[Digitalfiend]

I finally got around to having the mounts installed. I did not have the tools necessary to do the engine mounts and after reading all the install guides, I chickened out and went to a shop. So sue me...

If I had to sum up my initial impressions of the mounts in two words, they would be "Holy Crap!" When you first startup the car you get this very deep thump-thump through the seat and floorpan, followed by the pulsation and rumble of the engine. These new noises are felt as much as heard. I really don't care about NVH, but my initial reaction was "uh oh, what have I done" Two seconds later, as I pulled out of the lot, that initial worry turned into a silly ear-to-ear grin.

These mounts, for lack of a better term, are the sh*t. Period. All that low-RPM drivetrain slop that you get with the stock units is history and non-existant. Shifts between gears are crisp and tight. It feels like I just had new shifter bushings put in. Quick on-off throttle inputs don't affect the shifter or upset the car at all. Cruising in 1st and 2nd is a dream as well, as uneven surfaces don't cause that annoying "rocking" motion that all manuals seem to get over time. Note that my OEM mounts had about 49k KM of pretty aggressive driving, so they had definitely loosened up.

Idle is a new experience with these mounts. There isn't any real vibration - I don't feel anything through the steering wheel. You do feel the crank pulsating through the seats and when you engage 1st gear to take off there is DEFINITELY some initial vibration and rumbling. But as soon as you get above 1.5k, the sound goes away and then it is all relatively smooth. The only "quirky" part about these mounts is when you lug the engine (when creeping into the garage or not giving it enough gas in traffic) You will most definitely know it is lugging ... those with these mounts know what I mean.

The most surprising thing about these mounts is that they are completely liveable at cruising speeds! Maybe I'm a sucker for punishment, but I do not detect any serious increase in vibration or noise. It is a bit louder than stock when cruising and WAY louder at WOT but in a good way. It almost sounds like I just put on a TBE. It's an awesome sound. Amazingly, when cruising, I can still faintly hear the tires roaring, and pickout all my various rattles (which existed before the mounts).

I put together a small video review (be gentle, it is my first one.) Part 1 deals with initial impressions. I'll put together another video tomorrow that talks about downshifting / upshifting; i.e. how these mounts behave in road racing/autox situations.

Bottomline is that I love these mounts. That have made an already great car that much better. The drivetrain just feels more "connected", if that makes sense.

Enjoy the video (turn up your speakers/volume) - remember, I'm completely stock engine/exhaust wise:

http://www.digitalfiends.com/downloa...t%20review.wmv

[fullerton]

you're getting me excited.

i just ordered these, the TIC klicky kit and outrigger bushings.

thanks for the positive feelings!

[Digitalfiend]

Originally Posted by fullerton

you're getting me excited.

i just ordered these, the TIC klicky kit and outrigger bushings.

thanks for the positive feelings!

Videos and descriptive text obviously cannot convey just how amazing these mounts are. If you're really into what the STi is about these mounts just make it THAT much better. Really, it is a surprisingly awesome mod - I wasn't expecting to like them THIS much. Woohoo.

[fullerton]

btw- aboot!

[crand002]

^Couldn't agree more, awesome mod.

[Digitalfiend]

Originally Posted by fullerton

btw- aboot!

lmao. I keep forgetting I need to put on an American accent when I say "out" or "about"...more like "ahhut" and "abahhut"

[BoostJunkie]

Sweet, mine arrived today so I'm glad to hear this review!

[Chris05STi]

Very nicely done. Vid was great...I have to get around and pick these up....they have been on my list forever. Do you feel that when you shift hard in 1st to 2nd or whatever, that the car jolts a bit more since there is less slack? BTW, I think your sig needs some updating!

[Digitalfiend]

Originally Posted by Chris05STi

Very nicely done. Vid was great...I have to get around and pick these up....they have been on my list forever. Do you feel that when you shift hard in 1st to 2nd or whatever, that the car jolts a bit more since there is less slack? BTW, I think your sig needs some updating!

Actually, I find there is almost no jolt when doing a hard 1-2. That was my primary motivation for getting these mounts. I found that sometimes on the 1-2 shift, if I didn't time the clutch perfectly I'd either get a) a bog/nosedive and "stalled" acceleration or b) the infamous diff clunk and rough engagement. These mounts totally fix that. The nose-dive/acceleration stall feeling that you can get when getting a little bit to aggressive with 2nd almost completely goes away (about 90-95%.) Snapping off shifts quickly is so much easier and smoother now. It's really hard to describe just how awesome these mounts are.

[mtskibum16]

This is really making me want to order these now. From everything I've read they sound awesome.

[mtskibum16]

Nice video too btw!

[sarasube]

now that is the way to do a review.
might have to put it on the list.

thanks

[reeksti]

nice video, i really need to get these mounts

[flatthump]

Im glad you like them....