Superflex wishbone bushes - black or orange

[Richard 858]

I'm soon to fit new (tubular) front wishbones and have almost decided on fitting Superflex bushes to suit. I do some sprinting & hillclimbing but also a fair amount of road use/touring. Question is whether the Road spec (black) grade is sufficient or to go for the Race spec (orange) and compensate by stiffening/softening dampers accordingly?

Any advice much appreciated.

(I'm aware Peter aka Phazed has fitted some in the past)

Many thanks in advance.

[phazed]

I have black fitted Richard, and they are as firm as a very firm thing!

I can't see the advantage of going for orange.

Welcome to try mine if you are ever in the area.

[Richard 858]

Blimey Peter that was quick! Thanks very much for your reply (and your help over the last few days), didn't want to bother you directly this late in the evening.

Thanks also for the offer, although I doubt I'll be down your way in the foreseeable.

[N7GTX]

I fitted Powerflex black - 25% stiffer than standard, so they claim. Nothing much moves around. (colour system is the opposite to Superflex )

[Bluebottle]

Black for me as well.
They work well, but I do have to replace front ones regularly as they don't like FI heat soak....on the plus side u can replace in 20 mins in the paddock...u can't Do that with oem rubber

[phazed]

I had Polybushs on my old chimaera for about six years and 45,000 miles, I never had to replace anything.

I now have the Superflex black ones on this car and they have done approximately 10,000 miles with no downside .

However, I have wrapped the front wishbone to chassis joints in a heatproof reflective material and this must be good enough to protect them.

Give it a go Hamish.

[N7GTX]

In the bush kit for the fronts were 2 sheets of heat reflective material for fitting to the chassis rail directly above the upper rear poly bush location. Held in place with a jubilee type clip all supplied. Have also wrapped all the exhausts that are near the suspension points. Seems to be working.

[latham91]

Just budgeting for a chassis refurb next year. Can anyone advise the cost of a complete set of poly bushes (all suspension, diff, ARB's etc). From looking previously it seems Superflex are pretty reasonable on cost.

[N7GTX]

This is ACT's offering for Powerflex. They do a complete front and rear package. Gives an idea of cost so you can probably shop around for a better price or go for another make.

http://www.actproducts.co.uk/product-category/poly...

[Bluebottle]

phazed said:

I had Polybushs on my old chimaera for about six years and 45,000 miles, I never had to replace anything.

I now have the Superflex black ones on this car and they have done approximately 10,000 miles with no downside .

However, I have wrapped the front wishbone to chassis joints in a heatproof reflective material and this must be good enough to protect them.

Give it a go Hamish.

Got all the heat shielding and wrapped with heat shield socks, but there is so much heat from the S/S, PAS & manifold the nearside rear bushes melt away. I really should ceramic coat the manifolds as I've given up wrapping them having cracked/rusted out 3 sets of manifolds when wrapped.

[ClassiChimi]

Bluebottle said:

Got all the heat shielding and wrapped with heat shield socks, but there is so much heat from the S/S, PAS & manifold the nearside rear bushes melt away. I really should ceramic coat the manifolds as I've given up wrapping them having cracked/rusted out 3 sets of manifolds when wrapped.

id be interested in ceramic coated manifolds if there was a clear reduction in radiated heat?
I should start looking at it, heat reduction there amounts to huge advantages and could add longevity into therwise heat effected parts, engine mounts, suspension bushes, electrics,
These Range Rover engines have plenty of air flow around the lump in a Landie, we don't, it's why I think they can run a tad hot, wear quicker.

[portzi]

Bluebottle said:

phazed said:

I had Polybushs on my old chimaera for about six years and 45,000 miles, I never had to replace anything.

I now have the Superflex black ones on this car and they have done approximately 10,000 miles with no downside .

However, I have wrapped the front wishbone to chassis joints in a heatproof reflective material and this must be good enough to protect them.

Give it a go Hamish.

Got all the heat shielding and wrapped with heat shield socks, but there is so much heat from the S/S, PAS & manifold the nearside rear bushes melt away. I really should ceramic coat the manifolds as I've given up wrapping them having cracked/rusted out 3 sets of manifolds when wrapped.

I have Black Powerflex bushes fitted and I had the gap raised to 19mm between my manifolds and the chassis rail, and made some S/S heat deflectors which use the bolt for the top wishbones to secure in place, not had any bushes melting away in 5 years since the rebuild.

Edited by portzi on Monday 7th November 15:45