NEW Noltec performance motor mounts now available for the FD ;0)
NEW Noltec performance motor mounts now available for the FD ;0)
Hello gentlemen,
For those of you who do not know me, my name is Rob Labardee, I've been active on the forum for quite a few years now with excellent feedback.
These mounts are made from polyurethane, but rather than just using a generic poly mixture the mount compound was developed using compression testing and various other scientific means of durometer/shape determination. You will find 3 pages of specs and test data related to the development of these mounts below.
SPEC/TEST DATA SHEETS
The mounts DO NOT incorporate a pass-through bolt design. instead, this design uses two seperate studs welded to interlocking end plates, which are bonded to a polyurethane center. The advantage of this is pretty simple, if you eliminate the bolt passing through the center of the mount and allow the polyurethane to compress freely (like OEM) the motor mounts will soak up the vibration instead of transmitting it from the engine to the chassis. The interlocking tab design (plays the same role as the OEM metal band) provides a safety cushion in the case of an accident.
Vibration aside, there are two reasons to upgrade motor mounts: to improve shifting precision, and to improve vehicle weight transfer by preventing the engine from rolling right as you manipulate the throttle.
A set is currently installed on Nick Y's car (turb0x2); we're both pretty impressed with these stealthiness and precision provided by these mounts.
The rebuild and install were both quick and easy so this is definitely a project that you can undertake in an evening with only basic tools.
For those of you who do not know me, my name is Rob Labardee, I've been active on the forum for quite a few years now with excellent feedback.
These mounts are made from polyurethane, but rather than just using a generic poly mixture the mount compound was developed using compression testing and various other scientific means of durometer/shape determination. You will find 3 pages of specs and test data related to the development of these mounts below.
SPEC/TEST DATA SHEETS
The mounts DO NOT incorporate a pass-through bolt design. instead, this design uses two seperate studs welded to interlocking end plates, which are bonded to a polyurethane center. The advantage of this is pretty simple, if you eliminate the bolt passing through the center of the mount and allow the polyurethane to compress freely (like OEM) the motor mounts will soak up the vibration instead of transmitting it from the engine to the chassis. The interlocking tab design (plays the same role as the OEM metal band) provides a safety cushion in the case of an accident.
Vibration aside, there are two reasons to upgrade motor mounts: to improve shifting precision, and to improve vehicle weight transfer by preventing the engine from rolling right as you manipulate the throttle.
A set is currently installed on Nick Y's car (turb0x2); we're both pretty impressed with these stealthiness and precision provided by these mounts.
The rebuild and install were both quick and easy so this is definitely a project that you can undertake in an evening with only basic tools.
RECAP
- Imported from Australia, made by Noltec
- No bolt passing through center to transmit vibration, instead this design uses two seperate studs welded to interlocking end plates wich are bonded to a polyurethane center.
- Limits engine roll and improves shift precision with no noticeable increase in vibration or noise.
- A set is currently installed on Nick Y's car (turb0x2); we're both pretty impressed with these stealthiness and precision provided by these mounts.
Last edited by rynberg; May 24, 2006 at 02:33 PM.
Well I guess that's a matter of personal preference. From a performance perspective I don't think the difference will be extremely discernible especially since driver preferences make performance ratings entirely subjective. Now as far as comfort and vibration are concerned, there are no other mounts on the market that can touch the stealthiness of the Noltecs.
The free-floating design really allows the polyurethane to do its work and absorb low freq engine roll and higher freq oscillations. Every other kit (besides OEM), to my knowledge, incorporates a one-piece bolt and puck design. This design effective; however the polyurethane puck in this design acts more as a bolt vibration dampener than an engine roll/oscillation absorber. In other words, the bolt absorbs/resists roll while the polyurethane absorbs only a portion of the higher frequency oscillations which pass form the power plant to the chassis via the connecting bolts.
I guess the short and sweet answer is yes, these are a great improvement if you comfort and stealth are of concern to you. Performance-wise I would have to believe that the extensive research and development that went into the design would have to make these mounts formidable on the track, but ultimately it comes down to driver preference.
I hope that answers your question Rich
The free-floating design really allows the polyurethane to do its work and absorb low freq engine roll and higher freq oscillations. Every other kit (besides OEM), to my knowledge, incorporates a one-piece bolt and puck design. This design effective; however the polyurethane puck in this design acts more as a bolt vibration dampener than an engine roll/oscillation absorber. In other words, the bolt absorbs/resists roll while the polyurethane absorbs only a portion of the higher frequency oscillations which pass form the power plant to the chassis via the connecting bolts.
I guess the short and sweet answer is yes, these are a great improvement if you comfort and stealth are of concern to you. Performance-wise I would have to believe that the extensive research and development that went into the design would have to make these mounts formidable on the track, but ultimately it comes down to driver preference.
I hope that answers your question Rich
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Just noticed that Noltec even custom made the nuts. If you look closely you'll see that the color of the poly seals on nuts matches the color of the mount bodies. Attention to detail, ah yess...
The steel arms are OEM parts, not available through Noltec. They are available from Ray for $200 or you can call any competent rotary shop to purchase one that they have lying around.
To be honest, the aluminum mount should be replaced regardless:
To be honest, the aluminum mount should be replaced regardless:
Originally Posted by From Sale Thread
TECHNICAL UPDATE
Have you ever noticed that most 93s have an aluminum motor mount arm on the driver's side and a steel mount on the passenger side? Well, according to Ray Crow, Mazda switched from the aluminum driver's mount arm to the steel arm in late 1994 because the aluminum was causing oil pan leakage problems. Ray couldn't recall exactly what the issue was that led Madza engineers to change it up; he stated that it had something to do with a clearance problem, or perhaps the thickness of the mounts had something to do with it creating leverage on the pan (<-speculation).
Have you ever noticed that most 93s have an aluminum motor mount arm on the driver's side and a steel mount on the passenger side? Well, according to Ray Crow, Mazda switched from the aluminum driver's mount arm to the steel arm in late 1994 because the aluminum was causing oil pan leakage problems. Ray couldn't recall exactly what the issue was that led Madza engineers to change it up; he stated that it had something to do with a clearance problem, or perhaps the thickness of the mounts had something to do with it creating leverage on the pan (<-speculation).