355 suspension kit

darrenliu · #1 10-12-2009, 06:37 PM

I need to replace my rear suspension bushes on my 355 spider. I'm thinking of using the aftermarket kit from superformance:

http://www.superformance.co.uk/a-355/suspension.htm

Has anyone used this kit?

**saw1998** · #2 10-12-2009, 07:10 PM

You may want to checkout Energy Suspension, before you spend that money.

LINK: http://www.energysuspension.com/

darrenliu · #3 10-12-2009, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saw1998

You may want to checkout Energy Suspension, before you spend that money.

LINK: http://www.energysuspension.com/

These guys sell polyurethane bushes. I think these will be too hard. I would be interested to hear from anyone who has used these bushes.

355Aussie · #4 10-12-2009, 07:58 PM

Darren, I have sent you as PM. The superperformance are good and are on my car. I don't like the polly ones and wouldn't recommend but everyone has an opinion.

Let me know if you need anymore help.

**eulk328** · #5 10-12-2009, 08:14 PM

So Superperformance sells both Poly. and rubber bushings, is that correct?

Thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by 355Aussie

Darren, I have sent you as PM. The superperformance are good and are on my car. I don't like the polly ones and wouldn't recommend but everyone has an opinion.

Let me know if you need anymore help.

DMOORE · #6 10-13-2009, 01:41 AM

Most companies can provide different hardness's for the poly. It may be worth a call to see.

Darrell.

**johan6504** · #7 10-13-2009, 06:05 AM

I just ordered a set of hard bushings for the front of my 355, will put them on ythis winter...

darrenliu · #8 10-13-2009, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johan6504

I just ordered a set of hard bushings for the front of my 355, will put them on ythis winter...

what type and where from?

**johan6504** · #9 10-13-2009, 06:52 AM

The har bushings from http://www.superformance.co.uk/a-355/suspension.htm

**johan6504** · #10 11-07-2009, 09:29 AM

I put the first of these so called hard bushes on last night and they were way softer than the original. I have been in contact with Superperformance to try to sort this out. Have I gotten the wrong bushes?

When testing the original bushes for movement I discovered that the original are VERY hard as they are and alows very litle play. Cant really see the need for harder bushes. Guess the only way to go would be to go all the way and install ball bearing bushes...

darrenliu · #11 11-10-2009, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johan6504

I put the first of these so called hard bushes on last night and they were way softer than the original. I have been in contact with Superperformance to try to sort this out. Have I gotten the wrong bushes?

When testing the original bushes for movement I discovered that the original are VERY hard as they are and alows very litle play. Cant really see the need for harder bushes. Guess the only way to go would be to go all the way and install ball bearing bushes...

This is a bit of a concern. Are you saying we should be buying OEM bushes?

**johan6504** · #12 11-11-2009, 02:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darrenliu

This is a bit of a concern. Are you saying we should be buying OEM bushes?

I guess it depends on what you are looking for. I was looking for something that would make the front even fermer. In this case the bushes I got most definitely did not do that.

I am going back to original and for most people that would probably be the correct way to go. I have ordered a bush from energy suspension in CA and will see how this bush is compared to original and the so called hard bush.

I would stay away from the "hard bushes". Even though I never tried them on the road I am pretty sure they would more or less ruin the handling...

Looking at the alternative I have found so far, I would guess that the only real upgrade option is to go for pillow ball bushes, but that is just ridiculously (that was tricky to spell…) expensive ;-)

bcwawright · #13 11-11-2009, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johan6504

I guess it depends on what you are looking for. I was looking for something that would make the front even fermer. In this case the bushes I got most definitely did not do that.

I am going back to original and for most people that would probably be the correct way to go. I have ordered a bush from energy suspension in CA and will see how this bush is compared to original and the so called hard bush.

I would stay away from the "hard bushes". Even though I never tried them on the road I am pretty sure they would more or less ruin the handling...

Looking at the alternative I have found so far, I would guess that the only real upgrade option is to go for pillow ball bushes, but that is just ridiculously (that was tricky to spell…) expensive ;-)

For street use the OEM bushings are just fine.....for a track car their are some serious upgrades, but don't just do the upgrade and forget about your upper shock mounts...then it's on to the swaybar mounts and connectors.

**johan6504** · #14 11-11-2009, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcwawright

For street use the OEM bushings are just fine.....for a track car their are some serious upgrades, but don't just do the upgrade and forget about your upper shock mounts...then it's on to the swaybar mounts and connectors.

What would you consider a serious upgrade? I have been trying to find options for the original bushes and found the one I just tested with not so good result. I have ordered 1 bush from energy suspension to see how turns out. And then trhere are the japanese pillow ball bearings. Cant seem to fínd anything in between. Do you have any ideas? About the upper shock mounts, do you have any good ideas about what to do with those? Already did the swap to challenge bars with bushes from enery suspension...

bcwawright · #15 11-11-2009, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johan6504

What would you consider a serious upgrade? I have been trying to find options for the original bushes and found the one I just tested with not so good result. I have ordered 1 bush from energy suspension to see how turns out. And then trhere are the japanese pillow ball bearings. Cant seem to fínd anything in between. Do you have any ideas? About the upper shock mounts, do you have any good ideas about what to do with those? Already did the swap to challenge bars with bushes from enery suspension...

The pic I posted on this thread is a step down from the pillow ball setup and very close to the original CH basic design concept.

http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthr...#post139106552

Around $3200USD...but you can always machine your own much much cheaper...be sure to teflon coat to reduce noise.

Upper shock mounts??? Did you notice that your bottom mount uses a pillow ball and the top uses a rather large flex insert for the shock pin mount??
Make your own upper mounts...if you stay with stock shocks then use a mono-ball mount...if you use after market then invert shock and make a pillow ball mount like michellotto did on the 348lm.

Just remember that ALL of this is for track use....if you use it on the street it will drive you crazy and hurt your body..lol