Body Mount Bushings-Poly or Solid?

[Pedersen68]

Hey guys I am a young car builder and new to this site. I recently started working on my 68' Camaro project car. I am really trying to build my Camaro with the Pro-Touring style and ability in mind. I am looking into what body mount bushings are best for a Camaro that will be used for Autocross racing and for extended driving as well! If anyone could give me their opinion on polyurethane vs solid aluminum bushings, it would be greatly appreciated!

[First Bird]

I put solids in my 1968 F-body 20 years ago and it made an improvement in handling with no real downside. Go solid bushing like Global West or the other type of interlocking rather than the cheaper Comp Engineering bushing that is just a spacer. The interlocking type maintain the body relative to frame better. Poly vs solid is a long time controversy, but less so in the subframe bushings. The subframe should not move at all. Make it like a full frame car. All the stuff about making the ride harsh, Hooey! Low profile tires, stiff springs and shocks - that makes a ride harsh.

[Pedersen68]

Thats great advice! I have a package of Energy Suspension Polyurethane Body Mount Bushings right now, that I will most likely use. I am just really curious about how different the aluminum body mounts would be from them? have you heard of anyone liking/disliking using Energy Suspension products?

[overZealous1]

none! bolt it right to the floor. just loosen the lower steering column mount and tighten back up once it is tight to floor. make sure it is square. helps incorporate alot more of the floor pan as support rather than just 4 little contact circles.

[formula350]

Poly bushings will start to make noise if you don't treat them every now and then, older cars have a lot of body flex under hard cornering and solid ones will help with that. I would get solid ones if I were you, you'll want some later.

[77thor]

Poly bushings will start to make noise if you don't treat them every now and then....

I completely disagree with that statement. There should be no movement at all at the body mount bushings, therefore they cannot make any noise...
poly bushings at points that move(like control arms, sway bars, etc) are a different story.

I would highly recommend solid aluminum bushings. I've had both poly and solids on the same car, but never felt any difference between them.
As said previously, they do not cause a harsh ride.
The main reason I went with solid bushings was that I welded in subframes connectors, so the bushings would no longer be excessible.

[xxxturbo6]

the other type of interlocking rather than the cheaper Comp Engineering bushing that is just a spacer. The interlocking type maintain the body relative to frame better. Is there a link to these Interlocking bushings? Can they be used on a full frame car like a 1986-87 Buick Regal? If anyone knows a place that sells this type can you please post up the links?

Thank You in advance!

[Tom Welch]

SPEED TECH, DETROIT SPEED, GULDSTRAND, they all have solid bushings. You can have them fabbed at a machine shop, too. Dont forget about AFCO RACING as well.

[formula350]

look up Torsional rigidity in suspension. I'm pretty sure their is a sticky on it. their is a "flex" not a movement. That's why they made the solid ones to have a stronger bond to the floor pans to eliminate the flex. Same with subframe connectors. I had poly ones on my car old camaro with no other upgrades at the time and they made noise. Just my experiance with them :)

[77thor]

Global West has the interlocking solid bushings http://www.globalwest.net/
and they come with ALL new hardware; bolts, washers, etc. Those are the ones that I bought.

[BonzoHansen]

imo solid ones like from global west or DSE AND subframe connectors are a must on any f-body. Poly ones offer some albeit not much flex, which you install SFCs to guard against, so I dont see poly & SFCs being a good match.

i'd only use half height or none if i was building an all out car. not worth the hassels of sheet metal clearances, etc. in a car primarily built for the street

my car has solid bushings and SFCs. Rubber trans & motor mounts. no NVH issues at all

[TheJDMan]

IMO, I think the biggest determining factor in deciding which body mount to use is what sfc you plan to use. A bolt in sfc can work with a poly mount, a weld in sfc is more rigid and would be better with a solid mount.

[amargari]

Go with solid mounts and subframe connectors. I had solid and poly mounts and solids are better with less flex.