Poly VS. Rubber
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 296
Likes: 2
From: Commerce, MI
Poly VS. Rubber
I'm sure this is an old argument. I'm considering re-bushing my '88 vert. Should I go rubber or poly? Poly will handle better but ride rougher, plus issues of squeak and bind. What has anyone experienced with a full poly suspension? Does anyone make Derlin bushings for the C4? Polygraphite availble? The car will be used for autocross and track days, but will still see a lot of street driving/ long road trips. It has Z52 suspension. I don't plan on changing springs, but new Bilstiens and 1 inch lowering are planned.
Thanks,
Jeff
:seeya
Thanks,
Jeff
:seeya
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Poly VS. Rubber (Gearheadotaku)
You will feel a real handling improvement from just doing the front & rear sway bar bushings in polygraphite. It has the same effect as installing thicker sway bars. And by doing only the sway bar bushings in polygraphite you won't make the ride quality any harsher.
Check with Energy Suspension they may have greasable main sway bar bushings. For the non-greasable polygraphites use some silicone grease to assure no squeaks. I've had them on my IROC for 6yrs now with no trace of a squeak but a real improvement in handling.
[Modified by 65Z01, 12:52 AM 11/21/2003]
Check with Energy Suspension they may have greasable main sway bar bushings. For the non-greasable polygraphites use some silicone grease to assure no squeaks. I've had them on my IROC for 6yrs now with no trace of a squeak but a real improvement in handling.
[Modified by 65Z01, 12:52 AM 11/21/2003]
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,521
Likes: 0
From: West Islip New York
Re: Poly VS. Rubber (Gearheadotaku)
No questions - poly!!
I have a full poly suspension, and I have no regrets or squeaks. I can't compare it to the original rubber because when I did my car everything was shot. But I will say with full poly on an Z51 FX3 optioned car, the damn thing now feels like its on rails. The road feel is smooth, precise and quite nice.
Global West makes Delrin or Del-a-lum bushings for the control arms. They are pricey and I don't know if you've ever seen them, but they are solid, no give what so ever. You will have to drill grease fittings in the control arms to use them.
I have a full poly suspension, and I have no regrets or squeaks. I can't compare it to the original rubber because when I did my car everything was shot. But I will say with full poly on an Z51 FX3 optioned car, the damn thing now feels like its on rails. The road feel is smooth, precise and quite nice.
Global West makes Delrin or Del-a-lum bushings for the control arms. They are pricey and I don't know if you've ever seen them, but they are solid, no give what so ever. You will have to drill grease fittings in the control arms to use them.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,169
Likes: 0
From: Manhattan
Re: Poly VS. Rubber (1MoorTym)
I used the energy suspension master kit on my '90 z51 fx3. I also had my shocks revalved by bilstein to stiffen them up some and lowered the car. I used tons of synthetic marine grease and the ride qualtiy is firm (in a great way), but not stiff I believe the poly bushing are responsible for the improved ride quality.
BTW, the black ES bushings i bought from summit were graphite impregnated.
BTW, the black ES bushings i bought from summit were graphite impregnated.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 642
Likes: 0
From: Huntersville NC
Re: Poly VS. Rubber (Gearheadotaku)
Me 2... Used Energy Suspension full kit. Polygraphite and love it. Same experience as these guys... stiffer but in a good way.. Did new inexpensive shocks and lowered the car bout 1.5".. Handles great,,Much Much better than before. Would recommend it to anybody doing suspension.
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Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,521
Likes: 0
From: West Islip New York
Re: Poly VS. Rubber (Rex Ruby)
Summit will probably have the best prices. They didn't sell retail when I did mine.
http://www.energysuspension.com/
http://www.energysuspension.com/
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Re: Poly VS. Rubber (Gearheadotaku)
You might want to check out PST, Performance Suspension Technology, also.
http://www.p-s-t.com
Good luck, and...
RACE ON!!!
[Modified by CFI-EFI, 10:24 AM 11/23/2003]
http://www.p-s-t.com
Good luck, and...
RACE ON!!!
[Modified by CFI-EFI, 10:24 AM 11/23/2003]
