944 Suspension Bushes OEM vs. Powerflex
Discussion
Hi,
I'm thinking of getting the suspension bushes replaced on my 944 but can't decide on Powerflex poly urethane or OEM rubber.
The OEM rubber ones will be about £100 cheaper but apparently won't last as long (apparently) but given that the existing ones have been there since 1988, come 2036 I don't mind lashing out on some more ;-)
Other than a one off the car is very unlikely to see any track days - mainly just used for weekend blast so the fact the rubbers are a bit softer might be a good thing?
Anyone made this decision with theirs? All thoughts welcomed.
Thanks
Will
I'm thinking of getting the suspension bushes replaced on my 944 but can't decide on Powerflex poly urethane or OEM rubber.
The OEM rubber ones will be about £100 cheaper but apparently won't last as long (apparently) but given that the existing ones have been there since 1988, come 2036 I don't mind lashing out on some more ;-)
Other than a one off the car is very unlikely to see any track days - mainly just used for weekend blast so the fact the rubbers are a bit softer might be a good thing?
Anyone made this decision with theirs? All thoughts welcomed.
Thanks
Will
I'm a big fan of Powerflex bushes, my car was much more precise after getting rid of the rubber ones (which I should add were not worn out). I'd say for a track car or fast road then it's a no brainer, but if the only concern is the increased life expectancy then they might give you more than you bargained for as there might be a compromise in terms of noise (or comfort) - but I have to admit I've never worried about this (not that I noticed a change for the worse, but it could be becuase everything else was drowning them out!).
Another factor to consider is ease of fitment. My experience is with BMW where the original bushes are such pigs to fit that any cost saving is negated by the considerably longer time to fit them. Also bear in mind that most oem bushes require you to obtain or make special tools in order to install them whereas poly bushes mostly pop straight on in seconds without needing £500 of dedicated equipment.
Fitted Powerflex bushes to my 968CS, to my race 944 and to my brothers Silver Rose Turbo 944, transformation was amazing, probably the biggest I've ever experienced with any aftermarket component. Excellent product, no down side so far, ( now over two years ). Long hard job to fit, but obviously the OEM bushes would be the same !
Mine is a pure road car, no track use, and I had all standard OEM bushes. Squeaks and rattles really annoy me, and a lot of the roads I drive on are fairly poor surfaces, so suppleness and resilience are very important for me. The improvement from knackered 21 year old bushes to new ones was most pleasing in terms of general handling and feel, as well as improving the ride.
Hi,
bit the bullet and went for a full change of the oem rubber bushes. Collecting it tomorrow. :-) Trouble is that my mechanic said he couldn't get hold of some of them (...? apparently Porsche stopped making them) so put in poly ones instead. So now it has a mix. I think the poly ones are only on the front and rear wish bones and I don't mind if it's a bit stiffer in the corners but would mind if it's a rougher ride on normal roads. It's v unlikely to go near a track.
Thoughts, would you be concerned about a mix? Where would it be bad to have the mix spread over?
Cheers will
bit the bullet and went for a full change of the oem rubber bushes. Collecting it tomorrow. :-) Trouble is that my mechanic said he couldn't get hold of some of them (...? apparently Porsche stopped making them) so put in poly ones instead. So now it has a mix. I think the poly ones are only on the front and rear wish bones and I don't mind if it's a bit stiffer in the corners but would mind if it's a rougher ride on normal roads. It's v unlikely to go near a track.
Thoughts, would you be concerned about a mix? Where would it be bad to have the mix spread over?
Cheers will
GC8 said:
Call EMC in Birmingham and see what they fit in their race cars.
That's a red herring - many of the race cars they prep have to comply with regulations which do not allow anything other than OEM rubber (even stiffer rubber is specifically excluded).By all means ask them what they'd fit if such compliance wasn't a concern.
I renewed all the rubber bushes on my 3.2 SSE including the spring plates with OEM. I am not an avid fan of powerflex or phospher bronze bushes. My old mate runs a lot of old school 911 road / rally cars and agreed stay with OEM. As he said to me, you would be suprised how many 911's with so called trick suspension get put on his two post ramp and when at working height the suspension is still slowly dropping down.
thegoose said:
GC8 said:
Call EMC in Birmingham and see what they fit in their race cars.
That's a red herring - many of the race cars they prep have to comply with regulations which do not allow anything other than OEM rubber (even stiffer rubber is specifically excluded).By all means ask them what they'd fit if such compliance wasn't a concern.
NJH said:
thegoose said:
GC8 said:
Call EMC in Birmingham and see what they fit in their race cars.
That's a red herring - many of the race cars they prep have to comply with regulations which do not allow anything other than OEM rubber (even stiffer rubber is specifically excluded).By all means ask them what they'd fit if such compliance wasn't a concern.
Too late for Willj
But for anyone who picks up this thread whilst looking for advice;
There's a lit of Tosh in this thread.
Polybushes won't increase the load on the 'monocoque' in any tangible way whatsoever.
There purpose is to keep the Geometry of the suspension as close as possible to the original design spec as possible - under increased loadings. Primarily this applies to track cars where brake and cornering forces are greater. But, with the fad for oversized wheels and tyres (which look sexy but add a huge percentage of rotational mass to the overall detriment of handling) and the fact that modern tyres give far more adhesion - there's a extremely good case for fitting Poly to joints that are subject to torsional load. THE experts are CENTRE GRAVITY and it's one of there first recommendations.. I hope this helps? Right, anyone want to give me a hand fitting mine?
But for anyone who picks up this thread whilst looking for advice;
There's a lit of Tosh in this thread.
Polybushes won't increase the load on the 'monocoque' in any tangible way whatsoever.
There purpose is to keep the Geometry of the suspension as close as possible to the original design spec as possible - under increased loadings. Primarily this applies to track cars where brake and cornering forces are greater. But, with the fad for oversized wheels and tyres (which look sexy but add a huge percentage of rotational mass to the overall detriment of handling) and the fact that modern tyres give far more adhesion - there's a extremely good case for fitting Poly to joints that are subject to torsional load. THE experts are CENTRE GRAVITY and it's one of there first recommendations.. I hope this helps? Right, anyone want to give me a hand fitting mine?
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