Nismo subframe bushings vs. others....
 

ok. I'd like to get some input from other people. I have a 92 coupe. I recently dropped the subframe (previous one was cracked). So i plan of having my new subframe media blasted and painted. I also ordered a prothane bushing kit, bc i might as well replace a bunch of bushings while im down there. I want to install the nismo replacement urethane subframe bushings, with my kazama collars. However, my question is, wouldnt it be better to just install SPL alum. subframe bushing replacements?i fear they may be too harsh. I daily drive my car, and track it maybe 3-4 times a year. its cheaper to do the alum replacements, but i like the idea of Nismo bushings, and spacers...
help me decide.

for dd id prob spend some more for the nismo bushing.

mmm

define "too harsh"

I use peak performance sub-frame spacers on my DD. I love them.

If you get new sub-frame bushing you don't need the spacers. All spacer do is take the play out of our old bushing that are beat up.
I'd say just Nismo bushing with no spacer would be the best.

the alluminum spacers. why deal with the bushing. if it goes out later you will have to change it anyway. Trust me when the bushings really go bad its awful. I daily my car and you really dont even notice it. If you are dropped with any aftermarket suspension it dosent make much difference.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/240SX...spagenameZWDVW
Tottaly worth it. does make the car a small bit noisier, but cant tell over exhaust. well jus my 2 cents
Also if you install spacers or similar collars like^ renders bushings totally useless! also the girls in your avatar are hot.

Word, my bushings are toast... The subframe actually lifts and hits the bottom of the car when I do anything to cause the weight to shift.

Doing the same thing right now, subframe/control arm bushings. I went with nismo bushings, obviously I cant tell you how they feel yet but if you don't track your car more than a few times a year like myself, id suggest the nismos over solids.

DD = Nismo
Track/not a pussy = SPL

add colars in maybe 3-4 years if you get nismo's... but the urethane compound in nismo's is so strong it might last longer than most other brands.... so maybe 7~8 years good?

I installed some specialty Z subframe spacers a year ago or so, but eventually the subframe thud came back, my front subframe bushings were basically ripped in half, not much rubber left attached to the center sleeve.

nismo doesnt make anything urethane, just some really hard rubber.

Don't be a wuss go with the spl. As stated previously the nismo ones aren't even urethane. Also any urethane or rubber bushings will eventually wear out and require replacement, the spl ones will not.

Taste like urethane tho... :keke:

I hate installing Nismo bushings, such a PITA
SPL's are 11ty x's easier to install.

but they're metal...right?

metal=vibrations/noise/etc.

Yes they're metal, yes they're noisy, yes they transmit a lot more vibration. Who cares? They will NEVER wear out, there will be NO SLOP in the subframe anymore, and you can buy spacers to adjust the anti-squat on the rear suspension. The nismo or urethane ones will wear out, will be more noisy, will transmit more vibration, will still have some play, and have no provisions for adjustment.

just more vibration.
add loctite to your subframe nuts.

check all your bolts and tq. down to whatever necessary/recommended by FSM.

The Nismo's are a real pain to install, well, mostly taking the old ones out is.

yuuup. braking shifting acceling. anything bottoms it out. the collars tottaly fixed that for me. i bought the car like that lol, the guy was like uh idk. got me a good price!

well im pretty sure that just made the decision for me. I'd buy the spl-parts solid replacements i guess... unless anyone has any other suggestions on where to buy cheaper. I dont mind supportin spl, but those really cant be made poorly and i think they should be a lil cheaper than $129.
all i know is its gonna be enough of a pain getting the old bushings out of the new subframe, so i'd rather make the install easy as possible.

***what about these...?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...MEWA:IT&ih=011

imagine how much of a bitch it would be if they were off by a tenth of a millimeter - in terms of installation.

id pay $60 more any day just to be sure they would fit right.

i went with the spl bushings and haven't looked back

Well I am in the works of desgining a product to make solid AL subframe bushing not make so much noise and take a bit of vibration out as well.
I will be making my own design Bushings as well - but will be making a product that you can use on your exsisting bushings.

I am doing all the testing on them right now - and I will go ahead and say - I think everyone is going to be happy!

You get the benifits of the solid AL bushings without the crappy ride!

I should have the products avaliable by Nov-Dec.

"MODS" this is not a for sale/commercial ad - I was just letting the members know not to steer clear of the solid bushing just yet beacuse of harshness!

LMK if this breaks any rules!

I have solid subframe bushings. I don't feel as though they're worth it. I'm not very convinced that "solidifying" your driveline mounts is really a good thing in the first place (subjecting it and other things to more driveline shock and feedback). Luckily I've got a spare subframe so I can screw around with filling it and running the spacers, or I might just get Energy Suspension solid polyurethane bushings.

Also, my car also has poly diff bushings. I can't imagine aluminum bushings would be very tolerable on an S13.

But if my product works like I plan for it to - it will be good for 10 yrs +

and if it reacts like having polyurethane bushing - maybe just a bit stiffer - wouldnt you rather go with the solid AL with my product - cause if your car last another 10+ yrs all you will have to do is replace my product - never replace the bushing itself ever agin!

Do the aluminum sub. spacers.

I removed entire subframe and put in the SPL alu. subframe mounts...they really aren't louder. Just noticed a little more vibration. They're definately worth it if you want more consistent handling.

It isn't the easiest job, but you've already got the subframe out...now have fun taking the old mounts out:) It's a b#$ch.

yeah, i think thats what i decided on. But i appreciate your input. I am interested in those additions that JDS was explaining.

I will keep you guys posted - I dont have them avaliable just yet - as I wanna finish my full testing - I dont want to sell a product that doesnt work properly!

I will say maybe end of this month - but more than likey Nov.

the way i took mine out was i poured some bbq lighter fluid on the rubber and set it on fire and occasionally gave it a squirt of fire starter fluid to keep the fire burning, after they were burning for a while a big hammer just knocked em out and i kept the fire going to melt all the remaining rubber away...

Don't get the alum if you drive on the Highway. The Diff hum is annoying.

The rear subframe mounts the suspension not the driveline. Maintaining consistent suspension geometry is not a good idea? :duh: