4th Motor Mount

[Donutz]

Just a teaser of my next mod (sitting on my living room floor). I'm so hyped about this that I couldn't resist posting about it! It's the PTP Kicker mount. Although Fobio posted about his experience with this on the Mazdaspeed 3, I'm posting this to document my experience with the mount on the MZ3.

I'm due for an oil change in about 7 or 8 weeks, so this will be going on the car when my car's on the hoist. I've been following this part since I saw Easy's post on M3F and Fobio's post here on TM3; I followed the info back to the Mazdaspeed forums and found John from PTP. I have been wondering if it would fit the NA 2.3L (I have been advised by PTP and one of our trusted mechanics that it will fit) so I thought to myself why not give it a go. I bought this because I still have wheel hop even though I have the CPE rear MM and the ETD, SU, or AWR haven't attracted me as passenger side mount solutions. I've also ordered the TRZ tranny mount from PG that I'm totally amp'd about.

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t32/sagexp/Mobile%20Uploads/1262748308-1.jpg

[Gizzmo_jr]

your going to be chattering your teeth at the lights

[Donutz]

Yeah, I imagine so!

[stevenma188]

Man I dunno how you take all that vibration. I only have the AWR and I already find the vibs too much.

[Donutz]

I have all kinds of parts that increase NVH, you get used to the vibes. I can't stand the rattling in the dash though!

[Donutz]

I have finally gotten this part installed. I was holding off to see how much snow fell and I wanted to install my transmission mount first. If you read my thread about the TRZ transmission mount you will know that it creates a huge amount of NVH; I have some good news about this so read on! For those who are unaware of this part, it is designed for the Mazdaspeed 3 (take note of the Install section below).

The Part

- This is a quality part and the kit includes everything you need to install it, except locktite and tools!
- The brackets are solid steel, powder coated black, and the welds look solid.
- One of the key features of this part is that you can adjust the length of arm between that connects between the subframe bracket and engine block bracket. This provides you with the ability to adjust the length and dial in the mount to your liking.

The Install

- As always, mad props to Jimmy for making time for me and a quality install!
- Jim encountered a small challenge when attempting to install the bolts in the engine block. It turns out that the shaft running just outside of the oil plug is closer to the block on the mz3 when compared to the msp3, so the bolts would not line up with the holes on the block. The bolts are about 1.5 inches longs; if they were 1.25 inches long two of them would have been much easier to install. The solution? Rock the engine slightly forward while someone gets the bolts started in the block. This task will be easier if you either get shorter bolts or have someone help you move the engine when attempting to install said bolts.
- To help line everything up it's a good idea to hand tighten everything before tq'ing down the bolts. Don't forget to go back and put locktite on the bolts though.
- Other than the small challenge with the bolt length everything else went very smoothly (follow the How-To on the mazdaspeed forums and you're golden).

The Good Stuff

- On start up I could immediately feel the difference in vibrations. (Carrying on with my thought about the TRZ mount from above). The PTP Kicker has significantly changed the harshness I experienced with the TRZ tranny mount. The vibrations are reduced and you can clearly hear the awesome sounds that the TRZ is known for.
- As always, I slowly pulled out of Jim's shop and slowly wound it up to 4000 rpm; nothing came flying out, no funny noises; good to go!
- I pulled onto Woodbine, hammered it in first, when I hit second I just smoked the tires without any wheel hop anywhere (we'll see how it holds up when I put my summer wheels back on the car). Jim's guy, who was riding shotgun, asked me if my car was TC'd! (As always, I must note that I did not break the speed limit and I don't condone speeding).
- The PTP Kicker has improved the rock solid front end feeling in my cars handling and braking. There is no mushy feeling in the front end when I step on the brakes. The car is much more stable when cornering now (further improved from tranny mount upgrade).
- Cold start this morning was surprising. The Kicker mount has reduced a significant amount of NVH on cold start that I experienced with the TRZ.
- Shifts are crisp and solid. Push gas -> car goes; there is no lag due to engine movement; the power hits the wheels immediately.

My general comments are if you want to secure your engine and already have a rear mm get the PTP Kicker. It's not very expensive, it is a quality part, and it is adjustable. Fobio mentioned in his review of the PTP Kicker that it is different that an ETD, not better, but different. This mount transmits NVH to the subframe, which is insulated by many parts including bushings which, in my opinion, helps dissipate NVH.

A couple (less than stellar) blackberry pics of the mount installed:

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t32/sagexp/utf-8BSU1HMDAyNTEuanBn.jpg

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t32/sagexp/utf-8BSU1HMDAyNTIuanBn.jpg

[stevenma188]

Man you gotta let me try out your car the next time I see you.

[Donutz]

Just a quick update:

It's been a little more than a week now and the vibes have settled down significantly. In fact the Kicker is absorbing huge amounts of VH from the tranny mount. It's still holding strong and the car hooks up like no one's business. The noise is still significant (related to my tranny mount, not the Kicker), which I'm okay with, and my wife is getting used to it.

The only thing I've noticed is that the mount squeaks slightly when wet, which is fairly common on a number of mounts, so I have no gripes about the squeaking. I'll see what I can do about the noise when I get the car up on the hoist in the next couple of weeks, but honestly, I can live with it. Otherwise I have no other issues, except I have 3 very annoying rattles (cowl, glove box, door speaker) that I'll be addressing as soon as it warms up outside.

[Donutz]

Man you gotta let me try out your car the next time I see you.

Yeah man! Just shoot me a message when you're in town (I think you have my cell #).

[CanSpeed 3]

Jason what do you drive? Just a hatch 2.3 GT? Just curious post pics of your car and your mod list. Or pm... Im looking to increase the power with some upgraded motor mounts or possibly whatever your using if you recommend that setup. Do you really find a huge difference in power transfer and does your car vibrate a lot now?

[Donutz]

2005 sport gt. I'll pm you my mod list.

[6strings]

Hate to bring up this thread from the grave. But thats sound is amazing.
Can it be heard outside the car or just in the cabin?

[Kiyomi]

thanks for bringing this thread back to life. :D, that was a good read.

just wondering if it will fit the 2010's 2.5l?