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-   -   What is an FE1 "Soft Ride" Suspension? Build Sheet Attached. (https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c6-corvette-general-discussion/1759703-what-is-an-fe1-soft-ride-suspension-build-sheet-attached.html)

kilr4d 07-16-2007 08:56 PM

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

ttomczak 07-16-2007 08:58 PM

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!

AFVETTE 07-16-2007 09:07 PM


Originally Posted by ttomczak (Post 1561103150)
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!

:iagree:

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

The Clevite Kid 07-16-2007 09:28 PM

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.

kilr4d 07-16-2007 09:39 PM


Originally Posted by clevitekid (Post 1561103595)
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.

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.:ack:

C-INRED 07-16-2007 11:37 PM


Originally Posted by kilr4d (Post 1561103804)
As an aside, "Soft Ride" is the WORST name ever for a sports car suspension.:ack:

That's probably exactly why it's called that....they want you to upgrade and spend more money! :lol:

User 020720 07-16-2007 11:42 PM


Originally Posted by clevitekid (Post 1561103595)
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.

:iagree: 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. :)

Frus 05-11-2012 09:03 AM

Hello, help me please, how to define suspension type fe1 or fe3?
vin code: 1g1yy24u455121069.

Boomer111 05-11-2012 09:42 AM

=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.:ack:[/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.

boraxman 05-11-2012 09:47 AM


Originally Posted by sabooher (Post 1561105630)
:iagree: 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. :)

I put on the DRM Bilsteins recently and they made quite a difference over the stock z51 shocks, much better/:thumbs:

GCRoberts 05-11-2012 10:10 AM

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?

Frus 05-11-2012 10:16 AM

I have RIDE & HANDLING SUSP(FE2). Can i chage it to fe1 or fe3 ?

Wayne O 05-11-2012 10:23 AM


Originally Posted by GCRoberts (Post 1580784265)
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 believe that's inaccurate. There may be variations in the alignment between the various ("FEx" designated) suspensions but the designation itself does not refer to the alignment....it refers to the actual suspension hardware.

el es tu 05-11-2012 10:25 AM

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


Originally Posted by Frus (Post 1580784341)
I have RIDE & HANDLING SUSP(FE2). Can i chage it to fe1 or fe3 ?

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

JoesC5 05-11-2012 10:34 AM


Originally Posted by GCRoberts (Post 1580784265)
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?

Your salesman and mechanic are wrong. The different RPO's, FE1, FE2, etc are the designations for the different suspension packages. Being that the FE1 is the softest ride and the the ride gets stiffer as the number goes up, the alignments are different.

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.

Frus 05-11-2012 10:37 AM


Originally Posted by el es tu (Post 1580784420)
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

Thanks, I from Russia and badly write on English.
Fe1 and Fe2 springs identical? Where it is possible to buy that the check did not?

TMyers 05-11-2012 11:01 AM


Originally Posted by Frus (Post 1580784531)
Thanks, I from Russia and badly write on English.
Fe1 and Fe2 springs identical? Where it is possible to buy that the check did not?

Yes springs are the same.

TMyers 05-11-2012 11:07 AM


Originally Posted by el es tu (Post 1580784420)
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


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.

el es tu 05-11-2012 11:15 AM


Originally Posted by TMyers (Post 1580784802)
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.

That doesnt surprise me - same reason Id never trust O2 simulators over a decent reprogramming of the system... :cheers:

Frus 05-11-2012 11:34 AM


Originally Posted by TMyers (Post 1580784802)
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.

Without reprogramming that will be? Check?


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