FX3 Costss Summary

[Chris Kennedy]

Hi! I have been researching the threads concerning the FX3 system for a '90 I am considering buying and have come up with the following summary of major parts and costs to rebuild/replace the major parts of the system. I always expect the worst to happen in cars I buy. Could those of you who are familiar with this system check my summary and advise of any changes---this is MUCH appreciated:

1. Shocks: Rebuilds available from Bilstein for app. $100 each
2. Computer: Rebuilds available from Bilstein for about $240.
3. Bushings: Bilstein also has these, price ???
4. Actuators: One for each shock, price?? Source (Bilstein rebuilds)???

Thanks!
/s/ Chris Kennedy
Houston, Texas

 

[c4cruiser]

The cost of a shock rebuild is determined in part by what parts are needed. A new shock rod will add to the price as will custom valving (which Bilstein can easily do). Sometimes a rod may look OK but Bilstein wil replace the rod if it's out of spec.

I have not heard that the FX3 controller is a Bilstein item. Doug Rippie Motorsports sells a version that allows for replacable PROM's that allow even more fine tuning of the system. Eckler's may also have controllers (they did a couple of years ago). Otherwise it's a GM/AC Delco part.

The same is true of the actuators. These are not Bilstein parts and are expensive to replace. Figure upwards of $200 and more for EACH on eBay or used! The GM list price is over $350.00!!!

When Bilsein rebuilds a shock, they may replace the bushings as needed.

Unfortunately, Bilstein does not sell individual shock components. A typical FX3 shock failure is the small gear on the top of the rod breaking. That little pot metal gear is not sold by Bilstein and it's not a GM item. The only alternative is to send the shock to Bilstein for repair.rebuild.

Personally, I love the FX3 system on my 92 vert. It works great and there is a big difference between the "Tour" and the "Performance" settings and "Sport" is a happy medium. The controller also takes vehicle speed as input and sends signals to the shock actuators to make additional valving setting within each of the positions set on the console selector.

Yep, it can be expensive to fix, but the Selective Ride Control system works great and IMHO, is worth keeping operational.

 

[Chris Kennedy]

Thanks.

If I get this car I will see how the FX3 actually works in the real world. All in all, if it's nothing to write home about and starts giving trouble, I'll probably just disconnect it and install regular shocks and leave it to another day. I understand that the FX3 suspension is basically the stock Corvette suspension with FX3 added on top, which is fine, and I'll save the money for other things.

/s/ Chris Kennedy
Houston, Texas

 

[SR94]

I believe that the cost for Bilstein to rebuild has risen to as high as $150, - considering that new shocks are ~$200, it's almost not worth rebuilding, unless you're getting the custom valving.

Concerning the actuators, I don"t believe that anyone is rebuilding them. I've bought a few broken ones in hopes of tearing them apart and figuring out a way to repair them, but the way they were constructed makes it very hard to rebuild them.

 

[Chris Kennedy]

I believe that the cost for Bilstein to rebuild has risen to as high as $150, - considering that new shocks are ~$200, it's almost not worth rebuilding, unless you're getting the custom valving.

Concerning the actuators, I don"t believe that anyone is rebuilding them. I've bought a few broken ones in hopes of tearing them apart and figuring out a way to repair them, but the way they were constructed makes it very hard to rebuild them.

Thanks, everyone, for your comments. Frankly, I am getting a little discouraged the more I find out about the FX3. It doesn't seem to be anything which has really set the world on fire, and the incidence of problems, expense of repair and dwindling suppliers of parts (especially the acutators), is cause for real concern----these sorts of prices/situations are reminiscent of the stuff that Ferrari owners have to put up with and definately "un-Corvette".

/s/ Chris Kennedy
Houston, Texas

 

[Vettelt193]

Thanks, everyone, for your comments. Frankly, I am getting a little discouraged the more I find out about the FX3. It doesn't seem to be anything which has really set the world on fire, and the incidence of problems, expense of repair and dwindling suppliers of parts (especially the acutators), is cause for real concern----these sorts of prices/situations are reminiscent of the stuff that Ferrari owners have to put up with and definately "un-Corvette".

/s/ Chris Kennedy
Houston, Texas

worst case is you buy a vette with the FX3 installed, and when it breaks, just swap out to regular shocks

 

[Chris Kennedy]

worst case is you buy a vette with the FX3 installed, and when it breaks, just swap out to regular shocks

That's true, and it is the one saving grace (it's not, for example, like a Citroen hydraulic system that when it goes the car stops and keels over like a dead pig). Still, like (I suspect) most of us on this Forum I like the systems on a car to be connected and functioning. That's especially important to me as I intend to use the car as a daily driver, not some special event vehicle. Really, this whole thing is starting to sound like one of those examples of GM abandoning its customers to some high tech problem. The other thing I am slowly finding out is that the ZF 6 speed seems to have a rather high incidence of problems, and that parts are not available or are hideously expensive. The fact that there are shops who make their living servicing this particular transmission also does not help my confidence level. We'll see, of course, and I certainly thank everyone for their suggestions and answers to my questions. This Forum is definately THE best internet based information exchange group I have ever been a part of.

/s/ Chris Kennedy
Houston, Texas

 

[Vettelt193]

That's true, and it is the one saving grace (it's not, for example, like a Citroen hydraulic system that when it goes the car stops and keels over like a dead pig). Still, like (I suspect) most of us on this Forum I like the systems on a car to be connected and functioning. That's especially important to me as I intend to use the car as a daily driver, not some special event vehicle. Really, this whole thing is starting to sound like one of those examples of GM abandoning its customers to some high tech problem. The other thing I am slowly finding out is that the ZF 6 speed seems to have a rather high incidence of problems, and that parts are not available or are hideously expensive. The fact that there are shops who make their living servicing this particular transmission also does not help my confidence level. We'll see, of course, and I certainly thank everyone for their suggestions and answers to my questions. This Forum is definately THE best internet based information exchange group I have ever been a part of.

/s/ Chris Kennedy
Houston, Texas

I have had a couple of ZF's... 1993 and before are great. 1994-1996 stink. If I could get the tranny out of my old '93 (with over 100k miles) and put it into my 1996 (under 50k) I would

 

[Tuna]

Just a couple of comments here: I've ordered FX3 on my 92 and I never had a bit of problem with them until last year - when they were 12 years old. When I upgraded the power, I decided to buy new shocks at the same time. After all, they were 12 years old. The problem - a couple of the actuators decided to fall apart when they were removed and they are hard to find and they ain't cheap. I replaced them and added the new shocks and everything has been working fine. My car is my daily driver also. One of these years, I'll send the old ones to Bilstein for rebuild and upgrade to a sportier valving.

I also have a couple of additional controllers that I bought years ago. One for road racing/autocrossing and one for drag racing. The street programming is okay for the street but, like mentioned here, it just isn't the best for serious racing activities. It takes 5-10 minutes to change out the controllers and you can drive them on the street with the 'race' controllers installed.

At least the FX3 gives you the option of changing the shock valving on the fly to improve comfort and handling that the fixed base or Z51 type shocks don't give. FX3 doesn't hold a candle to F55 (MagRide), then again, F55 is only 3 years old and FX3 is 14 ish.

If you find a nice FX3 car and the shocks are working fine, don't pass it up just because it has FX3.