I had a custom shop install Prothane bushings in my control arms while I was having some other work done. My stock bushings were worn and I could no longer get a good alignment. My car was tram-lining like crazy too. I didn't have time to do the work myself and the car was in the shop anyway.

On the way home I noticed the increase in road feel. Almost too much. I could feel every little nook and cranny in the road. I'm not sure if this is good or bad because it was lacking before. From a performance standpoint, the experience is pretty awesome. It handles better than a new car.

From a comfort stand point, not so much. I can feel and hear the wheels running over stripes in the road. Almost as if you could run over a coin and tell if it is heads or tails. They didn't make larger bumps feel any worse than the stock bushings though. In fact it managed big bumps better IMO. It runs much more smooth through some road conditions. I went through some road construction with city traffic moving at 80 mph and to my surprise, it didn't drive bad at all. The handling actually inspired a lot more confidence than the stockers (to me any way).

My car currently has Z51 springs, C6Z shocks and sway bars running on old OEM run flats.
I will be installing C6Z wheels this weekend with new Firehawk Indy 500 tires. I hope the lower profile tires work out with this set up.

All and all, I like them. It took care of the tram-lining issue and it handles like a dream. The downside is that the road vibration my take some getting used to. We'll see how the new tires work out.

Rob.

 

Going to a New Non Run Flat will make it feel a lot better !!!

 

I wonder if the lower profile C6 tire size will be harsh. I kind of like a go-cart feel in a performance car any way.

 

huge difference in the ride and handling IMO.

 

I am just waiting on a TPMS to be delivered tomorrow.
Can't wait to try it out.

 

I agree you should notice a big difference when you go with non-runflats. I know I did.

Just curious what the shop charged for the bushing change.

 

They charged $1000 in the Jacksonville Fl area. It's about 8 hrs work. Hourly rates are lower in some other areas but I'm a little too busy to do it myself. I had a hard time finding a shop that was willing to do it.
I also had Moog ball joints installed while they had it apart.

 

I was just searching this exact thing, I grabbed an entire rear cradle with trans and diff and was thinking about doing them since it's on the ground. However I want to avoid the excessive NHV that caused me to eventually sell my mustang.

 

That was my complaint, though I expect some from a sports car.
My tires seem louder than before. I would say: if your bushings have low miles on them then forget the polys.

The trouble is that there are no replacement rubber bushings since they are cast into the control arms and the control arms are out of production. That leaves two options. Poly or used. Used will still have some age on them.

What suspension do you have? Mine is pretty stiff. With the FE1 suspension it may be less harsh.

I'm wondering if there is a break in period on these.

Again there is an up side. The car literally feels like it is on rails. If NHV is a real problem for you then don't use them. The roads are fairly smooth in my area.

I will be able to comment further when I get new tires.

 

The tramlining and excessive tire noise and the feeling of harshness totally went away when I got rid of the old run-flats on my Z51 C5, leaving only the enjoyment of superb handling after new shoes were put on. Just about everything you mentioned that you don't like can be attributed to old run-flats.

 

The bushings look to be in good shape, I was thinking more to get rid of the factory bushing squeak. I already dumped my run flats and have new rims but the roads in LA are ROUGH. I don't want thing thing to beat me to death, I love the smooth feel it has.

 

I would stick with what you have if you like it.

 

Looking forward to new tread.

 

I wonder how the NVH would be with coil overs...

I mean I did buy the car to track, but I was more building it to reflect a C6z, best of both worlds sort of thing. Are the prothane bushing the typical clamshell design or pressed in like factory?

 

Most of them are pressed in. The factory bushing rubber is cast into the control arms so they are a PITA to remove.

The NVH isn't horrible. Its just more than stock. The only reason I recommended against them to the above poster is because of the comment he made about how NVH made him sell his Mustang.

I don't have regrets at this point. Just minor concerns about how they will react with lower profile C6 tires. Some of the folks here have eased my mind in regards to this.

One thing I didn't mention is that most of my interior is out. I have installed some sound deadening material for a stereo install. Once I get the interior back in it should be substantially quieter.

The tram-lining is already mostly gone. It handles like a new car.

 

Yeah. That poster was me, I want the improved handling, cause I can really feel the deflection of the stock bushings, I just don't want to end up with another car thats more race than street. Plus while everything is out it'll really be cake to install.

 

Sorry for the brain fart. Duh?

There always seems to be a trade off when it comes to performance mods. The deflection was a bigger deal breaker for me than the vibration. I'm really digging the way it handles and that is subjective.

I will know more when the tires are changed.

 

Rob - thanks for sharing what the bushing replacement cost.

 

^I supplied the bushings ~$80.

 

Update:
I got new tires and rims and it is a lot less harsh. Huge difference I am a lot happier with the road feel now. I went with the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 325/30-19 and 275/35-18 on C6 Z06 rims. The tires don't rub but stick out a little, especially on the front. I could have gone with A narrower tire on the front but I am really digging the way the car handles.

My other suspension mods include Z51 springs, C6 Z06 sway bars and shocks.