Urethane bushings ?

[klinderborg]

Has anyone made the swap to urethane "A" arm bushings on an '04 ZO6 ?
How has it affected your street ride quality ?
Have you noticed a difference while autocrossing ?

Thanks
Ken

 

[Mid_America_Motorworks]

Key Ken,

I hae urethane bushings in my car and its an 02 ZO6. There are some pros and cons.

Con:
When the weather is cold or the car has sat for awhile the car will be very squeaky. Once the car is warmed up you dont notice it at all.

Pros:
The car has a better feeling while turning. By that I mean I personally think you can feel more of the car is doing.
In addition this wont go bad like rubber because at one point everyone will have to replace their rubber (years and years latter though)

Hope this helps.

Michael

 

[JoeMackin]

I try to replace my ruber after each use:ugh

 

[klinderborg]

Mike thanks for the response. Are you using the bushings from your catalog that are graphite impregnated ?

Ken

 

[Mid_America_Motorworks]

http://www.madvet.com/shop?frame=1.519

 

[Hib Halverson]

Ok.
Here's the deal with poly urethane bushings on C5s.

If you're racing, either road racing are hard core autocross, there's an advantage in use of urethane in some bushings. The suspension's behavior in transistions will be more crisp. However, C5 doesn't respond the same way to use of urethane or delrin bushings as did C3s or even C4s. The stock bushings are damn good, thus, if you're a street driver who autocrosses once in a while or you do track day stuff occasionally, stick with the stock stuff. The car will ride a lot nicer and won't be so noisy.

If that's the kind of duty you see, you'll probably be better to brush-up on your driving skills, make sure you have the right tires and, if you're driving an 01-03 Z06, upgrade to the 04 shocks. Tor the money you spend, you get a lot more benefit then you'll get with urethane bushings.

 

[klinderborg]

Hib thanks for the response. I've read a few of your articles and posts with great interest. I have been running street class autocross about 10 weekends a year for 10 years, currently in an '04 Z06. I'm always looking for an edge that would help my performance on the track. What prompted my inquiry was an experience at Putnam Park ( high speed ) last year. While at speed, the car seemed "loose", like there was a little too much slop in the suspension. It was the first high speed I had done in this car and certainly experienced greater forces than in my '93. Maybe I just need to go back to basics an just try to drive smoother. As we all know it's 95% driver and 5% equipment, especially in a street class.

Thanks again for your response.
Ken

 

[Z06 Tom]

Hib thanks for the response. I've read a few of your articles and posts with great interest. I have been running street class autocross about 10 weekends a year for 10 years, currently in an '04 Z06. I'm always looking for an edge that would help my performance on the track. What prompted my inquiry was an experience at Putnam Park ( high speed ) last year. While at speed, the car seemed "loose", like there was a little too much slop in the suspension. It was the first high speed I had done in this car and certainly experienced greater forces than in my '93. Maybe I just need to go back to basics an just try to drive smoother. As we all know it's 95% driver and 5% equipment, especially in a street class.

Thanks again for your response.
Ken

Try lowering it. It won't feel as top heavy.