I finally had the chance to run my car on the track with the poly/rubber bushing combo. I think I've found a good setup. All I did was put the original rubber back in the rear upper control arms, the rest of the A-arms have Vette Brakes Poly-Graphite bushings. The car was much more predictable than the poly only setup. When the back end started going places I hadn't intended, I could feel it and adjust quickly and smoothly. I found the poly only setup didn't have enough warning. Also, the rear end didn't break away as easily as before. I could run 1:25 lap times on the poly but, I felt like I was driving a thin line between control and a real expensive body repair. On the new setup, 1:25's came easily and comfortably. The car went thru the corners smoother with better weight transfer. I picked up a few mph on every turn.

Next upgrade, coil-overs. :D When, :confused:

 

If you get coilovers, let me know how they do! I've ordered coilovers and they're coming soon. I should have them installed in a couple of weeks... Oh yeah, I bought DRMs coilover set.

 

Hey Connellyh, I have sort of the same set up in the rear. I have a question for you...Does your car make lot's of squeeking sounds around turns and/or good dips on the road. Ever since I switched to the energy suspension bushings set up, my car seems to make all kinds of "old bed squeeking sounds". They tell me that it is normal. It does handle better though... what's your take; I tried WD-40 on everything and it helped just a little.
Thanks for the input :)

 

Interesting results . . . I can tell you that from my experience with autocrossing my GTX (Grand Prix with SLP Mods - aka landshark) I had much the same experiences.

Poly bushings place a much higher demand on tires and driver skill than do rubber bushings. I found that when I changed to polys (after upgrading the sways) that my car which had always had a predictable oversteer (yes front wheel drives cars can have oversteer if the chasis is rigid) became much less "forgiving"

The rubber bushings give an extra degree of compensation during quick transsitions, allowing the tires to settle to the new camber of a turn. WHile that millisecond may seem insignificant - it most definitely has an effect. This cause a much higher shearing force to the lateral vector of tire traction instantaneously rather the the "roll-on" rubber bushings allow.

Much like you - I ended up switched to polygraphite on the lateral trailing arms and endlinks - but left the rubber body bushings for the sways. This resulted in much quicker turn in - yet retained some predictability.

IWHile clearly not the same suspension (not even close) I am glad to see that some things translate across platforms. Nice find!! :cheers:

 

My cars sounds like symphony of old rocking chairs and that's with the graphite impregnated poly! Every little pebble and crack in the road, >squeek<. I've found the best squeek attenuator is to pull all the bushing out and re-lube them. I know, a major PITA. Once they have broken in, they are much easier to remove and replace. Use white lithium grease instead of WD-40 and apply GENEROUSLY.
:cheers:

 

I'm at least 6 months away from coil-overs. :sad: Got to take my wife on a couple of trips first. You know, make her *think* she is more important than the Vette. :lolg:

 

Jegs Formula 5 Prelube works very well and lasts much longer than the lithium grease. I always use it with poly or poly graphite bushings

 

Thanks for the tip. :cheers:

 

Yeah, thanks for the tips. I will try that....because damn...the noise is driving me a little wacky, but I love the new handling. Story of my life, there is always something :crazy: