[Needsdecaf]

Powerflex Engine Bushing+JRL Mod+GT = Loud Stuff

You may remember that last week I installed the powerflex strut bar bushing kit as well as the large upper engine mount bushing.

Today the upper engine mount bushing came off, replaced with a new (and new, cross style) large bushing. I have to say I miss my newly found steering feel. Oh well.

In the end, it wasn't even the vibrations at Idle in Drive that did it (although that could get pretty "magic fingers" when cold. It wasn't even the boom at startup (that was loud).

No, it was the drone that got me. I noticed right after I removed my resonator that while cruising on the highway, rolling onto the throttle - say about 10-15% - would produce a noticable buzz. Not annonying, but aggressive sounding. However with the powerflex large bushing (yellow, which I think there is a stiffer purple one) that buzz became downright unpleasant. Right after I did it, I did two long highway drives, and it was really loud and bothersome. You had to be very slightly onto the throttle - couldn't be off it completely, because you'd get a compression overrun boom, and you couldn't be partially onto the throttle or you'd get it too.

So it came off. I left the strut bar bushings on, and it still is improved from stock, but the steering wheel is definitely much number now. Oh well.

I think that if I did not have the JRL mod, it would have been bearable, even with the GT.

BTW, how the hell do you get the blue engine cover off (right side) without removing the intercooler pipe. Two of the screws are right underneath it. Is there a better way?

Modified by needsdecaf at 6:08 AM 6-16-2006

 

[JRL]

Re: Powerflex Engine Bushing+JRL Mod+GT = Bad Stuff (needsdecaf)

It's not "my mod" or the bushings, it's something else.
I have ALL these and my wagon's very quiet with no "booming' or buzzing", even the vibration at idle has calmed way down to almost nothing

 

[Needsdecaf]

Re: Powerflex Engine Bushing+JRL Mod+GT = Bad Stuff (JRL)

Quote, originally posted by JRL »

It's not "my mod" or the bushings, it's something else. I have ALL these and my wagon's very quiet with no "booming' or buzzing", even the vibration at idle has calmed way down to almost nothing

Yes, but you have an MT, I have a GT, and I think that's probably the difference right there.

I should have said if I didn't have your mod or if I didn't have a GT, I would have been fine. But all together, it was no good.

And I should clarify, it wasn't awful. But was definitely louder than I would want for a car that we take long (and I mean long) highway trips on.

 

[mike_c70]

Re: Powerflex Engine Bushing+JRL Mod+GT = Bad Stuff (needsdecaf)

Maybe there's an exhaust leak somewhere?

 

[Needsdecaf]

Re: Powerflex Engine Bushing+JRL Mod+GT = Bad Stuff (mike_c70)

Quote, originally posted by mike_c70 »

Maybe there's an exhaust leak somewhere?

Nope, the boom went away as soon as I put the stock bushing back on.

 

[JRL]

Re: Powerflex Engine Bushing+JRL Mod+GT = Bad Stuff (needsdecaf)

Quote, originally posted by needsdecaf »

Nope, the boom went away as soon as I put the stock bushing back on.

I told everyone NOT to put these bushings on an automatic, you didn't listen
I said there would be excess vibration (and I guess for you a booming) but for the life of me I don't understand why you would get a booming type of result

 

[KVB-R]

Re: Powerflex Engine Bushing+JRL Mod+GT = Bad Stuff (JRL)

Quote, originally posted by JRL »

I told everyone NOT to put these bushings on an automatic, you didn't listen I said there would be excess vibration (and I guess for you a booming) but for the life of me I don't understand why you would get a booming type of result

Yeah, one would think that the bushing would only induce virbrations and the slight noises that go with vibrations. It's strange that he got a "booming" only from a stiffer engine bushing.

 

[Needsdecaf]

Re: Powerflex Engine Bushing+JRL Mod+GT = Bad Stuff (KVB-R)

Quote, originally posted by KVB-R »

Yeah, one would think that the bushing would only induce virbrations and the slight noises that go with vibrations. It's strange that he got a "booming" only from a stiffer engine bushing.

As I said before, it's not that bad of a booming. I'm probably not describing it right. But a stiffer engine bushing + stiffer mount bar bushings means more vibration transmitted into the car. And on small throttle loads at highway speeds (2,500 rpm in 5th) it translates to a little roughness, a little more vibration, which is transferred into the cabin. Remember I have a GT, and you guys have MT's. I would think that the torque converter would damp some of that resonance, but who knows.

Tonight I'm actually going to put the big mount back on and take off the sway bar stiffener bushings and see what that does.

 

[tmtalpey]

Re: Powerflex Engine Bushing+JRL Mod+GT = Bad Stuff (needsdecaf)

Quote, originally posted by needsdecaf »

Tonight I'm actually going to put the big mount back on and take off the sway bar stiffener bushings and see what that does.

Good idea. The other thing to do is to search for a softer upper bushing.

Tom.

 

[Needsdecaf]

Re: Powerflex Engine Bushing+JRL Mod+GT = Bad Stuff (tmtalpey)

Quote, originally posted by tmtalpey »

Good idea. The other thing to do is to search for a softer upper bushing. Tom.

I was thinking that, but I was lead to believe that the powerflex yellow was a similar stiffness to the Evolve Black, which I thought was the softest of what was out there. This is the knowledge I had gained from back posts.

Evolve Black simlilar to powerflex yellow
Evolve Blue similar to powerflex purple.

Am I wrong? Is there something between the Evolve black and the stock? Anyone with a GT and JRL's exhaust mod running stiffer bushings?

 

[tmtalpey]

Re: Powerflex Engine Bushing+JRL Mod+GT = Bad Stuff (needsdecaf)

Take a drill and swiss-cheese a little material from the bushing? If you're going to toss it anyway, might be worth a shot...

Don't use a super-sharp bit, and keep it at low speed if you try this. Might be easiest if it's mounted in the bracket, and on a drillpress.

Tom

 

[JRL]

Re: Powerflex Engine Bushing+JRL Mod+GT = Bad Stuff (needsdecaf)

As you have read, my exhaust is mild and everyone seems to like it.
You defintely have something else going on.
Did you also install the engine brace bushings?

 

[Needsdecaf]

Re: Powerflex Engine Bushing+JRL Mod+GT = Bad Stuff (JRL)

Quote, originally posted by JRL »

As you have read, my exhaust is mild and everyone seems to like it. You defintely have something else going on. Did you also install the engine brace bushings?

Oh, I definitley like your exhaust mod. It is definitely mild and was not an issue with the stock bushing mounted. I didn't get any nastiness there. As I said, a little more burble when you roll into the throttle on the highway, and a little more on the off throttle overrun on the highway, but not objectionable.

It only got objectionable (and just a volume thing, not a nasty frequency thing) with the bushings.

Yes, I did do the engine brace bushings. I am going to try putting on the large engine bushing and take off the engine brace bushings and see what the result is. I'm thinking it might do the trick.

 

[Needsdecaf]

Re: Powerflex Engine Bushing+JRL Mod+GT = Bad Stuff (tmtalpey)

Quote, originally posted by tmtalpey »

Take a drill and swiss-cheese a little material from the bushing? If you're going to toss it anyway, might be worth a shot... Don't use a super-sharp bit, and keep it at low speed if you try this. Might be easiest if it's mounted in the bracket, and on a drillpress. Tom

I'm going to try removing the brace bushings first. We'll see how that goes.

I would be worried about causing potential failure zones with this, no?

 

[tmtalpey]

Re: Powerflex Engine Bushing+JRL Mod+GT = Bad Stuff (needsdecaf)

Quote, originally posted by needsdecaf »

I would be worried about causing potential failure zones with this, no?

That would depend on how Swiss you go with it!

Seriously, the forces on the bushing are entirely lateral and in line with the bracket. They're almost all compression. Even if the bushing got sloppy in a few years, what's the worst that can happen? Answer: same as the stock, just sloppy. MHO.

As I said, it's just an idea, something to try if you're thinking of giving up anyway.

Tom.