Fitted the first set of poly engine mount inserts today. The standard mounts in an FN2 are really soft, to the extent that the engine/gearbox can move sufficiently to inhibit more enthusiastic gearshifts at high RPM. Polybush make a set of PU inserts which fit into the standard mounts. Reducing engine movement can apparently make gearshifts slicker, improve throttle response slightly, and reduce wheel tramp under hard acceleration.
Now I was a bit wary of these, worried that they would introduce a lot of vibration into the cabin, not ideal for a car that already rattles and buzzes a bit more than I'd like. The side engine mount is really easy to get at, three bolts and a bit of wiggling and its off the car, so I decided I'd have a go at it this morning. The standard mount has a small rubber insert to help stiffen things slightly, it is very thin, flexible rubber though, here it is after I'd taken it off:
Here's what the Polybush inserts look like. They are a tight fit into the existing dogbone piece, but this can be eased with washing up liquid.
And how they fit together once fitted to the mount:
And fitted back onto the car:
Went for a drive this evening and was pleasantly surprised at how much difference just changing the one mount could make, the car feels much 'tighter', gearshift is improved (high rpm up and downshifts), the engine even sounds slightly sharper and less buzzy. Cabin vibration does not seem any worse, as you pull away its slightly noticable compared to before, but once up to speed its fine, it feels better without any ill effects, and I'm told the vibration will even settle down after a short while.
I might fit the front one next weekend. The third mount (rear/gearbox) is a lot more involved though, and I'm told this is the one that really makes cabin vibration a lot worse, so might leave that till last or not bother at all.
