VF Engineering Engine Mount.

[Smudge]

Would an engine mount make much difference? Again, details gained from the VAG Tuners Web site:

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The VW factory Engine side mount connects the engine to the chassis and was designed as a soft flexible mount, to provide a very comfortable drive. A drawback is the high amount of engine movement under torque load and on hard acceleration. This engine "slop" greatly decreases stability and smoothness under high performance driving conditions and rapid gear selection.

The factory mount is constructed from a die-cast alumuminium mount which houses a large soft rubber bush with a vulcanised cast strut. The rubber bush contains a viscous oil cavity to abosrb shock. The 1-piece OEM rubber bush does not completely fill the pocket inside the mount casing - leaving it prone to break under severe driving conditions. The drawback of the OEM design for 'performance minded' drivers is that long term stresses from power enhanced engines tends to cause premature wear of the both the driver and passenger side engine mounts: which either leak their viscous dampner becoming very sloppy or the aluminium casing cracks completely.

VF-Engineering designed, tooled up and manufactured a complete new replacement, containing specially desinged molded high durometer polyurethane bushes. The mount is constructed from billet (ingot) aluminum and supplied with high tensile hardware. Billet is physically twice as strong as cast and this mount is designed for strength. Fitting should take no more than 60 minutes and fits all MK4 chassis including Golf, Jetta, Bora, Beetle, Audi TT, A3, S3

This high performance mount has been tested on a 350hp supercharged R32 and VF found it provides a dramatic difference in the stability of the car when accelerating and braking hard. Gear changing under hard acceleration is also greatly enhanced. You will notice the difference.

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I'm not aware of there being problems with the stock mount. Anyone else come across this?

I fear I have the mod bug.

STOP MEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Skidmark]

I get the feeling these will help with the gear change prob you get with engine movement causing the gear change to balk.

Same as the dog bone mod ?

billswebspace has the fitting details...

the gear change does 'leave the room' when the red mist comes down !!

[Mook]

I have left changing the side engine mounts for the VF upgrades, but have opted for the EIP Tuning rear gearbox mount (a.k.a. rear transaxle mount), as this stops a lot of the rocking effect when launching hard. My R has now covered 32K miles and I can definitely feel that there is some wear compared to when I got it at 17K miles last October.

The mount should be here from the US this week or next. Will post details of the difference once fitted.

Went for the EIP version rather than the VF one because the EIP one apparently uses slightly more flexible rubber (although harder than the standard mount) - apparently there is a potential risk with the VF one is introducing a lot of engine vibration into the chassis. Quote from the EIP site is "The EIP motor mount does not use hard polyurethane found in most other mounts. Because of this, little to no additional vibration will be felt when using our mount."

You can read about the EIP Tuning version here.

You can get the VF mounts in the UK from the VAG Tuner web site (trading name of Regal Motorsport based in Southampton) - they have them in stock (or did on Monday when they mailed me!)

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STOP MEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Erm, NO! Keep going

HTH

[Rachel]

I'm putting a harder (purple) Urethane bush into the dog-bone when I put it in for an oil filter service in 1700km. I have always been aware of the engine movement under fast, hard acceleration and the driveline lash - this should stop it.

As for the standard mounts - mine had a collapsed right engine mount on delivery (the whole saga is buried somewhere in this very forum) - so they do crap out.

[Ritey]

Most race cars, Mini's included change from normal engine mounts to solid to aid stability and stop things like manifolds cracking after a rough gear change and lose engine mounts. It can only help Mr Smudge

[wrh3]

I replaced all three mounts with VF, the problem I noticed when removing the OEM is the amount of air space that would allow flex and rubber breaks down with age and exposure, something I knew I would not have to worry about with VF, here are some comparison pics: