Cutting side engine mount?

[eclipsefwd]

I just removed my power steering. You know how the pump mounts to the engine mount in the front? I have seen a couple guys cut the mount in the front and take off that brace thing right under the manifold. John sheperd car is like this. So basically all thats left is the side mount and the extra "arm" is gone. I am contemplating doing this, but wonder if that brace does a substantial amount of actual bracing or if it was there just for the power steering pump. Anyone have any ideas. Let me know. Thanks.
Ryan

 

[pneumo]

That part of the brace is bolted to the block. The brace wasn't made as big as it is just to hold the PS pump. I'd leave it alone.

 

[Z1500]

Rip it out. Totally worthless.

Kevin

 

[98TsiAWD]

A 2g Car only bolts to the driver side engine mount, nothing up front. I woudl think it will be ok if you take out the p/s pump brackets and cut the "L" off the engine mount.

 

[DSMJim]

I think that mount is considered a crash mount. It doesn't acctually support the motor, it only keeps the front end from crashing into the motor and smahing it into the firewall in a front end collision. Like Kevin said, totally worthless on a race car.

 

[BUCK]

Removing the 2 by th P/S Pump would certainly make the 2 Motor Mount bolts by the Timing Cover pretty darn important - you may want to upgrade them!

 

[eclipsefwd]

Yeah I was looking at it and came to the conclusion that is really does nothing for front to back movement because of the way the mount is positioned. So I am gonna rip it out. Thanks guys. This will clean up the engine bay plus shed some weight. Woo hoo!
Ryan

 

[98TsiAWD]

Originally posted by BUCK
Removing the 2 by th P/S Pump would certainly make the 2 Motor Mount bolts by the Timing Cover pretty darn important - you may want to upgrade them!

The lower front and rear engine mounts are for that way of movement of the engine, but if I were you I would be sure to run some inserts in the front and rear mounts to keep the side from possibly twisting, just to be safe.

 

[BUCK]

Yes AND the WEIGHT of that end of the motor hangs on those 4 bolts...
I would tap the side motor mount bolts up to the next American Course Thread Size & slap some grade 8 bolts in there - we are RACING here...

 

[98TsiAWD]

Originally posted by BUCK
Yes AND the WEIGHT of that end of the motor hangs on those 4 bolts...
I would tap the side motor mount bolts up to the next American Course Thread Size & slap some grade 8 bolts in there - we are RACING here...

Yeah, it wouldnt hurt, better safe then sorry.

 

[eclipsefwd]

Yeah I agree that it will put a lot more stress on the mount. I am having second thoughts now. I have all the brackets off and I just can't make up my mind. I think I may as well put them back on. Better safe than sorry I guess. Plus its only a couple pounds.

 

[98TsiAWD]

Every pound adds up.

 

[BUCK]

If you think about it the "mount" sees the same weight load / stress whether there are 4 bolts or 2 bolts going to the motor (maybe a pound or 2 less actually if you want to get nit-picky) - it's those 2 bolts on the side that see the difference - American Course is twice as strong as that rinky-dink metric thread so you'd be OK IMO.

 

[eclipsefwd]

Yeah I am mostly concerned with the actual mount on the block. It looks pretty small and not very beefy. My main concern now is that the actual mount on the block might crack or something like that since it is now solely taking the weight of the engine compared to sharing it with the front brace. I wish I knew someone who has done this already to see if they had any problems. Haha this is harder then my turbo decision..
Thanks for all the responses guys, gives me more to analyze.