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Thread: Solid Engine & Trans mounts, cracking?

  1. #1
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    Solid Engine & Trans mounts, cracking?

    My car is now track only. E36 M3, stock drive train.

    Considering aluminum engine and trans mounts. (Why? Cause CAE or RTD shifter.)

    Any one have mount and/or chassis cracking problems with aluminum?

  2. #2
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    '99 M3 '10 X5 35d '02 M3
    Only chassis issues I've heard about with solids are cracked engine mounting arms. Though no context was given to me about age of the car or how long the solids were run before it happened. It was suggested that I add a closer inspection of these points to my typical inspection, nut/bolt track prep.

    I've also read that some people have had issues getting the transmission to properly align with the driveshaft/rear end and they have had to shim the mounts with washers; think someone makes an adjustable trans mount but this really is only something I have read about on the forums.

    I personally plan to run full solids although my shop did suggest running running one poly transmission mount to reduce the chance of any potential issues.

  3. #3
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    Thanks. The obvious next question, is hard poly good enough to satisfy a CAE shifter yet soft enough to not cause (possible) chassis/engine-mount-arm cracking.

  4. #4
    Join Date
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    2001 BMW M3
    I found a setup I like with Vorshlag.

    Motor Mounts:
    https://vorshlag-store.com/collections/bmw-e46-bushings-driveline-mounts/products/e36-46-e92-m3-polyurethane-competition-motor-mounts-pair


    Tranny Mounts:
    https://vorshlag-store.com/collections/bmw-e46-bushings-driveline-mounts/products/e30-36-46-82-92-polyurethane-competition-transmission-mounts-95a-durometer-set

    Feff

  5. #5
    NeilM is offline Member BMW E36 M3 Expert
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    The E36 front subframe is known to develop cracks where the motor mounts bolt on, and that can happen with stock rubber mounts. I can't imagine that solid mounts aren't going to exacerbate that tendency. Easy to weld in reinforcements though.

    Neil

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by NeilM View Post
    The E36 front subframe is known to develop cracks where the motor mounts bolt on, and that can happen with stock rubber mounts. I can't imagine that solid mounts aren't going to exacerbate that tendency. Easy to weld in reinforcements though.

    Neil
    Ya know, I MAY have already done this. lol. I need to crawl under the car and double check.

  7. #7
    NeilM is offline Member BMW E36 M3 Expert
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    Quote Originally Posted by aeronaut View Post
    Ya know, I MAY have already done this. lol. I need to crawl under the car and double check.
    I know just what you mean. As the original owner of a 1996 M3 I lose track of what I've meant to do vs. actually got around to doing.

    Neil

  8. #8
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    I don't see the point really. I'd go with delrin. Just as stiff at low frequencies (engine rocking, etc) but much less high frequency buzz.

  9. #9
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    Fair point! But, I think delrin would be just as hard on the chassis & mounts as aluminum?

  10. #10
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    Crap. lol.

    IMG_20190610_115421.resized.jpg

    Looks like the subframe needs to be dropped to weld these in ?

    UPDATE: yea, per Turner directions, I see.
    Last edited by aeronaut; 06-10-2019 at 02:21 PM.

  11. #11
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    93' Turbo 325i Coupe
    Quote Originally Posted by aeronaut View Post
    Crap. lol.

    Looks like the subframe needs to be dropped to weld these in ?

    UPDATE: yea, per Turner directions, I see.
    Yep, subframe needs to be removed. Here's a video I did up on the process to weld on the reinforcements. I couldn't find anything online, so did one up myself.

    https://youtu.be/iG0QKQSD1vg

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