Front suspension what to do?

[Ghoste]

Well, you make some excellent points but there were some excellent points made for the opposing opinion in that thread as well.  As for me, as already stated, I have the poly, I like it, and I'm keeping it. 

[Mike DC]

To each his own.

There are probably too many different factors at work in this issue to boil it down to one single answer we all agree on.  Major differences in the amounts (and conditions) that our cars get driven, MAJOR differences in what car owners perceive as "better" or "worse" road feel, etc.

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Another point I'd like to bring up:
In stock suspensions, the factory bushings aren't always being used for purely "bushing" jobs. 

Example:  Look at the rear leaf spring eyes & shackles.  Putting a poly bushing set into the leaves will undoubtedly tighten-up the lateral location of the rear axle, which is a significant source of slop in most live-axle cars on a road course. 

Good, right? Well, yes and no.  In this case, I would argue that the poly bushings are being used to do a job that would be better suited for a panhard bar or watts link. 

So you would indeed get a benefit from installing poly bushings into the rear leaves, but the benefit is not really from the PRINCIPLE of tighter bushings (if all else were equal).  The benefit of the poly bushings is because those O.E. leaf spring rubber bushings were arguably overtaxed from the factory (at least for modern road-course duty with aftermarket springs/shocks/radial tires).  My point is that although poly leaf spring bushings might indeed provide a benefit in this case, that benefit would probably disappear if the car got a panhard bar or watts link added later (to really do the axle-locating job right).

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Conplicated, isn't it?  But I guess all drag-racing mods and no handling mods make Jack a dull boy.

 

[Blakcharger440]

Sounds like poly would be better than rubber in that case also for better overall performance in
handling.

What are all the newer performance cars using like the Viper,Vette,etc....

[resq302]

Sounds like poly would be better than rubber in that case also for better overall performance in
handling.

What are all the newer performance cars using like the Viper,Vette,etc....

I do not see how you can compare these two.  It is like comparing apples to oranges.  Vipers and newer Corvettes have technology on their side versus when our cars were built.  You are also looking at 30+ years of better equipment such as tubular control arms, rack and pinions, and different types of material used.  The metal on todays cars is far thinner than what was originally used back in say, 1969.  Back in 1969, if you sat on the fender of your car, you might pop it in but it would pop back out once you got off.  When I had my new 2005 Dodge ram, I leaned on the fender with my hand to wash the hood and creased my fender!!!!  With lighter parts, you will get better performance no doubt.  Now if you were comparing a chevelle to a charger, yeah, you might get better results coparing the two because of similar technology and materials used.  But to me, comparing a new car of today to what our Chargers are is like comparing a horse and buggy to your charger.

[Blakcharger440]

We are comparing material used. Rubber vs. Poly. You also have people upgrading their Chargers to have tubular front K-memberrs, 6speed transmissions,aluminum heads,etc....are you trying to tell me that the stock parts are better than those from strictly a performance and driveability standpoint also?

I think it comes down to those who want their cars to handle like factory and those who want their cars to perform
to a much higher degree with cornering and braking being improved.

We will agree to disagree as everyone has their idea of what performance and handling is.

Plus, I was not comparing the two just merely asking what the newer cars use.

The aftermarket sometimes looks to newer technology being used on newer cars in order to make the older
cars perform better is all that i was saying.

[resq302]

I guess then it really just comes down to what you want to do with your car and what your personal preferences are.  Like you said, performance is in the eye of the beholder.  To me, performance is about horse power and speed, not cornering ability.  (If I was worried about cornering ability, I would certainly not be running the repro bias ply tires on my car at this point).  My preference is originality.  Granted, there are some things on my car that are modern improvements on the car such as electronic ignition for reliability reasons.  But again, it all comes down to personal preference in the end.  When I had poly bushings and mounts in my 85 Jeep CJ7, they squeeked like hell and gave the vehicle a harsh bumpy ride (more than a Jeep is normally noted to have).  Since then, I have just gone with OE rubber ones as it gives a smoother ride and won't transfer an impact of hitting a pothole or a bump in the road to the driver.  The rubber allows it to do its job and absorb the energy instead of transfering it to someplace else.  Just my .02.