Quote:
Originally Posted by Dabjbr
I’m all for sharing experiences and celebrating products like the BMR lockout kit.
That said, there seems to be a lot embellishment or inaccurate claims…
“95% of the same performance without NVH”
According to who and how was this measured? Are you stating this from actual experience with both setups? Or solid bushings Vs inserts experience in another car? Or perhaps this is just a subjective claim. That’s fine if it is but you should state such.
“…works fine without an alignment. No geometry changes so no alignment needed. Sounds like a CYA statement in case the user did the install incorrectly.”
I’d argue the exact opposite. Even if you don’t fully drop the subframe, you must drop it partially to get the top BMR bushing inserted. If your subframe shifts in any way, your thrust angle and toe will be off. You may or may not notice but that can impact perf, wear, etc. Any performance gain could be negated by a bad alignment. Now you MIGHT be able to mark the subframe prior to removal and attempt to align it perfectly as before. However, the norm would be get an alignment.
“ ZL1 1le kit is superior by maximizing stiffness, however, NVH will increase 100 fold!”
Really? X100? I agree with your ‘maximizing stiffness’ claim but the latter part is exaggerated.
Alright, rant over. Sorry for being a D..k
Here’s my attempt at an unbiased review…
I just installed the GM aluminum bushings. The install was tedious but doable. Doing so, saved me money Vs using a shop.
What are my thoughts? It adds NVH.
Noise: mostly it’s the same as rubber bushings but when I drive over something hard like railroad tracks, the sound is slightly more noticeable.
Vibration: the entire backend feel more solid… because, well it is. That said, if you drive over rumble strips, the vibration is a little more pronounced.
Harshness: kind of the same issue thing here. The ride is stiffer. I’ve only driven 15-20 miles since the install so my perspective is still growing. My initial impression is it feels like I went from worn out bushings to a fresh suspension. That sound good right? However, I could also describe it as: Tour feels like sport. Sport feels like track. And track now feels like track 2.0. Read into that how you like.
One more thought…
In my previous BMW 335, I installed inserts. They stiffened up the ride a bit and didn’t really add NVH. However, there was still some wiggle. I didn’t mind on the street but on the track, it wasn’t fully communicative.
Now in my Camaro, I did solid inserts. I anticipated some NVH and got it. Some people said there would be zero change and that’s just not my experience. However, I fully expect to enjoy them on track. And for me, I will accept the slight decrease in comfort on the road.
It comes down to what you want, what you’re willing to spend, and what you’re willing to compromise.
One last comment. If you driving performance is high on your priority list, then solid bushings may be right for you. However, if you never visit the track whether that’s the dragstrip, autox, or road courses, then I woundn’t recommend solid bushings.
If you want just a bit more feel or sporty ride instead, the BMR inserts maybe the better setup for you.
|
So when someone gives a different opinion than what you have, its embellishment but your review is unbiased. OK...
I trust the performance shop (one of the best in the country for the record) that installed mine, they've done FAR more installs of the BMR kit and the 1LE kit than you have or ever will. When they say the BMR kit gets the majority of the performance of the 1LE kit without the NVH of the 1LE kit, I trust their opinion. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize that the BMR kit is going to have LESS NVH than the 1LE kit because the BMR kit reuses the stock bushings instead of replacing them with a solid bushing. Solid bushings have ZERO give in them so they're absolutely going to increase NVH where as the modified stock bushings won't yet still have a massive increase in stiffness compared to stock.
This is direct from BMR's website:
Once installed, the Cradle Bushing Lockout Kit minimized bushing and cradle deflection with nearly no change in NVH. (During BMR’s testing, no change in NVH was observed without accompanying modifications.) BMR Suspension’s BK063 Cradle Bushing Lockout Kit is the only part you need to affordably and effectively lessen wheelhop, bushing deflection, and cradle movement. Throughout testing, BMR has seen about an 80%-90% reduction in fore/aft and lateral cradle bushing deflection. A car with no other mods and stock tires that isn’t driven overly hard is going to see a 90% or higher reduction, while a more race oriented Camaros with sticky tires will see slightly less of a reduction.
Also from the BMR installation instructions...
IT IS ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT YOU HAVE YOUR VEHICLE PROFESIONALLY REALIGNED AFTER YOUR INSTALLATION IS COMPLETE.
Note it says RECOMMENDED, not REQUIRED. Its probably a good recommendation simply for the fact that to get maximum performance out of it, proper alignment is needed, but that's goes without saying even on a 100% stock vehicle. BMR is recommending it because the person buying this kit wants maximum performance therefore an alignment would be part of that. Its not necessary though just for the installation of this kit