Looking at new motor mounts and trying to figure out "why" the price range is so so wide. OEMs at $500 range yet after markets from less than $200.

Do the after markets require the OEM mounts?
Do the OEMs come with New mounts (arms)?

I know OEM is almost always more, but this seems like a huge gap.

Thanks for any insight,

ppritchard

 

Because at least for most things OEM, MAZDA can get their price. And as is the case with most any other aftermarket parts I can think of, the lower price of the small volumn of aftermarket manufactures doesn't pressure MAZDA's price downward. I'm guessing aftermarket suppliers production volumn is based more closely on demand. Seems like that would be harder to do for MAZDA. They also kept them on the shelf for (at least) the past 10 years.
Yes, they will require the 'arm'. While not absolutely required, IMO the steel arm is preferred for both sides.
No.

 

OEM is extremely expensive for what they are, but they should cost more than aftermarket ones. Most aftermarket mounts are just pucks of poly cut to the right size. OEM are basically filled with hydraulic fluid to help with the cushioning.

 

where do you get steel arms for both sides?

 

3rd gen Classifieds or ebay, I bought a pair a few weeks ago here for 60 shipped with some aftermarket mounts.

 

The high price of the OEM mounts DOES include new steel brackets

OEM motor mount

 

Reminds me of of the suspension busings.... It was cheaper to go with a complete Powerflex kit, then buy new OEM.

I installed the stiffer IR Performance engine mounts (they have two different stiffness's available) and couldn't be happier. My car is primarily a street car.

www.irperformance.com

Right on their home page, and their on SALE!

 

because aftermarket mounts cost no more than $100 to make? and they use the stock mount arms.

 

Been a few years, but thought I remembered reading or being told at MAZDAMOTORSPORTS that the price didn't include arms and recommending a second steel arm to replace the aluminum versions. Figured that was how all the OEM mounts came and you had to order the arm separately. Thanks for the correction.

 

nope, all factory mounts come with the arm. i don't think they make the aluminum version anymore anyways.

 

so those mounts dont require that metal bracket? also, they look like they would sit the motor in a different position. those poly mounts are taller...

do these mount fine with the factory arm? how hard is it to swap the mounts?

 

Why replace the aluminum with steel? aren't the aluminum lighter? are they more brittle? did they come with some sort of defect?

 

The rubber is formed around the aluminum brackets. The rubber is bolted to the steel brackets. It is my opinion that Mazda motor mounts are in a league of their own.

 

i'm sure there was likely eventually some failures with the aluminum castings.

 

The steel mounts allow the rubber portion to be replaceable, since it is bolted to the bracket. The aluminium bracket has the rubber bonded to the arm, this nearly always tears off causing a failure. The aluminium brackets needs to be modified to accept replacement poly mounts. http://banzai-racing.com/store/FD_po...or_mounts.html

 

Is it accepted that Noltec mounts are the best?

 

so our cars come with 1 steel and 1 aluminium arm? why not make them both steel or both aluminium?

 

Most people do go to two steel brackets for the ease of installing aftermarket mounts or when they find that their left side mount has torn apart and they call Mazda for a new one. It is not practical to use two aluminium brackets as the right side steel mount has a heat shield to protect the rubber or poly from the heat of the manifold and turbos.

 

It is accepted (by most) that the stock mounts are the best.

 

Correct answer

 

Around how much do the steel bracket go for?

 

Without defining 'best' we can't really make an informed statement. This isn't directed at adam by any means, but when I see threads where someone (usually a newb) asks "Which blah-blah is best?" I just shake my head. Reminds me of an 8 year old in the aisle at Toys R Us. "Which turbo kits is best?" Um, yeah.

Personally, I think the OEM mounts suck. Overpriced and failure-prone. Plus, I can tell when an engine has OEM mounts.....grab the UIM and pull. The motor moves around like a jellyfish, and this is when the mounts are in good shape. Lastly, they make R&R'ing the engine in the bay more of a PITA.

For certain customer types (or like my old man ) they DO make sense and we do recommend them. For about 95% of typical FD owners that I deal with, you can take the OEM pucks and toss them. We have a shelf full of them if anyone is interested

Comes down to personal preference, but I love the Poly mounts. Done right, they're stiffer yet transfer minimal vibration. Lead to a drivetrain that doesn't flop around, crisper shifting, and quiet frankly no need for an engine torque brace.

All of this is just IMO of course

 

You couldn't pay me to put poly mounts in my car. Some people are able to cope with the vibrations. They gradually become numb over time, and don't notice it any more. Most of them are young ........... and don't know any better. The only real use for them (IMO) is in a dedicated track car.


That's why we're here

 

I honestly felt no difference when I put poly mounts in my car, the shifting just got a lot better. The rotary is a smooth engine to begin with. Now when I did poly mounts in my s2000 there was a huge difference, the whole car felt like it was shaking and the shifter bounced back and forth in neutral. I feel like for the fd you might as well do poly mounts, doesn't change ride quality just makes shifting a lot nicer.

 

A friend of mine put them in his FD. His car was miserable to ride in. He took them off, and went back to the oem mounts. A huge difference in vibration.