Perrin positive steering response system

vicksen · Sep 3, 2009, 11:33 PM

Yesterday morning before work I took my front control arms off and with the help of the fine folks at english racing, pressed out the large rubber oem bushings and pressed in the offset polyurethane bushings that are the perrin positive steering response system. I won't go to deep into this process as it's all covered in the included instructions. After returning home I spent the next 40 minutes reinstalling the control arms, then it was off to work.

This morning I took the car in to get the recommended alignment done, then took it out to see if the hype was true... These pieces are amazing! The first thing i noticed is that the steering wheel doesn't want to twist as I roll diagonally out of a driveway and there was an overall more solid feel to the front end. Overall tracking is much straighter and the tendency of the tires to pull with ruts in the road is minimized to the point where it's not worth mentioning. The turn in is so ridiculously responsive now and the feeling of confidence that it inspires is probably going to accelerate the death of many sets of tires.

All of this was experienced as I found the windiest roads possible on my way back to ER so i could share my new found joy with Aaron who helped me put the bushings in. Found him, made sure he wasn't too filthy (I like my clean interior) and tossed him the keys.

As we were pulling out of the lot his first comment was, "the turning radius is tighter." He was right. An unexpected bonus. We start making our way into the hills of Washougal at a very mellow pace. As we go he's noticing the same things I was; better steering feedback, quicker steering response, less front end slop, better tracking, faster turn in, ect. ect. After about a mile of doing 40 in a 40 zone I politely ask Aaron if he would mind not driving my car like a girl. That was all he needed. The next ten miles went by rather quickly as he piloted us through a series of curves and switch backs and straights with irregular and consistent road surfaces. We get back to the shop and here's the quote, "It's like getting out of a honda and into an evo."

Needless to say I would encourage every evo owner to add this to their car.
It makes for a wonderful improvement. Here's a link just in case.
http://www.perrinperformance.com/pro...gory=8&model=3

Kracka · Sep 4, 2009, 05:34 AM

How much extra noise/vibration did they add?

vicksen · Sep 4, 2009, 11:15 AM

just a touch, but I already have a solid front motor mount on. The thing that is most noticeable is when i drive over the reflective bumps on the lines on the freeway. the steering stays straight over them, but the chassis is definitely informed there was a bump.

mlomker · Sep 4, 2009, 12:12 PM

Thanks for the review. Have a set in the box but Perrin sent me the Zero's when I had asked for the offset...I'm debating about keeping them or getting them swapped out. Did you go with a more aggressive alignment afterward?

vicksen · Sep 5, 2009, 08:25 PM

Not really. 1 degree negative camber in the front .5 in the back. toe to zero all around. Took it out for a 140 mile cruise with some friends today. I continue to be pleased and impressed.

AlwaysinBoost · Sep 5, 2009, 08:49 PM

nice review.
I just had these installed and after reading that I can wait to feel the difference.

Thoe99 · Sep 5, 2009, 08:53 PM

Awesome review. After installing, did these bushings push the wheels forward some? I'm getting some wheel rub on the fender liners towards the back (where the side skirts are) and if this pushes it forward a quarter inch, I think it'll solve my issues. Care to snap a pic of one of the wheels straight on so I can compare against mine?

When you said "the turning radius is tighter," do you mean the turning radius got smaller? So more caster = smaller turning radius?

vicksen · Sep 5, 2009, 09:36 PM

I didn't take any measurements of wheel position either before or after, but I can snap some pics. Yes, the turning radius seems to have gotten smaller. Again no measurements to confirm this, but that's the impression I have. As for "So more caster = smaller turning radius?" that's something to ask someone who's a bit wiser than me.

djslik408 · Sep 5, 2009, 09:44 PM

good review.. On a different note in terms of installation, is this something you can do out of your garage or do you suggest taking it to a shop?

mlomker · Sep 6, 2009, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djslik408

is this something you can do out of your garage or do you suggest taking it to a shop?

You need a press and the proper sized die to get the bushing in & out. Sounds like the OP decided to do the remove/replace of the lower control arms himself but brought them in to a shop.

Thoe99 · Sep 6, 2009, 07:54 AM

What are people using as the proper sized die?

vicksen · Sep 6, 2009, 11:39 AM

Thoe99, here are those pics. The first is the rear of the wheel, second is the front and third is the whole thing. I couldn't find a "proper sized die" so we went with pieces of exhaust piping.

http://thumbp8.mail.vip.ac4.yahoo.co...=567&fid=Inbox

http://thumbp8.mail.vip.ac4.yahoo.co...=567&fid=Inbox

http://thumbp8.mail.vip.ac4.yahoo.co...=567&fid=Inbox

huevosrancheros · Sep 6, 2009, 12:33 PM

the pics aren't working. I am always looking for a way to tighten up the suspension. +1 for perrin

Thoe99 · Sep 6, 2009, 02:19 PM

Yea I can't get the pics to work either.

vicksen · Sep 7, 2009, 12:54 AM

I'll try to figure out how to upload pics. In the mean time the rear gap between wheel and fender is 2.5 in. Front gap is 1.25 in.