Energy Suspension
Depends on how rough the roads are in your area, and how low a profile a tire you're running. Where I'm at, western NY, the roads are pretty rough, due to harsh winter frost heaves, etc.
I started using polyurethane bushings when they first became available, back in the late 70s. I started with control arm bushings and leaf spring bushings on my '77 Pontiac T/A. The improvement over the OE rubber bushings was an improvemment, but their slight increase in harshness wasn't all that noticible, due to the higher profile tires that were used back then. I continued using Energy Suspension parts until 1997.
In '97, I installed the full compliment of ES parts on my '96 Z-28. However, the combination of the roads, which are still trash around here, as well as lower profile, stiffer sidewalled, speed rated tires, made the ride way too bone jarring. The handling response was sharpened, no question, but I went back to the rubber bushings, to keep from destroying the car from the road impacts.
I started using polyurethane bushings when they first became available, back in the late 70s. I started with control arm bushings and leaf spring bushings on my '77 Pontiac T/A. The improvement over the OE rubber bushings was an improvemment, but their slight increase in harshness wasn't all that noticible, due to the higher profile tires that were used back then. I continued using Energy Suspension parts until 1997.
In '97, I installed the full compliment of ES parts on my '96 Z-28. However, the combination of the roads, which are still trash around here, as well as lower profile, stiffer sidewalled, speed rated tires, made the ride way too bone jarring. The handling response was sharpened, no question, but I went back to the rubber bushings, to keep from destroying the car from the road impacts.
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Teching In
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From: Carmel NY
I was interested in changing the bushings because my stock ones are worn out. I will eventually up grade my shocks as well. I'm running a stock size tire (245/50zr16) so how much will they actually effect my ride quality?
As I originally said, how rough are the roads where you live, and might travel to, if you use the car for a DD? The ES bushings DO give a stiffer ride...what are you willing to sacrifice?
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Teching In
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I bought and installed the Energy Suspension Complete poly kit and I have no complaints. I can't honestly tell you the true difference other then once my car was loose, now my car is tight... Wisconsin roads can get rough too, if I had to do it over again I would have replaced them when I first started driving it.
At the time I did the bushings I also did shocks, struts(& mounts), ball joints and tie rod ends.
At the time I did the bushings I also did shocks, struts(& mounts), ball joints and tie rod ends.
If you do poly, at least do yourself a favor and get rubber replacement castor bushings. The poly's have a tendency to bind and break in that location.
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