Hello all,
So i took a look at my CA bushings, and despite the previous owner telling me that they had just been replaced, they seem to need replacement. they certainly look like it, and the car likes to wander under hard acceleration. Anyways, I searched on three different forums, but i can't seem to get info on the WMW race bushings. I know everyone says go powerflex or psrs. I don't really want to get the psrs, ive heard some sketchy things, and powerflex is much cheaper anyways. But i saw the race bushings on way's site, and im just wondering if these would be a bad idea. I drive street mainly. I might get one track day a year, and i may do some autox, but im not sure. I do drive aggressivley mainly. I drive like a highschooler (i am a highschooler ). Anyways, im just trying to find out if these would be bad, good, or what? I can't seem to find anyone who has them. I tried emailing way twice. I tried calling them. No response, the phone rang till voicemail. Im guessing they're just busy with the tsw thing, but i'd like to know what anyone else (or way, if you could) think about using these on a street car...

Thanks,
Austin

 

im not sure about the WMW, but don't buy the alta psrs, they rattle like a mf'r.

 

I have been involved in replacement of LCA bushings on two different cars, a club members and my own in the last couple weekends. The first car we worked on, we replaced with powerflex urethane that we had to press into the oem brackets. I went with the PF bushings already pressed into brackets. Both purchased from WMW. Being involved in both types, I perferred the already pressed bushings because it takes a couple of hours off the job. This is a doable job in a garage with a couple of people. Doing my car last Saturday took about 4 hours. Now referring to "race" style or "street" style, unless you plan to race your car, I would recommend "street" style. If anyone else has comments, please speak up. Hope this helps.

 

Haha yes i understand the psrs is super clunky, and i had read somewhere that the only way to fix it is to weld it onto the CA .

Thanks, ya. I plan on getting them already pressed. Way sells them pressed in for 100 bucks, versus 90 without. I guess i know, the pf are recommended for street use and the race are recommended for, well, race use. But still im wondering if there would be anything wrong with using them anyways. It seems like it would tie the car together a little better, and stiffen up the front end. It would be like the difference between stock and powerflex, but amplified i'd assume. I think im just gonna go for them and see what happens. I guess i'll try giving way a call again.

 

To add to your decision of stock rubber, street poly or race poly see the link below.
My understanding is they're a bit softer the the Powerflex street poly bushings but better than the stock rubber bushings.

http://www.mini-madness.com/madness-...-bushings.aspx

Hope this helps...

 

Give Way a call. If this is a daily driver, I have a sneaky suspicion he'll recommend the powerflex purple bushing (Powerflex also makes a stiffer race version as well).

I have these (the purple powerflex) on my car; it's a track toy and my drive around car when the weather is nice. I wouldn't want to go any stiffer.

 

Im gonna give him a call sometime this week. I think i probably just called at a bad time, because of the time difference. hmm well thats certainly some good information. Maybe i'll just go powerflex then, i mean these things do have to move somewhat.

 

I disagree that they are better than stock bushings for the first generation MINI, but I do recommend the Madness bushing over the Powerflex bushing because they are a little softer, if you feel poly is right for you. What is different about the "race" PF bushing is the addition of a washer and bolt; the end of the control arm is tapped for the bolt and the washer restricts rocking movement. Rocking movement on the end of the control arm is important for the first generation variants.

 

Yes I suggest going with the standard Powerflex control arm bushings. I don't know where this idea of softer poly is better. I've installed at least 100 of these and NOT ONE COMPLAINT. That in itself speaks. And I've had powerflex bushings in my MINI since 2006 and there is no problems with them, plus you know I've abused them. There is NO reason to go back to stock, unless you want to replace them again.

Also our WMW race bushings have nothing to do with the bolt and washer kit that powerflex sells. The race bushing kit doesn't even come with that bolt and washer setup. Our race bushings arm made entirely of hard urethane unlike the standard powerflex bushings. These I recommend for race use or track only use.

Sorry I missed your call, I spend all day on the phone so I can't always catch the other line. But am happy to answer any questions, also we have a second number anyone is welcome to call 770.234.9965

 

ahh the response i've been waiting for! so if you dont mind answering just one more question, what negative affects would i see from running the race bushings on my street car? and no worries about the missed call!
-Austin

 

The race bushing are too stiff for the street. Especially if you have any fillings. I took Way's advice on this, and I'm glad I did. I don't think I would have been happy with anything stiffer than the powerflex bushings on a car I still occasionally drive on the street.

One good rule of thumb I've learned on mods: Write down what you want, or think you need. Then take it one step down from there on the aggressiveness scale, and you'll pretty much be where you realistically should be.

 

Like cct1 said the race bushings on the street are going to be hard. Not as hard as a metal bushing like PSRS's or any other metal bearing replacement. They will be quieter, but for most people using there car 90% of the time street the race bushings will be too much.

 

so its basically just gonna make all the bumps hurt then? well i guess powerflex is what i'll do then, especially seeing as i dont even autoX...lol

 

It's not just the bumps, road grooves, rough paving, etc., will transmit vibration into the car & make things buzz & rattle. Don't make the same mistake that 90% of all young guys do by over-modding their car going for items advertised as "race" parts, when we all know that most of these cars are street driven. Race parts are for cars that are 90% track, and 10% or less street driven. Having "race" parts on your street car gets annoying after the initial feeling of "cool I did a mod" wears off & you have to live with the harshness.

I put the Powerflex poly street kit on my Mini 4 years ago & they're just now starting to get a little bit looser, but not bad. Also I tracked it for 2 years and they held up fine. My buddy put the Alta PSRS on his last year & they come loose & rattle every other week, even with Loctite & cranking them down tight as possible. My Alta belt tensioner stop did the same thing & I replaced it...

Go standard poly, either Powerflex or Way, and you'll be happy.