Two GREAT upgrades :)

Vipergrün · 09-21-2003, 06:10 PM

Hello all, just thought I'd give a thumbs up on a couple of improvements I recently made to my SC.

I purchased the parts from German Parts & Restoration (GPR) at the German Autofest.

1. Poly Graphite camber plate bushings. I wanted an upgrade and didn't want to go all the way to mono-ball cartridges since this is my daily driver. The poly bushings are a terrific upgrade from stock and while the ride is a bit more firm, it's a nice, solid feeling. The front suspension seems to hold the camber much better in the turns and feels more tight and precise. Alignmment settings are retained if you don't actually remove the camber plate. I removed the plates and cleaned off all of the undercoating and I should be able to get more negative camber now. Installation time was 1 hour. Cost $100.00 in parts.

2. Poly Graphite shift coupler bushings. Man, you don't realize what crap the stock bushings are until you replace them. Shifting is much more firm and precise with no slop. Installation time 45 minutes including adjustments. Cost $10.00 in parts. BTW, Pelican also sells these, so check 'em out!

Total bill for both $110.00. Not bad for such noticible improvements.

Let me know if you need any hot tips for installing either of these.

-B

Randy Webb · 09-21-2003, 07:03 PM

"you don't realize what crap the stock [shifter] bushings are until you replace them."

- Careful with this comparison -- you compared NEW polygraphite bushings with old, worn stock ones. I'm curious as to how they would come out vs. NEW stock bushings.

Vipergrün · 09-21-2003, 07:43 PM

Randy, from what I understand, even the new *stock* bushings have eliptical holes, which allow play. The holes in the new ones are totally round and offer a snug fit. The comparison is totally fair since I titled the thread *upgrades*, which does not imply stock.

-B

Randy Webb · 09-21-2003, 08:10 PM

The problem with the comparison is that others cannot determine which upgrade to make from it. Defing upgrade in a restrictive sense doesn't change that. In terms of perfomance maybe it's better than new stock bushings -- but maybe it's worse. I'm not trying to rain on your parade -- just pointing out a common problem when people post their impressions -- happens all the time with new tires.

I've also heard about the ellipical opening -- some have said it's there for a reason.

Vipergrün · 09-21-2003, 08:16 PM

Good points, I should have provided details on the stock bushing being 23 years old and worn. So, in that regard, there was a noticeable improvement with the Poly's. I didn't even look into stock bushings as a replacement.

Do you recall the reasoning behind the eliptical holes?

-B

Randy Webb · 09-21-2003, 08:48 PM

No, but I'm pretty sure it's on a thread here somewhere -- try a search on elliptical and bushing -- shifter could be added but you never know if someone used shift or shifter. I don't know if the search engine allows turncated keys....

I'm interested to hear more about the polygraphite camber plate bushings. I just bought new stocks one to replace the hardened rubber in my car -- they must be at least 15 or 20 years old (I have a '73 but with a Carrera suspension). I'm wondering if I should try and return them for the kind you used. IS there an info source on the web? And has the bump steer changed? Or is there any difference over bumps, esp. when cornering? thx.

Todd Simpson · 09-21-2003, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Do you recall the reasoning behind the eliptical holes?

To allow the driveline some movement on the rubber mounts without the shifter flopping around is my guess.

Vipergrün · 09-22-2003, 08:17 AM

Randy, I'll make a subjective response on the camber plate bushings

I did not see the products listed on the GPR website, but you can contact them at http://www.********.com/

The front end does seem more firm/stiff and turn-in seems to be much more confident. I am seeing quite a bit less push/understeer in the turns. I did back to back runs on a canyon road just to compare and there is definately noticable improvement. Installation is a breeze....once you get the old bushings out. I used some heat, a large-diameter wood dowel, and a large hammer to drive the old one out.

I do not notice any change in bump steer, the basic suspension geometry appears to remain the same.

Hope this helps.

-B

Randy Webb · 09-22-2003, 05:39 PM

Brad -- here's a tidbit from today's shift coupler thd.

My garage is emphatic that "if you want to shorten the life of your tranny, go ahead and stiffen the joint with (insert other coupler here)." That said, with 220K on the car, I wouldn't mind better shifting for a trans rebuild down the road.

- I'm not trying to encourage paranoia....