Engine mount W T F (what we thought we knew...isn't)
 

********UPDATED PICTURES ON PAGE 2*******************

OK...so...

When I pulled my engine out and discovered it had a ripped mount..the confusion started. I was told by the PO that he put MazdaComp engine mounts in. Also, the engine that I bought came with engine mounts, so I took one and put it in place of the one I ripped....which put the engine on a tilt. I figured that one "mazdacomp" engine mount and one "oem" mount were causing the misalignment. So I called a friend, Eric aka rotornut, and consulted him since he claimed to have bought "mazdacomp" engine mounts for his build. So I get over to his place and check my engine mounts-

Driver's side has the "N" mount
Pass side has a "oem" mount

Swap out pass side with a "N" mount that Eric had on his old engine.

Here is where things get strange. I call OPM Motorsports to get a replacement Mazdacomp mount to replace the one I got from Eric. Assuming the "N" mount is a non "oem" mount. I was informed that the "N" mount is a MazdaSpeed mount....not to be confused with MazdaComp.

MazdaComp has raised spot that is painted silver, and the "N" is supposed to be MazdaSpeed?.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_gr7cLDojmKI/Sd.../Photo%201.jpg

And this is "oem"...looks like the MazdaComp but has no casting marks on the side...you can see them in the above picture.

http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/im...-1041462-1.jpg


And what Flyin' Miata considers an upgraded mount..

http://www.flyinmiata.com/index.php?...umber=04-70155



So... the kicker came when I was at MazMart and happened to look at the pile of engine mounts...and almost ALL of them had "N" on them...and I know they weren't all MazdaSpeed mounts....but they were all NB mounts.

stock mounts P/N NC10-39-040
MazdaSpeed mounts (35% stiffer than stock) P/N N076-39-040, and (supposed to be the "N" mounts?)
Mazda Competition mounts (40% stiffer than stock) P/N NAY1-39-040 (identified by extra casting marks and raised silver bar)




So... WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?!?!?!?
Is the "N" really an upgrade...or is it an update/upgrade from the early mounts?
What the hell is the "N" mount?

http://www.trackdogracing.com/websit...or_mounts2.jpg

fm just has a random photo of a motor mount, photo's lie

So then does the "MazdaSpeed" look like the "MazdaComp" or does it look like the stock mount? Is there any way to tell a "MazdaSpeed" from a oem or even a MazdaSpeed Miata/MSM?

Argh.

The other thing is that the driver's side that came off was def. a MazdaComp..the silver paint is gone but the thing is hard as a rock compared to the "N". When I pulled the pass. side mount, it was mushroomed/distorted...I can't remember what makrings were on it and am waiting for pics from Eric since I left it at his house.

I swear the "N" mounts look like they'd sit the engine lower thant the MCs which I thought was part of the reason for the MCs :dunno:

I have the Mazda Competetion mounts, they have the silver mark.

I'll take pictures of mine tomorrow... I got these:

http://949racing.com/mazdacompetitionmotormount.aspx

Can you just flex the rubber to see if you can feel +35% of stiffness?

Because companies like TrackDog advertise their upgraded mounts as MazdaSpeed I thought that they were the same as the MSM mounts, but never looked into it further because I never invested in different mounts until my engine build. And after doing some digging last Saturday I found that not to be the case. The mount that Mike got from me was from the 2004 MSM donor block I had, but it too has the 'N' symbol.

Here's the shots of both sides of the mount sitting in my garage that came from Mike's car that we now believe to be Mazda Competition:

Attachment 196223

Attachment 196224

When I swing by the dealership tomorrow, I'm going to ask the parts guy to order a Mazdaspeed (MSM) engine mount and a regualr 2002 enigne mount and see if he can let me physically compare them since the story seems to be that they look identical. I'm scheduled to pick up a set of MazdaComp mounts tomorrow....but I don't want to spend the $90 right now...I've got other priorities. I feel bad that I have to call this VERY nice shop and tell them I won't be getting them :(

The mazdacomp mounts have a white line on them. I brought them brand new and upgraded from stock mounts. The stock mounts have a N on them. I don't think the mazdaspeed miata has upgraded mounts so the only way to get upgraded motor mounts are to get the mazdacomp ones and once again they will have a white line.

You can feel the difference between all three mounts by twisting them in your hands. The problem is, you have to have all 3 kinds, and the stiffness could vary depending on age.

I bought upgraded motor mounts from FlyinMiata about 6 months ago and mounts definitely have the raised silver spot with no M marking. Their site lists them as MazdaComp, so I'm assuming they just got a stock photo online rather than the Comp mount photo.

I'm lost, so the MazdaComp are the actual stiff mounts, MazdaSpeed are just mounts off the MS models, and aren't stiffer than non MS mounts? I bought MS mounts for mine when I did the rebuild and assumed they were stiffer, since they were advertised as stiffer upgraded mounts. Maybe they are actually MazdaComp??? :confused: I'll have to look next time, but I think mine have the silver raised part, if I recall correctly. Does that make them MazdaComp?

Yes, MazdaComp are THE stiffies.
What I'm trying to get to the bottom of is the difference between stock and MazdaSpeed.
I was more confused because I was told by someone who ordered MazdaSpeed that the "N" was designated as a stiffer mount...becuse that's what was on their MSM mounts when they got them. Where it turns out that it seems that all leater mounts have the N designation.

AH. I would imagine the MS are stiffer, since they are from a turbocharged vehicle. Physical markings to ID them, I don't know.

Yeah, trying to find the physical difference between stock and MSM.

Not sure that there is any. I think they both have the N, and the Comp mounts have the silver raised thing on them.

I never remember reading that the MSM had better mounts. I still say they are stock. Also if they are better I willing to bet that mazda stopped making the "stock" NB mounts and now only has the MSM mounts. Maybe give the guys at Flyinmiata a call they rip down tons of miata and I am sure know more then the dealer lol

I too, would consider the possibility that there is no difference between mazdaspeed and 'normal' motor mounts. You have to remember that Mass market/OEM puts a HUGE emphasis on keeping NVH to a minimum, regardless of whether or not it is a 'sporty' package or not.

Key points:

A 'Mass market' purchaser will not notice any increase in performance with a stiffer motor mount.

A 'Mass market' purchaser WILL ABSOLUTELY notice an unexplainable 'decrease in comfort' with a stiffer motor mount.

Given the opportunity at a test drive, a 'Mass market' purchaser is less likely to purchase the same vehicle with a stiffer motor mount.

Alrighty, I had my friend at the dealership order a standard 2002 engine mount and a 2005 Mazdaspeed Miata engine mount. When they come in, I'll go up and compare them...and take pics so I can get to the bottom of this.

Godspeed my friend. Was a price difference between the mounts also do you have the part numbers