Engine Mounts

Do you feel the engine rock during hard gear changes, or does it move visibly when you get on the throttle? Engine mounts hold the engine in place in the body and dampen vibrations. Here we gather reinforced mounts, inserts and kits for you who want a more direct car for street use, a project or trackday.

What does a reinforced engine mount do?

Original engine mounts are typically made of soft rubber that dampens vibrations well but lets the engine move as torque and boost pressure increase. This can cause imprecise gear changes, driveline shunt and wheelspin. A stiffer mount limits the movement so power is transferred more directly. Engine mounts work together with transmission mounts and differential mounts, so it is worth looking at the entire driveline as a whole.

How to choose engine mounts

Choose based on several factors rather than stiffness alone:

• Type: inserts that fill the voids in the original mount, or complete mounts and kits – for example, Torque Solution combines inserts and billet front mounts for the Mitsubishi Evo X.
• Hardness: urethane and race inserts give less movement, but typically more vibration and more noise in the cabin.
• Use: for daily driving, comfort often matters more than on a car used mainly for trackdays.
• Fitment: check the part number against model and year – for example, there are mounts for the Mini Cooper R53, VW Golf and Jetta as well as the Dodge Neon.

In addition to Torque Solution, we carry brands such as Prothane, Innovative Mounts, Weapon R and Wehrli.

Installation and maintenance

Inserts can often be fitted while the original mount is still in the car, whereas complete mounts typically require the engine to be supported during the work. Check the mounts for cracks, dried-out rubber and oil damage; a worn mount can cause shunting and put extra strain on other bushings and mounts.

Frequently asked questions

Will a stiffer engine mount cause more vibration?

Typically yes. The harder the material, the more vibration and noise can be transferred to the cabin, especially at idle. How much you notice depends on the product, the hardness and the car.

Should I replace all engine mounts at once?

That depends on the car and your goal. If you replace only one mount, worn mounts elsewhere can still allow movement. Kits with several mounts, e.g. engine, transmission and dogbone mounts, give a more consistent setup.

Does a reinforced engine mount affect roadworthiness inspection?

That depends on the product and the car. Check for the specific part number whether the mount is approved for road use and whether documentation is required. Products labelled as race may be intended for track use.