What are Engine Mounts & How Can They Help?

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The Short Answer: Engine mounts, often referred to as “motor mounts” are an integral component of any automobile. Simply put, engine mounts are the objects within the mounting points in the vehicle’s subframe that solely link the vehicle’s powertrain (engine) to the chassis. Due to this, they have a huge impact on a vehicle’s handling, comfort, performance, and overall driveability.

The demand for different styles of engine mounts depends on the application. For example, in motorsport, every utilized component is optimized for maximum performance. A race car’s engine mounts will be designed for maximum responsiveness, balance, and reliability with little to no regard for comfort and noise reduction. On the other hand, in a road car, the opposite is true. A standard road car’s engine mounts will be designed to absorb a significant amount of engine vibration and noise to optimize comfort and driveability.

For these purposes, most OEM engine mounts are made from wearable rubber materials to help absorb an engine’s harmonic vibrations most efficiently and cost-effectively from a mass production standpoint. These rubber materials are consequently more susceptible to wear and tear and will likely fail at some point causing many issues including excessive vibration, excessive engine noise, and loss of power and responsiveness within the vehicle’s driveline.

For this reason, many aftermarket options are available as an upgrade that will last longer and outperform OEM/rubber engine mounts.

Engine Mount Materials, Densities, and Applications

For docile, regular day-to-day street driving, a simple OEM replacement mount can be a viable option assuming they come from a reliable source and manufacturer. These can be expected to last about as long as the original set under similar driving conditions and circumstances.

However, for more optimal performance, spirited driving, and racing applications, other options should be considered.

Performance from engine mounts is gained by limiting engine movement as much as possible and providing a more solid link between the engine and the chassis. This will keep the engine in place and increase responsiveness, making throttle inputs more direct and keeping the vehicle more stable when cornering. In some cases they can also be optimized for an ideal height, helping lower the center of gravity.

The reliability and lifespan of high-performance engine mounts are optimized through manufacturing and the quality of materials used. For these reasons, Condor Speed Shop’s line of engine and transmission mounts are ideal and suitable for all BMW enthusiasts. 

Engine Mount Materials

The hardness chart above illustrates the benefits of all materials within our engine mount spectrum.

Our 70A polyurethane blend is closest to OEM comfort while also offering a performance boost adequate for the spirited daily driver and occasional track day/autocross enthusiast. These VIP mounts are all made from military-spec polyurethane and have the same hardness as BMW’s factory Group N racing mounts, offering a considerable performance advantage with similar comfort to OEM rubber.

Further up the performance and hardness scale are our solid UHMW engine mounts, optimal for competitive racing as well as enthusiastic street driving. UHMW is a self-lubricating plastic that will not deform or wear over time, providing superior, lifetime performance and reliability. These are a popular choice for all BMW spec race cars worldwide including Spec E30, Spec 3, Spec E46, and Spec E9x, as well as a popular choice for endurance racing BMW’s racing in Champcar, WRL, AER, Lucky Dog, and more. They are also ideal for drifting, rally, drag racing, and circle track racing applications.

Our third and most extreme performance option is our Solid Aluminum “Armageddon” engine mounts. These are designed 100 percent for the most extreme performance driving conditions and are only recommended for no-nonsense, highly competitive race cars. Machined from high-quality lightweight aluminum and hard coated for added strength and durability, these are up to the task of extremely high power, high torque, and high heat applications. Unlike our UHMW mounts, these will not be recommended for a vehicle that sees any street driving whatsoever.

Considerations When Upgrading Your Engine Mounts

Engine and Transmission Mount Pairings

An important factor to consider when replacing worn engine mounts is the vehicle's transmission mounts. These will show the same signs and symptoms of wear as engine mounts and will most likely need to be replaced at the same time.

It is optimal for the engine and transmission mounts to have similar densities, regardless of their general condition. This will help limit NVH considerably as upgrading one component and not the other will exacerbate any symptoms of either mount being worn out or cause additional, unwanted movement on either the engine or transmission due to the inconsistency of the materials.

Engine Mount Height and Geometry

The center of gravity and ground clearance are both factors to consider when upgrading engine mounts. A lower center of gravity will optimize the cornering ability and overall balance of a race car, while for extremely lowered cars, ground clearance might be more of a priority.

For these reasons, we offer a range of different heights for the engine mounts within our catalog, ranging from short low-profile track spec mounts which allow for the maximum lowest center of gravity possible to our taller Riser Engine Mounts designed to help raise the engine up to 20mm higher than OEM spec, helping protect the oil pans on extremely low BMW’s.

Engine Mount Installation

All engine mount installation procedures are similar for classic BMWs, making it a DIY-friendly job that can be completed in just a couple of hours by the casual enthusiast who likes to work on their car. 

1. To replace engine and transmission mounts, safely suspend the engine and/or transmission with an appropriate support bar or jack.

2. Raise it high enough to remove the old mounts.

3. Remove the nuts from both sides and raise the engine to detach the engine mounts from the engine arm and the subframe/crossmember brackets. Nuts will likely be located on the top of the engine arm and bottom of the subframe depending on the vehicle.

4. Take the time to inspect the engine arm, and subframe and clean off any dirt or debris that may have accumulated over time.

5. Carefully install the new components in their correct mounting position, tightening them down loosely at first.

6. Finally, delicately lower the engine and transmission back into place and torque the new mounts to spec (check the manufacturer's instructions for proper torque settings).  

When Should You Replace Your Engine Mounts? 

Engine mounts should be inspected and replaced on any car that will see spirited or on-track performance driving conditions. In most cases, this is an often-overlooked maintenance item that remains undone on many BMWs and is a common failure point. Rubber can simply compress over time and start sagging due to age. Valve cover gasket leaks and power steering leaks are common on these cars as they age and can accelerate wear and tear even further if not addressed promptly. Those factors coupled with even normal daily driving conditions can all be cause for concern. If you notice any vibration or excessive engine movement under load, it is a good idea to inspect and replace worn engine and transmission mounts as soon as possible.

Why Condor Speed Shop?

Condor Speed Shop has been manufacturing and selling reliable performance parts for BMWs for over 15 years and is one of the world’s most trusted sources for BMW racing components. Our products are all made in the USA at our HQ in Oakland Park, Florida. Our engine and transmission mounts have been track-tested and street-approved by racers and enthusiasts across the globe and our selection of mounts provides the perfect range of options for all styles of drivers.

Optimal performance and reliability are the priority in any replacement part or upgrade for your BMW and we can guarantee both from all the items within our catalog. Check out our collection of engine and transmission mounts and upgrade your BMW’s performance today.