aluminum subframe bushings?

[blacktaurus]

hi all...i'm not really new here, i just haven't posted in a long time. Under a different name too, heh. Anyways, I was looking on ebay for some stuff that I might buy, I'm kind of tight on money right now. I saw these aluminum subframe bushings being offered, and it says that they're better than the stock oem ones. Can anyone tell me if this is true or if this is actually a good deal? The whole set is like going for $95, and according to the seller, it improves your shift, cuz the transmission stays where it's supposed to, and it also improves turn-in and steering feel. Any input on this would be greatly appreciated, thanks all

 

[SHOck]

ANYTHING that is more firm than the stock bushings will do what you mentioned. The stockers are fairly soft rubber (not foam rubber, mind you) and they allow a considerable amount of movement, which affects the front end alignment and the engine/tranny position. Shifting is more consistent with the bushings, and handling is greatly improved with either aluminum, or the other popular SFB material, Delrin. Any auction you saw on eBay has probably been placed by one of the members here.

 

[blacktaurus]

thanks a lot SHOck, appreciate the reply. Auction ended already, but I'll be looking to put some stuff in my suspension soon as I'm getting ready to replace the clutch on my car. Wish me luck!

 

[SHOck]

Try posting a want ad here or on SHOtimes. There are a few members making these in addition to the vendors. I know at least one is at the conventions with a bunch of his SFB's. Just wait until everyone gets back, unless you're worried the money will disappear by then!

 

[masho95]

Check out www.shonutperformance.com you can pick up brand new SFB's for $125. It's really incredible how much of a difference the bushings actually make. I don't think I'd drive another SHO without them. Steering response is incredible and IMHO a very cheap upgrade for what you get. Drive noise may be slightly louder, but I have no complaints for what I got.

 

[Bluto]

Click this link if you want them for 89 bucks thumb http://www.midwestsho.com/suspension.html

 

[masho95]

The ones from SHONut Performance are of a different solid design. It looks like the the ones from midwestsho.com have a hollow center for the upper bushing part. I'm sure it doesn't make a huge difference with the hollow ones, but I'm picky and would prefer the solid ones from SHONut.

 

[shojuan]

masho95:
The ones from SHONut Performance are of a different solid design. It looks like the the ones from midwestsho.com have a hollow center for the upper bushing part. I'm sure it doesn't make a huge difference with the hollow ones, but I'm picky and would prefer the solid ones from SHONut.

Me too. I ate the cost difference and bought the shonut bushings. I almost felt guilty not buying from the nice guys on the forum making AL SFBs for less $$$$. I don't think I've heard of any problems with the other SFBs FWIW. Just figured I'd go with the tried and true shonut bushings.

 

[MilTownSHO]

I can't wait to get mine in! I won some FPS one's at the convention. We couldnt get the front mount to drop so they had to be put on hold for now. cry

 

[shojuan]

SHOck:
The stockers are fairly soft rubber (not foam rubber, mind you) and they allow a considerable amount of movement, which affects the front end alignment and the engine/tranny position.

That's an understatement! Yeah, the stock bushings aren't foam rubber soft but I was simply amazed at how compliant they are after I got my stock bushings out. My rears were slightly torn on the insides, the fronts had no visible damage whatsoever. But boy can those bushings flex! And I'm talking about holding a bushing half in two hands and flexing it around!! eek!

The Gen III rear bushing is supposed to be a superior design in all respects to the stock Gen I-II subframe bushings. After I've driven my car with aluminum I'll come back to this post and see if I need to revise my statement. Right now my feelings are for those of you on the fence about the whole subframe bushing thing: which ones should I get, aluminum or Gen III is to just get the Aluminum subframe bushings. Give them a trial for a while and if the extra NVH (mostly noise from what I gather rather than vibration and harshness) is too much for you then try a variation of the Bondurant trick using rear Gen III subframe bushings. If that doesn't suit you then at least you know what the whole aluminum SFB thing is all about...just sell them and get another pair of GenIII rear SFBs and go with those at all four corners and be done with it. My guess is that 95% of you wanting to replace your SFBs will just stick with aluminum at all four corners once they're in. Like I say, I'll come back and revise after I drive my car when I'm done with everything. But that's my hunch for now.

 

[Bluto]

I made my own and they are the dounut design.
Its not any less metal, its just a diffrent design. It still serves the same purpse. I don't see any way it could be inferior.