I was already happy with the high rpm gear change improvement after switching to GM MTL. I can't feel it being smoother (it was already good) but it did feel more positive enagement in between shifts.

 

Gm Mtl?

 

General Motor Manual Trans Lube

 

so this damper will eliminate all cabin vibration?

i have vibration and its bugging me....

when will it be ready? is there one in the market already?

 

If you are using the stock engine mounts, then the damper won't help with your vibration. The damper does help if you replaced your engine mounts with poly insert mounts.

 

this would probably add vibration...

 

not according to Jtso

 

:-(

how much trouble is it to replace motor mounts?

 

It didn't add in-cabin vibration if set to the softest setting. However, it doesn't remove any existing vibration either. It will add vibration if set to a firmer setting and turn on AC.

 

Hard -- you have to drop the subframe. Why would you want to do that though? The whole point of an ETD is that it adds less cabin vibration than poly motor mounts. It will never SUBTRACT vibration from your car on its own. Read post #105 in this thread to understand.

 

SyncroMesh?

 

Yes, Synchromesh - Friction Modified.

 

Good work JTso - just letting you know you have another Aussie interested in a setup that works with the Cusco tower brace.

 

add me to the waiting list for a cusco one.

 

That's the good stuff. Used it in my 92 Civic with Kaaz LSD (99 Si tranny)

 

Any updates on this?

 

I'd also be interested in this product

 

Put me down for a non-Cusco one.

 

I would love something like this

 

Very nice!!

I have a tangent - how'd you keep your engine bay so clean?

 

Anyone interested in the Spoon ETD setup?

 

Spoon strut here

 

Just a quick update... I purchased a bandsaw yesterday and will be experiment with making the brackets in-house. I have also ordered a short ETD for test fitting a Cusco compatible setup.

I got the chrome one below.

 

nice hope it works out cause I will be on the cusco list. especially if you make one nice and clean looking and I would even pay more if you could polish it up.

 

this is sounding really promising.

Just out of interest, does anyone know if more solid engine mounts or just inserts are made for the TSX?

 

The front engine mount on the TSX is electronically controlled via a solenoid and engine vacuum. No aftermarket engine mount that I know of.

 

I should drive up to your shop for a test fit of Cusco setup.

 

Add me to the Australian list for Cusco one, keep up the great work.

Can someone explain what the engine mount electronic control actually does and how?

 

ENGINE MOUNT SYSTEM (Source = Honda)

Since the engine is the heaviest concentrated component in a vehicle, and the source of significant vibration, the mounting system that supports it has a profound effect on interior noise levels, handling and overall driving characteristics. Isolating the engine from the body with "soft" mounts can make for good NVH characteristics, but wreak havoc on handling and driveline performance as the engine moves on its mounts. Conversely, locking the engine in place (like in a racing machine) is the best from a handling standpoint, but guarantees unbearable NVH performance. For the TSX, neither extreme was appropriate. The TSX uses a carefully orchestrated system of six mounts to combine impressively high levels of isolation with stable engine placement for precise handling.

Two mounts are placed below the TSX engine's center of gravity, and attach the engine to the front subframe, which itself is isolated from the car's body by bolted rubber mounts. The forward-most of these two "center of gravity" engine mounts is an electronically controlled hydraulic unit with variable dual-mode stiffness. It switches between a setting optimized for damping vibration at idle, and another firmer setting for higher speeds and rougher roads. The rear most of the center of gravity mounts is a non-adjusting hydraulic unit.

To keep the engine properly positioned during severe maneuvering, another electronically controlled dual-mode mount is placed high on the right side of the engine to tie it to the body structure. Finally, to carry the weight of the transmission and limit powertrain movement, a series of three mounts position the transmission.

 

Thanks Jtso,

 

I just received my short ETD today and it came with one extra set of bushings. I got curious and decided to take it apart as well as my long ETD to see how it works.

It turns out the unit is not a gas shock. It's a friction unit that utilizes bushings. It consists of a nylon bushing which pushes against two additional bushings causes them to expand and compress inside the ETD body. The preload sets the initial stiffness. The short version has the option of poly bushings or rubber bushings (interchangeable). The NRG is a really nice piece.

 

Damn, that look nice.

 

A Cusco compatible bracket is being cut right now. Anyone knows if the Spoon strut bar uses the same mounting method as the Cusco?

 

wow, the energy one really does look nice... such a simple concept but it works so well. Cant wait to see the cusco one fitted

 

Wow it looks great! BTW JTso, have you added me to your pre-order list for the Cusco-compatible one?

BTW, which car does the NRG ETD that you bought fit on?

 

it goes under the existing one and uses the 3 bolts not used by the oem, I'd be happy to try out the Spoon ETD if you need a mule

 

It looks like the Cusco compatible bracket should also work with the Spoon. However, keep in mind the stock strut bar has to come off. It looks cleaner with one bar anyway.

 

The NRG ETD that I got is for a 96-00 D15, but it really doesn't matter because the ETD itself is the same.

 

The Cusco/Spoon compatible bracket is done! It's being painted right now but here is a pics of the shock tower bracket. The fitment is very good and clears everything. However, like I mentioned before, the stock bar has to come off. The engine mount bracket is the same.

 

The short ETD is installed and working well. The bracket seems to be holding up just fine, no signs of stress or bending. It has very mininum vibration with AC on even at a firmer setting, which is better than the my first ETD.