Guess I'm not the only one who was wondering....

http://community.evo.co.uk/forums/th...threadID=47730
http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/a4-s4-f...rth-while.html
http://www.lancerregister.com/showthread.php?t=308355

Consensus seems to be Powerflex are more harsh. You probably would have to drive equivalent set-up cars back-to-back to notice the difference. All I know is, considering we're driving 18 year old cars, everyone who owns an FD should be upgrading their bushings.

 

Why not just replace your 18 year old bushings with new OEM ones?

I replaced ALL my suspension bushings with new OEM ones when I put new coilovers (HKS Hypermax PRO) on my FD this winter and, from what I noticed and was told, they are perfectly fine.

 

Rubber bushings deteriorate relatively fast (as little as 20k miles if used regularly for track work, according to Lotusforums), and flex excessively for optimum handling - PU
offers a good compromise between accurate/quick handling without excessive harshness

http://www.superpro.eu.com/WhySuperP...yurethane.aspx

If I was going to think to stick with rubber, I'd probably go with Mazdaspeed, but they're pricey

 

Anyone with an FD try the super-pro bushings and can provide some feedback? I'm curious about them as well.

 

I ordered some Powerflex power steering bushings for comparison - they seem very soft. After doing more research on the subject, I'm sticking with Superpro. I'll report back after I get them installed in a couple of weeks.

 

There is also Suspension Restorations with their line of graphite impregnated poly bushings--not sure what they have for the FD--but I have a few of these for shock eyes and I like the bushings. They seem to have good lubricity for use at pivot points.

Additionaly, I have powerflex in the trailing arms and a set of poly diff mount bushings (black) sold by Pettit. They both perform as advertised. These bushings are 80 duro, iirc, which is hard enough; I wouldn't want/need them any harder.

 

I'm pretty sure the Mazdaspeed ones are discontinued as well.

 

Are you referring to Energy Suspension? http://www.suspension.com/mazda.htm
That's the problem, there are several bushing vendors, but not many produce a full kit for the FD, and with progressively fewer of these cars on the road and very few people buying, the kits will probably become harder to get

I have metal bushing aftermarket trailing arms and toe links

 

Just a word on urathane bushings. Expect maintenance, just like delrin or solids. You'll need to install zerks, or pull them apart periodically and re-lube, even if they aren't making noise.

 

What I've read with Superpros is that if you grease them liberally during install and don't drive alot in the rain, they last for years with no maintenance. YMMV. Perhaps Rich can chime in, he's been running them for a few years.

 

I've been running them for a few years.

The grease that comes with SuperPros is **** IMO. Hardly weatherproof. What's left of it turns to powder after a while. Powerflex recommends something that's more like an anti-seize compound. Not sure about that as I've not tried it.

Energy Suspension makes a very sticky, very waterproof silicon grease that you literally can't get off without solvent. It's insidious. I haven't tried it long term, but it goes highly recommended, and it's properties would seem to indicate it'll last longer. I put it on my sway bar bushings, so we'll see.

But, if you poke around the net, you'll find that most people indicate that lube wears off, so if your bushing requires it, you'll need to maintain it. That's not saying they suck, just sayin'.

 

Great, thanks for the tip. I'll look into the Energy Supsension grease or some type of heavy duty waterproof marine grease

 

I am so lost been researching all day today and can't figure out if i am going to go with superpro or powerflex. I want to purchase the bushings tomorrow. Honesty no one has a good comparison out there. I do think I will go with powerflex, because I talked to them and they have all rx7 bushings in stock ready to ship.

 

just be patient.... a few days of waiting might yeild a change in your outcome. Might be the better choice. Not saying the power flex bushings are bad... just saying... BE PATIENT!! i'll give you some feedback pretty soon!

 

It may be a moot point. SuperPro's aren't very available, and they don't like to sell individual bushings... whereas you can go to Powerflex's USA site and buy whatever you want right now.

 

yea the only reason I am swaying toward powerflex is because they are easier to get, so if one of the bushings fails or whatever I can just get a new one. Superpro just seems better engineered though, at least that is what everyone says. I read somewhere that the reason superpro offers less bushings is because it feels oem is better those spots.

 

i will be ordering super pro bushings kit in a week or so. I have had super pro diff bushings in for about 2 or 3 years now and i semi daily my car and havent had any trouble with it. they seemed very durable when i was holding and they were almost solid but prob not as solid as delrin(i think thats how it is spelled) bushings.

 

+1

There were a couple of bushings that weren't supplied in my Superpro kit, and who knows how long it would take to get them from Tein (plus their customer service is poor). The Powerflex website is great and I literally get the stuff in one day, since I'm in NC. With that said, I tend to think Superpros are better overall.

 

what bushings werent included in your kit? and where did you get it from?

 

I got the Superpro kit from Rishie (?), a vendor on here - I think he sells most of the kits if you do a search

http://store.powerflexusa.com/mazda-...hings-p71.aspx
See diagram on this page - missing from the Superpro "enhancement" kit (same one RX-7Store sells) were 8 and 10 - apparently Superpro feels the OEM bushings are better in those locations, but I'm looking to delete as many rubber pieces as possible. I also ordered the front sway bar bushings.

 

So 8 and 10 are the bushings that doesn't come with the superpro kit or this were just not included in your kit by mistake? I know there are 1 or 2 bushings that don't come with the sp bushings and oem are fine. I probably will get oem in this area... I mean they don't make pillowball bushings because they think oem is better and does the job just fine

Doesn't the sp bushings come with the sway bar bushings?

 

No the superpro kit does not come with sway bar bushings. If anything go with http://www.energysuspensionparts.com...Mazda+RX7+1993 for sway bar bushings.

Here is what is in the kit for Superpro.

 

^ Helpful diagram.

2680K (shock mount) is not included in KIT 130ADJK, but it is in KIT 130K. I'm not sure why anyone really needs adjustable bushings because the car already has adjustment for camber

 

It's for the dumb asses that want to run hella flush

 

I don't suspect anyone would be able to tell the difference in a Pepsi Challenge between SuperPro and PowerFlex. Get what you can get conveniently and at the right price.