I want to upgrade my suspension's bushings but I'm not sure whatto upgrade. I will prolly get the packages from PDM and they havethe following upgrades:
240SX (S13, S14 1989-1998) - U.S. dollar:Rear Upper Control Arm Bushings (SPF1638K) . . . . . $46.00/setRear Lower Control Arm Bushings (SPF1639K) . . . . . $52.00/setFront Lower Control Arm Bushings (SPF1009K) . . . . . $60.00/pairSPF1202K TC Rod Bushings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $42.00 per pair
Rear Camber Correction Bushings (KCA347) . . . . . . $65.00/setFront 25mm D Bar Bushings (SPF1636-25K) . . . . . . . $12/pairRear 15mm Non Hicas D Bar Bushings (SPF1485-15K) $12/pair
Now looking at this, I would guess the control arm bushings and the TCbushings is probablly what I should get. I should look into the rearcamber correction if I decide to get lowering shocks/springs.
My dad is a machinist and he has a press so I could probablly do theinstall of the bushings myself.
Comments?
What bushings to upgrade?
Definately the T/C rods first. The stock ones really suck. One thing worth noting about these though, is that they can cause your front LCA's to crack. You can read about this on freshalloy and maybe the faq here (never checked here). If you want a more reliable replacement, you can get all new, adjustable t/c rods w/ spherical bushings instead. They allow play that prevents the stress to the LCA. I got mine through SPLparts.com...they are $140 now; that's a good amount less than any other.
Next do the control arms...uppers and lowers. Spring for the eccentric ones first, no reason to go back and do them later (they are the rear upper control arm bushings, so you wouldn't buy the non-eccentric upper control arm bushings in this case).
The D bar bushings are probably the least important. You should consider the endlink bushings though, they'll make a bigger improvement IMHO. Also, make sure your car has a sway bar (and know which one) before you order any of those (I could be mistaken, but I believe some s13 240's came with no swaybars).
I believe you can also order bushings (eccentric and non) for the rear foward link (pdm calls it the Upper Front Toe Link Control arm). They sell refurbished arms w/ the bushings already pressed, so I don't see why not. If you write them, they will be able to tell you (they usually reply fast...maybe I'll write them and post the info/part numbers here).
Lastly, the rear subframe collars (the pineapple slice looking things) would be good to get as well. You don't need to press fit these though, they just slide between the stock subframe bushings and preload them, so install is cake.
Next do the control arms...uppers and lowers. Spring for the eccentric ones first, no reason to go back and do them later (they are the rear upper control arm bushings, so you wouldn't buy the non-eccentric upper control arm bushings in this case).
The D bar bushings are probably the least important. You should consider the endlink bushings though, they'll make a bigger improvement IMHO. Also, make sure your car has a sway bar (and know which one) before you order any of those (I could be mistaken, but I believe some s13 240's came with no swaybars).
I believe you can also order bushings (eccentric and non) for the rear foward link (pdm calls it the Upper Front Toe Link Control arm). They sell refurbished arms w/ the bushings already pressed, so I don't see why not. If you write them, they will be able to tell you (they usually reply fast...maybe I'll write them and post the info/part numbers here).
Lastly, the rear subframe collars (the pineapple slice looking things) would be good to get as well. You don't need to press fit these though, they just slide between the stock subframe bushings and preload them, so install is cake.
Hmm, they seem to have the same part number as the rear upper control arm bushings. I guess they are the same.
See here (at the bottom):http://www.pdm-racing.com/prod....html
See here (at the bottom):http://www.pdm-racing.com/prod....html
Hey Dori, question for you - about the LCA's cracking from stress with aftermarket TC bushings/rods. I was thinking of upgrading to the Nismo TC set with delrin bushings, do you think that's going to stress the LCA too much? Should I just go with the pillow mount rods?
I wouldn't be seriously racing, just street and some auto-X, so I'm not sure if I really need to go pillow mount or not.
EDIT: tried to check FA's forums for more info, but their server is hanging up on me. They must know I'm from NICO.
I wouldn't be seriously racing, just street and some auto-X, so I'm not sure if I really need to go pillow mount or not.
EDIT: tried to check FA's forums for more info, but their server is hanging up on me. They must know I'm from NICO.
Well, the Nismo rods should be pretty just about the same as stock rods and poly. It may even be worse...isn't the t/c rod thicker on the Nismo peice?
I really can't say what'll happen though. It seems the problem is pretty random, but I haven't read up on it in a while. How much are the nismo rods? More than the spl or close to it? If they aren't any cheaper, I can't think of any reason to go with them unless you are trying to stay in some race class that won't allow adjustable replacements.
BTW, freshalloy seems to be having some problems, so I can't get the link. Sorry.
I really can't say what'll happen though. It seems the problem is pretty random, but I haven't read up on it in a while. How much are the nismo rods? More than the spl or close to it? If they aren't any cheaper, I can't think of any reason to go with them unless you are trying to stay in some race class that won't allow adjustable replacements.
BTW, freshalloy seems to be having some problems, so I can't get the link. Sorry.