Originally Posted by | 1990 ZR-1 | (Post 109137)

One question that comes to mind. Is the FX3 suspension any good as far as handling? Is there a real difference between the three settings? I'm not sure if i should leave the front fixed shocks and convert the back to stiff fixed as well.

Originally Posted by voxdeidave (Post 109052)

Hey Gary....welcome to the crew!
I think I might be one of the closest members to you...I'm just off of 476 above Allentown, PA. 1991 #384 is in my stable as of August of last year, and as a fellow ZR-1 newbie you could not have picked a better car or club! We'll have to have a greater phily area club meeting some time.

dave

Originally Posted by Aurora40 (Post 109140)

Yes, there is a significant different between "Tour" and the others. "Sport" to "Perf" is not a big difference, but you can feel it. Considering how these cars crash a bit over rough road, the option to kick it into "Tour" is a nice one.

You can also have the shocks revalved to make the difference more dramatic, or to have shocks that are really race-car stiff on "Perf", but still livable on the street in the other settings (search for "Moracca" valving). In fact, going that route it would make more sense in terms of cost to buy some used shocks and send them to Bilstein for rebuild/revalving.

Originally Posted by | 1990 ZR-1 | (Post 109144)

That sounds like a great idea. I'll have to research this more. Thanks Bob!

Originally Posted by tomtom72 (Post 109156)

I would only add one thing to what Bob ( Aurora40 ) posted with respect to FX3 shocks.

I bought a new set and the standard valving is different from what came as OEM in my 90. I noticed the difference right away in the Sport & Performance settings. It seems that they are just a bit softer than the OE stuff in the initial stages. The FX3 shocks have six settings within each selector switch setting and the ride control module adjusts up or down using the VSS signal.

Anyway, I just figured you would need this bit of info as I don't know if it matters all that much if you mix valving front to rear. I'll say this much for the new valving, it makes performance a usable ( to me anyway ) option on the road vs just a track use setting. The OE performance settings was all but unusable unless the road was glass smooth, IMHO.

I bought mine at this place:
http://eshocks.com/bil_veh.asp?Model...&Manf=Bilstein

:cheers:
Tom

Oh, forgot this. I kept my OE shocks as someday I may send them to Bilstein for the rebuild. I know a guy that did this and it was north of $450.00 plus shipping and they didn't even put the new decals on or repaint them. Oh, he also went for the groove for coil over spring cup while they were at Bilstein. The OE configuration does not have the groove for a coil over set up.

Originally Posted by Aurora40 (Post 109157)

Tom, I always wonder about that, if maybe your OEM shocks were abnormally stiff. I run mine on "Perf" all the time, otherwise it feels really soft.

"Sport" to me feels like the FE1 suspension of my friend's '96 vette (they had a softer front spring). Which rides nice, but always felt a bit soft to me. And "Tour" reminds me of our recently departed Buick Regal. :)

Originally Posted by | 1990 ZR-1 | (Post 109158)

Thanks Tom, this was very helpful, and at that price of $179 is the lowest I've seen for new front fx3 shocks. Really appreciate it.

So it wouldn't matter, as far as handling goes, that fronts will be new fx3's while the rears are original? I'm just speculating that the rears are stock since the dealer didn't say anything. Or should I replace all 4 corners?

Originally Posted by tomtom72 (Post 109185)

Gary, I'm going to be honest and tell you I do not know the right answer to your question.

The reason I replaced mine with only 22k on them was they were floating more than I thought that they should. Did I do the right thing? I don't know for sure except to say no more floating over undulating roadways at speed. Another Z brother advised me to do all 4 even thou my mileage was low, the shocks were 15 + yrs old & he said just do it!

If it were my car, yes I'd do all four. Yea, the $800 was a big swallow! However, I notice the improvement in the damping ability of the new vs the old stuff.

Something to keep in mind if you do the r&r yourself. Mind the instructions in the FSM. Pay attention to the shock gear installed height specification!

:cheers:
Tom