Replacement Bushing Kits - MSA or Classic Datsun?

[Duffman]

I am looking at a suspension upgrade and evaluating the MSA bushing replacement kit ($164.95) and the Classic Datsun Energy Suspension kit ($179). Any users of either that can provide any pros or cons? Here are the kits I am talking about for my early 70 Z:

http://www.zcarparts.com/sale_9.htm

http://www.classicdatsun.com/new/z_susprubber.html

The Energy Suspension kit seems to have more bushings for the extra $15, but interested in hearing anyone's recomendations.

Thanks!

[jmortensen]

Summit Racing has the ES kit for a Z cheaper than anyone else I've found. It's not in their catalog but if you call them they'll sell it to you.

[Duffman]

Thanks, Jon, will call them.

[Duffman]

Right on, Jon, only $145 at Summit Racing, much better deal!!

Thanks!

Stephen

[zpizzaman20]

Much better deal but we also have to support our Z parts houses. Summit does not have some of the little things we need remanufactured like others do. Not meaning to scold but we have to keep the others guys in business too.

And no I don't work or own a Z shop.

[daddz]

Fred,

Sensitive issue here. I would have to agree with you on this point. I do what little I can and stock up on things such as fusible link covers by the 10 or 20 to help keep them in production. I do see the value in this support of the Z car cottage industry.

[jmortensen]

Sorry, but this is the kind of moral quandry I just can't see. To some I suppose that would mean that I have no morals. So be it. I do like Starbucks coffee and I also support big corporations, especially when they produce a product or offer a service that I like to use. I own my own small business, and I try to give my customers the best deal too. Sometimes that isn't possible and they might purchase from somewhere else, and yet I don't feel that they've victimized me, or done wrong by me. I like to save money, yet Modern Motorsports, AZC, Ground Control, MSA, Black Dragon, etc; they've all taken my money when they had the best deal for me. And yes, so have Summit Racing, Stock Car Products, and Pit Stop USA. When the Z specific shops don't have the best deal, that doesn't mean I should pay more. It means I shop elsewhere and they lose the sale. If they realize they're losing the sale too often, then they might decide to stop selling a particular item, or they might buy it in larger quantity to try and get a better cost from their supplier. Or they might go out of business. It's called capitalism. Get used to it.

[zpizzaman20]

Jon,

I understand and see your point. I like to save money and do the same things as you. My concern is that the number of parts suppliers is dwindling and capitalism could force them out of business. That would be bad for everyone.

Again, did not mean this as a personal attack of anyone, especially you Jon. You give a lot to the community here and on other boards.

Sorry to sound preachy,

Fred

5 Z's

[CoastGuardZ]

No matter where you buy them from you may need to purchase more bushing lube... at least I wasn't satisfied with the amount I got from MSA. I ordered more from... http://www.ajusa.com

So there you go, Summit has the best deal. Everyone likes a deal. I bought through MSA and I feel that the deal I got was acceptable. Summit got enough of my money during my Monte Carlo SS days. As long as there are old and modern "muscle cars" around Summit and Jegs will be around slinging parts. Which means on the rare occasion I decide to purchase a part from them I know they'll be there. The wonderful world of capitalism also means the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. I'm not trying to save the world from Wal-Mart, but I try to purchase from Z / Datsun orientated companies as much possible to ensure that in 10 years the parts I need are still being made and somewhat readily available without too much of an astronomical price tag on them... because they're already more than I'd like to pay.

And for the sake of argument... Starbucks SUCKS! They use cheap, poor quality beans, over roast them, sell it in a fancy store with a stupid name and the people come-a-running. So if you like a deal - for a third of the price you can get a better cup-o-joe from Dunkin' Donuts! No, seriousy to each his own. They don't offer Z related stuff so I could careless where anyone gets their coffee. DD was around before Starbucks and will probably be around after too, an if not... well I drink too much coffee anyway.

Nate

[=Resurected280=]

I went with the MSA kit and I've been happy so far. I havent installed all the bushings yet though, I havent had time to dissasemble the rear control arms and differential support gear yet. I replaced all the front end bushing and put in new inner and outer ball joints while I was at it and it made a huge improvement in my steering percision and feel.

As coastguard said though you will need quite a bit more bushing lube than what the MSA kit gives you. Autozone usually has some of this in stock (Energy Suspension brand) or they can order it for you pretty quick.

BTW, you guys I think this qualifies as thread hijacking. =)

[jmortensen]

Here let's bring it back on point. I called ES and asked and they said plain old moly grease wouldn't hurt poly bushings at all. So then I drilled the ends of the control arms and installed Zerk fittings, so that the outers could be greased regularly. I drilled the inners too, but this mod does not work for the inners so don't bother. I think it would work for the front LCA bushings as well, and sway bar bushings - the center one where the bushing installs on the frame. I got a package of Zerks from [gasp] Harbor Freight, because they were the cheapest. Here's a related thread: http://forums.hybridz.org/showthread.php?t=114051 BTW I said I didn't tap the holes in that thread, but later I remembered, yes I did.

Got all that done then I went and hacked up my control arms to put rod ends and monoballs in there instead. Never even drove it with the poly... :-/

[hls30.com]

My opinion on pricing is that given the same level of quality, cheeper is better. Every store has inventory control, they can quit stocking a part that does not sell at the price they want to sell it at, and still cary those that do. MSA/VB/BD are high on somethings because of the convenience factor-most people will order from a one stop shopping place if they can rather than look for a better price.

When I ordered $3000 worth of Z parts last year, I oredered from MSA, VB/BD, ebay/private party and Zedd Findings/Tabco, based on who had the best price on the same item. Ebay/Private Party won out for mosty parts that were not available anywhere else, MSA won out for some things and VB/BD won out for some things based on the total including shipping. Zed Findings/Tabco won out where their total was better. I supported the same Z suppliers, and got the best deals on what they offered. I saved almost $800 from buying everything from MSA, or VB/BD(when they carried the same products). I spent an extra two hours comparing prices and made three extra phone toll free calls to order to save $400 an hour! from what convenience ordering would have cost.

My bushing kit came from Ebay and was about $140 with shipping from Miami.

I don't feel bad about shopping prices, I feel bad about paying too much for convenience.

Will