Banzai vs. MMR Direct vs. Energy Suspension
 

Alright well I have decided that my first major mod to my FC will be replacing all mounts and bushings on the car. Now Im pretty much set on the Hyperflex set from Energy for the bushings but have also come across competitors. I found one review of MMR engine mounts on the site and it was a positive review. They cost significantly less then the Banzai mounts and I can also get the rear mounts for the rear diff at the same time. On top of that MMR also sells bushings too. So you can see my dilemma, save money and get more from a lesser known company or stick with what I know is good and go for the Banzai mounts?

Links to everything:

Banzai
http://www.banzairacing.net/polyfc_motor_mounts.htm
http://www.banzairacing.net/polyfc_trans_mounts.htm

MMR Direct
http://www.mmr-direct.com/catalog/fc.htm

Energy
http://www.energysuspensionparts.com...rds=&ShowMe=30


Please let me know your opinions on any of the products discussed

I have the MMR rear diff and subframe mounts with no complaints ... actually pretty good ... also have used energy hyperflex, no real complaints. Biggest problem was in the removal of old bushings, which there are several methods, persistance works! With the hyperflex ... the end links, were interesting, but it did eventually work.

thanks for the insight

There's been alot of reviews for each of these products that you'll find in a search. I doubt many people have tried than all so cant really give a comparison.

i have MMR engine and tranny mounts and incar vibration increased significantly at higher rpms but lower revs are lot more smoother. engine response seems crisper from no play from the drivetrain. It makes the car feel alot more solid, now i just gotta install my diffmounts and ill be set. -alex

i have a complete energy suspension setup in my project Blowzilla, everything is great....
my only complaint is that the kit, although quite affordable, i think i paid $165 can., isn't really complete, it had front control arm bushings, tie rod end boots, ball joint boots, front sway bar bushings, rear sway bushings, rear cross connector boots and bushings....but no diff mount anything.....

I do suppose I bought a SUSPENSION kit, which is what i got, but when i bought it I envisioned every rubber part under the car being replaced with the polyurethane pieces.

good luck

I'm sorry but all those "aftermarket" engine mounts all "suck".
They only flex (if any at all) in just compression.
Under tension, they are fighting the bolt and nut!

The stock (and competition) engine mounts from Mazda are not designed this way.
The longevity of those engine mounts have not been tested yet.
Many are relatively new, and I don't think anyone has like 100,000 miles on a set yet.
Sure, they will probably never break, but I question the increased stress on engine, brackets, transmission, etc. cause the mounts just don't give under tension.

I'd recommend the competition mounts at under $50 each.


-Ted

Yeah, to further what Ted was saying.

The bolt on those engine mounts passes straight through from the mount to the engine, creating a basically "solid" mount on tension (when the engine pulls away from the mount). They will "give" some when the motor pushes toward them, but that will likey be VERY minimal, as pulling toward one mount will typically mean pulling away from the other (not possible with the solid nature of the mounts).

The Mazda mounts embed the bolt in the actual cushioning material, meaning it can give both ways, which is going to be easier on everything from the cradle mount, to the engine mount attachment points, to the rear end (some cushioning will lessen shock loads on a launch etc).

If you want the Banzai style mounts, just remember you're really getting a basically solid mount.

In regard to the Energy Suspenion... I have them on my V8-FC, and I put some SERIOUS loads on it during acceleration and cornering, and I've been VERY happy with their performance, especially compared to ~20 year old rubber bushings. Any of the quality poly bushing sets should dramatically improve feel vs. stock rubber, and the increase in harshness is minimal with stock suspension, and the improvement in handling with an aftermarket spring/strut (or coilover) is dramatic.

HTH-

-Blake

edited for typo