MS6 Trans Mount Insert Review/Impressions

[scubasteve711]

Thought I'd post my thoughts... Finally got this installed yesterday!


Background - 96k miles on the clock, stock TMM, Sure RMM (yeah yeah, they replaced the bushings and these ones aren't melting so I decided to hang on to it for now), aftermarket stock replacement PMM (maybe 10k on it).



Initial impressions after 50 miles:

- Immediately noticed trans noise (clutch out in neutral you can hear things spinning). Its not LOUD but its noticeable. I'd quantify it by saying someone *might* ask you what that noise is, but don't count on it.

- Some pretty noticeable gear whine in 2nd and 3rd gears.

- Highway speeds in 5th and 6th I couldn't tell you that there is any difference in terms of noise or vibes.

- Has definitely added some low frequency vibes, and some mid frequency vibes (less than the low frequency ones though). The usual "vibey" spots for this engine are amplified slightly over just having the RMM installed.

- Shifts are pure awesome... It really does make the engine feel locked in. Simple as that - the car is less hurky-jerky at low speeds in 1st gear now also (for you commuters stuck in crawling traffic)...

- Under WOT I would say there is a good bit more engine noise transmitted into the cabin. Can really hear the motor now. This I actually don't mind in the least, if I'm WOT the noise doesn't bother me.

- Call it a placebo effect but I'd swear the front of the car feels more rigid in that my steering feels more exact, and the car seems to ride a little more solid over uneven surfaces... Reminds me of how the "wonderbar" chassis brace I installed in my firebird made the front end feel. (It tied the front horns of the subframe together pretty much directly under the radiator) Probably BS, but screw it, thought I'd mention it.



Overall, I am hoping it does settle in some and that some of the added noise and vibes go by the wayside - I do like my car on the quieter side as it is my daily driver. That being said though, I'm pretty content with it though, and its within my tolerance level for NVH... Although I really wouldn't want any more at this juncture. I'll post back at some point with an update if things change




Some Install tips... (Instruction were good btw)

Bushing Insertion - Well, getting it pushed into the oem bushing was nothing short of a bitch. Whether or not that it had to do with mine being worn or deformed, it was pretty difficult pushing the insert in. Assuming you have no method/tool to use to force or squeeze the insert in (I didn't) , I ended up figuring out that its best just pushing it in as far as you can after lubing it up, and then pulling it back out. Then re-lube it (it was the "v-channel part that was the issue for me, when I got frustrated and yanked it, I noted the end of that was dry) and push it in again... Repeat until you are able to get it seated in fully. It took 3 or 4 tries on mine before it would slide in fully and stay put (I was applying some grease to the outside of the OEM bushing, but not much help I think). The other side isn't too bad, although make sure to align the slight grove in the new insert with the part on the OEM piece.

Shift cable retention clip - The instructions say to use a flat blade screw driver and show how... However, my cable clips had the angled portion at the top, not to the right like their image shows... I ended up using a pair of channel locks to grip both sides of the clip, then rocked it back and forth while pulling up. Came out pretty easily doing it that way.

Engine Support - I would highly suggest either having a friend there to help, or find something to wedge between the engine and the firewall to keep it to moving in that direction (which mine did despite the jack being in the recommended spot) It wasn't fun trying to muscle the motor back into place with a pry bar to get the studs to line back up, while simultaneously trying to push down on the TMM bracket to get it over the studs.

[Big Dog]

I have been running this inserts as my only upgraded mount (waiting on CPE RMM to show up. It's been on backorder for ages now) It does settle down quickly. Give it a couple thousand miles. The shifting is greatly improved and it stays that way even after the inserts settle in. For the money they are hard to beat.

FWIW, I hate NVH and refuse to accept much of it in a Daily so I always look for a happy middle of performance and comfort. It's why all my mounts have been lower duro. Still an upgrade from stock but doesn't annoy me or the kids. Everything CPE, seems to be quality but I like that they offer everything in a more Daily driver friendly durometer. I have the rear diff mount on the shelf but I'm still waiting for the RMM, hopefully it's here next month. After I get these mounts in and put 3-5K on them I will report back if the NVH is drastically worse. I'm ok removing the tranny inserts or the rmm to see what's causing the increase.

[Mazdazilla6]

@Big Dog; Diff mounts don't change NVH at all, just keep the diff solid. Or I'm just too young and love my loud car, but really I saw no change after doing both diff mounts (CS and TT). In fact the only time I've noticed a change in NVH was after I did my CS rmm and it was barely different at all.

[weakdog85]

This is next on my list of mods. With a JBR PMM. I cat wait to feel the shifting afterwards.


"Tap tap tap it in"