Aluminum or Urethene subframe bushings?

[TheJDMan]

I have my new DSE subframe assembled and ready to install in my 68 Camaro. But I'm trying to decide if I should use aluminum or urethene mount bushings. I would like to hear what some of pros and cons are of each. I'd appreciate any feedback and opinions.

[another69]

Aluminum- no contest. Especially if you are using subframe connectors. I went from rubber to urethane to aluminum, and I can tell a difference. Urethane is nearly as soft as the rubber, and it makes the car feel flimsy. The AL subframe bushings made the car feel more solid. I made the mistake of using urethane suspension bushings too, and pulled them all out. Horrible for susp. bushings, rubber is much better. I have a box of misc urethane bushings that I would give away if someone wanted them- I really dislike them.

[Nessumsar]

Aluminum- no contest. Especially if you are using subframe connectors.

What he said.

[77thor]

+2

Solids all the way.

[John Wright]

Aluminum- no contest. Especially if you are using subframe connectors.

Another vote for Ally.

[MrQuick]

we stopped using body mounts with most of our current builds. straight to the body.

[Tom Welch]

aluminum subframe bushings on 3 cars over the years, NO contest, aluminum or steel.

[Nessumsar]

we stopped using body mounts with most of our current builds. straight to the body.

This is how I have my Nova.

[68Formula]

Using solid for over 6 years.

[hotroddr]

we stopped using body mounts with most of our current builds. straight to the body.

X3 subframe straight to body for me too.

[John Wright]

@ Guys with no body bushings at all(body sitting on subframe),

Do you run into clearance problems?....ie my air cleaner stud is rubbing the underside of the hood now, if I took out the bushings, I would not be able to close the hood.....and what about tranny tunnel clearances?

[MrQuick]

We did, but we dropped and moved the engine back to clear everything. LOL

Not much room on the them 2nd gens as it is.

[hotroddr]

I have a small block chevy with an edelbrock performer intake and a dropped base air cleaner, I have no clearance issues between the air cleaner and the hood (except for the time I broke a motor mount). Im running a th350 transmission and had no problems with clearance between it and the floor. I did have to replace the steering rag joint with a universal joint to keep the steering column from binding, other than that, no problems. I had previously bought aluminum mounts so i kept them and mounted them below the subframe as shown in the pictures below.

[SPADE]

Will bolting the sub frame direct to the body affect the mounting of the front core support?

[monteboy84]

Will bolting the sub frame direct to the body affect the mounting of the front core support?

The core support has body mounts too, so you can just leave them out as well, provided they're the same height as the subframe body mounts, which they usually are.

-matt

[SPADE]

Ok - so no nothing on the body or core support mounts? What will the metal to metal contact have as far a premature wear?

Does any one have pics?

[TheJDMan]

Do you have any trouble installing the transmission crossmember with no mounts?

[evostilo]

wow sounds like i need to swap out my rubbers for solid aluminum's, Thank guy's

[68Formula]

wow sounds like i need to swap out my rubbers for solid aluminum's, Thank guy's

I don't think she's going to like that, especially if they're ribbed! That's going to be some nasty chaffing.

[ROBS6T8]

I don't think she's going to like that, especially if they're ribbed! That's going to be some nasty chaffing.

^^^^^^ too funny!