solid front engine mounts

[ben harcombe]

who on here is using one are there many pro's or con's using one

[Ben Lessani]

I've had a solid billet aluminium one for about 18 months now.

Downsides
When you start the car, its like a punch in the kidneys
The vibration from the engine makes each part of the interior resonate as the revs go up
Eventually it just takes its toll and weakens the front subframe rubbers - so the flex you were originally trying to take up re-appears.
You have to set the idle higher than normal to prevent the dashboard shaking (1krpm in my car)

Upsides
Down shifting at speed doesn't make the car lurch
It reduces gear crunching because the engine simply doesn't budge, even when booting it

Would I buy one again? Probably not in a daily - as it makes the car feel far too raw. The general consensus on stiffer mounts is to use the 1.3 solid rubber g/box and front mounts. Or if you urinate money, get Vibratechnic mounts.

[wil0]

if you use the 1.3 mounts, do most of the bad points go away? any chance of part numbers?

[VeeDubGTI16v]

thats strange the only vibration i got on mine when it was a road car was a bit through the pedals, and that was quickly forgotten about. the subframe bushes were poly and the rear and gbox mounts were standard

[Ben Lessani]

My rear and g/box are standard too and my engine idles nicely - but because there is nothing to dampen the front, panels will resonate.

At about 1200rpm, my bonnet vibrates like mad

[VeeDubGTI16v]

they will yeah, but the vibration i got was nowhere near as bad as your describing.

your bonnet stay might be loose or something like that

[Ben Lessani]

I've got hydraulic lifters on the bonnet and the front clip is nice and tight.

Solid front mounts make things very vibratey!

[WYATT]

The vibrations is right the whole inside gets bad , well i've got the front and rear soild (homemade) and the gearbox is stock but thats a joke anyway , i'm going to take the rear one off coz its to much it gets pretty intense with the sounds its great and revs like a dream and the shifting is great , as a daily then no ish , but on the track then yeah !


Joe

[RandomJord]

Iv got a solid mount, I'd reccomend it.

[rubjonny]

its wierd, on my MK2 I have an abf, poly wishbone bushes, solid front, bonded rubber box and 16v/g60 rear mounts.  all fine, no punch in the kidneys when starting, no real vibration problems of any kind to report.  My mate has exactly the same setup in his MK2 and vibrations were much worse than mine.

Only difference is I have a good quality 40mm lowering kit, he had coilovers.  maybe the condition of the front engine/radiator carrier bushes makes a difference?