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A few weeks ago I had my stock dogbone mount changed to a VWR Fast Road version. Although not necessary (but what mod is?) I later decided to also change the other two engine mounts. My dogbone review is here : -
Linky : -
VWR Dogbone 'Fast Road' Engine Mount - Review....Also recommended reading is john_o's excellent review - Linky : -
Here......In production cars, engine mounts have to be hard enough to restrict the drivetrain from too much movement but soft enough to be comfortable for Mr & Mrs Joe Average who usually seek a car which is as close as possible to being their living room armchair on wheels and complete with as many home comforts as possible. So inevitably there is a compromise.
Personally I don't feel safe driving any vehicle that feels like and handles like a marshmallow. I don't want a bone shaker but I do want a taut and tactile ride and I have the selfish luxury of not having to consider what anyone else wants from my chosen personal transport - If you ride in my car, you ride on my terms.
^ The VWR full set of 3 'Fast Road' engine mounts ^
CHOICES:VWRacing offer 'Fast Road' hard bushed mounts or 'Race' solid mounts. The Race mounts will transfer more sound and vibration from the engine bay but will firm up the drivetrain to the absolute maximum and increase vibration levels - This doesn't matter in a racing environment.
There is also the choice of whether to change all three engine mounts or just the dogbone one. Mark Farmer at VWR advised me that the dogbone one was the mount which would give the most advantage and to leave doing the other two at least to begin with. The 2.0T FSI engine is well known for having a fair amount of movement and twist under power in the GTI chassis.
^ You can see just how much damping rubber the stock engine mounts have in comparison - It's no wonder that there is so much engine movement and that you can't hear the engine itself while driving. But hey-ho, it's what most car buyers want.
WHY?- To firm up the drivetrain and help power be more efficiently delivered. This is more desirable on a remapped car.
- To add to the variety of sounds in the cabin while driving.
- To further reduce engine movement and subsequent breakages - Exhaust brackets being the most common. Milltek now include a free torque arm insert with their new exhausts.
^ Broken exhaust mount as a result of too much engine movement ^
SOURCING:As I have a huge amount of trust and nothing but good experiences with VWRacing/RacingLine, I knew I would be expertly advised and so VWR engine mounts was a no-brainer. There are other engine mount manufacturers and VF have a good reputation.
Web:
VWRacing / RacingLinePhone: 01908 210088 Matt Walker
Please note that VWR's first priority is to their racing schedule but rest assured that when it's your turn you will be given 100% of their expert attention. Being flexible and patient is worth it!
Cost: £540.20 inc vat and labour for VWR's Fast Road engine and gearbox side engine mounts (2).
INSTALLATION:Straightforward for any experienced crisp-eating mechanic who has the right equipment and tools (not me!).
PLUS POINTS:- Greatly reduces engine movement and delivers more of the available power in a way which also feels more direct when driving.
- Results in less breakages of other components stressed by engine movement and twist.
- Consequently extends the life of your car.
- Adds much more 'music'!!
THE SOUND OF MUSIC!:I had hoped for some sounds in the cabin after installing these two engine mounts but my expectations were that I would only hear a bit of transmission noise. I was both surprised and extremely pleased (VWR mechanic Simon was laughing at my enthusiasm when we went out on the test drive) when I heard all the growling. I had heard the growling on both the VWR demo GTI aka 'The Red Temptress', and the road-legal DSG track car but assumed it was all Milltek exhaust. It really is a
Grrrrrrrrrr!! and very sporty indeed. There is a little transmission hum at times and that adds to the aural pleasure. The best way I can describe it is to say that it's as if I could only hear the bass guitar before but now I could hear the lead guitar and occasionally the rhythm guitar, but all in perfect harmony and as if via recording studio spec speakers and with excellent sound separation - Music! The
Grrrrrr sounds are only heard with the use of the throttle - The exhaust part is constant but the engine part is according to the loud pedal. At higher speeds these extra engine bay sounds are less and never intrusive. It's almost as if the car suddenly has more cylinders - An utter joy! Better than Julie Andrews.
GOOD VIBRATIONS!:On starting up from overnight cold, you will feel some gentle vibrations via both the steering wheel and the gear knob (mine is DSG). These vibes are a fast rhythm and match the standard automatically initiated higher engine revs you always get at startup. By the time your water temperature gauge is vertical at zero, the vibrations will no longer be felt - You'll then only
hear those good vibes, just like The Beachboys.
MINUS POINTS: - Using the VWR Fast Road mounts, there aren't any minus points I can think of. Race mounts, being solid without any rubber bushes, will transfer more sound and vibration from the engine bay to a level which some may find unacceptable in a road car.
- On a cold start-up you may feel some extra vibration through the steering wheel and gear knob but it soon disappears.
- If you want your cabin to be as quiet as possible, don't do this modification.
SUMMARY:I found that installing the VWR Fast Road dogbone mount alone doesn't increase any vibration or noise in the cabin. In fact because I prefer a little more 'noise' I used this as additional justification for installing these two mounts.
I read somewhere: "Put some spunk into your vehicle by adding an engine mount to it". Having the extra 'music' results in much greater feedback which in turn encourages more spirited and enjoyable driving and it doesn't mean you have to drive at illegal speeds to have that fun.
When I lift my bonnet and blip the throttle I see absolutely no engine movement at all now.
To drive, the car didn't feel sloppy before but it now inspires even more confidence and exercise of that Quaife diff.
For anyone who wants to improve their GTI in a way which increases its taut and tactile feel and who seeks a more directly delivered power to the road, I can strongly recommend this modification. But if you are wanting to have your GTI as a less sporty family car, then it's not for you - Buy the ultra smooth Mk6 GTI and don't mod it.
