Transmission Stabilizing Tips?
I'm getting a lot of movement in my 5 speed under wot that is making it tough to find third and fourth gears. I'm currently using Mazda comp motor mounts and energy suspension diff mounts. Transmission runs flawless under normal driving, so I don't think the issue is internal.
Is there anything else I can do to help this? Would beefier engine mounts make a difference? I did a search but didn't see much except an an old thread on here saying transmission mounts aren't needed. Is this still the consensus? Car is an 1999 NB donor Exocet with 255whp, but is a normal Miata for the sake of the drivetrain (still has ppf). Thanks in advance for any advice. |
Motor mounts. AWR, Blackbird, V8Roadsters all make them and many vendors sell them. 949 Racing and Goodwin Racing sell them for sure, too.
The PPF will always flex some but the motor mounts made a big difference for me. Also refresh the shifter bushings if you never have. |
Originally Posted by sixshooter
(Post 1469652)
Motor mounts. AWR, Blackbird, V8Roadsters all make them and many vendors sell them. 949 Racing and Goodwin Racing sell them for sure, too.
The PPF will always flex some but the motor mounts made a big difference for me. Also refresh the shifter bushings if you never have. Do you have a preference on which ones? I'd prefer to get the best and be done with it. Is it possible to do motor mounts without pulling the whole engine, just support it and do one side at a time? Edit: Greg FTW! |
Originally Posted by LukeG
(Post 1469658)
You rock, thanks for the help!
Do you have a preference on which ones? I'd prefer to get the best and be done with it. Is it possible to do motor mounts without pulling the whole engine, just support it and do one side at a time? Edit: Greg FTW! I think they are all good compared to Mazda comp. They are all pretty reliable and well-made. |
Originally Posted by sixshooter
(Post 1469666)
One side at a time with a floor jack under the oil pan.
I think they are all good compared to Mazda comp. They are all pretty reliable and well-made. |
Originally Posted by LukeG
(Post 1469658)
You rock, thanks for the help!
Do you have a preference on which ones? I'd prefer to get the best and be done with it. Is it possible to do motor mounts without pulling the whole engine, just support it and do one side at a time? I used only a floor jack to support the engine, doing one side at a time. No issues like that but I did have a sturdy rope looped from the engine to my garage rafters to hold it if anything were to fail. I also had issues lining up the third bolt on the drivers side with the AWR mount. And when I say "issues" I mean the hole in the mount was completely off, I had to break out the dremel and enlarge it to fit the bolt into the block. Is this an issue with AWR mounts? Was this a one off that snuck past QC? I have no idea. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...c8495df64c.jpg |
Originally Posted by Wingman703
(Post 1469668)
I installed the AWR mounts recently, yes stiffer engine mounts solve all your trans shifting issues. My shifter used to move .5"-1" upon stomping on it, it now doesn't move more than a quarter inch if that.
I used only a floor jack to support the engine, doing one side at a time. No issues like that but I did have a sturdy rope looped from the engine to my garage rafters to hold it if anything were to fail. I also had issues lining up the third bolt on the drivers side with the AWR mount. And when I say "issues" I mean the hole in the mount was completely off, I had to break out the dremel and enlarge it to fit the bolt into the block. Is this an issue with AWR mounts? Was this a one off that snuck past QC? I have no idea. |
Originally Posted by sixshooter
(Post 1469652)
Motor mounts. AWR, Blackbird, V8Roadsters all make them and many vendors sell them. 949 Racing and Goodwin Racing sell them for sure, too.
The PPF will always flex some but the motor mounts made a big difference for me. Also refresh the shifter bushings if you never have. The poly mounts are a huge increase in vibration over the rubber, but as your profile is an Exocet, I don't think you'll notice or care ;) |
Originally Posted by moocow
(Post 1469672)
Could it also be the transmission? I went from Mazdacomp rubber to the Goodwin 70 durometer and new shifter bushings. It made a huge difference, but on occasion my third gear is still hard to find. I chalk this up to my worn 5 speed and/or a sad 3rd gear syncro.
The poly mounts are a huge increase in vibration over the rubber, but as your profile is an Exocet, I don't think you'll notice or care ;) |
Originally Posted by LukeG
(Post 1469670)
Yikes! What year is your car? What durometer did you get?
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I have the "Low-NVH" Blackbird drop mounts. Same durometer as their "competition" mounts (which is the same as AWR if I remember correctly), but the bushing is larger. I'm pleased with them, little shifter movement.
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Originally Posted by Wingman703
(Post 1469674)
2000, 70D.
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Originally Posted by dleavitt
(Post 1469676)
I have the "Low-NVH" Blackbird drop mounts. Same durometer as their "competition" mounts (which is the same as AWR if I remember correctly), but the bushing is larger. I'm pleased with them, little shifter movement.
Originally Posted by LukeG
(Post 1469673)
I've go the 5X Racing bronze shifter bushing and the trans is pretty low miles. Yeah, in an Exocet the NVH really doesn't matter...
Originally Posted by LukeG
(Post 1469680)
Chatting with Tony from AWR over email and he had some questions about your mounts. Please email him at tony@awrracing.com and let him know you were the guy who posted about the issue.
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Wingman, did you happen to get the wrong year mounts? Isnt one of the bolt locations in a different spot from NA to NB mounts.
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All the 1.8's from 94-00 have the same blocks afaik. That was my first thought as well. If I was for some reason sent a 1.6 set I don't know how to check.
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What about 2001+? Besides having an extra hole, are the rest of holes in same locations?
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Both of my cars have BBF mounts. Couldn't be happier with them. I have lowered comp bushing in one and standard height street bushing in the other. Both are perfect fitting. I have used Mazda comp and solid mounts in the past. Not interested in either of those options again.
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I have BBFW mounts in my car and they have felt great so far. Street drop mounts.
Wingman, check that you havent misinstalled Left to Right, as i noticed the bolt pattern is slightly different.. |
Great video put out by Blackbird Fabworx about their engine mounts on their Facebook page.
Facebook Post |
Originally Posted by sshamrockk
(Post 1469689)
Wingman, did you happen to get the wrong year mounts? Isnt one of the bolt locations in a different spot from NA to NB mounts.
Originally Posted by 2slow
(Post 1469704)
What about 2001+? Besides having an extra hole, are the rest of holes in same locations?
They offered to replace the mount for free, but I declined at this point in time due to the hassle needed to replace the drivers side(pulling the header), and that I don't see any issues yet with my enlarged bolt hole. |
Originally Posted by Wingman703
(Post 1470172)
After chatting with the guys from AWR, we don't really know what happened. Using measurements from the rest of the mount, we confirmed that both the passenger and driver side are the correct period 94-00 mounts. Tony says they pulled their CNC files, checked their inventory, and everything matched up to spec.
They offered to replace the mount for free, but I declined at this point in time due to the hassle needed to replace the drivers side(pulling the header), and that I don't see any issues yet with my enlarged bolt hole. |
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I went a bit extreme here. BFW drop mounts with 95D, Delrin Diff mounts and doubled up PPF. Trans does not move!
The vibration from 70D to 95D was not that drastic. It even calmed down a bit after running. Certainly not the same as the MMR Delrin motor mounts I once had. Not streetable by any means but perfect for the track. I can see out of my mirrors and the dash does not shake to bits. The PPF tightened things up without any noticeable side effects. Delrin Diff mounts did not seem to hurt anything. Just a solid rear end. Also have beatrush brace. |
Originally Posted by k24madness
(Post 1470182)
I went a bit extreme here. BFW drop mounts with 95D, Delrin Diff mounts and doubled up PPF. Trans does not move!
The vibration from 70D to 95D was not that drastic. It even calmed down a bit after running. Certainly not the same as the MMR Delrin motor mounts I once had. Not streetable by any means but perfect for the track. I can see out of my mirrors and the dash does not shake to bits. The PPF tightened things up without any noticeable side effects. Delrin Diff mounts did not seem to hurt anything. Just a solid rear end. Also have beatrush brace. |
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Yeah It's a doubled up stock one. Also known as "boxing". The donor brace is shaved thin and then overlayed over the stock one. I can't take credit for the work. It was done by Matt Cramer here on MT.
The stock one is supper floppy. This stiffened up things quite a bit. |
Originally Posted by k24madness
(Post 1470194)
Yeah It's a doubled up stock one. Also known as "boxing". The donor brace is shaved thin and then overlayed over the stock one. I can't take credit for the work. It was done by Matt Cramer here on MT.
The stock one is supper floppy. This stiffened up things quite a bit. |
Can’t remember exactly. It was not bad from what I do recall. About the same as the PPF brace Goodwin sells. |
That double ppf looks great.
I was just about to mention the ppf brace. Is there any merit to this thing? It seems like it'd help, just not sure if I'm better off upgrading from my Mazda comp motor mounts than messing with the ppf. Miata PPF Power Kit for Miata |
PPF's for $45 if anyone is considering boxing it.
Center Torque Arm/Power Plant Frame There are some very positive reviews of the Goodwin bolt-on PPF box/brace on M.net. |
@PDEXTA, go for the motor mounts first. My case is a bit extreme given the HP and usage. |
Just wanted to add one data point. Despite being warned by everyone that awr poly mounts were "not streetable" I installed some anyway after watching that guy on YouTube rave about them. Turns out they are totally fine on a street car, especially a loud turbo car.
Huge upgrade over the Mazda comp mounts. Fixes all your shifting problems. Throttle response even feels a bit quicker because the engine doesn't flop around. |
Originally Posted by AlwaysBroken
(Post 1470494)
Throttle response even feels a bit quicker because the engine doesn't flop around.
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Pulled the trigger on the Blackbird fabworx drop mounts and Moti was a pleasure to deal with. Should have them in this weekend and will post up a short review after driving.
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