NEED HELP WITH CHOOSING BODY BUSHINGS

[LIVE4RDO]

I'm looking to do a frame off in order to clean up and POR 15 the frame. Obviously this is the time to replace all the body bushings.

As far as I understand (please feel free to correct me), I have 3 choices:

Polyurethane

Polygraphite

Rubber

Once again, this is what I was told so far:

Polyurethane - cheapest, nices looking, best handling, but lots of squeeks and horrible drive

Rubber - nice ride, but most expensive and only aftermarket available, allows the most flex during cornering

Polygraphite - I don't know much at all.

I'm building my 78 Malibu, 2dr, 4 speed, big block for just a regular street driving, occasional track and maybe some autocross in the future (I've never tried it before)

I appreciate any feedback, because I'm very confused.

 

[84cutspreme]

I know gbodyparts sells factory style body bushings, they are not cheap but that's what I am probably getting.
http://www.gbodyparts.com/product_info.php?products_id=543&osCsid=aea57e92ac864c2693cbf7fce1c9636b

I have heard horror stories about squeaking and creaking from poly mounts.

 

[LIVE4RDO]

they don't have them anymore. I called them. They working on "putting something together", which means another aftermarket kit, like everyone else.

 

[84cutspreme]

aw really, that sucks

 

[FE3X CLONE]

I don't know that they even make a polygraphite body bushing.

Basically your choices are rubber, polyurethane or solid aluminum.

There should be no ride comfort difference between any of them really. The only difference I could see on the harder bushings is that they might transmit more noise or vibration from the chassis into the body of the car but it's the suspension that provides the ride comfort or lack thereof.

 

[LIVE4RDO]

pst makes polygrphite bushings

http://www.p-s-t.com/pc-2268-19-pontiac ... 78-87.aspx

these are for GP, but all G body, I believe, share the same body bushings.

 

[gpguy]

Just my opinion. The rubber ones have lasted over 20+ years. Also engineers made that decision when building new cars.

 

[FE3X CLONE]

Just my opinion. The rubber ones have lasted over 20+ years. Also engineers made that decision when building new cars.

The engineer's were also having to engineer for the masses.

Poly bushings will far outlast rubber. I can tell you that my rubber bushing didn't last no 20 years. When I pulled the body of the frame of my '87, all of the bushing were dry rotted, cracked and pretty much gone.

 

[bawazir]

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ENS-3-18110R/

 

[oldtinsmith]

LIVE4RDO,
I can only ask you to do your home work!!! This is another topic that can end up like the "custom" topic, and have no correct or incorrect final answer. Check out as many forums as you can, because this most likely will be a big project that you don't want to have to do in 3, 5, 8, etc. years from now. I liked a post over on Monte Carlo SS .com forum (sticky in rolling chassis) by MATTSMONTE, and it's 7 pages of information. There are pro's and con's to almost every thing you plan to do to your car, and body bushings are no different. Know exactly how you intend to use your car and buy accordingly.
This is just MY opinion and I'm NOT challenging anyones opinion(s)!

Doug