I'm not going to write 'help needed', as I've done that about ten times during the rebuild of my 348ts. So here goes... Assistance required (lol) from the great minds of Ferrari Chat once again. My 1993 348ts needs both engine mounts and the gearbox mount as it has been sitting for two years and the sun has fried them according to my mech. Has anyone stumbled across a solution for this as the parts from my dealer in Dubai are stupid money and one mount from the UK is 271 pounds! Ouch... Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
He's not kidding. Would you believe that even Ricambi's listed price on the rubber portion of the motor mount is .......$2264/side! The transmission mounts (takes two, side by side), run $273 each. Guys, that's over $5000 for the three mounts! I believe I read somewhere that the rubber engine mounts are silicone-filled, so that accounts for some of the huge money. Looking in my old McMaster-Carr catalog, I see that you can get high energy absorption solid polyester bumpers in a wide range of dimensions up to 2 7/8" in diameter and 2 9/16" in height, for about $45. I think I would be inclined to take some measurements and do some experimenting in this direction before I paid the big money for the original items. What could it hurt? A little more vibration transferred to the chassis?
I agree. Common sense doesn't allow me to pay that sort of money for three bits of rubber! I am investigating a mount manufacturer in the UK that supplies race cars purpose build mounts. They can possibly copy the part, but I'll have to get mine off and send them over for a viewing. I'll bet money on the mounts not being unique to Ferrari. Its more a case of finding something else with a cheaper badge that suits or using someone who can make new ones. I'll keep you updated. Thanks for the comments and thoughts on getting some built up.
I 100% agree that it is absolutely insane. I **think** one of the East Coast shops here has been able to retrofit F355 mounts into the 348, but I can't remember who it was.
In the world of Hondas, motor mounts are not completely solid. It is possible to "fill" the open portions of the motor mount with just about any kind of silicon based sealant (Window sealant is popular). This stuff dries "rubbery," making the Honda engine/tranny mounts stiffer than stock, but not rock solid. Perhaps this could work in an F car. Scott
