Uprated engine mounts, harsh ride/idle

[addictivev8]

Hi folks,

Recently purchased Sams silver more door, decent car, goes well enough etc. Haven't owned a modded car in a few years so getting used to the ride again after a bunch of wafty V8 coupes.

There are a few issues I'm working through but right now the vibrations at idle is doing my head in, the following is the list of chassis upgrades and I suspect it's the uprated engine mounts that are causing it. Can anyone confirm and suggest an alternative? If not I'll have to revert to stock.

- SuperPro Subframe Bush​/Dogbone Mount.
​​- SuperPro Anti-Lift Kit​
- SuperPro Front Control Arm Inner Bush Kit​.​
- SuperPro Rear Lower Control Arm Bushings​.​
- H&R Lowering Sport Springs 30mm​ drop​​. Perfect stance
- H&R A​nti Roll Bars front and rear (28/24)​
​- Vibratechnics Upper Engine Mounts (Gearbox and Engine)

Many thanks
Abdul

[colesey]

Do you happen to know if the engine mounts are the road or track versions?

[rich83]

It will be the engine mounts.

[addictivev8]

Cheers guys, I thought as much. And no I'm not sure if they're road or track specific, I've sent Sam a message, hopefully he'll advise.

Would I be best served replacing both uprated mounts with oem items or should I run a combination of oem/vibratechnics mounts?

Overall the cars not bad in terms of ride/handling but I think it could use some more compliance in its set up so I may end up ditching the h&r springs and replace them with new oem shocks and eibach pro/sportline springs.

[AJP]

You probably won't get back a whole deal of refinement. By all accounts the H&R springs and oem shock combo is really quite compliant in itself. Of course if your shocks are knackered renewing them will be a good start.

The H&R roll bars will also be increasing the stiffness of the ride.

It sounds like the car has been set up really well for handling. Of course there's always going to be a compromise, and that's ride quality and NVH. I suppose you need to decide how much handling performance you're willing to sacrifice in order to claw back a cushy ride. You could arguably put it all back to new oem - roll bars, springs, mounts, dampers and bushes - but you'd end up with quite an inferior car in terms of handling.

[rich83]

Putting on OEM engine mounts will cure the idle vibration for sure unless there is another underlying problem somewhere.

[addictivev8]

Putting on OEM engine mounts will cure the idle vibration for sure unless there is another underlying problem somewhere.

I'm fairly certain it's the mounts, nothing else would do it I don't think.

AJP, it's definitely been set up for handling and while the ride is far from terrible I prefer a bit more refinement. TBH in the next year or so it'll be used more and more by my wife and I'll buy something a bit more "fun" for myself which is another reason for wanting to bring back a bit of refinement. First up is ditching the recaro trendlines which are a bit too hard for me along with changing the engine mounts then I'll put a fresh set of shocks on. That ought to be enough.

Cheers folks

[pudding]

Have you driven a standard one?  They're not particularly great on rough roads either, especially with 18s.  The VWR damper/spring kit is said to be very compliant. Certainly no worse than standard.

The trouble with standard engine mounts is the engine flops around like a Walrus in a hammock in tight corners. It's just as irritating as the vibration from uprated mounts. Unless you plan on doing track days and / or drive like a nutter, a fast road spec Vibratechnics dogbone with standard upper mounts works well is the best compromise.

But yeah, these cars are certainly old now and starting to show / feel it!

[addictivev8]

Hi mate, yes I've driven a few standard ones. And yep agree, the 18's aren't ideal. I would have gone down to 17's but then I'd have to ditch the TTRS stoppers which are nice to have.

Thanks for the recommendation on the mounts, that's what I want, a cross between the standard set up and what I have now.

[colesey]

Abdul, did you happen to find out from Sam which version of the mounts he had fitted? I was planning on getting uprated mounts fitted sometime this year and had read elsewhere that the road vibratechnics were quite civilised, hence was concerned by your experiences.

[addictivev8]

Hello mate, yes they're road versions!

I think the fact that the recaro seats I have are pretty stiff doesn't help. But honestly I'd go for a ride in a car with uprated mounts first before buying them. I think with my car it's a combination of all the different bushing/mounting upgrades resulting in the vibration which p*sses me off lol.

[flashp]

I think a standard car would have suited you better. There's a possibility that you'll spend money undoing somebody else's work which doesn't sound like it was done badly but simply doesn't suit you.
Long shot, but might you be better off selling it and buying a car that suits your wife if it will be hers shortly anyway?

[addictivev8]

Edited post:

I'm slowly getting used to it now and funny enough my mrs isn't bothered by it at all.

I last drove a mk5 gti properly a few years ago and loved it but after owning a bunch of V8 German barges im not sure it's for me. It's growing on me though. If I can gel with it I'll keep it for myself and buy my wife another car as the RRS is too big for her and I wouldn't mind puting some wide wings and meatier wheels on the golf. But that's 21 in me talking, not sure I'll actually do it lol.

Still trying to source some oem front seats as I think the recaros are a big part of the problem as I have a slipped disc and sciatica. I'll do that and go from there.

Thanks mate and yes as you say the work has all been done to a great standard and when you're on it it shows, the car grips and turns in unbelievably for a FWD car even in the wet so props to Sam there!