PSA: Replacing Engine Mounts can be a BITCH and much more!
 

Disclaimer: Right off the bat, if you can easily remove the header, KNOW that you will need to remove them in order to remove the OEM driver's side mount.

So yesterday I was doing some stuff in the car, (installing Catch Can and minor details), when friend @jazztennor came home to pickup some parts. I was already under the car so when I saw him pull up at 6 pm I got a warm, cozy feeling and with all the bravery in the world thought to myself: "ha! I have Mike here, we can knock down this motor mount install in half an hour. PIECE OF CAKE!!"

He agreed to help me, and we were off to work. Unbolted the Nameless OP/DP, and started with the right side mount. Jacked up the engine, had to use every bit of muscle in my body possible to break the bolts loose. No big deal! Raised the engine and voila, motor mount is out! Didn't take us more than 20 minutes to do this one.



NOW comes the awesome part: went to the driver's side mount. Jacked up the engine a little more, broke the bolts loose and we were doing awesome. So we start trying to wrestle the mount out of there! first Mike, then me. Nothing. Jacked up the engine at least 6 inches... Still nothing. There is a little nudge in the frame that does not allow the mount to go between it and the oil pan.

I DID NOT want to remove the headers as that meant removing the turbo oil lines, water lines and intake piping. Tried to take the mount out from the top, the steering column is on the way. We lowered the header a couple of inches, still WOULD NOT GO.

We were growing frustrated and two times I almost decided to quit, but this is one of those jobs you cannot leave and come back, (I am working today and for the rest of the week 12 hours a day).

Took a look at the already out passenger's side mount to see what could we do to make it smaller to fit. Thought even about cutting it out. Well, the mount has a metal cover that is held in place by a rubber piece. I managed to mangle the rubber piece and take that metal piece out. Now to do it in the problematic mount was a pain int he ass. Finally was able to take that cover out, the mount still did not want to go out.

After seeveral more failed attempts FINALLY was able to put it in a position where it tightly started coming out. Pulled so hard, it ended up hitting my mouth (I was so happy I couldn't care less, the blood even tasted good!!!).

Installing the Perrin mounts is a breeze except the back bolt which goes in in a weird angle, but nothing that bad.

So at the end, the half hour job ended up being 3 and a half hours. Wow, what a pain in the ass.

My recommendation is whenever you swap your headers (and have plans for big power), just do the mounts and get it over with. I also think I raised the engine enough to make the Spark Plug job manageable. The engine was HIGH!!!


Sorry for the long ass post, but this was an incredibly frustrating experience and I'm sure by posting this, I will save a LOT of time and swearing to the community.

Reserved for review of mounts.

Edit: Drove the car yesterday briefly, and liked a lot the feel with the new mounts. Engine feels in place and not moving at all when coming from a stop. Will probably drive it more today and get a better feel for it.

See below pic of Mounts and plate removed. That plate is held with a little rubber piece and if you have no leverage, it can REALLY hard to remove, but thankfully was able to get it done in extremely limited space.
@Calum see below


https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-z...0/IMAG0670.jpg

useful information , sorry it was such a pain, but thank you.

Glad you got it done and thanks for the insights. How's the car feel now? Vibes, etc?

Finished bolting everything back up 10 30 last night. Only started it up. Haven't drove it yet. I will add a mini review to the second post.

Great... Florida has zombies AND vampires

Even moreso, both incidents specifically in Miami :confused0068:

Thanks for the write up.

Could you include some pics of the mangled mount so we can see what you're describing, when you get the chance?

Good luck with the 60 hour work week.

Thanks! I will when I get home.

The forum makes work go way better than before. :w00t:

dammm i remember when i did engine mounts on my old RSX-S. after finishing motor mounts, i told myself i wouldnt this again by myself all alone

I am so glad that I had Rick @ phastek put those on for me. If it was that hard for you it would have been a 2 day process for me eventually involving the fire department.

Hilarious thread. David I'm glad you ended up getting the motor mounts on, I'm looking forward to your review as I'm debating between poly mounts from perrin/cusco or the STI rubber mounts. From that review of the Cusco (I believe) mounts with the video of the engine bay before/after install, I was very sold on something to stiffen up the engine and trans.

Talk about a pain in the butt. It's a part that shouldn't take so long to remove but man it was fighting us ever step of the way.

Recommend----- after removing headers if this is a possibly upgrade you want remove them when the headers are out. When everything is bolted up no way its coming out easy.

Finally got them out and they look nice and sturdy. Would recommend them from the looks and feel of them. David will give us the final verdict on them after he drives them.

Second post updated with pic of mounts and plate.