Super Pro from Australia:

http://www.superpro.com.au

They make bushings that aren't one-hardness-fits-all (like ES), and they actually test-drive them, and they make proper bushings for the trailing arm too (they flex in the needed axes unlike ES). Their bushings are also less aggressive than Energy's, to maintain a sane level of NVH.

I had a lengthy talk with this guy Michael, and told him what I wanted - improve steering feel, sharpness, and precision. I told him I had decent tires (ES100's), Koni yellows, and H&R OE sport springs. He said the main bushing that causes slop in the steering is in the front suspension, the lower arm inner rear bushing (the huge one bolted to the chassis), with a hexagonal shape.

And, they make a version of the bushing that increases caster.

here is the normal bushing
http://pages.sbcglobal.net/jcu...r.JPG
and the version for more caster.
http://pages.sbcglobal.net/jcuadra/more_caster.JPG

He also suggested I try that bushing first, then maybe later try the trailing arm bushing (mine aren't worn yet).

Modified by Jason C SBB at 7:10 AM 9/9/2003


Modified by Jason C SBB at 9:32 PM 1/9/2004

 

Thanks for the post. I think I'll give this Michael fellow a call.

 

Did you talk to him?

 

Has anyone got in contact with these guys?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Jason C SBB &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">They make bushings that aren't one-hardness-fits-all (like ES), </TD></TR></TABLE>

Energy suspension actually uses different Durometers on their bushings. It's Prothane that uses the same for everything. I've talked with Energy's people a lot about that, and that's the way it is... I've got ES trailing arm bushins as well, they are awesome, I brought the car to the track, and the only traction issues I had were from accelaration, the trailing arm bushings worked great for my drifting sessions as well.

Jung

 

I just got the front suspension inner lower rear bushings from Global Parts. They are significantly softer than the Energy TA bushings which are rock hard and which I never installed.

Here are the pics.

These increase caster by 1*, because of the offset holes:


Here I am flexing them. Note the grooves for grease:


Flexing another way.



I'm looking forward to installing them this weekend at the latest.

 

great photos and thread.

What is your experience with these bushings now that they have been on for a month or so?

 

I posted my initial review somewhere, my opinion hasn't changed.

I can feel the increase in caster, but the increase from swapping the UCAs is greater.
NVH is a bit increased, such as when hitting those cat's eyes, which I feel more in the steering wheel than through the body of the car.

It didn't reduce the bit of slop in the steering as I'd hoped, but I'm keeping the bushings in there.

BTW, here's another option for bushings for increasing caster (they're camber adjustable as well):

Whiteline
the different applications:
http://www.whiteline.com.au/yourcar.htm
EG and EK Civic kits
http://www.whiteline.com.au/do...K.PDF

Here's their alignment products
http://www.whiteline.com.au/alignment.htm

For the Civic they have a product that replaces the bushings and allows caster and camber adjustment.

The "KCA371" replaces the UCA bushings, allows adjustable camber and caster (max +0.75*), and costs ~ $170.

The "KCA 366" replaces the LCA bushings, adds 1.0* caster, and costs $78. I believe the rear one is sourced from Superpro..

Whiteline make some very well-reviewed stuff for WRX's.