*All suspension setups are paired with Neuspeed Koni Yellow shocks*
What are they:
"Energy Suspension bushings create a perfect connection between your suspension parts - resulting in perfect suspension alignment and drastically better handling. Energy Suspension polyurethane bushings eliminate sloppy handling caused by stock rubber bushings." (Energy Suspension's web site)
Price:
Bought them new for roughly $95.
Review:
I have had this on the car for a few months now and felt I had enough experience with it to finally write my review. I had heard constant feedback on poly kits both positive and negative. I had heard that they are too stiff, too noisy, too racey, and only race cars should have them. As usual I don't believe it unless I try it myself so I bought the part number in the pic above in black. The black is suppose to have some/all parts graphite injected to help with longevity as well as cut down on noise.
The installation process is somewhat tedious and though some state they can be installed without a press of some sort, I definately recommend finding someone that has a press or taking them to get pressed because my parts were a challenge to work with. It took my friend and I roughly 6 hours to install the set due to the challenges ranging anywhere from slightly rusted parts to attempting to find something as close as possible in size to push the old bushings out with the press. My kit came with several squeeze tubes of lubrication and then another little yellow cup's worth. I made sure to lubricate EVERYTHING due to my paranoia of hearing something after we got everything installed...I just didn't want to run the risk.
Once we were all done I took it for a ride and noticed a difference as soon as I went to sit in the car. Previously with the old rubber bushings the car would give a little. It now felt more solid when I fell into my seat. As I pulled out of the bay I could feel a difference in the steering as well. Finally I hit the road and driving it is much more predictable. I took a few turns and there was much less body roll. I decided to find some areas that were rough to compare to how the rubber bushings felt. Over the rough uneven road the suspension was not as jumpy but more jittery. I later found that this was partially because I had the Konis on full stiff in the rear and have since then made adjustments where the ride is much better. I then drove to an area where there was more uneven road but not rough at all to see how it would react. The car was more predictable and felt like it followed the dips yet was able to react to them much faster than previously.
All and all I am quite satisfied with the poly kit. The car feels much sportier and improvements can be found in all handling aspects. I have zero noise coming from the kit...ZERO. In truth, the poly kit on the car actually feels like I swapped out the suspension with stiffer springs. You can feel the spring do the work rather than previously where the bushings absorbed a lot of the relation between road and driver. If I had known that this is how the poly kit would have affected the car, I would have bought this back when I had the Neu. Race springs. With the current Skunk2 springs I am running now the car can get pretty firm over some areas and I feel that the poly kit on the Neu. Race setup probably would have taken out the extra rebound I was experiencing at the time. I probably would have never bought the Skunk2 springs if that was the case. I would go back and swap the Skunk2 springs with the race springs just to see but I am too content with my current setup to swap out. Maybe one day...
Pros:
Ride quality was sportier and more "natural." Rebound over bumps has decreased and handling has increased. Everything feels more predictable and confident. Highways and circular on-ramps are more fun. Handling and driving is more predictable over bumps.
Cons:
Ride might be a little firm for some as it is a sportier ride. If you don't over lubricate every part of the poly kit you may notice noise.
What are they:
"Energy Suspension bushings create a perfect connection between your suspension parts - resulting in perfect suspension alignment and drastically better handling. Energy Suspension polyurethane bushings eliminate sloppy handling caused by stock rubber bushings." (Energy Suspension's web site)
Price:
Bought them new for roughly $95.
Review:
I have had this on the car for a few months now and felt I had enough experience with it to finally write my review. I had heard constant feedback on poly kits both positive and negative. I had heard that they are too stiff, too noisy, too racey, and only race cars should have them. As usual I don't believe it unless I try it myself so I bought the part number in the pic above in black. The black is suppose to have some/all parts graphite injected to help with longevity as well as cut down on noise.
The installation process is somewhat tedious and though some state they can be installed without a press of some sort, I definately recommend finding someone that has a press or taking them to get pressed because my parts were a challenge to work with. It took my friend and I roughly 6 hours to install the set due to the challenges ranging anywhere from slightly rusted parts to attempting to find something as close as possible in size to push the old bushings out with the press. My kit came with several squeeze tubes of lubrication and then another little yellow cup's worth. I made sure to lubricate EVERYTHING due to my paranoia of hearing something after we got everything installed...I just didn't want to run the risk.
Once we were all done I took it for a ride and noticed a difference as soon as I went to sit in the car. Previously with the old rubber bushings the car would give a little. It now felt more solid when I fell into my seat. As I pulled out of the bay I could feel a difference in the steering as well. Finally I hit the road and driving it is much more predictable. I took a few turns and there was much less body roll. I decided to find some areas that were rough to compare to how the rubber bushings felt. Over the rough uneven road the suspension was not as jumpy but more jittery. I later found that this was partially because I had the Konis on full stiff in the rear and have since then made adjustments where the ride is much better. I then drove to an area where there was more uneven road but not rough at all to see how it would react. The car was more predictable and felt like it followed the dips yet was able to react to them much faster than previously.
All and all I am quite satisfied with the poly kit. The car feels much sportier and improvements can be found in all handling aspects. I have zero noise coming from the kit...ZERO. In truth, the poly kit on the car actually feels like I swapped out the suspension with stiffer springs. You can feel the spring do the work rather than previously where the bushings absorbed a lot of the relation between road and driver. If I had known that this is how the poly kit would have affected the car, I would have bought this back when I had the Neu. Race springs. With the current Skunk2 springs I am running now the car can get pretty firm over some areas and I feel that the poly kit on the Neu. Race setup probably would have taken out the extra rebound I was experiencing at the time. I probably would have never bought the Skunk2 springs if that was the case. I would go back and swap the Skunk2 springs with the race springs just to see but I am too content with my current setup to swap out. Maybe one day...
Pros:
Ride quality was sportier and more "natural." Rebound over bumps has decreased and handling has increased. Everything feels more predictable and confident. Highways and circular on-ramps are more fun. Handling and driving is more predictable over bumps.
Cons:
Ride might be a little firm for some as it is a sportier ride. If you don't over lubricate every part of the poly kit you may notice noise.
koni/skunk2 suspension, jdm pole, HID retrofit, Tanabe exhaust
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