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Topic: Poly vs Rubber

in Forum: C3 Handling Components


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Poly vs Rubber (3/13)
 5/26/11 9:43pm
Sarge81Lifetime Member
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WEST SENECA, NY - USA

Vette(s):
1981 Blue Ice Met. w/pearl ghost flames TKO500 5speed. LS1 Swap 3.45 Dana 44.


Joined: 12/3/2001
Posts: 2379

I replaced all the bushings in the '81 over 10 years ago. I went with the poly bushings from P-S-T. They are impregnated with graphite. No squeaks ever.  The only rubber components I used was for the body mounts. 

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GEN III 5.7L "LS6" Engine swap
TKO500 5 spd.
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'69 "N11" Sidepipes
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Born 8/1981
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Poly vs Rubber (4/13)
 5/27/11 12:42pm
eboLifetime Member
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Holland Patent, NY - USA

Vette(s):
#1 *1980 White, Red interior 14,000 mile #2 *1980 Red, Oyster interior 93,000 miles Resto project car, rebuilt to 383 stroker


Joined: 6/3/2008
Posts: 4420

Research this in topic threads, lots of talk on this subject.
Some like the rubber, some like the poly.
Being a 72 and a "Bumper Car" you may want to go original. Are you planning to show the car? Are you looking for a road course /rally car?
I went for all rubber on my Red car.
Oh and get a picture up of your car on your signature page, would love to see it.
Evil Smileebo


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Evil Smileebo
Poly vs Rubber (5/13)
 5/27/11 10:11pm
2nd2ja
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Lino Lakes, MN - USA

Vette(s):
71 Coupe LS5 454 Auto


Joined: 1/8/2009
Posts: 138

I'm interested in this dilemma, too. My 71 LS5 suspension is original and shot after 125K.

Mostly I'm told to go with rubber, you really don't need to go to poly. 

My bro is doing his '69 Camaro right now - got a full, brand new Poly kit with the car- and is still going to go with rubber. Go figure.

I'm concerned with the front and rear of the Corvette. The front is the "same" as any GM car so I wouldn't think putting poly in there would change things much. However, the rear on Vettes with independent suspensions and such. 

I would think you have to have rubber all the way around or the front and rear will "fight" itself.

I'm not so sure I want to redo the whole rear- mine looks fine with a newer rear spring and shocks anyways.
Poly vs Rubber (6/13)
 5/28/11 10:19am
kstyerLifetime Member
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CUYAHOGA FALLS, OH - USA

Vette(s):
1975 C3 Red, T-Tops, Black Interior. All I need is time and money! Getting there!


Joined: 12/2/2003
Posts: 6424

Poly will squeak unless it is graphite impreganted, then they won't.
Poly is firmer, and will make the car handle better, but also ride stiffer.  You will feel more of the road.   For racing and performance they are the way to go, hands down.  They will also last longer
 
BUT rubber is quiet, rides better and has better isolation from the road, not that our C3's are known for that anyway.  So for highway or just crusing, rubber is better.  They won't last as long, but I replaced the originals in my car at 30 years.  Granted they were shot.
 
I used rubber in my front end, and will in the rear.  Yes it is a disadvantage in autocross, but most of the time I use my car as a cruiser.  A very spirted cruiser granted.  ( ask the group going through Ohio to the gathering)
 
It all depends on what you are going to do with the car, and your goals.
 
Going to a fiberglass spring for comfort?  Use rubber.
Going to a fiberglass spring (stiffer) for performance handling?  Use Poly.
Original spring?  Either way.
 
kstyer2011-05-28 07:22:54
Poly vs Rubber (7/13)
 5/28/11 10:06pm
Jaws79Lifetime Member
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Sykesville, MD - USA

Vette(s):
1979 Corvette Coupe Corvette Light Blue Midnight Blue interior Mirrored Glass T-tops


Joined: 4/27/2008
Posts: 4238

Hey Ken, don't want to hijack the thread, but I really enjoyed meeting you in Ohio on the way to the Gathering (although when you passed us all I wondered what was happening, forgot about the meet). Hope all is well with you and family.
Barry
 
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Poly vs Rubber (8/13)
 5/29/11 6:16am
rod7515Lifetime Member
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Red Lion, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1974 White 350 Corvette, TH400 Automatic 1972 Tangerine /Go Mango Convertible 383 Stroker, 2004r Automatic


Joined: 10/27/2006
Posts: 1182

I replaced the  front bushings last year in my 74 with poly. I think they  were just a little more expensive then what rubber is. As for the handling I cant say I noticed that much of a difference in it. I plan on doing my 72 sometime in the near future. I will again be going with Poly but I plan on doing the front and rear of this one. I havent notice any extra noise yet but its not a daily driver and its kept inside. I dont drive it in the rain unless I get caught in a storm and it probably only gets washed twice a year so the bushings dont get wet. Hopefully that will keep any squeaks away!
Rodney


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Poly vs Rubber (9/13)
 5/29/11 10:32am
Adams' AppleLifetime Member
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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas


Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20126

I personally don't see the need for poly stuff in a driver, but that's just me. It does have it's advantages, as has been mentioned, but the dis-advantages outweigh the end results, imo. Some of the poly bushings need to be installed in a specific manor, or they will fail prematurely. Rubber is a bit more forgiving of boo-boos.
It's really more of a personal deal, and what your intentions for the car are....


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Poly vs Rubber (10/13)
 5/29/11 3:34pm
yostusota
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York, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1969 daytona conv. all original 350 350 380 4 sp w/air..and hard top


Joined: 5/18/2010
Posts: 1518

I would use rubber..but that's me..how rough and tight do you need it to be? Are you doing the TA's front bushing as well? There is alot of work there..and tools you will need..may look into the reman option from Bairs..send them your parts and they send them back redone..no tools to buy or worries if you haven't done it right..they will do either poly or rubber..good work comes out of that place..

Rich

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Poly vs Rubber (11/13)
 5/30/11 2:48am
tb2k82ceLifetime Member
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Lemon Grove, CA - USA

Vette(s):
1982 C3 Collectors Edition 44000 miles, sat in the sun most of its life, My wife purchased it for me for Father's Day in 2007 from her girlfriend that had it for 19 years. It is on the road again. I'm retired but it is now my daily driver.


Joined: 10/17/2007
Posts: 2041

Rich - Bairs who.  Need a little more information to id who you are talking about. 
Gilbert
Poly vs Rubber (12/13)
 5/30/11 6:35am
yostusota
Former Member

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York, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1969 daytona conv. all original 350 350 380 4 sp w/air..and hard top


Joined: 5/18/2010
Posts: 1518

Bair's Corvettes..they are a supporting vendor..on every page on this site..they are near Erie Pa..they make some suspesion parts..and rebuild everything as far as I know..I have seen the rebuild boxes they send..they are made to hold the TA in there so the ups people don't send it thru the truck wall while it is being shipped..neat stuff..they send you back the arm rebuilt..they also have rivet service to install the ball joints..can be a one stop shop..they are in the minority when it comes to making and selling and doing the work with the parts they have..I would highly recommend them.

Rich

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My first parade at Carlisle 2010
Poly vs Rubber (13/13)
 5/30/11 8:06am
lukesvetteLifetime Member
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HOWELL, NJ - USA

Vette(s):
1979, Targa Blue (72 Color), Pace Car rear spoiler, L88 hood, Dark blue factory interior, 525HP 406, HD 700R4, 370 gears,Steeroids, composite rear spring, TT IIs wrapped in T/A Radials.


Joined: 5/18/2004
Posts: 6812

I'm a poly guy. Replaced everything with poly and my car has a very nice ride and hasn't made a squeak yet - most of my poly parts have been in for 5 years +.Thumbs Up

Decisions, decisions....Wacko
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