I rarely if at all have had the setting on the stiffest setting...

A few weeks ago I got a chance to drive a C-5 Z06 .....I have to say the car rode so much nicer as far as suspension than my Z......I guess that's understandable since I hear the chassis was greatly improved from the previous year....

Keep us posted on your suspension upgrades if any....

Peace....

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[GOLDCYLON]

Removing the Bilsteins won’t lower the car unless u use coilovers. Otherwise u need to remove the mounting spacers on the leaf springs.

Or retain the FX-3 system and go to coil-overs as well. The best of both worlds IMHO and no spacers, no wedges and no lowering brackets. :cheers:

[GOLDCYLON]

Thanks guys, I should elaborate a little I guess. I have a "service ride controls" light on ( typical ) for these fx3 systems as I'm sure all of you have had to Jack with at some point😠. I could chase it down to which actuator, hope it's that and not the shock but all the shocks probably need rebuilt anyways, it's a 26yr old car, so now your looking at what 1500-2000? And honestly if I remember correctly from my 90z you really don't get a hole lot of change out of the system when it's working properly. On my c7z when you change ride settings IT CHANGES, you feel a huge difference! Maybe I just have a bad taste in my mind for these c4 fx3 systems but I'm like (yup not dealing with this headache) when the light came on. I might just throw new shocks on and cut the adjustable ride system out of the entire equation, then do the drop tricks, an inch or two would be good enough. .....your thoughts?

http://www.captainzcnc.com/ Look at the diagnosis procedures on this site. As WVZR-1 suggests it may improve your ride.

[zr1assassin]

Or retain the FX-3 system and go to coil-overs as well. The best of both worlds IMHO and no spacers, no wedges and no lowering brackets. :cheers:

This is what I'm looking for! Ok, how do you go to a coilover with retaining the fx3? Do you also retain the Bilstein shocks? I thought those were the only ones that were compatible with the fx3 adjustable system

[GOLDCYLON]

This is what I'm looking for! Ok, how do you go to a coilover with retaining the fx3? Do you also retain the Bilstein shocks? I thought those were the only ones that were compatible with the fx3 adjustable system

You go with a system like Doug Rippe Motorsports sells. You have to get the Bilstern shocks grooved and a front sway bar relocation block like guldstrand has. However Carter200 on the board here sells both the front and rear plug and play brackets. You can also choose your front and rear spring rates to however soft or hard you want the ride. GC

[zr1assassin]

You go with a system like Doug Rippe Motorsports sells. You have to get the Bilstern shocks grooved and a front sway bar relocation block like guldstrand has. However Carter200 on the board here sells both the front and rear plug and play brackets. You can also choose your front and rear spring rates to however soft or hard you want the ride. GC

Perfect! Thank you.
And what shocks are people using to replace the bilsteins in case I decide to do away with it completely?... No attention to lowering just basic replacement shocks to eliminate the fx3.

[GOLDCYLON]

On Corvette Forum in the C4 community a few folks have went with the QA-1 setup. However I have heard zero feedback on them nor do I know of anybody in the ZR-1 community that have gone with that setup. However it is another option. GC

[zr1assassin]

On Corvette Forum in the C4 community a few folks have went with the QA-1 setup. However I have heard zero feedback on them nor do I know of anybody in the ZR-1 community that have gone with that setup. However it is another option. GC

Ya but I think that is a coil over setup right? I mean just basic shock replacement, replacing the bilsteins with something else and removing the actuators

[GOLDCYLON]

Ya but I think that is a coil over setup right? I mean just basic shock replacement, replacing the bilsteins with something else and removing the actuators

Maybe a set of Monroe's or whatever brand. Most of us retain the factory setup. I'm sure a lot of folks over on Corvette Forum have ditched the FX-3 system and have posted up what they have used.

[zr1assassin]

Maybe a set of Monroe's or whatever brand. Most of us retain the factory setup. I'm sure a lot of folks over on Corvette Forum have ditched the FX-3 system and have posted up what they have used.

Thanks for all the help.😉

[zr1assassin]

After really thinking about it, I think I'm going to go with a decent coil over. That gets rid of the fx3 headaches and gives me height adjustment 😁.
Thanks for all the info guys! Now to find the right coilover🤔🤔🤔

[-=Jeff=-]

My original service FX3 error was a loose actuator, I would troubleshoot it first. I run coil overs with FX3 and a lowered stance, I love it

[zr1assassin]

My original service FX3 error was a loose actuator, I would troubleshoot it first. I run coil overs with FX3 and a lowered stance, I love it

What is your setup?

[-=Jeff=-]

I did my own coilover kit, used a universal kit and a couple custom machined parts on OE replacement FX3 shocks.. here is the stance
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180226/2173dd378535071cf0842ade27f6a140.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180226/1141d7813015c6f0c224815105bb3c7a.jpg


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[zr1assassin]

Looks perfect!

[Ronstar]

I have fx3 and coilover as well. I had Haibeck do mine. Can’t remember the price but I thought it was pretty reasonable. Got mine considerably lower than the above picture. When I get home I’ll see if I can post a pic of the stance.
Love the ride and handling.

[zr1assassin]

I have fx3 and coilover as well. I had Haibeck do mine. Can’t remember the price but I thought it was pretty reasonable. Got mine considerably lower than the above picture. When I get home I’ll see if I can post a pic of the stance.
Love the ride and handling.

Did he just slot the factory shocks for springs?

[-=Jeff=-]

Did he just slot the factory shocks for springs?
Yes. I actually had Marc groove my shocks for snap rings that hold the sleeve in place..

Outside of the relocation stuff, I have $500~ in my coilovers, not including shocks

[zr1assassin]

Yes. I actually had Marc groove my shocks for snap rings that hold the sleeve in place..

Outside of the relocation stuff, I have $500~ in my coilovers, not including shocks

That's not bad! Do you by chance have part numbers on what you used?

[-=Jeff=-]

I can look, it will be later tonight when I get back from work

[-=Jeff=-]

got a short break:
Purchased below from Speedway Motors, in 2009
4x 91046236-BIL (Coil over Kit, 5" sleeve, 2" body) $39.99ea
2x 44410-425 (425lb Hypercoil 10" Coil-Over Spring $59.99ea (front)
2x 44410-275 (275lb Hypercoil 10" Coil-Over Spring $59.99ea (rear)

Contact carter200 in this forum for pricing on:
Coilover Hat Offset Bushing
That is a key piece for the system I put together

so $400 from Speedway, I forget the price of Offset bushing ($125 at the time maybe?)

then the Sway bar and shock relocation (I used Carters rear kit since I had done the front already)

Fronts were done in early 2009, rear done in Jan 2010. I had to add a washer to the hat, but overall the setup works

[Mystic ZR-1]

Are the shock mounts up to the task?
With coilovers, they're doing a job they weren't
designed for..

[carter200]

Like Jeff said contact me if you need the items he mentioned.

[Z51JEFF]

My cars lowered and I put a new set of Bilsteins on the car a few years ago. And yes,you can definitely feel a difference in the 3 settings,I used to think this was just a gimmick until I bought a car with adjustable shocks.

[GOLDCYLON]

Like Jeff said contact me if you need the items he mentioned.

As also stated in post #12

[zr1assassin]

got a short break:
Purchased below from Speedway Motors, in 2009
4x 91046236-BIL (Coil over Kit, 5" sleeve, 2" body) $39.99ea
2x 44410-425 (425lb Hypercoil 10" Coil-Over Spring $59.99ea (front)
2x 44410-275 (275lb Hypercoil 10" Coil-Over Spring $59.99ea (rear)

Contact carter200 in this forum for pricing on:
Coilover Hat Offset Bushing
That is a key piece for the system I put together

so $400 from Speedway, I forget the price of Offset bushing ($125 at the time maybe?)

then the Sway bar and shock relocation (I used Carters rear kit since I had done the front already)

Fronts were done in early 2009, rear done in Jan 2010. I had to add a washer to the hat, but overall the setup works
Perfect! Thank you

[carter200]

As also stated in post #12

Hello GC ;)

[carter200]

Perfect! Thank you

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