15 replies to this topic

[adam_93rio]

ive been having trouble with my engine steady brackets and i think its due to the standard engine mounts wearing out too fast,

as the front end will now be removable on my mini, im looking into fitting uprated engine mounts

im basically wanting to know the pro's and con's of fitting solid mounts

and which would i be better off with, solid or poly bush?

Edited by adam_93rio, 02 April 2010 - 10:28 AM.

[Sam Walters]

You will loose your fillings.

Soild ubframe mounts arnt too bad, but engine mounts. Nah.

Plus the fact they don't seem to fit too well. Ie, jumping up and down on the engine trying to get it to drop into place.

Go for poly mounts.

[Dan]

Given that you will have a solid mounted subframe with the removeable front, solid engine mounts are a terrible idea. Standard mounts shouldn't wear out fast,why do you think they are wearing out and are you buying genuine or cheap copies?

[adam_93rio]

they are genuine ones, but it has ripped the hell out of the top engine steady a couple of times now, and its starting to go again after being seam welded (bracket on the bulkhead)

when it was all disconnected last time there was tonnes of movement in the engine, which is why im thinking that the rubber ones are too soft.

i dont know if because the engine steady has worn out, the engine mounts have worn. or vice versa

but i was also thinking earlier about the subframe mounts at the back, do i deffinatly need to upgrade those too?? i cant see them going anywhere

i dont mind too much about increased road noise, but i think poly bushes would be my best bet

[adam_93rio]

You will loose your fillings.

Go for poly mounts.

how do you know about my fillings!!!

i think i will go for some poly mounts

[Sam Walters]

I think you need to install good engine steadies.

The problem you describe isen`t really engine mount related.

Second engine steady at the top, rose jointed preferably. But i guess one in the ultimate engine steady style would work.
Id personally run two steadies on the gearbox at the front as well. But then i need to get mine still enough to run a internal linkage at quite an extreme angle.

You need to install solid sub frame mounts ideally. Then pretty much the only reason you have those brace bars it to keep the mot man happy. That sub frame is going no where!

Solid sub frame mounts are commonly overlooked in the handling of the car. But realistically are one of the most important components to change!

Edited by Sam Walters, 02 April 2010 - 12:00 PM.

[adam_93rio]

I think you need to install good engine steadies.

The problem you describe isen`t really engine mount related.

Second engine steady at the top, rose jointed preferably. But i guess one in the ultimate engine steady style would work.
Id personally run two steadies on the gearbox at the front as well. But then i need to get mine still enough to run a internal linkage at quite an extreme angle.

You need to install solid sub frame mounts ideally. Then pretty much the only reason you have those brace bars it to keep the mot man happy. That sub frame is going no where!

Solid sub frame mounts are commonly overlooked in the handling of the car. But realistically are one of the most important components to change!

awsome! thanks for your help, i have been looking at the extra steadies, and was going to go all out. ie. an extra top steady like the ultimate one, then theres a steady you can get that goes forward of the gearbox but passenger side, then one that goes back.

when i was looking at these tho i was told i shouldnt need them as my car is almost standard power. (only stage one tuned) so god knows why its tearing the engine bay apart, unless its had a rebore in the past that i dont know about

[Bungle]

are all the steadys fitted and in good condition ?

gear box and cylinder head

[Ethel]

A lot depends on your driving style, even a turbocharged monster won't create as much torque as a heavily dropped clutch in 1st or 2nd gear. The real limiter is tyre grip. I agree stabilisers are the solution, engine mounts are closer to the driveshafts so they would have to be much stiffer, and harsher, to achieve the same effect.

[Dan]

Use poly bushes in the top engine steady, not the cheap Deflex / Polyflex ones that are commonly available as they are terrible. Use a Superflex one-piece bush or failing that a rubber one-piece MPi type bush. These are the best steady rod bushes available. Does your engine steady have all the parts in place as the engine end? Including the outer part of the brakcet that wraps aboud the bar? A near standard engine doesn't need extra engine steadies, my engine is not remotely standard and it doesn't have any additional steady rods. Without any rods fitted, the engine will rock all over the place even on brand new engine mounts, that's why the steadies are there. Engine mounts are only failed when they are torn, tired rubber gets harder not softer so tired engine mounts rock less than new ones not more.

[adam_93rio]

well the rubber mountings were shot after only a few months, which i figured was fine as they were reused, they have since been fitted with poly bushes and that just resulted in pulling the bracket off the bulkhead

i think i will have to price up the extra steadies all round and fit them all with poly bushes

[phil_clubman]

i have all the usual engine steadys, also two extra behind the gearbox, and one that holds onto the water pump. engine still doesnt move and theyve been on at least a year

[pauly_boi]

mine was exactly the same then i took it through a service after also having the engine mounts replaced a week before with no luck. After the service though everything is fine and its alot better, although i might invest in the ultimate steady as rarely it will rock a bit after a bigger speed bump no matter how slowly i take it.

When was the last time the car was serviced?

[adam_93rio]

mine was exactly the same then i took it through a service after also having the engine mounts replaced a week before with no luck. After the service though everything is fine and its alot better, although i might invest in the ultimate steady as rarely it will rock a bit after a bigger speed bump no matter how slowly i take it.

When was the last time the car was serviced?

i dont pay a garage to service my car, but i check everything over regularly (usually while fixing something else aswell) and give it a service every couple of months

i think garage prices are rediculous and after rebuilding a couple of minis i can handle a service

front end is off at the moment, just got back in after being rained off

[samsfern]

solid engine mounts will transfer a hell of a lot of noise and vibration, even if you havent got solid subframe mounts.
I have polyurethane engine mounts, one piece top and bottom steady bushes, an ultimate steady, the one from the thermostat to the bulkhead, with poly bushes, and solid floor mounts, solid tower mounts, and polyurethane teardrops.
The ultimate steadys use tiebar bushes, so i bought some polyurethane ones for it.
I do have a lot of noise and vibration transferred to inside the car, but its just something you have to accept if your using nonstandard mounts. Turn the radio up, lol
you dont neccessarily need all this, it just depends on driving style, i have an on/off type clutch, so im usually heavy/sharp with the clutch.

Edited by samsernie, 02 April 2010 - 04:41 PM.