Urethane Upgrades

[xLibelle]

IE greens are 80A, says Jeff.
PF purple are 80A, says Kyle.

realistically, there isnt much of a noticeable difference with 70 and 80... though I do have suspicions about the chemical quality and the resulting longevity.

[nando]

70a AKG are a lot softer than my IE greens.. but those are like 6 years old now.

[xLibelle]

Ive been tossing around the idea of making my own bushings. Its a very simple task, once the process has been constructed. I just need to make an attempt one day.

[Mike]

For AKG control arm bushings, I got fed up with my 3rd grease attempt in a 50 mile period to hone the insides with a wire brush attached to my drill. Just enough to rough up the inside, and it still fit snug on the control arm. Then, applied some sauce.....

Worked like a charm....

Did this thread get to trans and motor mounts yet?

[xLibelle]

Just had an interesting conversation with Turner about why they dont offer urethane subframe mounts. They believe that urethane does not provide for a reasonable upgrade over an OEM mount. It requires more maintenance due to its life expectancy in addition to the need to stiffen the subframe.
They carry Motorsport Group N mounts because certain race classes require them to use these. They are rated at 15-20 % stiffer than OEM and admit they are less likely to sell to the individual and fully back the use of OEM for anything other than a race car.

Now I'm pretty confused. I'm not sure I was speaking with the most informed individual.
Also annoyed at not having one-stop-shops. (i hate having to order from multiple sources.)

[nando]

I don't know, I don't think you'lly really have longevity problems with poly subframe bushings. maybe TA bushigns since they are part of the suspension movement. I mean, I don't really like IE products, but the subframe bushings I had lasted a long time and probably would have gone longer if I left them in. they are still on my shelf in basically new (but dirty) condition.

[Aptyp]

^same, i transferred my greens from car to car for 4 years without any problems. Also agree on some of the IE products, but urethane is one thing they seem to be getting right time after time.

as far as Turner (or THAT guy at Turner) goes, Urethane are an incredible upgrade to stock rubber. As I was stating before, e30 subframe bows under load, and rubber has that play in it that allows subframe to do so. Urethane limits that issue and distibutes those forces onto those two giant studs, which are supported by rocker panels and frame of the car. Taking away that bowing, also takes a lot of stress off of differential mount and hangers, which is why I recommend people to keep their stock one, as it's made extremely well.

And yes, this where you're compromising ride quality for handling. I had IE greens with IE TABs on Eibachs with Tokicos, and even with carpet out, ride was very reasonably quiet. I could hear valves ticking over road noise, and my valves were always adjusted to spec :).

[Bimmerman325i]

anyone up to me doing same write up on springs/shocks? I've gone through a ton of those as well, lol.

but I wish there was more input from the rest of the forum. I doubt I am the only one that tests all suspensions that I can afford on the cheap or trade for.

Please do! I'm looking at doing the whole suspension when I get back home, so it's helpful to see them compared by someone with actual experience using the various parts.

[Aptyp]

Alright, next thing will be shocks and springs.

[Spaz]

Nice writeup man....but no mention of rogue engineering's RSM's

http://www.rogueengineering.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=RSM&Category_Code=

Thats what i run and they're beefy as hell and come with the reinforcement mount as well.

Just thought you might want to add them.

-Cam

[xLibelle]

He reviews what he has had experience with

[gearheadE30]

also, just an addition to the thread, I have Bavauto poly rear shock mounts. The design is pretty good and quite beefy, but it really doesn't let the shock rotate at an angle, so the shock has a great deal of twisting load on it and its innards if you aren't lowered significantly. Otherwise, I;ve been going for 20k milese with no issues, no noticeable NVH increase, and the finish and polyurethane quality seem pretty good. Forget what they cost, though/

[Aptyp]

There are a lot of other brands and products out there that I haven't gotten to yet. If I had 10 e30's and million dollars, I'd have it all, lol. But I'm a broke-ass r3ver (and happy that way).

Recently, I got a chance to look at RUFF rear shock mounts, and quality is very impressive. Especially with bearing pivot, and for mesely. I only know of dealer pricing, but I'd say they should be arounf $120 and that's definitely the best design for the money I've seen to date. I'll test them out and see what I think before I add them in.

[Aptyp]

also, just an addition to the thread, I have Bavauto poly rear shock mounts. The design is pretty good and quite beefy, but it really doesn't let the shock rotate at an angle, so the shock has a great deal of twisting load on it and its innards if you aren't lowered significantly. Otherwise, I;ve been going for 20k milese with no issues, no noticeable NVH increase, and the finish and polyurethane quality seem pretty good. Forget what they cost, though/

Are you referring to Meyle shock mounts? If so, they're listed (HD OEM), BavAuto just charges more for them and gives them their own catchy name.



As far as Rogue, they look really good, but I've never seen them in person, or even seen them on any local e30, much less owned them and driven on, so I'd be a bad judge. However, I welcome your review, if you have something to compare it to, and I'll add it in to the list, with your name next to review. :D That would be very helpful to r3v.

[Stephen]

Hmm, The post office lost my IE greens, (fucker) since i have to rebuy, should i spend the extra 15$ on powerflex? its a daily driver, but i still want firm