Pardon my ZR1 Noobiness, but I'm wondering what the differences are between the ZR1 Magnetic Selective Ride and the regular C6's F55 suspension? Are the shocks the same? I'm guessing that the ZR1 has many other upgraded suspenison components, but I'm just curious if it's the same basic shock technology.
Last edited by MeHeartCorvettes; 11-29-2008 at 01:01 PM.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Chevy offer Magnetic Shocks (F55) before some of the other big players (i.e. Ferrari). I believe Chevy introduced this option in the 2003 model year.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Chevy offer Magnetic Shocks (F55) before some of the other big players (i.e. Ferrari). I believe Chevy introduced this option in the 2003 model year.
Delco INVENTED the magneto-rheological fluid and associated variable damping shocks. Ferrari buys the shocks (or the technology) from Delco.
The same shocks used in the ZR1 are equipping 08 C6s w/ F55 starting Oct 07 or thereabouts. My Dec 07 C6 F55 had them and I noticed the difference (firmer) re previous F55 generations. Interesting that I commented about that on the C6 forum and was summarily dismissed as untrue (NOT)...
Last edited by adias; 12-05-2008 at 04:07 AM.
Reason: Correct year (07 not 08 for changes in MY 08)
the same shocks used in the zr1 are equipping 08 c6s w/ f55 starting oct 08 or thereabouts. My dec 08 c6 f55 had them and i noticed the difference (firmer) re previous f55 generations. Interesting that i commented about that on the c6 forum and was summarily dismissed as untrue (not)...
can you notice a significant difference between the tour and the sport settings?
Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Chevy offer Magnetic Shocks (F55) before some of the other big players (i.e. Ferrari). I believe Chevy introduced this option in the 2003 model year.
Still waiting for this answer - Can you install the ZR1 suspension bits on a Z06. If so, what are they? And how much? A Z06 that rides like a ZR1 (minus some weight) sounds like an interesting proposition.
So are you stating the only difference in the ride in a ZR1 is simply tires? Just curious.
The vast majority of the handling, ride, and comfort differences between any of the models of Corvette can be attributed to the tires. Certainly, GM tuned the suspension parameters in the RTD computer for the ZR1 a little differently than they did for the coupe/vert RTD. Things like sway bar sizes and spring rates are different between the cars, and need to be accounted for by the RTD computer.
However, as I already stated: the big difference is the tires. You'd be amazed at how different a Corvette feels when you put something OTHER than Goodyears on it...
Still waiting for this answer - Can you install the ZR1 suspension bits on a Z06. If so, what are they? And how much? A Z06 that rides like a ZR1 (minus some weight) sounds like an interesting proposition.
I actually already went through this in a couple other threads. Is it possible? Yes. Is it realistic and affordable? Nope.
You need the dampers, wheel motion sensors on each lower control arm, a spot on the lower control arms for the sensors, the actual RTD computer, and wiring to get all of those things talking to one another. And you need to get the RTD computer talking to the rest of the car, too. The Z06's data bus may or may not (unknown to me) have the ability to handle the RTD traffic. If it doesn't, then you're completely out of luck.
Assuming you could get all the physical pieces put together in the car (and that's a false assumption, I assure you...) you then have the issue of the RTD tuning. Only GM (Delphi, specifically) knows the tuning bits and pieces for that computer. But you have to tell it things like sway bar sizes, spring rates, etc. A coupe/vert RTD tune probably wouldn't work properly with the Z06's stock sways and springs. The ZR1 RTD tune might, but I think the spring rates are still different. So you're left with either A)replacing sways and springs, B)getting someone who can program the RTD computer, C)living with a "bad" RTD tune.
Realistically, it's not doable. At least, not with GM's hardware. Aftermarket solutions are always possible.
I actually already went through this in a couple other threads. Is it possible? Yes. Is it realistic and affordable? Nope.
You need the dampers, wheel motion sensors on each lower control arm, a spot on the lower control arms for the sensors, the actual RTD computer, and wiring to get all of those things talking to one another. And you need to get the RTD computer talking to the rest of the car, too. The Z06's data bus may or may not (unknown to me) have the ability to handle the RTD traffic. If it doesn't, then you're completely out of luck.
Assuming you could get all the physical pieces put together in the car (and that's a false assumption, I assure you...) you then have the issue of the RTD tuning. Only GM (Delphi, specifically) knows the tuning bits and pieces for that computer. But you have to tell it things like sway bar sizes, spring rates, etc. A coupe/vert RTD tune probably wouldn't work properly with the Z06's stock sways and springs. The ZR1 RTD tune might, but I think the spring rates are still different. So you're left with either A)replacing sways and springs, B)getting someone who can program the RTD computer, C)living with a "bad" RTD tune.
Realistically, it's not doable. At least, not with GM's hardware. Aftermarket solutions are always possible.
jas
Thanks. Then my next question is what is different between the suspension in the ZR1 vs Base C6 F55? I'm sure you know where I'm going with this.... Basically, can you make a Base C6 F55 handle like a ZR1 (assuming equal tires) while keeping the magnetic shocks?
Last edited by Onerareviper; 12-03-2008 at 10:06 AM.
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