STI Group N Engine Mounts

[jmgtp]

I'm looking for some feedback from those who are using these mounts.

My factory mounts aren't worn, just a hair over 50k miles on the car, but I'm considering upgrading. I have no plans on any power increases for the engine but I'd like a firmer feeling powertrain. I already have the STI trans mount installed and it was a vast improvement over the loose LGT factory mount.

I'm concerned with additional vibration and noise transmitted through the car. Anyone experience an increase with STI engine mounts? I noticed with the stiffer trans mount that the transmission sounds a bit louder but if you never drove the car before you wouldn't know the difference in noise. I may have noticed a tiny bit of additional vibration in the stick as well, but nothing I'm concerned with. As is, the only time I feel vibration through the car is when I am at a stop and the engine cooling fan kicks on and even then it is barely noticeable - otherwise it is as steady as a surgeons hand.

boxer4racing.com lists these mounts for $70 each. Good price? I didn't see any on eBay.

Bottom line would be that I want a firmer powertrain without making comprimises on noise/vibration since this car is my daily commuter. I think these mounts will do the trick but thought I'd check in first.

2001 LGT, 5mt

Thanks!!
John

[SHOfast]

STI mounts here.

The vibrations added by these are not noticable for me, maybe if I had 2 cars and one had these and another did not I would be able to notice.

Further I would add that unless your mounts are in need of replacement these are not worth while upgrade in my book. If you are going to do the job why not, otherwise wait until you need mounts.

An installation note that is not often mentioned for these. On my 97 5 speed there were locating bumps in the cross member that did not fit the STI mounts. Some users say they just mounted over them but that really is not a good idea with mounts designed like these. Grinding the bumps down if you have them is the best way to do this mod. Otherwise you can cut notches into the bottom of the STI mounts. If you have these locating bumps you will find them just outside the slots for the engine mount studs.

[Wiscon_Mark]

www.subarugenuineparts.com (http://www.subarugenuineparts.com)

Better prices here. Look under Impreza though.

[AussieDan]

I have group n engine mounts, pitch stop mount and trans mount, along with superpro transmission crossmember mounts.

There is an increase in vibration at idle, but when cruising I didn't notice any change in NVH from the engine mounts.

I am getting noise from the transmission being transmitted into the cabin via the upgraded trans mounts, but I'm pretty sure that's because my transmission is on the way out...gotta find some time to take care of that.

On the whole, I'd definitely recommend them, just make sure you get the pitch stop mount along with the motor mounts.

Regarding the 'bumps' in the legacy crossmember mentioned earlier, I actually used them to tension the mounts against each other by bolting them down in the stock location inside the bumps, so mine are probably stiffer than if the bumps were ground off.

[jmgtp]

I didn't think the pitch stop played a crucial roll in powertrain torque management to a point that the factory mount would not be sufficient.

So I have two conflicting reports now! 1 reccomendation and 1 recommendation on the stipulation that my factory mounts are worn out.

My situation is that when lifting off the gas from acceleration or speed maintaining that the drivetain has a gentle 'bump' as the engine torques back. Not worn mounts, but moreso the soft giving nature of the LGT mounts. Same goes for a bump from deceleration to acceleration and shifting in lower gears. The bump can be avoided by a slower transition on the gas pedal or, in the case of shifting, with a slightly slower release of the clutch.

It's isn't anything out of the ordinary - just one of those little things that annoys me. That and interior trim pieces rattling! There is a tiny rattle heard in my front driver door, only when traveling on some of the not so well paved roads in my area, that drives me insane - on smooth pavement I never hear it. It sounds like it is originating between the interior door closing handle and the speaker.

[AussieDan]

The bump you are describing is caused by the soft stock pitch stop mount, replacing it with the group-n mount will greatly reduce it without any noticeable effect on overall NVH.

I was running this exact setup on my car before I installed the grp-n motor and trans mounts, and can definitely recommend it. Right now I have that exact setup in my wife's RS and she loves it.

I would not recommend running the stock pitch stop with group-n mounts, you'll get all the disadvantages of the group n setup (increased nvh) without the advantages.