Came across this on eBay earlier:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FULL-POWE...&fits=Cars+Type:1.4+T-Jet&hash=item5d3476d3b4

It states it's for the earlier Bravo and the new Bravo, but as these are similar to the Stilo is there a hint of a chance that these could fit the Stilo? If so it would only be the front AR bar and wishbone bushes that would be usefull - don't want to mess with the hydraulic bushes at the rear. If someone can shed light on this I would be willing to take a plunge and try it!

Similar, but how similar?

The trick would be to measure the Stilo bushes and see if Powerflex can match them.

Failing that, it's possible to buy polyurethan bar, stick it in the freezer, and machine it with a milling machine, in a lathe, etc. Or buy the stuff in liquid form and cast it.

There are Polski manufacturers of poly bushes (see the Cinq/Sei section) and at least two other manufacturers in the UK.

If your fillings are securely in place, you can even use nylon..............

Is that Mac the Mouth (Echo and the Bunnymen) in your avatar?

fingers99 said:

Similar, but how similar?

The trick would be to measure the Stilo bushes and see if Powerflex can match them.

Failing that, it's possible to buy polyurethan bar, stick it in the freezer, and machine it with a milling machine, in a lathe, etc. Or buy the stuff in liquid form and cast it.

There are Polski manufacturers of poly bushes (see the Cinq/Sei section) and at least two other manufacturers in the UK.

If your fillings are securely in place, you can even use nylon..............

Is that Mac the Mouth (Echo and the Bunnymen) in your avatar?

Click to expand...

The bushes on my current wishbones are borderline I reckon, plus the fact I'm getting coilovers soon means I'd be better off upgrading the bushes as well due in part to the big drop I have planned. I'll remove mine have a look at them and see what the bushes are like, perhaps if I order some oem bravo bushes to compare that would help me decide?

Failing that, if there are manufacturers in the uk then could I just order a new pair of wishbones and send them off to one of these companies so they could make me a set?

Also on another note with the coilovers, I'm going to drop 70-80mm and I've been told I'll need adjustable droplinks which is something I never thought about? It's not something I'm worried about though as I've seen them available through demon tweeks, it's just a case of whether I do need them?

I'm not quite sure what you're referring to as Mac the Mouth, the links in my sig or my picture? :s

It is a worthwhile effort, I think. It would be worth looking up the Polski guys -- Strongflex -- they have a web site -- just in case they're already making them.

This guy and the guy here in the white mac. Well, maybe not..........

Nope it's definitely me in my avatar

Thanks for the heads up, checked out their www and they don't list anything for the Stilo but some diagrams show parts for other Fiats looking similar, it's just the bush to the rear of the wishbone I'm not sure about. I've emailed them anyway and hopefully they'll be able to sort me out one way or another

Great stuff.

Well I got a reply about 45 minutes ago which I was pleasantly surprised about, unfortunately they said this:

"Unfortunately we have no plans to make a set for Stilo right now. I can only ask you to check our online store from time to time, we're still adding new stuff, maybe someday you can find a set suitable for your car."

Basically it's a no. Bit I replied back basically saying I'll pay any price they want for them and that I'd send the parts to them so they could design them, hopefullythat will turn them

Inthe meantime, anyone know manufacturers in the uk that could possibly help?

Another quick reply and I seem to be on to a winner now! Reply:

"Cost of bushes - will be about: 100EUR for 6 bushes + about 175 EUR producing three forms, and shipping.

We'll need wishbone with bushes (preferably new one, or in very good condition) + antiroll bar bush with mounting bracket.

Production will take about 10-15 working days."

I'm quite happy with that, just need to look into the postage to Poland, can get them locally no problem though. I'll be looking to get them soon and then give them an email to confirm the go-ahead, hopefully they do! Then I'll be getting my coilovers and adjustable drop-links!

I'm sure you understand the "plus" to having polyurethane bushes but are you aware of the "negative" ?

Here's 2 very important ones you may not be aware of ..

1. Vibration/noise transferred through the bushes is dramatically increased.

2. Polyurethane bushes require special lubrication(they are NOT self lubricating and 9 times out of 10 sqeak if not lubed).

Not worth the hassle on a Stilo IMO due to the wishbone design but good luck if you do decide to give it a try ..

Never seen the wishbones on a Stilo, but lots of folk use them on Alfas of a similar size.

Self lubricating is to over egg metalastics -- they don't need lubricating because they operate in torsion.

There will be some increase in NVH, but, as polyurethane is fairly soft -- even in the harder compounds the Polski folk offer as an option -- I've never found it memorable (even on a Cinq). You want a dramatic decrease in ride quality (but an improvement in handling), try nylon or bronze.

They're not self lubricating. Generally, an initial splurge of copperslip does the job just fine, but , relatively rarely, you'll have to re-apply. Not sure what material Strongflex use for the metal inner sleeve bits. Stainless has very real advantages over everything else -- so, if you can, ask for them in 316.

fingers99 said:

Never seen the wishbones on a Stilo, but lots of folk use them on Alfas of a similar size.

Self lubricating is to over egg metalastics -- they don't need lubricating because they operate in torsion.

There will be some increase in NVH, but, as polyurethane is fairly soft -- even in the harder compounds the Polski folk offer as an option -- I've never found it memorable (even on a Cinq). You want a dramatic decrease in ride quality (but an improvement in handling), try nylon or bronze.

They're not self lubricating. Generally, an initial splurge of copperslip does the job just fine, but , relatively rarely, you'll have to re-apply. Not sure what material Strongflex use for the metal inner sleeve bits. Stainless has very real advantages over everything else -- so, if you can, ask for them in 316.

Click to expand...

Alfa wishbones are a different design, the 147(similar car same engines etc.) wish bone looks similar at first glance but a closer look reveals one big difference. The Stilo wishbone has a rubber ball joint type bush at the front, seems to allow movement in all directions, the 147 doesn't ..



A rubber bush is effectively bonded to the inner sleeve and the outer housing and works by "torsion" of the rubber as the suspension arm articulates.

With polyurethane, the bush is essentially 'rigid' and, as the suspension arm articulates, the bush runs on the crush tube, which is rigidly clamped to the chassis structure, not "torsion". Since polyurethane isn't self-lubricating, some kind of lubricant is needed between the polyurethane bush and the crush tube to reduce fiction and excessive wear.

My advice would be to lubricate poly bushes with Lithium Grease(sometimes called White Grease), personally I'd install custom made bronze bushes ...

Chlorine corrosion is the issue -- if it's OK for that, I'd have them in titanium -- you can't have too little weight!

Never really thought about it before, but with a combination of 5 cylinger Coupe and 2.4 Stilo bits, it should be possible to put something really mighty together.

Are you familiar with Mr Dax fingers99?

And I have that covered anyway - not so much coupe/ 2.4 stilo hybrid, more 1.2 Stilo/ 1.4 TJet hybrid Something small and mighty can be achieved I think

Indeedy. Our Italian friend HoSDo even did something uber fast with a 1.4 16v, a Rotrex supercharger and a Mk1 Punto.

But, really, the T Jet engines belong in Cinqs......... Smaller and mightier.

But the Stilo will look so mean with a front mount :devil: As much as I admire what is being done to the Cinqs, it still isn't a Stilo, I just love them :slayer:

I looked up prices for the Rotrex kits and it was rather expensive to say the least. Turbo conversion will be a bit easier on the wallet I reckon. :worship:

Yeah, but getting one to stay together is the trick.