hans14914

I assembled one of the mounts this morning. Without any torque (compression) on the canister, the unloaded height of the prototypes was 79.19mm I have seen factory mounts measure in anywhere between 78.6 and 79.25 so think we did pretty good for the prototypes. These should when loaded be almost identical to stock height, but there is lots of meat in the design to take out height if necessary.

I also had some questions about the scale of the mounts in relation to the stock and old Anchor mounts we used to use. Below are pictures of a severely compressed stock mount (sorry, only one handy), a brand new Anchor mount, and the assembled prototype (again it will compress a bit when cranked down a bit harder).

Thanks
Hans

SMTCapeCod

interesting undertaking. I think there is appeal in being able to pick from a softer, better-damping material or a hard positive-connection material. Given the work to get there, I wouldn't be looking forward to the rebuilding part though!

hans14914

It is my hope that these would not need to be rebuilt, but only time will tell. Not a lot of points for failure, no fluid to leak out or air chambers to rupture.

First test set shipped out yesterday, and hope to have notes from the installer soon.

xschop

Hans, from experience the regular poly lasts longer than rubber unless subjected to high temps (near exhaust). There is newer graphite-impregnated polyurethane in various durometers that lasts eons reguardless of heat input.

hans14914

After some initial feedback from the first volunteer tester, we have identified some areas that need change. The overall mount compressed less than I calculated, so the overall height needs to be reduced slightly. This requires modifying the upper isolator, so I am looking both into having the existing isolators turned down on a lathe as well has having the uppers cut out of 0.5" thick sheet stock.

I am also (at advise of the tester) adding the factory upper locator so the mount will maintain the factory intended location in the upper bracket.

Hopefully I can get Rev2 mounts machined next week, and we can try those soon.

sendarius

Just a thought, but which way is UP on your new mount?

The top appears to be where that large annular opening is, and I was wondering if that meant possible ingress of potentially abrasive road grit.

Is there a possibility of installing it the other way - with that opening down, or otherwise shielding it?

hans14914

I had someone recently ask about these mounts. I am considering building a batch. Due to the amount of machined parts, they are not an inexpensive design to manufacture.

I have a meeting with a machine shop tomorrow regarding a different project, and going to see if I can get them to take a look at making a batch of these. I am hoping they may have a couple suggestions on reducing machine operations while retaining the basic design functions.

Current pricing on Porsche mounts are around $295/mount. I am thinking that I could make these for $225/mount.

Is there any interest here on the forum at that price? I would need to get a batch together in order to get the shop interested. If I can get a hand count at that price to get an idea of interest, I will see what I can do to get the price lower. It is highly volume dependent.

They are definitely more expensive than other options, but should also last much longer being a solid design, they are also rebuildable, so if the isolator portion of the mount needs to be replaced in the future, it can be done for less than $25/mount.

Mrmerlin

I installed these mounts on a 1983 Euro,
they took some mock up time to get them fitted.

The new versions will be great,
the open top is shielded by the bracket that attaches to the block ,
so the opening isnt really an issue.

These mounts dont flex like the rubber Volvo mounts do, so there is less engine movement,
Note they do move when the engine is revved just not as much.
These are really nice parts and should last the lifetime of the vehicle

Rod Handsfield

My '83 Euro is the recipient of the aforementioned prototype mounts. I have a little over 3500 miles since Merlin's work and have never given a thought to the motor mounts. I think they might be stiffer than stock as the engine movement is imperceptible when idling - my S 4's moved around a little with stock mounts.

Mrmerlin

thanks for chiming in Rod

Gunmetal

Hans if you want a set trialled in the harshest environments, send me a pair to try in the West Australian desert, I'm constantly in temps of 40c plus, i even had a 47c day on saturday. 47c= 116.6 F


1988 s4 Auto ROW black/black West Australia

Strosek Ultra

Gunmetal, if you feel to cool yourself you are most welcome over here. Early this morning it was -38C (36F below) up in the north of Sweden.

Åke

Dan87951

I'm in!

Gunmetal

Ake id swap the heat for the cold in an instant, easier to get warm than it is to get cool.

1988 s4 Auto ROW black/black West Australia

9x8

OT: Ironically, we have the opposite saying here in Russia, roughly translating to: "it's better to sweat ten times than freeze once". I guess the grass is always greener on the other side.