What is an FE1 "Soft Ride" Suspension? Build Sheet Attached.
07-16-2007, 08:56 PM
#1
Pro
Thread Starter
Member Since: Jul 2007
Location: Mississauga Ontario
Posts: 667
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What is an FE1 "Soft Ride" Suspension? Build Sheet Attached.
Did a forum search with no results..build sheet specifies FE1 - Soft Ride Suspension.
VEHICLE BUILD
Merchandising Model :
1YY07 -2005 CORVETTE COUPE
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating :
1666 kg (3674 lb)
Build Date :
03/15/2005
Build Plant :
155Y
OPTION CODES
AAB - MEMORY PACKAGE
AG2 - SIX-WAY POWER PASSENGER SEAT
AJ7 - AIR BAGS, FRONTAL & SIDE IMPACT, DRIVER & PASSENGER
AQ9 - ADJUSTABLE SPORT BUCKET SEATS WITH LEATHER TRIMMED SEATING SURFACES
BGR - BOWLING GREEN PLANT
CF7 - REMOVABLE ROOF PANEL
CJ2 - AIR CONDITIONING-ELECTRONIC DUAL ZONE
DD0 - ELECTROCHROMIC MIRRORS INSIDE REAR & LEFT OUTSIDE REAR
DD8 - OSRV
DL5 - ROADSIDE SERVICE INFORMATION DECAL
D42 - LUGGAGE SHADE & PARCEL NET
E2C - ORDER TO DELIVERY - EXPEDITE
FE1 - SUSPENSION SYSTEM-SOFT RIDE
FE9 - 50-STATE EMISSIONS
GU6 - REAR AXLE 3.42 RATIO
IL3 - TRIM INTERIOR DESIGN-AQ9
JL5 - CONTROL MANUAL TRANS, 1ST TO 4TH GEAR SKIP SHIFT
JL9 - 4-WHEEL DISC ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM
KA1 - HEATED SEATS
K63 - 110 AMP GENERATOR
LS2 - 6.0 LITER SFI V8 - 400 HP
MM6 - 6-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION
MN6 - 6-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION
NK4 - LEATHER WRAPPED STEERING WHEEL
NT9 - FED EMIS SYS, TIER 2 PHASE-OUT
N37 - STEERING: POWER TELESCOPING& MANUAL TILT STEERING COLUMN
QG7 - POLISHED ALUMINUM WHEELS
R6P - SPECIAL PAINT
R9U - GM ACCESS - AUTOBOOK IDENTIFIER
R9Z - POMS EXPEDITE - SOLD ORDERS
SLL - SOLD ORDERS
UE1 - ONSTAR SYSTEM INCLUDES 1 YR SAFE & SOUND
UG1 - HOMELINK TRANSMITTER
UJ9 - LOW TIRE PRESS. INDICATOR
US3 - ANTENNA DIVERSITY
US9 - RDS AM/FM STEREO W/6-DISC IN- DASH CD W/MP3 PLAYBACK, BOSE PREMIUM 7 SPEAKER SYSTEM (REPLACES STD/OPT/PKG RADIO)
UV6 - HEAD UP DISPLAY
U2K - XM SATELLITE RADIO - OVER 130 CHNLS OF DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT SERVICE FEE EXTRA.1ST 3MOS.INCL
U52 - ELECTRONIC INSTRUMENTATION
U65 - SPEAKER SYSTEM 7, PREMIUM
VA5 - ENGLISH LANGUAGE LABEL
VDD - VEHICLE INFORMATION DVD
VK3 - LICENSE PLATE BRACKET
VM3 - CONSUMER INFORMATION LABEL
V73 - STATEMENT OF VEHICLE CERT.-U.S. / CANADA
XFV - FRONT TIRE - P245/40ZR18
YFX - REAR TIRE - P285/35ZR19
1SB - PREFERRED EQUIPMENT GROUP AIR BAGS, FRONTAL & SIDE IMPACT DRIVER & PASSENGER LUGGAGE SHADE & PARCEL NET 6-WAY POWER PASSENGER SEAT ADJUSTABLE SPORT BUCKET SEATS W/PERFORATED LEATHER INSERTS HEAD UP DISPLAY HOMELINK TRANSMITTER MEMORY PACKAGE AUTO DIMMING ISRV MIRROR W/COMPASS & DRIVER OSRV MIRROR HEATED SEATS RDS AM/FM STEREO W/6-DISC IN DASH CD W/MP3 PLAYBACK, BOSE PREMIUM 7 SPEAKER SYSTEM (REPLACES STD/OPT/PKG RADIO) PWR TELESCOPING STEERING
1SZ - PREFERRED EQUIPMENT SAVINGS
L9U - LEMANS BLUE
36I - LT STEEL GRAY INTERIOR TRIM
363 - STEEL GRAY LEATHER TRIM SEATING
Merchandising Model :
1YY07 -2005 CORVETTE COUPE
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating :
1666 kg (3674 lb)
Build Date :
03/15/2005
Build Plant :
155Y
OPTION CODES
AAB - MEMORY PACKAGE
AG2 - SIX-WAY POWER PASSENGER SEAT
AJ7 - AIR BAGS, FRONTAL & SIDE IMPACT, DRIVER & PASSENGER
AQ9 - ADJUSTABLE SPORT BUCKET SEATS WITH LEATHER TRIMMED SEATING SURFACES
BGR - BOWLING GREEN PLANT
CF7 - REMOVABLE ROOF PANEL
CJ2 - AIR CONDITIONING-ELECTRONIC DUAL ZONE
DD0 - ELECTROCHROMIC MIRRORS INSIDE REAR & LEFT OUTSIDE REAR
DD8 - OSRV
DL5 - ROADSIDE SERVICE INFORMATION DECAL
D42 - LUGGAGE SHADE & PARCEL NET
E2C - ORDER TO DELIVERY - EXPEDITE
FE1 - SUSPENSION SYSTEM-SOFT RIDE
FE9 - 50-STATE EMISSIONS
GU6 - REAR AXLE 3.42 RATIO
IL3 - TRIM INTERIOR DESIGN-AQ9
JL5 - CONTROL MANUAL TRANS, 1ST TO 4TH GEAR SKIP SHIFT
JL9 - 4-WHEEL DISC ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM
KA1 - HEATED SEATS
K63 - 110 AMP GENERATOR
LS2 - 6.0 LITER SFI V8 - 400 HP
MM6 - 6-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION
MN6 - 6-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION
NK4 - LEATHER WRAPPED STEERING WHEEL
NT9 - FED EMIS SYS, TIER 2 PHASE-OUT
N37 - STEERING: POWER TELESCOPING& MANUAL TILT STEERING COLUMN
QG7 - POLISHED ALUMINUM WHEELS
R6P - SPECIAL PAINT
R9U - GM ACCESS - AUTOBOOK IDENTIFIER
R9Z - POMS EXPEDITE - SOLD ORDERS
SLL - SOLD ORDERS
UE1 - ONSTAR SYSTEM INCLUDES 1 YR SAFE & SOUND
UG1 - HOMELINK TRANSMITTER
UJ9 - LOW TIRE PRESS. INDICATOR
US3 - ANTENNA DIVERSITY
US9 - RDS AM/FM STEREO W/6-DISC IN- DASH CD W/MP3 PLAYBACK, BOSE PREMIUM 7 SPEAKER SYSTEM (REPLACES STD/OPT/PKG RADIO)
UV6 - HEAD UP DISPLAY
U2K - XM SATELLITE RADIO - OVER 130 CHNLS OF DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT SERVICE FEE EXTRA.1ST 3MOS.INCL
U52 - ELECTRONIC INSTRUMENTATION
U65 - SPEAKER SYSTEM 7, PREMIUM
VA5 - ENGLISH LANGUAGE LABEL
VDD - VEHICLE INFORMATION DVD
VK3 - LICENSE PLATE BRACKET
VM3 - CONSUMER INFORMATION LABEL
V73 - STATEMENT OF VEHICLE CERT.-U.S. / CANADA
XFV - FRONT TIRE - P245/40ZR18
YFX - REAR TIRE - P285/35ZR19
1SB - PREFERRED EQUIPMENT GROUP AIR BAGS, FRONTAL & SIDE IMPACT DRIVER & PASSENGER LUGGAGE SHADE & PARCEL NET 6-WAY POWER PASSENGER SEAT ADJUSTABLE SPORT BUCKET SEATS W/PERFORATED LEATHER INSERTS HEAD UP DISPLAY HOMELINK TRANSMITTER MEMORY PACKAGE AUTO DIMMING ISRV MIRROR W/COMPASS & DRIVER OSRV MIRROR HEATED SEATS RDS AM/FM STEREO W/6-DISC IN DASH CD W/MP3 PLAYBACK, BOSE PREMIUM 7 SPEAKER SYSTEM (REPLACES STD/OPT/PKG RADIO) PWR TELESCOPING STEERING
1SZ - PREFERRED EQUIPMENT SAVINGS
L9U - LEMANS BLUE
36I - LT STEEL GRAY INTERIOR TRIM
363 - STEEL GRAY LEATHER TRIM SEATING
07-16-2007, 08:58 PM
#2
Drifting
You have the standard suspension for the C6, it only means you did not pick either F55 (the mag ride) or Z51 (the performance ride).
Still a great car!
Still a great car!
07-16-2007, 09:07 PM
#3
Team Owner
What's nice about the FE1 or "base" suspension is how easily it can be upgraded in steps to be exactly what you want/need. Many replace the sway bars first with either the Z51 or Z06 bars for about $200. They are plug and play and make a huge difference in how the car corners. Then if you find you still want/need more you can spend another $300 and replace the shocks with either the Z51 or Z06 shocks. And at this point if you still want MORE handling you can replace the springs.
So for about $1000 you can tailor the car to suit your EXACT desires.
This is what I did with my 99 coupe I owned several years ago. I bolted on all the OEM Z06 suspension bits. I love how the car responded and felt.
Tom
07-16-2007, 09:28 PM
#4
Safety Car
Member Since: Jan 2006
Location: Miami FL
Posts: 4,598
Received 69 Likes
on
45 Posts
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16,'17,'18-'19-'20-'21-'22
HOWEVER . . .
Tom is a serious road-course driver, so his needs may not be exactly the same as yours.
But Tom is right-on when he describes the base suspension as a fine starting point for whatever you want to do. And it will take good care of you while you are deciding.
I have the FE1 suspension on my convertible, and have added the Z51 bars and bushings. Next will be the Bilstein HD shock absorbers, and then I will have the classic "shopdog" configuration.
Good luck with your C6.
Tom is a serious road-course driver, so his needs may not be exactly the same as yours.
But Tom is right-on when he describes the base suspension as a fine starting point for whatever you want to do. And it will take good care of you while you are deciding.
I have the FE1 suspension on my convertible, and have added the Z51 bars and bushings. Next will be the Bilstein HD shock absorbers, and then I will have the classic "shopdog" configuration.
Good luck with your C6.
07-16-2007, 09:39 PM
#5
Pro
Thread Starter
Member Since: Jul 2007
Location: Mississauga Ontario
Posts: 667
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
HOWEVER . . .
Tom is a serious road-course driver, so his needs may not be exactly the same as yours.
But Tom is right-on when he describes the base suspension as a fine starting point for whatever you want to do. And it will take good care of you while you are deciding.
I have the FE1 suspension on my convertible, and have added the Z51 bars and bushings. Next will be the Bilstein HD shock absorbers, and then I will have the classic "shopdog" configuration.
Good luck with your C6.
Tom is a serious road-course driver, so his needs may not be exactly the same as yours.
But Tom is right-on when he describes the base suspension as a fine starting point for whatever you want to do. And it will take good care of you while you are deciding.
I have the FE1 suspension on my convertible, and have added the Z51 bars and bushings. Next will be the Bilstein HD shock absorbers, and then I will have the classic "shopdog" configuration.
Good luck with your C6.
As an aside, "Soft Ride" is the WORST name ever for a sports car suspension.
07-16-2007, 11:42 PM
#7
This is what I plan on doing with mine as well.Haven't decided if I want Z51 or Pfadt's though and whether to go with Bilstein's or Koni's.
Decisions, decisions.
05-11-2012, 09:03 AM
#8
Cruising
Member Since: May 2012
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
05-11-2012, 09:42 AM
#9
Race Director
=kilr4d;1561103804]Thanks to all. Don't have it yet...but I will get one soon.
As an aside, "Soft Ride" is the WORST name ever for a sports car suspension.[/QUOTE]
I agree but in reality the name fits the ride, which is the reason I replaced mine with the bigger sways and the FSD Koni shocks.
I found the standard Z51 set up to harsh for street only.
As an aside, "Soft Ride" is the WORST name ever for a sports car suspension.
[/QUOTE]I agree but in reality the name fits the ride, which is the reason I replaced mine with the bigger sways and the FSD Koni shocks.
I found the standard Z51 set up to harsh for street only.
05-11-2012, 09:47 AM
#10
Race Director
05-11-2012, 10:10 AM
#11
Racer
Hmmmm.....I was told FE1 was the alignment of the front wheels. I'll have to paraphrase as this was told to me by my salesman...as told to him by the mechanic. NOTE: This was the result of him getting back to me on a specific question regarding tire wear.
I take NO credit or blame for any inaccuracy below...and will be happy to be corrected if it's all wrong.
The wheels are aligned in a way where the top of the tires are angled in towards the top....imagine a trapezoid. There is a range of FE1-FE5, where FE1 is the least aggressive and FE5 is the most aggressive. The higher numbers will wear the tires faster. The higher end models (ZR1) would be setup as FE5 by default....while the base model Corvette would be setup as FE1 by default. My midrange GS Convertible would me FE3 by default. Customers are free to request modifications to the alignment at any time.
Can anyone confirm or deny this information?
I take NO credit or blame for any inaccuracy below...and will be happy to be corrected if it's all wrong.
The wheels are aligned in a way where the top of the tires are angled in towards the top....imagine a trapezoid. There is a range of FE1-FE5, where FE1 is the least aggressive and FE5 is the most aggressive. The higher numbers will wear the tires faster. The higher end models (ZR1) would be setup as FE5 by default....while the base model Corvette would be setup as FE1 by default. My midrange GS Convertible would me FE3 by default. Customers are free to request modifications to the alignment at any time.
Can anyone confirm or deny this information?
05-11-2012, 10:23 AM
#13
CF Senior Member
Member Since: Feb 2006
Location: Tucson Arizona
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 0
Received 19 Likes
on
18 Posts
Hmmmm.....I was told FE1 was the alignment of the front wheels. I'll have to paraphrase as this was told to me by my salesman...as told to him by the mechanic. NOTE: This was the result of him getting back to me on a specific question regarding tire wear.
I take NO credit or blame for any inaccuracy below...and will be happy to be corrected if it's all wrong.
The wheels are aligned in a way where the top of the tires are angled in towards the top....imagine a trapezoid. There is a range of FE1-FE5, where FE1 is the least aggressive and FE5 is the most aggressive. The higher numbers will wear the tires faster. The higher end models (ZR1) would be setup as FE5 by default....while the base model Corvette would be setup as FE1 by default. My midrange GS Convertible would me FE3 by default. Customers are free to request modifications to the alignment at any time.
Can anyone confirm or deny this information?
I take NO credit or blame for any inaccuracy below...and will be happy to be corrected if it's all wrong.
The wheels are aligned in a way where the top of the tires are angled in towards the top....imagine a trapezoid. There is a range of FE1-FE5, where FE1 is the least aggressive and FE5 is the most aggressive. The higher numbers will wear the tires faster. The higher end models (ZR1) would be setup as FE5 by default....while the base model Corvette would be setup as FE1 by default. My midrange GS Convertible would me FE3 by default. Customers are free to request modifications to the alignment at any time.
Can anyone confirm or deny this information?
05-11-2012, 10:25 AM
#14
FE1 has the softest shocks (the bodies are even thinner than the other shocks)
Sway bars are thinner than the rest at 25.5mm front and 17.5 in the rear
Springs are 420 up front and 657 in the rear
the biggest issues with the fe1 suspension are body roll and brake dive but its still a decent setup - people have successfully competed using the base suspension
Yes everything is interchangeable. Fe2 is mag shock though so youre either going to need to keep the shocks, use "simulators" or a tech 2 reprogram
btw the fe2 springs and sways are the same as fe1
Sway bars are thinner than the rest at 25.5mm front and 17.5 in the rear
Springs are 420 up front and 657 in the rear
the biggest issues with the fe1 suspension are body roll and brake dive but its still a decent setup - people have successfully competed using the base suspension
Yes everything is interchangeable. Fe2 is mag shock though so youre either going to need to keep the shocks, use "simulators" or a tech 2 reprogram
btw the fe2 springs and sways are the same as fe1
Last edited by el es tu; 05-11-2012 at 10:28 AM.
05-11-2012, 10:34 AM
#15
Team Owner
Hmmmm.....I was told FE1 was the alignment of the front wheels. I'll have to paraphrase as this was told to me by my salesman...as told to him by the mechanic. NOTE: This was the result of him getting back to me on a specific question regarding tire wear.
I take NO credit or blame for any inaccuracy below...and will be happy to be corrected if it's all wrong.
The wheels are aligned in a way where the top of the tires are angled in towards the top....imagine a trapezoid. There is a range of FE1-FE5, where FE1 is the least aggressive and FE5 is the most aggressive. The higher numbers will wear the tires faster. The higher end models (ZR1) would be setup as FE5 by default....while the base model Corvette would be setup as FE1 by default. My midrange GS Convertible would me FE3 by default. Customers are free to request modifications to the alignment at any time.
"Can anyone confirm or deny this information?
I take NO credit or blame for any inaccuracy below...and will be happy to be corrected if it's all wrong.
The wheels are aligned in a way where the top of the tires are angled in towards the top....imagine a trapezoid. There is a range of FE1-FE5, where FE1 is the least aggressive and FE5 is the most aggressive. The higher numbers will wear the tires faster. The higher end models (ZR1) would be setup as FE5 by default....while the base model Corvette would be setup as FE1 by default. My midrange GS Convertible would me FE3 by default. Customers are free to request modifications to the alignment at any time.
"Can anyone confirm or deny this information?
MY Z06 has the FE4 suspension(larger sway bars, stiffer springs, tighter valved shocks) then the FE1, so it does have more negative camber then the FE1 suspension. To get better wear from my tires, I had the camber changed from a -1.2 degree to a -0.9 degree. The alignment is different but it still has the same sway bars, springs and shocks, thus is still a FE4 suspension. Even if I reduced the camber to -0.5 degrees, the spec for the FEF1 suspension, my Z06 would still have the FE4 suspension with the stiffer springs, larger sway bars, etc.
From GM's ordering guide..
"FE1 Suspension, 4-wheel independent,
includes transverse composite
springs"
"FE4 Z06 Performance Package, 4-wheel independent, includes
transverse composite springs, power steering, engine oil, axle
and transmission coolers, stiffer springs and stabilizer bars,
specific shock absorbers, larger brakes with 6-piston front and
4-piston rear cross-drilled rotors and specific tires"
"FE5 ZR1 Performance Package, 4-wheel independent, includes
transverse composite springs, power steering, engine oil, axle
and transmission coolers, stiffer springs and stabilizer bars,
Magnetic Selective Ride Control, larger Brembo ceramic brakes
with cross-drilled rotors and specific tires"
As you can see the different suspension packages have different hardware and the alignment is just one part of the package, that is easily changed.
Last edited by JoesC5; 05-11-2012 at 10:44 AM.
05-11-2012, 10:37 AM
#16
Cruising
Member Since: May 2012
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
FE1 has the softest shocks (the bodies are even thinner than the other shocks)
Sway bars are thinner than the rest at 25.5mm front and 17.5 in the rear
Springs are 420 up front and 657 in the rear
the biggest issues with the fe1 suspension are body roll and brake dive but its still a decent setup - people have successfully competed using the base suspension
Yes everything is interchangeable. Fe2 is mag shock though so youre either going to need to keep the shocks, use "simulators" or a tech 2 reprogram
btw the fe2 springs and sways are the same as fe1
Sway bars are thinner than the rest at 25.5mm front and 17.5 in the rear
Springs are 420 up front and 657 in the rear
the biggest issues with the fe1 suspension are body roll and brake dive but its still a decent setup - people have successfully competed using the base suspension
Yes everything is interchangeable. Fe2 is mag shock though so youre either going to need to keep the shocks, use "simulators" or a tech 2 reprogram
btw the fe2 springs and sways are the same as fe1
Fe1 and Fe2 springs identical? Where it is possible to buy that the check did not?
05-11-2012, 11:01 AM
#17
Race Director
05-11-2012, 11:07 AM
#18
Race Director
Simulators are hit or miss on the C6. Works for some and not others. Also it can be argued that it is the most expensive way to make the change.
05-11-2012, 11:15 AM
#19
05-11-2012, 11:34 AM
#20
Cruising
Member Since: May 2012
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
