AKG vs Vibra Tech Engine Mounts

[Jitoo]

I am looking at either the AKG or Vibra Tech engine mounts. My car is a weekend car, Spirited Driving and 10-16 track days per year.

The AKG is half the price but listed as Track Only.

Anybody know what the difference is between the two?

TIA

[pbonsalb]

AKG will add noticeable vibration. If you drove it on the track every weekend and on the street 10-16 times a year, I’d get the AKG. You want new stock or Vibra Technics Fast Road.

[ebisueight]

I have the Vibra Technics Race version and should be installed soon.

[deansbimmer]

My vote goes to Vibratechnics, hands down. Apples to oranges design comparison though.

The AKG is 75D, a pretty hard compound which will transfer a good bit more NVH than OEM, and a traditional bolt through poly mount design.

The VT is a much more elegant solution using a captive rubber isolator inside its machined aluminum housing. Better protection of its components and all around a higher end solution. There is a group buy on the forum for them, might search for it to see if it's still open.

How much is your comfort worth? New OEM mounts are adequate for what you're wanting to do. The VT mount will be closer to the comfort you're used to.

[spazzyfry123]

Originally Posted by deansbimmer

My vote goes to Vibratechnics, hands down. Apples to oranges design comparison though.

The AKG is 75D, a pretty hard compound which will transfer a good bit more NVH than OEM, and a traditional bolt through poly mount design.

The VT is a much more elegant solution using a captive rubber isolator inside its machined aluminum housing. Better protection of its components and all around a higher end solution. There is a group buy on the forum for them, might search for it to see if it's still open.

How much is your comfort worth? New OEM mounts are adequate for what you're wanting to do. The VT mount will be closer to the comfort you're used to.

What about Vibratech vs Bimmerworld Group N in terms of performance and acceptable NVH?

[deansbimmer]

Originally Posted by spazzyfry123

What about Vibratech vs Bimmerworld Group N in terms of performance and acceptable NVH?

I haven't compared them back to back but I would say the Group N mounts would be similar in NVH to the Vibratechnics MX (track) mounts. I think most owners would go with the Vibratechnics road version mounts.

I would rate the Vibratechnics highest in the performance and longevity categories based off of their design. I've never heard of anyone replacing them due to wear or failure yet.

[pbonsalb]

I have read that a few people have had vibra technics failures and that vibra technics willl no longer sell the inserts. If so, you are stuck with expensive paper weights.

[shimmy23]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

I have read that a few people have had vibra technics failures and that vibra technics willl no longer sell the inserts. If so, you are stuck with expensive paper weights.

I haven’t heard that. Was it on this forum? Chassis?

[pbonsalb]

Unfortunately, I cannot recall, but the stock or vibra technics mounts are the same for E36 M3, E46 M3 and E90 M3. Just about everything I have read about them is positive, but I read a lot and do recall a few complaints about failure and not being able to get rebuild parts.

[deansbimmer]

I have not heard that either but I know others spend more time online than I do.

I think I can understand a company not wanting to send components. I would be shocked however, if you sent the mounts to them and they refused to repair them.

[///Mobbin]

I don't want to knock Vibratechnics bc I think I just got a bad set but I was one of the folks that had issues with them. I installed them when I changed my rod bearings. They were absolutely fantastic on the street, then I went to the track and after two track days the rubber inserts in both mounts had melted and collapsed slightly. I posted pictures somewhere on this forum, perhaps in the track chit chat thread. The vendor that sold them to me ended up giving me a full refund, props for that, not sure whether or not he got reimbursed also. At the same time Roastbeef and others have tracked theirs without issue so not sure what was up with mine. The vibrations were so bad after the mounts failed I thought I had an engine problem, lol.

I'm now about to install AKG mounts in a few weeks but I barely drive my car on the street now, if street is a concern I would go Vibra or BW Group N or Black Forest Industries Stage II and might try the latter two first given the issue I had, ymmv, imo, etc.

[pbonsalb]

I think one original benefit was of the vibra technics mounts was that they were rebuildable. If vibra technics will no longer supply the internals, maybe someone else will make them or offer an alternative. The only similar mount I am aware of is the Black Forest Industries and they appear to be more expensive.

[///Mobbin]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

I think one original benefit was of the vibra technics mounts was that they were rebuildable. If vibra technics will no longer supply the internals, maybe someone else will make them or offer an alternative. The only similar mount I am aware of is the Black Forest Industries and they appear to be more expensive.

Not sure on the internals as that was not an option they gave me. And oh yeah, meant Black Forest Industries not Rogue, edited to fix.

Really curious what the deal was with my mounts, engine mounts in our cars are close to the headers and the headers get insanely hot at the track, likely a contributor. Mounts should be designed with that in mind though.

[///Mobbin]

Actually, looking at that picture they installed a heat shield over the mounts, that heat shield is not present in my car, anyone know where to get one that looks like that?

[pbonsalb]

Maybe an all metal encased mount is not the best choice for the track due to the heat.

[ebisueight]

Originally Posted by ///Mobbin

I don't want to knock Vibratechnics bc I think I just got a bad set but I was one of the folks that had issues with them. I installed them when I changed my rod bearings. They were absolutely fantastic on the street, then I went to the track and after two track days the rubber inserts in both mounts had melted and collapsed slightly. I posted pictures somewhere on this forum, perhaps in the track chit chat thread. The vendor that sold them to me ended up giving me a full refund, props for that, not sure whether or not he got reimbursed also. At the same time Roastbeef and others have tracked theirs without issue so not sure what was up with mine. The vibrations were so bad after the mounts failed I thought I had an engine problem, lol.

I'm now about to install AKG mounts in a few weeks but I barely drive my car on the street now, if street is a concern I would go Vibra or BW Group N or Black Forest Industries Stage II and might try the latter two first given the issue I had, ymmv, imo, etc.

I was told to get the race version if I planned on getting a supercharger. Which version did you have and are you supercharged? Also, that's pretty good of that company that sold them to you as well. Sucks to hear about the engine failure as well.

[///Mobbin]

Originally Posted by ebisu8

I was told to get the race version if I planned on getting a supercharger. Which version did you have and are you supercharged? Also, that's pretty good of that company that sold them to you as well. Sucks to hear about the engine failure as well.

I'm fairly certain I ordered the street version, no supercharger. And luckily no engine issues, just failed mounts.

[ebisueight]

Originally Posted by ///Mobbin

I'm fairly certain I ordered the street version, no supercharger. And luckily no engine issues, just failed mounts.

I had a question for you, tried to PM but your inbox is full. Can you clear a spot for me?

[///Mobbin]

Originally Posted by ebisu8

I had a question for you, tried to PM but your inbox is full. Can you clear a spot for me?

Really wish I could donate to the site to have a larger PM box, lol. Spot made.

[spazzyfry123]

Originally Posted by deansbimmer

I haven't compared them back to back but I would say the Group N mounts would be similar in NVH to the Vibratechnics MX (track) mounts. I think most owners would go with the Vibratechnics road version mounts.

I would rate the Vibratechnics highest in the performance and longevity categories based off of their design. I've never heard of anyone replacing them due to wear or failure yet.

Interesting to hear. I have heard that the Group N's would be similar to Vibra Technic's "Fast Road" mounts, not their track version (in terms of NVH).

For a daily driven, road going car that might see some AutoX and mountain time once and again a year, would you say that "Fast Road" would be a good compromise? I had already ordered the Group N mounts, but Bimmerworld is on backorder until late January. Looking for alternatives.

[pbonsalb]

There seem to be zero complaints about NVH with the vibra technics fast road mounts. SYT Shadow has the Bimmerworld Group N replicas on his track car and reports some vibration at idle. So I’d say the Bimmerworld mounts are stiffer. I tried the Rogue mounts and felt vibration at idle—fine for a track car but not what I wanted in my street car. Like SYT, I felt like it would have gone away with a raised idle speed if I wanted to pay a tuner to bump the idle from 550 rpm to 850 rpm.

[spazzyfry123]

Where's a good spot to pick up the Vibra-Technics Fast Road mounts? Only place I've found is directly through them.

Edit, nevermind. I found them through Greene Performance for about $50 cheaper than direct with shipping. Fingers crossed these do the trick!