Just got my custom FX3 shocks back from Bilstein

[mike100]

from two weeks back
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And again with the jackstands...



The Bilstein shop is local and just across the freeway, not too far- gonna get some rebuild/custom valving on the FX3's. The car goes just a bit too fast to leave it squishy and floaty like it is now.




today
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Sooo...two weeks later I get my shocks back and it took about an hour to put them back on, being careful to get the bushing squish just right as there is an installed height for the actuators.





They do install new stickers though- that was a nice touch. If you want the paint perfect, you will have to buy new ones first. if you look close, the old ones do not say "Made in Germany". It was probably done on the new stickers because the shocks have "made in West Germany" stamped on the body. Yes, my car is that old.


The rebuild fee includes any custom valving you want so I requested 10% more compression and 30% more rebound. I have to say that this modest adjustment turned out about right as it doesn't ride much firmer than before (just a touch), but the rebound is much more in control, even on the middle setting. Maybe the old shocks were done despite the low mileage, but for sure the factory valving is lame-especially on rebound.

The Sport(middle) setting can be driven 80mph on bumpy roads safely so you don't have to reach down to switch it frantically if you forgot. As before, it offers some compliance for the real world.

The tour(lowest) setting is still nearly useless-you get a fair amount of body movement, but if you choose to drive the speed limit strictly, I guess it is ok.

The Performance(highest) setting is definitely just right. I drove through a drainage depression that used to upset the car at 70 mph and it did not bounce twice like it used to. It was not overly firm either. I'm glad I didn't drink the koolaid and order the 'Moracca' valving that the magazine articles and internet lore always tout. I was prepared to buy the controller from DRM or Lingenfelter with the removable prom, but I may not even bother now

[ZZZZZR1]

Mike

Thanks for posting this. Love to hear a long term update

I just installed new Shocks, but didn't know I could custom tune them!



David

[Z51JEFF]

The cost?

[mike100]

Originally Posted by Z51JEFF

The cost?

$100 ea. (plus shipping, or in my case CA sales tax )

If you bought new ones for about $200, you'd still have to spend the c-note for re-valving.


The fx3 on my 95 lt1 car was so trashed I didn't try to fix it, but everything on my 91 worked, just the shocks felt funny. I drove it today all around town and I am pretty pleased with the sport setting now as it never gets over-run by the car's mass. I used to have to leave it set to full stiff just to get down the road.

[VetteMed]

Is there a spec for installed height of the actuator cup and bushing squish?

[mike100]

Originally Posted by VetteMed

Is there a spec for installed height of the actuator cup and bushing squish?

The service manual specifies a clearance from the top of the actuator to the frame cover on the fronts, but I also saw another spec somewhere that had the recommended clearance of the top of the rod over the mounting cup. I can't recall where right now, but in general, do not under or over tighten. You will get a code if the gear doesn't mesh.

I had trouble with a front one once, I had to take off the nut and redo it- it just started working again- they seem sensitive to the height and engagement with the plastic gear doo-dad in the actuator. I think it jams up if the gear gets forced too high into the actuator.

[Z51JEFF]

Heres a question.I want to have a set rebuilt but would also like to repaint them before that go back on the car,would they give you the stickers instead of putting them on the shocks?

[mike100]

Originally Posted by Z51JEFF

Heres a question.I want to have a set rebuilt but would also like to repaint them before that go back on the car,would they give you the stickers instead of putting them on the shocks?

I'm sure they would. Since I went in person, I had the communications thing handled as I was able to talk to the guy who was going to do the work. He was the one who suggested to do a 30% rebound increase after I told him I was mostly happy with the compression damping stock. There were a couple of 'race/performance' valving setups they have on file and he asked me very carefully if I wanted those- which I was very clear that I did not (been down the ultra hard shock road before-no pun intended).

They have a work order form and if you specifically asked to send the stickers uninstalled, or even an extra set, I'm sure you would get what you wanted. The only thing inflexible about how they handle the rebuilds was the accounting dept. as they seem to be preventing 'hooking-a-brother-up' and having free work slide out the back door.

[XfireZ51]

Mike,

If I could ask, what did Bilstein charge for the rebuild? According to Marc H. you are better off buyin a new set from Mid America or eShocks because Bilstein re-build is nearly as expensive. Would you clarify why you decided to rebuild rather than just buy new?

[mike100]

rebuild is $100 a shock. This includes custom revalving at no extra charge if you know what you want other than stock.

new is $200, and as I understand it, would incur a similar charge to revalve them, but I could be wrong. The early cars (90,91) are $200 per shock plus additional charges for revalving labor. The later cars with the reduced angle actuation were going for $240 per according to pricing in the MAM catalog.

The way I see it, you could spend up to $300 a corner to go all new custom valved versus $100 per corner to rebuild what you already own. Mine had 29k miles on them and the pot-metal actuator gears and shafts were in perfect condition. If you have bad everything, the additional charges would make new ones the way to go.