I installed KEIN motor mounts on my RX-8
08-30-2021, 11:10 AM
#1
I installed KEIN motor mounts on my RX-8
Hi all,
I just wanted to share my results after installing the KEIN motor mounts on my RX-8. These are made by a Russian company and seems to be fairly well received in the Subaru community. I did not see anyone try these on the RX-8, so I thought I would share my experience.
So to preface the installing of the new mounts, I have purchased a '07 RX-8 GT about 2 months ago, and fell in love with it. It's in fairly good condition, mechanically and aesthetically.
After driving it for a bit though, I noticed that it has a very pronounced engine bogging in the following situations:
1. Right after depressing gas pedal at very low rpm (~950-1.3K) at low speeds (5mph - 10mph), with clutch fully disengaged. It gives a good 5 or 6 rocking of the car before car gets up to speed/rpm and it's fine.
2. When going through very rough roads, at low speeds (10mph - 20 mph), it rocks. There is a specific area in my town that is a pothole minefield and the bogging happens almost everytime I go through here.
Other than what I experience above, the car runs smooth. It revs up at the mid to high end with no issues at all, not noticing any of the bogging at the high revs and high speeds. I've already replaced the spark plugs and ignition wires, checked the resistances on the ignition coils.
I noticed that the engine mounts (OEMs) on the car seems to be a bit sagged; I thought that the rocking may have been caused by the engine mounts not being stable. I decided that I might as well replace them as a maintenance to-do.
I ordered the KEIN motor mounts on Ebay, costed me about $175 with shipping. It shipped in about 5 days.
I watched a lot of the youtube videos for the removal and installing of the mounts, and I took it slow and it took me about 3 hours. Tip: When using extension bars, do not use 1/4" drives.. It makes your job a whole lot difficult. I ended up getting 1/2" sets and it made the job a whole lot easier. 3/8" sets should also be fine.
So upon first drive, I noticed the following:
1. The shifter is solid now; it use to wiggle when idling and on neutral.
2. The NVH has definitely increased. There is a low hum noise inside the cabin, which wasn't there before. At low rpm on load, there is a significant vibration.
3. But with the increased NVH noticed above, I can feel and hear everything that is happening with the engine. I think those seeking the RX-8 to feel more like a track car will appreciate it. My wife will not
4. It did NOT fix my rocking/bogging issue. It might have improved it slightly, but did not resolve the issue.
My verdict on these mounts is mixed; I like that it stiffened the feeling of the car and the responses I get from the engine. However, I'm not sure that I (nor my wife) will appreciate the increased NVH in the long run. I plan to DIY the OEM mounts that I took out and fill them in with polyurethayne, and switch them back in eventually. We'll see.
I'll post any updates on these to see how they are as time goes on. Feel free to ask any questions!
I just wanted to share my results after installing the KEIN motor mounts on my RX-8. These are made by a Russian company and seems to be fairly well received in the Subaru community. I did not see anyone try these on the RX-8, so I thought I would share my experience.
So to preface the installing of the new mounts, I have purchased a '07 RX-8 GT about 2 months ago, and fell in love with it. It's in fairly good condition, mechanically and aesthetically.
After driving it for a bit though, I noticed that it has a very pronounced engine bogging in the following situations:
1. Right after depressing gas pedal at very low rpm (~950-1.3K) at low speeds (5mph - 10mph), with clutch fully disengaged. It gives a good 5 or 6 rocking of the car before car gets up to speed/rpm and it's fine.
2. When going through very rough roads, at low speeds (10mph - 20 mph), it rocks. There is a specific area in my town that is a pothole minefield and the bogging happens almost everytime I go through here.
Other than what I experience above, the car runs smooth. It revs up at the mid to high end with no issues at all, not noticing any of the bogging at the high revs and high speeds. I've already replaced the spark plugs and ignition wires, checked the resistances on the ignition coils.
I noticed that the engine mounts (OEMs) on the car seems to be a bit sagged; I thought that the rocking may have been caused by the engine mounts not being stable. I decided that I might as well replace them as a maintenance to-do.
I ordered the KEIN motor mounts on Ebay, costed me about $175 with shipping. It shipped in about 5 days.
I watched a lot of the youtube videos for the removal and installing of the mounts, and I took it slow and it took me about 3 hours. Tip: When using extension bars, do not use 1/4" drives.. It makes your job a whole lot difficult. I ended up getting 1/2" sets and it made the job a whole lot easier. 3/8" sets should also be fine.
So upon first drive, I noticed the following:
1. The shifter is solid now; it use to wiggle when idling and on neutral.
2. The NVH has definitely increased. There is a low hum noise inside the cabin, which wasn't there before. At low rpm on load, there is a significant vibration.
3. But with the increased NVH noticed above, I can feel and hear everything that is happening with the engine. I think those seeking the RX-8 to feel more like a track car will appreciate it. My wife will not
4. It did NOT fix my rocking/bogging issue. It might have improved it slightly, but did not resolve the issue.
My verdict on these mounts is mixed; I like that it stiffened the feeling of the car and the responses I get from the engine. However, I'm not sure that I (nor my wife) will appreciate the increased NVH in the long run. I plan to DIY the OEM mounts that I took out and fill them in with polyurethayne, and switch them back in eventually. We'll see.
I'll post any updates on these to see how they are as time goes on. Feel free to ask any questions!
08-31-2021, 08:47 AM
#3
Hi Loki,
Aha, that's an interesting point, I never really thought that this was a normal behavior. I've driven automatic all my driving life and this car is my first manual. I learned to drive manual on the block where I bought this car
Like you've mentioned, I can definitely avoid the lugging and rocking if I utilize my clutch well. But what's strange to me is that I need to depress the clutch to stop the lugging and rocking when I am already in gear.
Unfortunately I don't have any other manual cars to try and compare. Any who, thank you for your insight!
Aha, that's an interesting point, I never really thought that this was a normal behavior. I've driven automatic all my driving life and this car is my first manual. I learned to drive manual on the block where I bought this car
Like you've mentioned, I can definitely avoid the lugging and rocking if I utilize my clutch well. But what's strange to me is that I need to depress the clutch to stop the lugging and rocking when I am already in gear.
Unfortunately I don't have any other manual cars to try and compare. Any who, thank you for your insight!
08-31-2021, 09:52 AM
#4
Well the good news is if you can drive this car smoothly, you can drive anything else smoothly.
It's not that strange if you think about it, the throttle is barely open, the engine makes barely enough torque to keep itself moving, and it's being asked to also pull the car. In a stock setup the mounts would dampen out some of the surging but you've removed that option so... yeah.
It's not that strange if you think about it, the throttle is barely open, the engine makes barely enough torque to keep itself moving, and it's being asked to also pull the car. In a stock setup the mounts would dampen out some of the surging but you've removed that option so... yeah.
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