Converting 1996 f45 to straight shocks?
10-26-2002, 01:46 PM
#1
Team Owner
Thread Starter
Converting 1996 f45 to straight shocks?
I have decided due to the ridiculous price to convert my F45's to Bilsteins. Should I oder z51's or base shocks? I am going to bypass the connector so I don't throw codes and I should get a performance improvement this way. I'm just not sure which shock to order.
Any opinions?
Any opinions?
10-26-2002, 06:52 PM
#2
Drifting
Re: Converting 1996 f45 to straight shocks? (NotSlo)
My F45 was not throwing codes at the time I decided to switch. The shocks were just plumb worn out.
Like you I thought the replacement cost was a bit high. So I ordered up some Z51 Bilstein shocks. They've worked fine for the past 8k miles. You may have to use your stock shock bushings as the ones that were boxed with the Bilsteins just didn't fit correctly in my case.
To replace the F45's I just unplugged and taped (to keep debris out) the shock connections and installed the Bilsteins. No codes. No problems.
The Bilsteins are firm enough IMO and definitely priced better than an F45 replacement. It's a very easy swap.
Like you I thought the replacement cost was a bit high. So I ordered up some Z51 Bilstein shocks. They've worked fine for the past 8k miles. You may have to use your stock shock bushings as the ones that were boxed with the Bilsteins just didn't fit correctly in my case.
To replace the F45's I just unplugged and taped (to keep debris out) the shock connections and installed the Bilsteins. No codes. No problems.
The Bilsteins are firm enough IMO and definitely priced better than an F45 replacement. It's a very easy swap.
10-26-2002, 08:20 PM
#3
Team Owner
Thread Starter
Re: Converting 1996 f45 to straight shocks? (Dan Parker '96)
Thanks alot Dan. I feel a lot better about this knowing someone else who did it. I am looking forward to a decent ride again.:yesnod:
My F45 was not throwing codes at the time I decided to switch. The shocks were just plumb worn out.
Like you I thought the replacement cost was a bit high. So I ordered up some Z51 Bilstein shocks. They've worked fine for the past 8k miles. You may have to use your stock shock bushings as the ones that were boxed with the Bilsteins just didn't fit correctly in my case.
To replace the F45's I just unplugged and taped (to keep debris out) the shock connections and installed the Bilsteins. No codes. No problems.
The Bilsteins are firm enough IMO and definitely priced better than an F45 replacement. It's a very easy swap.
Like you I thought the replacement cost was a bit high. So I ordered up some Z51 Bilstein shocks. They've worked fine for the past 8k miles. You may have to use your stock shock bushings as the ones that were boxed with the Bilsteins just didn't fit correctly in my case.
To replace the F45's I just unplugged and taped (to keep debris out) the shock connections and installed the Bilsteins. No codes. No problems.
The Bilsteins are firm enough IMO and definitely priced better than an F45 replacement. It's a very easy swap.
10-27-2002, 08:49 AM
#4
Team Owner
Thread Starter
Re: Converting 1996 f45 to straight shocks? (Dan Parker '96)
Dan,
One quick question. Since you changed have you had the car over 80 MPH? I did a search on the forum for F45 and a lot of C5 guys have bypassed the connector with a resistor because the car won't faster than 80 without it.
Maybe that's a C5 thing but I just wanted to check with you.
Thanks,
Doug
One quick question. Since you changed have you had the car over 80 MPH? I did a search on the forum for F45 and a lot of C5 guys have bypassed the connector with a resistor because the car won't faster than 80 without it.
Maybe that's a C5 thing but I just wanted to check with you.
Thanks,
Doug
10-27-2002, 06:55 PM
#5
Drifting
Re: Converting 1996 f45 to straight shocks? (NotSlo)
Highest speed: 162mph (indicated) with the Bilsteins. On the way back from work today I made 3 different 145mph blasts. The shocks are a good match. The roads I run on are far from perfect.
10-27-2002, 08:13 PM
#6
Team Owner
Thread Starter
Re: Converting 1996 f45 to straight shocks? (Dan Parker '96)
Thanks Dan! I ordered them today online..Hope to have them on next weekend... :cheers:
Highest speed: 162mph (indicated) with the Bilsteins. On the way back from work today I made 3 different 145mph blasts. The shocks are a good match. The roads I run on are far from perfect.
10-28-2002, 03:04 PM
#8
Re: Converting 1996 f45 to straight shocks? (NotSlo)
How much were the Z-51 Bilsteins?
I just hung up with Lake Chevrolet, ordered a new set of F45 shocks for my '96 CE, total was $783.20 plus shipping. I figure a set of Bilsteins was going to be around $500-$600 anyway, and I wanted to keep the car as original as possible.
Thanks for the info,
Jeff
I just hung up with Lake Chevrolet, ordered a new set of F45 shocks for my '96 CE, total was $783.20 plus shipping. I figure a set of Bilsteins was going to be around $500-$600 anyway, and I wanted to keep the car as original as possible.
Thanks for the info,
Jeff
10-28-2002, 05:45 PM
#9
Team Owner
Thread Starter
Re: Converting 1996 f45 to straight shocks? (no_radio)
Set of 4 was 320 bucks. That included shipping. 2 week backorder though. I HATE to wait! :mad
10-29-2002, 04:13 AM
#10
Race Director
Member Since: Mar 1999
Location: Stafford, Virginia Kittah, Kittah, Kittah...
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Re: Converting 1996 f45 to straight shocks? (NotSlo)
When I converted to regular shocks I had to pull the fuse for the F45 controller... It's in the ABS module compartment behind the driver's seat... I kept getting "Service Ride Control" lit up in the DIC...
I put cheapy Gabriels on it for now till I get around to ordering the new f45s... The Gabriels ran $20/ea at PB...
I put cheapy Gabriels on it for now till I get around to ordering the new f45s... The Gabriels ran $20/ea at PB...
10-29-2002, 11:18 AM
#11
Re: Converting 1996 f45 to straight shocks? (wake)
If I am not mistaken , you can have your F45's custom valved and rebuilt for under $800. This GREATLY improves them as well...... :seeya
10-29-2002, 03:14 PM
#12
Tech Contributor
Re: Converting 1996 f45 to straight shocks? (Shriker)
If I am not mistaken , you can have your F45's custom valved and rebuilt for under $800. This GREATLY improves them as well...... :seeya
Here's a link to my F45 replacement writeup... http://www.hashmarks.com/techtips/f4...placements.htm
Jim Mason
'96 Grand Sport #007
10-30-2002, 12:43 AM
#13
Re: Converting 1996 f45 to straight shocks? (96GS#007)
Excellent info, 96GS#007......uh Bond, Grand Sport Bond....... I did not realize that........good write up as well..... :seeya
10-30-2002, 05:39 AM
#14
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Re: Converting 1996 f45 to straight shocks? (96GS#007)
If I am not mistaken , you can have your F45's custom valved and rebuilt for under $800. This GREATLY improves them as well...... :seeya
:nono: Only the FX3 shocks can be rebuilt. The F45 RTD shocks are completely different and are manufactured by Delphi vs Bilstein.
Here's a link to my F45 replacement writeup... http://www.hashmarks.com/techtips/f4...placements.htm
Jim Mason
'96 Grand Sport #007
:nono: Only the FX3 shocks can be rebuilt. The F45 RTD shocks are completely different and are manufactured by Delphi vs Bilstein.
Here's a link to my F45 replacement writeup... http://www.hashmarks.com/techtips/f4...placements.htm
Jim Mason
'96 Grand Sport #007
There is no need to modify the wiring harness or make any mods to disable the RTD module... You can simply pull the inline fuse for the module in the rear compartment next to the ABS unit... This deactivates the module and the Service Ride Control indicator light...
On a sidenote, I thought the F45 shocks were expensive... I need new struts (same design) on my Cadillac... GM want's around $800/ea!!!! :crazy:
Jim
10-30-2002, 07:19 AM
#15
Team Owner
Thread Starter
Re: Converting 1996 f45 to straight shocks? (wake)
http://www.GMpartsdirect.com has them for $307 a piece. I ordered the Bilsteins from Mid AMerica. Can't wait!
If I am not mistaken , you can have your F45's custom valved and rebuilt for under $800. This GREATLY improves them as well...... :seeya
:nono: Only the FX3 shocks can be rebuilt. The F45 RTD shocks are completely different and are manufactured by Delphi vs Bilstein.
Here's a link to my F45 replacement writeup... http://www.hashmarks.com/techtips/f4...placements.htm
Jim Mason
'96 Grand Sport #007
Good writeup... That's the reason I don't have F45 shocks on the car... It took about a year of maknig calls to both GM and Bilstein before I found out the difference... Where did you find the shocks for $600???
There is no need to modify the wiring harness or make any mods to disable the RTD module... You can simply pull the inline fuse for the module in the rear compartment next to the ABS unit... This deactivates the module and the Service Ride Control indicator light...
On a sidenote, I thought the F45 shocks were expensive... I need new struts (same design) on my Cadillac... GM want's around $800/ea!!!! :crazy:
Jim
:nono: Only the FX3 shocks can be rebuilt. The F45 RTD shocks are completely different and are manufactured by Delphi vs Bilstein.
Here's a link to my F45 replacement writeup... http://www.hashmarks.com/techtips/f4...placements.htm
Jim Mason
'96 Grand Sport #007
Good writeup... That's the reason I don't have F45 shocks on the car... It took about a year of maknig calls to both GM and Bilstein before I found out the difference... Where did you find the shocks for $600???
There is no need to modify the wiring harness or make any mods to disable the RTD module... You can simply pull the inline fuse for the module in the rear compartment next to the ABS unit... This deactivates the module and the Service Ride Control indicator light...
On a sidenote, I thought the F45 shocks were expensive... I need new struts (same design) on my Cadillac... GM want's around $800/ea!!!! :crazy:
Jim
