Perrin Shifter Bushing rebranded Energy Suspension?

[BRZach]

So I was looking at shifter bushings, particularly Perrin and noticed on rallysportdirect that the Perrin bushing comes with energy suspension lube based on one of the pics. http://www.rallysportdirect.com/shop...hifter-bushing
So I started comparing the bushing from each company, and they seem identical, with Energy being half the price of Perrin.

Does anyone know if Perrin is rebranded Energy for this bushing? Or can speak of the quality of the Energy bushing.

Thanks!

[twag4]

I cannot tell you whether the Perrin is energy brand or not, but I have used energy bushings for many years, and have never had a single problem with them.

[Calum]

I thought that was originally a TiC design that's been copied over and over again...?

[Ashikabi]

I've never heard anything but great things about Energy. Whether Perrin is rebranded, I couldn't say. In their defense... How different can they look right? The part they fit in on the car didn't change so they would have to be nearly identical to function. If it was me, I'd get the cheaper of the two since Energy has such a great reputation.

However, a word against Perrin and really all companies not making an exclusive niche part: everyone price jacks. 80$ for a reverse lockout? Because it has a name on it? Cmon. I bought one on ebay(the part is so simple it really can't fall victim to the "cheap ebay crap" problem) for $15. Polished aluminum. Did it ship from taiwan? Yes. Was the quality good, did it work, did it look good? All yes. So where does that extra $65 plus shipping go? Powdercoat? I could do mine for $5. The knurling on the upper land? That's done on the lathe when it gets manufactured(which probably takes about 3 minutes a part, from billet to fully cut, based on my experience in cnc manufacturing). Is it a quality, good looking part? Yes, but you are paying to say you have Perrin parts, not Energy. On a side note I do have Perrin endlinks and sway bars, I have nothing against the company, I'm just illustrating my point that price jacking does happen.

[BRZach]

Originally Posted by Ashikabi

I've never heard anything but great things about Energy. Whether Perrin is rebranded, I couldn't say. In their defense... How different can they look right? The part they fit in on the car didn't change so they would have to be nearly identical to function. If it was me, I'd get the cheaper of the two since Energy has such a great reputation.

However, a word against Perrin and really all companies not making an exclusive niche part: everyone price jacks. 80$ for a reverse lockout? Because it has a name on it? Cmon. I bought one on ebay(the part is so simple it really can't fall victim to the "cheap ebay crap" problem) for $15. Polished aluminum. Did it ship from taiwan? Yes. Was the quality good, did it work, did it look good? All yes. So where does that extra $65 plus shipping go? Powdercoat? I could do mine for $5. The knurling on the upper land? That's done on the lathe when it gets manufactured(which probably takes about 3 minutes a part, from billet to fully cut, based on my experience in cnc manufacturing). Is it a quality, good looking part? Yes, but you are paying to say you have Perrin parts, not Energy. On a side note I do have Perrin endlinks and sway bars, I have nothing against the company, I'm just illustrating my point that price jacking does happen.

Yes i agree with everything you say and will be going with the Energy after hearing of their reputation. It was just interesting to me because the Perrin part had the Energy Suspension lube which led me to assume it was just rebranded. Glad I can save almost half the cost, and with Energy having lifetime warranty making it an even greater deal. (not saying Perrin doesnt have lifetime warranty as I would not know since I havent looked into it)

[Ashikabi]

Originally Posted by BRZach

Yes i agree with everything you say and will be going with the Energy after hearing of their reputation. It was just interesting to me because the Perrin part had the Energy Suspension lube which led me to assume it was just rebranded. Glad I can save almost half the cost, and with Energy having lifetime warranty making it an even greater deal. (not saying Perrin doesnt have lifetime warranty as I would not know since I havent looked into it)

Energy it's the only poly bushing manufacturer(reseller?) I know of, they may supply the only (or best)poly bushing lube on the market. You would think if they rebranded the bushing they would change the name on the lube too

[BRZach]

Originally Posted by Ashikabi

Energy it's the only poly bushing manufacturer(reseller?) I know of, they may supply the only (or best)poly bushing lube on the market. You would think if they rebranded the bushing they would change the name on the lube too

Hmm interesting. Well their reputation make the purchase worth it vs the Perrin. Im sure I'll be a happy customer.
Wonder if these are new release for them because the lack of reviews anywhere

[Ashikabi]

Originally Posted by BRZach

Hmm interesting. Well their reputation make the purchase worth it vs the Perrin. Im sure I'll be a happy customer.
Wonder if these are new release for them because the lack of reviews anywhere

I received bushings with my sway bars but I don't recall seeing them for sale separately. May very well be new from Perrin. For curiosities sale... what specific bushings are you getting?

[BRZach]

Originally Posted by Ashikabi

I received bushings with my sway bars but I don't recall seeing them for sale separately. May very well be new from Perrin. For curiosities sale... what specific bushings are you getting?

Shifter bushings. Perrin has had them for a while

[Ashikabi]

Originally Posted by BRZach

Shifter bushings. Perrin has had them for a while

Mmm I do remember seeing those

[PERRIN_Chris]

Hey guys, for sure the Energy Suspension bushing is different than the PERRIN bushing. We use Energy Suspension grease since it is the best for swaybar bushings, we include it with a few of our parts including the reverse lockout and shifter bushings.

Our prices will be higher than some of our competition. It will be higher for several reasons; we design and manufacture our parts all here, have great customer support, and 5 year warranty on our parts (other than the catback exhausts, which have a lifetime warranty). We are in the market for the long haul, to develop innovate parts that make a difference, not just copy the competition's part just to make a buck. We've actually been making a rear shifter bushing for years for the WRX/STI, and then tweaked it for the BRZ/FRS when those cars were released.