Need Help with Bushings - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

jethrobandit · 01-16-2019, 10:35 AM

I've got a 5 stage upgrade plan I've been working on for some time, but I'm stuck on bushings. I'm trying to stage similar suspension upgrades at the same time so the work is more efficient and not taking things apart multiple times. I'm also trying to save SOME money, which is proving difficult.

Suspension upgrades are a rabbit hole of research and I've learned a lot over the last few months. But, without actually going through any installs or having anyone to bounce this stuff off of, I'm having a hard time coming to final decisions. For instance, I don't think I need the BMR FULL bushing kit (BK031), if I am doing the following:

BMR Adjustable Toe Rods TR003
BMR Trailing Arms TCA033
BMR Lower Control Arms TCA028
1" BMR Lowering Springs

Wasn't planning on lowering in this stage, but buying the springs and the non-adjustable control arms for lowered cars were cheaper than the adjustable control arms.

With those pieces, I thought there would be too much overlap getting the full bushing kit??

Can I get away with just doing the subframe/cradle bushings or do I need to add others associated with the above parts?

Thought I would save the differential bushings for stage 2 with sway bars (not really related) and such or stage 3 with the new gears and TrueTrac.

This is a street/strip car and I'm trying to build this into a monster... the right way. I want it to be strong and stiff... but not too stiff. Just trying to better plant the power I'm making on the drag radials before I start upping the power again.

bkevind · 01-16-2019, 11:03 AM

Having recently done solid cradle bushings and poly/delrin BMR diff bushings - a word of warning: whatever noise your diff makes will be dramatically amplified.
I also have the LPW diff cover, which makes my car have the trifecta of amplified diff noise.

And my yukon r&p are unfortunately rather noisy. If I had to drive this thing on the street much (like daily commuting) I'd rip out the yukons, and change diff mounts to something quieter at a minimum, and if the noise was still too much, change the solid cradle to something quieter.

olblue75 · 01-16-2019, 08:12 PM

Don't forget to get a set of Z28 upper control arm bushings.

zlathim · 01-16-2019, 08:13 PM

Your parts list looks good to me. I have a very similar set-up in the rear, but I'm at stock ride height. I saved money by getting the non-adjustable toe rods, but you might need the extra adjustment after lowering the car. If you don't, then don't waste the money.

The kit you listed has a bunch of stuff in it. I imagine that there is going to be some overlap.

I think you are fine doing just the cradle bushings for now, but you will want to add the diff bushings eventually.

I also did the rear upper control arm bushings, but I ordered those by mistake and figured what the heck.

Your build plans look very solid to me. I'll look forward to seeing the build progress.

hrpiii · 01-18-2019, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zlathim

Your parts list looks good to me. I have a very similar set-up in the rear, but I'm at stock ride height. I saved money by getting the non-adjustable toe rods, but you might need the extra adjustment after lowering the car. If you don't, then don't waste the money.

The kit you listed has a bunch of stuff in it. I imagine that there is going to be some overlap.

I think you are fine doing just the cradle bushings for now, but you will want to add the diff bushings eventually.

I also did the rear upper control arm bushings, but I ordered those by mistake and figured what the heck.

Your build plans look very solid to me. I'll look forward to seeing the build progress.

I agree with all this. Looks solid to a start of keeping the back wheels planted. I noticed, in a very good way, once I upgraded the cradle bushing.

jethrobandit · 01-18-2019, 11:30 AM

Yeah I had the subframe/cradle bushings as a required update with these other 4 items. I didn't really want to do the differential bushings at this point due to inexperience and fear (I have to take apart and support... what??? Ha!). But, also because I knew those were basically independent of the stuff I was disassembling for those 4 parts.

So, I guess the question I really need answered is are there bushings for the other end of the trailing and control arms that don't come with them that I should be getting too? Or considering what I'm taking apart, am I missing an opportunity to replace a particular bushing as I reassemble everything? Would just hate to be putting stuff back together and go "CRAP, I need to order some of those!"

Thanks All!

LCPLPunk · 01-20-2019, 08:06 PM

Upper control arm bushings, steering rack bushing, front radius arm inserts.

olblue75 · 01-20-2019, 10:41 PM

Radius arm bushings are huge for the front end, steering seems more precise.

01-16-2019, 10:35 AM	#1
jethrobandit Drives: 2013 Black 2SS Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Hendersonville, TN Posts: 77	Need Help with Bushings I've got a 5 stage upgrade plan I've been working on for some time, but I'm stuck on bushings. I'm trying to stage similar suspension upgrades at the same time so the work is more efficient and not taking things apart multiple times. I'm also trying to save SOME money, which is proving difficult. Suspension upgrades are a rabbit hole of research and I've learned a lot over the last few months. But, without actually going through any installs or having anyone to bounce this stuff off of, I'm having a hard time coming to final decisions. For instance, I don't think I need the BMR FULL bushing kit (BK031), if I am doing the following: BMR Adjustable Toe Rods TR003 BMR Trailing Arms TCA033 BMR Lower Control Arms TCA028 1" BMR Lowering Springs Wasn't planning on lowering in this stage, but buying the springs and the non-adjustable control arms for lowered cars were cheaper than the adjustable control arms. With those pieces, I thought there would be too much overlap getting the full bushing kit?? Can I get away with just doing the subframe/cradle bushings or do I need to add others associated with the above parts? Thought I would save the differential bushings for stage 2 with sway bars (not really related) and such or stage 3 with the new gears and TrueTrac. This is a street/strip car and I'm trying to build this into a monster... the right way. I want it to be strong and stiff... but not too stiff. Just trying to better plant the power I'm making on the drag radials before I start upping the power again.

01-16-2019, 11:03 AM	#2
bkevind Drives: 2013 2SS RS 1LE Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Austin Posts: 555 View My Garage	Having recently done solid cradle bushings and poly/delrin BMR diff bushings - a word of warning: whatever noise your diff makes will be dramatically amplified. I also have the LPW diff cover, which makes my car have the trifecta of amplified diff noise. And my yukon r&p are unfortunately rather noisy. If I had to drive this thing on the street much (like daily commuting) I'd rip out the yukons, and change diff mounts to something quieter at a minimum, and if the noise was still too much, change the solid cradle to something quieter. __________________ 468, Mishimoto rad + oil cooler, TSP LTH MCS 2WNR CTSV/ZL1 front calipers/rotors + G-Loc Forgestar CF-5 19x11

01-16-2019, 08:12 PM	#3
olblue75 Drives: 2010 2SS/RS Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Clarksville Tennesse. Posts: 6,064	Don't forget to get a set of Z28 upper control arm bushings. __________________ Orange Krush II 1LE Front sway bar, Splitter, shocks and struts, Z28 dual mode mufflers, Intake, UCA Bushings, and Toresen 3.91 Diff. 1 piece DSS Drive Shaft, ZL1/C7 Calipers, and 32mm JPSS Rear Bar. ASC race spec splitter and wicker. 6th Gen M017 Wheels. Stainless Works 1 7/8 LTs. DSE and PAFDT Suspension components.

01-16-2019, 08:13 PM	#4
zlathim Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS M6 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Idaho Posts: 726	Your parts list looks good to me. I have a very similar set-up in the rear, but I'm at stock ride height. I saved money by getting the non-adjustable toe rods, but you might need the extra adjustment after lowering the car. If you don't, then don't waste the money. The kit you listed has a bunch of stuff in it. I imagine that there is going to be some overlap. I think you are fine doing just the cradle bushings for now, but you will want to add the diff bushings eventually. I also did the rear upper control arm bushings, but I ordered those by mistake and figured what the heck. Your build plans look very solid to me. I'll look forward to seeing the build progress. __________________ GPI SS2; EE E2 catch can; SP 1 7/8" LT Headers w/ hfc; FM AT 3" cat-back; CAI Cold Air Intake; AEM Wideband Tuned by GPI McCleod RXT; MGW flat stick; Ram Clutch slave cylinder & hydraulic adjuster BMR cradle & diff bushings, trailing arms, toe rods & upper control arm bushings Hotchkis sub-frame brace Stop Tech Z-23 brakes 4.10 gears, Eaton Truetrac, LPW diff cover Best 1/4 mile 12.073 @ 115.68 mph 3,300 ft DA

01-20-2019, 08:06 PM	#7
LCPLPunk USA-1 Drives: 2010 Camaro SS L99 Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Near DC Posts: 1,893 View My Garage	Upper control arm bushings, steering rack bushing, front radius arm inserts. __________________ "A Camaro in the garage is safe, but that's not what Camaros are built for..." R2C CAI / Apex Scoop / VMAX Ported TB / Speed Engineering LTHs / X-pipe / GPI port/rod-mod intake manifold / Circle D 3200 278mm Converter / 3.91 gears / DynoSteve tuned / 1LE Shocks/Struts/Toe Links / ZL1 Rear Sway Bar / Z/28 Trailing arms / Prothane Radius Arm & Subframe Bushings / BMR UCA Bracket, Steering rack bushing / B&M Tranny Cooler / RX Catch Can / Jannetty Tranny Dipstick / 2012+ Heater Hose / 2013+ Rearview Mirror / Fuel rail flip / Drake shifter / Oil Cooler Delete

01-18-2019, 11:30 AM	#6
jethrobandit Drives: 2013 Black 2SS Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Hendersonville, TN Posts: 77	Yeah I had the subframe/cradle bushings as a required update with these other 4 items. I didn't really want to do the differential bushings at this point due to inexperience and fear (I have to take apart and support... what??? Ha!). But, also because I knew those were basically independent of the stuff I was disassembling for those 4 parts. So, I guess the question I really need answered is are there bushings for the other end of the trailing and control arms that don't come with them that I should be getting too? Or considering what I'm taking apart, am I missing an opportunity to replace a particular bushing as I reassemble everything? Would just hate to be putting stuff back together and go "CRAP, I need to order some of those!" Thanks All!

01-20-2019, 10:41 PM	#8
olblue75 Drives: 2010 2SS/RS Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Clarksville Tennesse. Posts: 6,064	Radius arm bushings are huge for the front end, steering seems more precise. __________________ Orange Krush II 1LE Front sway bar, Splitter, shocks and struts, Z28 dual mode mufflers, Intake, UCA Bushings, and Toresen 3.91 Diff. 1 piece DSS Drive Shaft, ZL1/C7 Calipers, and 32mm JPSS Rear Bar. ASC race spec splitter and wicker. 6th Gen M017 Wheels. Stainless Works 1 7/8 LTs. DSE and PAFDT Suspension components.