I'm currently in the middle of an auto to manual swap on my EK. I did all the research and grabbed all the parts I'm supposed to need, but now that I'm going to swap the necessary tranny mounts I've run into a question: is there really any difference between the auto and manual versions of the front lower tranny mount on the body side (labelled #8 in the second picture)?

The first picture is of my 'manual' mount. When I hold it up to the one on my EK right now it looks EXACTLY the same, lines up in the same position, is the same width, and has the same size bolt hole (which oddly enough is larger than both the auto and manual studs/bolts on the tranny side, so they don't sit 'snug' in the mount completely). The only discernable difference is the 'manual' mount has an "M" on it and the one of my car has an "A".

And just for reference, the Honda part numbers are different on both, with the auto being 50841-SR3-984 and the manual being 50841-SR3-030. But again, I see absolutely no difference. Anybody have any explanation/insight? Am I just overlooking something?

 

i've never noticed a difference and always used them as interchangeable.

 

I believe the manual ones are a little stronger, they can be used interchangeably though.

 

Alright, thanks man. I haven't gotten around to looking yet, but what about the body side mount at the rear/middle? It also has a different Honda part number, but the bracket on the tranny is the same part number in both cases, so I'm just wondering how different they can be.

 

They're noticeably different. The automatic version is visibly weaker and will tear after while. Again they are interchangeable though.

 

this man speaks the truth, as always

 

Alright, thanks a lot guys, I'll swap that rear one out as long as the bolts come out alright.

Just an observation though, it's kind of odd they'd make the manual mounts beefier, because the auto tranny is the one that weighs more. I guess the gear ratios are a little more aggressive with the manual, but still seems a bit odd to me that Honda would design them so differently.

 

The only 2 mounts that really support any weight are the two upper mounts. The 3 lower ones are to keep the engine and tranny from twisting excessively, and to minimize vibration. Taking off in a manual can put a lot more stress on mounts depending on how it's being driven, Honda's not stupid, they knew some people were going to rev these things up and dump the clutch, they didn't want to have to replace mounts under warranty so they made them stronger. I ran an automatic rear mount in my 5th gen sedan for a while and I had a lot of movement and engine rocking at take off.