Finally..F-45 to F-55 Upgrade
05-07-2018, 09:33 AM
#1
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Finally..F-45 to F-55 Upgrade
Well, I ordered a new set of f-55 shocks for my 1997 back in Oct 17. Due to moving and unpacking and all the fun stuff that goes with that I finally set out to do the swap. Saturday I jacked the car up for the first time, and began. I took my time, didn't drink anything but water and 4 1/2 hours later with sore knees and back it was done. The old shocks were soooo bad, I'm surprised they didn't just fall off. OMG, now I know why corvettes are so fun to drive. I've never experienced anything like this. (now mind you, I've never driven a sports car in my life and just bought this one last year for my 50th Bday). Took the girlfriend to dinner in it Saturday night and then Sunday spent a few hours driving some curvy roads. Had the time of my life. Can't wait to do it again
05-07-2018, 09:34 AM
#2
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Well, I ordered a new set of f-55 shocks for my 1997 back in Oct 17. Due to moving and unpacking and all the fun stuff that goes with that I finally set out to do the swap. Saturday I jacked the car up for the first time, and began. I took my time, didn't drink anything but water and 4 1/2 hours later with sore knees and back it was done. The old shocks were soooo bad, I'm surprised they didn't just fall off. OMG, now I know why corvettes are so fun to drive. I've never experienced anything like this. (now mind you, I've never driven a sports car in my life and just bought this one last year for my 50th Bday). Took the girlfriend to dinner in it Saturday night and then Sunday spent a few hours driving some curvy roads. Had the time of my life. Can't wait to do it again
05-07-2018, 09:41 AM
#3
Melting Slicks
The fronts came right off? I did the ones on my '00 this weekend and had to cut them off. I now have an old piece of carpet in the garage and kneel on that when working down low...
05-07-2018, 09:48 AM
#4
Instructor
F55 are regarded as pretty anemic. I would have recommended c6 z06 shocks for 1/10th the price. Upgrade to a complete z06 suspension if you want to feel what GM wanted the car to feel like.
Last edited by Alexander K; 05-07-2018 at 09:50 AM.
The following users liked this post:
FYRARMS (05-07-2018)
05-07-2018, 09:56 AM
#5
Intermediate
Thread Starter
I did throw that around for awhile when making the decision. I guess what made my mind up was I had just sold my house and had a few extra dollars, plus I kinda wanted to be able to use that switch in the car. I am going to check into that sway bar you mentioned.
05-07-2018, 09:58 AM
#6
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Yeah, I moved the washer fluid tank and antifreeze tank and had no problems getting them off. They have been on there since 97 and I didn't have to use any oil or anything.
05-07-2018, 06:11 PM
#8
Race Director
Pro Mechanic
Member Since: Mar 2004
Location: Fort Wayne IN
Posts: 12,247
Received 813 Likes
on
431 Posts
C5 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
2017 C5 of the Year Finalist
2016 C5 of the Year Finalist
2015 C5 of the Year Finalist
I Believe In The Beer Fairy
05-07-2018, 06:30 PM
#10
Team Owner
Well, I ordered a new set of f-55 shocks for my 1997 back in Oct 17. Due to moving and unpacking and all the fun stuff that goes with that I finally set out to do the swap. Saturday I jacked the car up for the first time, and began. I took my time, didn't drink anything but water and 4 1/2 hours later with sore knees and back it was done. The old shocks were soooo bad, I'm surprised they didn't just fall off. OMG, now I know why corvettes are so fun to drive. I've never experienced anything like this. (now mind you, I've never driven a sports car in my life and just bought this one last year for my 50th Bday). Took the girlfriend to dinner in it Saturday night and then Sunday spent a few hours driving some curvy roads. Had the time of my life. Can't wait to do it again
05-07-2018, 07:02 PM
#11
Drifting
There is a ~2200 upgrade kit. It’s not completely plug and play, as you would have to replace the F45 computer with the F55 computer. The harnesses are different; you cannot take the F55 harness from a 2003 and plug it in, the pin outs are slightly different. The kit has the proper harnesses.
As for sway bars, C6 Z51 would be a good fit for you.
As for sway bars, C6 Z51 would be a good fit for you.
05-07-2018, 07:16 PM
#12
Team Owner
05-08-2018, 01:25 AM
#14
Administrator
Member Since: Mar 2001
Location: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
Posts: 343,459
Received 19,444 Likes
on
14,050 Posts
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-
'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Moved to C5 Tech.
05-08-2018, 10:27 AM
#15
Intermediate
Thread Starter
05-08-2018, 10:39 AM
#16
Intermediate
Thread Starter
There is a ~2200 upgrade kit. It’s not completely plug and play, as you would have to replace the F45 computer with the F55 computer. The harnesses are different; you cannot take the F55 harness from a 2003 and plug it in, the pin outs are slightly different. The kit has the proper harnesses.
As for sway bars, C6 Z51 would be a good fit for you.
As for sway bars, C6 Z51 would be a good fit for you.
Correct. The kit came with all four shocks, the F55 computer and two new nuts for the rear shocks and the upper nuts for the front shocks, and the harnesses for the front and rear shocks. Which by the way, they plug into the top of all four shocks and then to the existing connector connected to the frame. The front harness is different then the rear but they explain that in the directions. As far as install, I just disconnected the battery, installed the F55 computer (much larger outfit) which did plug right in, and then replaced all the shocks. Reconnected the battery and fired it up. No error codes or anything. I drove it to work this morning and now I wish I lived further from work
I'll be taking the back roads home today for sure. As far as the sway bars go....where would be a good place to find a set? Should I go ahead and replace the front one as well?
05-08-2018, 10:54 AM
#17
Drifting
Cultrag for sway bars. The whole kit is about $250. I would do both as it replaces the plastic endlinks with metal ones, which significantly improved crispness and sharpness in steering IMO.
05-08-2018, 11:03 AM
#18
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Awesome!! I'll check it out and try to get them ordered. While replacing the shocks I noticed the back sway bar bushings were in pretty bad shape.
05-08-2018, 11:13 AM
#19
Intermediate
Thread Starter
05-08-2018, 11:25 AM
#20
Melting Slicks
