Interest in poly torque strut for ~ $40 shipped?

[Cliff8928]

I'm referring to a non-factory installation.

The 92-96 cars (except 3100) have two mounting locations on the engine-side bracket for the torque strut, one marked "A" (automatic) and one marked "M" (manual).

When you have a 3100/3400/3500 with a manual, the engine side bracket does not have the "M" location because they were never offered with a manual.  Most people just drill a new hole in the bracket and bolt it on that way.

What I was inquiring about is a custom-sized torque strut which will allow you to bolt it all together with a 3100/3400/3500 and manual trans with no modifications.  Basically, it has to be about 1" shorter if i remember right.

[IsaacHayes]

So when you have a manual trans when you bolt on the torque strut it is in a different spot than if the car was auto? I still don't follow why they have it like that. (why would the motor be tilted more?) It won't affect stock cars with this mount will it? They can use this on older cars just fine right?

Custom stuff would be higher in price as it changes the setup time. It's up to ForcedFirebird if he wants to do that and how much he would charge.

[Cliff8928]

No, not tilted.  The powertrain in the Manual cars sits 1" closer to the firewall.  ALL the mounts.

[heavywoody]

That's interesting... I never thought of that setup.

It's 1" shorter from the center of the hole (center to center), keep that in mind.

If he could make that, I'd get one of those. Definitely.

Otherwise, I'll just keep the setup I have now.

Here are some pictures for clarification, this is what Cliff is talking about with the dual holes. Making one that is 1" shorter from the center of the hole in the torque strut would eliminate the need to drill the hole in the bracket you see pictured (where the bolt is holding the strut in towards the front of the car).

[IsaacHayes]

Interesting. I don't understand how it affects your car Geoff cause you have automatic 3100 mount on that side, so what did you cut and move your passenger upper mount back 1" as well when you welded in the 5spd bracket on the drivers side?

I can see problems with CV axle alignment if things were not done right on some peoples cars.. I'm guessing they did this because the 5spd trans axle outputs didn't go back as far as the auto?

Hmmm.

As far as doing those custom, I'm really not sure. I've relayed the info but we can only make so many mounts from one length of material, before we have to order a whole new 12 foot section again, and if there isn't enough demand, we are stuck with $$$ in material...

[weba]

Wow i sure didn't know that ALL of the mounts are different.. this really changes my 5spd swap plans if i need to move the whole drivetrain... how can i do that with passenger side upper mount, or is the T-piece different on auto\manual?  

edit: found it allready from parts catalog

http://www.beretta.net/how_to/b-tech/pa ... t31-1.html
http://www.beretta.net/how_to/b-tech/pa ... nt31-1.gif

[IsaacHayes]

Is that what it is? The T piece? But that still doesn't help the fact that heavywoody has to use 3100 T piece...

[heavywoody]

Hmm... I'm going to have to scour the yards hardcore to find a 92-93 5spd setup... I never messed with my upper mount stuff, just added the poly insert. This might help eliminate axle breakage.

I'll go to the dealership and see if I can get better pictures than what's offered on the BNet website.

[bonecrrusher]

OH NOES!!!  

[IsaacHayes]

Hmmm! Yeah it's gotta be an issue I'd guess with all the 3100 to 5psd swaps. No one may notice it really I guess but I'm sure 1" difference on one or both sides could cause problems eventually.

Not sure what you can really do other than drill new holes for the top mount and move it back 1" and bolt it up to the car. If that can be done then that's all that needs to be done assuming you have the trans mount welded in the proper spot.

So I'm guessing I'm right that the 5spd axle outputs are 1" more forward than the auto trans, so that's why they move everything back 1" ???

Geoff, I still don't get why your dogbone is too long there... It's like your upper mount was moved back 1" already... Unless the distance change using different subframes but I thought you had the stock 95 ones on??

[IsaacHayes]

Thinking about this more, you could get a 92-93 upper mount for a manual, and use the aluminum T from a 94 3100 and it should bolt up. That should move it back 1".

The 95-96 style is better with the top piece and holds the poly insert better though. The 95-96 T won't work on the 94 or older mount though.

EDIT: Maybe the 95-96 4banger manual mount is 1" back and like the 95-96 3100 style? If so that would be the best route with the 3100 95-96 T.

[Cliff8928]

92 and 93 are both different for the 5-speed 3.1s.  There are no 92 style mounts available at all, VPI still has some new 93 5-speed V6 mounts left.

[weba]

I wonder what changed in 92-93..

[Asylum]

This is all quite interesting, and it seems there may be some questions that have yet to be answered.

Does that mean these are going to be delayed?

First race is 27 days away. And it's not like I have anything else to do!

[IsaacHayes]

Assylum, don't worry bud, you're stock automatic so you're good to go. It's just the guys that swapped to 5speeds that might have thrown off their axle alignments is all. Now that we are talking about it more they might have overlooked some things...

UPDATE:

Material is in, design is done, and they will be cut tomorrow or the next day at the latest!!
I can't wait to get one in my car too! (hell that's why I started all this in the first place!! LOL)  

Note: For those who want custom, (steph all aluminum, and you 2 guys above with 1" shorter) ForcedFirebird told me he will set aside a few blanks at the end for the custom people. It might be a higher charge or might not for these I don't know. We are trying to help everyone out but don't want to shoot ourselves in the foot either.

-Isaac