TheSamba.com :: View topic

Mon Mar 15, 2010 1:29 pm

Hello,

My build page: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=397462
But I have a question for anyone with Subaru engine.

What did you do about engine mounts? Do you just let the engine hang off the back? Or integrate the subaru engine mounts? Is it a solid mount?

Any advice or experiences would be appreciated. I was thinking of using something like this...

"10 degree mount"... http://www.pacificcustoms.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Scr...range_high

Do I need more?

Thanks...

Mon Mar 15, 2010 8:21 pm

I have had some debates in my garage about this same question. I used two mid mount plates like the ones in your kit, but made the mounts to the trans forks. I used 1" urethane bushings (four on the trans, and two for the engine mounts). Being that mine are not hard mounts, I think six are better than four, but the drawback is your engine cage is tied into the bottom of the motor. Not desirable. A whack on the skid plate transfers into the motor.

I am currently redesigning the rear chassis/engine cage to make it stonger. I bent the engine cage upward and partially crushed one of the header pipes. The two tubes going to the motor were fine, but the lower ends were pushed in to the horizontal tubes. I cannot think of any way to use those lower engine mounts without tying it into the skid plate/engine cage. I guess it all comes down to sacrificing something in the design - Too much weight hanging off the trans, or transferring skid plate hits into the motor. Which is the lesser of two evils?

Tue Mar 16, 2010 1:29 am

Thank you, Skidmark, for that very detailed answer about your experiences. I guess I'll be looking at motor mounts, too. I do like your trans setup with the extra braket.

Tonight, I've been thinking about mounting something from the top of the engine (ie. alternator or power steering bracket) and triangulating from the frame horns, up, then back to the rear cage.

I was also considering using the stock crossmember from the subaru and triangulating it back, then up from the frame horns to the rear cage.

I was hoping to keep my "engnie cage" separate.

I'll post pictures when I make progress. I was hoping to hear "no mount necessary", but maybe I was dreaming.

Thanks.

Tue Mar 16, 2010 7:44 am

I'm having the same debate in my head right now. Today I will be fabbing the rear cage and will decide weather or not to incorporate the Suby mounts. The engine taking a hit from the skid plate bothers me, or, if I use the stock Suby rubber mounts, maybe this will provide some amount of cushion? Any thoughts?

Tue Mar 16, 2010 8:13 am

I debated the same issue when I did my Subie motor swap. I went with the lower motor mount. The way I viewed it was the weight will allways be hanging off the trans and hitting the skid plate was only going to happen on occasion. I have ran it a season in some of the rockest terrain and so far every thing is fine. My dry Sump oil pan already had tapped 3/8" holes so I utlized them for the mount.

Motor Swap Link
http://s293.photobucket.com/albums/mm72/Odyknuck/Subaru/?start=0:

Tue Mar 16, 2010 9:44 am

I am nervous about hard mounts to the bottom of the motor (especially the way I drive!!). The reason I decided to use them was the fact they are urethene, or soft mounts. Also it is not a good idea to run both hard and soft mounts. Keeping them all urethane mounts was my choice. Any hits to the skid plate would be cusioned to some degree. I am not ready to run without the extra support under there. I am anxious to see what you guys come up with...

Tue Mar 16, 2010 10:03 am

I too had my reservations about mouting the frame to the motor, however being that my frame is a Berrian stalker with the welded in lower frame I felt better about the concept. I ahve bottomed out really hard many times and see no signs of damage etc.

Thu Mar 18, 2010 7:26 am

I really liked that dry sump idea, until I saw the cost.

What are you using for a scavenger? Does it run off the belt or is it electric?

Thu Mar 18, 2010 8:02 am

I don't mean to hyjack the thread just answering the question.
I am using a Peterson 3 stage cog belt driven pump. Soon to be replaced with a 4 stage so I can have a seperate Scavenage for the Turbo drain.

This link shows detailed pics of the Sump system:

http://s293.photobucket.com/albums/mm72/Odyknuck/Subaru/?start=0:

Sun Mar 28, 2010 4:30 pm

I was at Outfront Motorsports the other day picking up some parts. I asked how they felt about not running engine mounts and only using the four bolts to the adapter/bell housing. Their opinion was a resounding NO. Too much torque and horsepower, and with the shock loads of off roading they strongly recommended against running without them. I decided to run all urethane mounts instead of solid mounts to help cusion any hits to the skid plate. Less energy transferred into the motor.

Sun Mar 28, 2010 6:38 pm

Wise decision!