So, where to start...
I get my AEM V2 today. I'm all excited. Let me back up a little. I've heard rumors about the AEM replacing an Engine mount. So I call AEM. I don't want to buy this if I'm replacing an engine mount. After all, AEM makes Intakes, NOT engine mounts. They say "No, it doesn't replace an engine mount"...
I ask "so I don't have to put a jack under the tranny and unbolt any of the mounts?"
AEM: "Nope, not with our intakes".

I posted on here, but NO one wrote back with any good info.
SO, I figure, AEM said no mount replacement, I trust them, and I pull the trigger and order the intake.

So the intake shows up today. It looks good. First the fun pictures:





NOW, I open the instructions..and what do I see?
MOTOR MOUNT BRACKET REPLACEMENT? But AEM said "No, you don't have to unbolt any engine mounts" - This was the TECH line, not the sales line in case you were wondering.



Now, you're probably wondering, why all the frustration with this. Big deal, get over it, install the mount. Yeah, yeah.
WELL, here you go: Here's the mount in the Helms Manual:


So it's basically an "L" shape bracket with support ribs to join where the sides meet. Here's the AEM supplied bracket to replace the stock bracket:



We all know the purpose of this piece is to make clearance for the larger tube diameter that the V2 uses. Of course they deleted the ribs and made the bracket smaller, that's the point.

So, I call AEM tech line.
Me: "Hi, can I see testing documents supporting your Engine mount bracket replacement"
AEM: "What engine mount bracket"
Me: "The one in your kit that you said two days ago wouldn't be in the kit"
AEM: "Why do you want to see test results"
Me: "Because I want to see that it won't break with extended use"
AEM: "Why would it break?"
Me: "Because it's not designed by Honda and you don't design Engine Mounts, or brackets to support Engine mounts"

I was then transferred to someone's voice mail.

I'm not saying this part will fail. It might be stronger than stock! BUT, why Does AEM Tech line NOT know their Kit DOES in fact replace a bracket for an engine mount? They are clueless. And you wonder why I question this parts strength?

Well, there's more info on the AEM V2, since I haven't seen it anywhere else.



[Modified by 00-ITR-373, 5:14 PM 2/27/2003]

 

Thanks for the heads up on AEM...

Keep us informed of this situation...and that piece probably is not as strong as the OEM piece...

 

I don't understand why they couldn't have designed the intake to be somewhat longer to accomodte for the stock engine mount...that doesnt't make sense to me. I don't think I would ever want to own an intake that required me replacing an engine mount that is made by a company who only makes intakes and pulleys....

 

I'm going to give AEM a call again tomorrow and try to resolve this. I'm also going to call the place that I purchased this from. They said they didn't know if it replaced a mount either and wouldn't open one up to find out.
Well, now I have pics for them. And since their guess was that it did not, I think they'll be interested to know too. I'm amazed at how many people couldn't tell me what was in the kit, but could sell it to me

 

Tech-line guys usually are not as informed as the engineers designing parts. Since the system is so new, the tech-line is probably in the dark. Sounds more like the tech guy wasn't trained as well, since with questions like that, if he doesn't know for sure, he should have gotten your number, talked to the engineer about it before giving an answer.

So why wouldn't you want to replace the mount bracket?? Its the latest CAI and will make more power...you don't want that??

 

return the sucker and simply tell them they suck and you'll never do business with them again. im not impressed, ive held AEM in a higher light then this.



the regualr CAI works great, stick with whats proven

 

Sure nothing like a few horsepower at the expense of my engine hanging out of the engine bay!

I obviously wanted more power or I wouldn't have purchased it. I specifically asked before I bought it because i didn't want an Engine mount, or bracket from AEM without knowing more.

Would you replace anything on your car that AEM sent you? I wouldn't. I want an Intake, Not an engine mount. AND if you are going to tell me I need to run your mount to be able to run your intake, then support the design of your mount. I've seen dynos, but not durability reports.

 

He doesn't want it to fail due to poor design.

 

::Scratches his head::


i thought you just needed to plug in O2 sensor's and clamp it on the Throttle body and your set.. why would you have to replace an engine mount?? that makes no sense

 

So you mean to tell me....you have the bracket in your hand, and you can't tell whether it would be strong enough???

Having worked for both OEM's and in the aftermarket, I know that the OEM's do vibration testing on just about everything, yet Ford still has lug nuts that fail and tires that fall off. Just because a engine mount is made by someone that designs engine mounts, doesn't mean they know anything about Honda's if all they do is work on domestic cars, and it wont fail the same way.

For items like that, not many aftermarket companies will do vibration testing, but instead, usually over-engineer the replacement. Is the new bracket any thicker than the original one? Have you EVER seen even a mount company post a durability report...will they give you one if you call them?? Probably NOT!

 

apparently on the V2, it's required. i agree...engine mount replacement doesn't sound like something i'd want to tamper with.. more info~ more info~

 

i need info too

 

that motor mount is not structural, in fact its not even a motor mount. there is one on both sides of the car they cut back engine vibration. the motor mounts on the top left and right and the back one are the ones that hold the weight of the motor and trany. those vibration things simply keep the motor for moving to much.

 

ok... so i buy an ebay cheapy intake with some little metal "motor mount bracket"... (for my crx, about a year ago)... didnt know what to do with it.. it serves no purpose that i see.. never had to take a mount out.. why would i put one in?...

 

I'm telling you I have the bracket in my hand and I can't tell if it would be strong enough. YES it looks thicker. But is it thick enough to do without ribs connecting the two sides of the "L"? I am not going to guess at which angles stress is being applied to this part under acceleration, braking, hard cornering etc.
I said earlier, maybe it is fine, who knows.
I am certainly not comparing this to the first bypass valve. Many would have said run that too. Then throttle bodies are getting stuck open with chunks of plastic in there. Im sure that looked strong enough too.
I'm sure they took this bracket more serious and did in fact over engineer it. I hope. But I'm skeptical and don't want to be the first car to fail. I'd rather hear something from AEM that they tested it, or that people are running them for thousands of miles with no problems. Since the car is my daily driver, I'd like to have it running if possible.

 

You're right to be skeptical. Just because its thicker doesn't mean its stronger. The strength depends on the material, the quality of the material, the design, and the process in which it is manufactured. You should look into it to make sure it is adequate. We appreciate the info. Let us know what happens. Good luck

 

FINALLY... proof that AEM sucks.

 

hell yea

 

They has allways sucked, I mean how hard is it to put a filter on a stick

 

i believe that civic dx is correct, that is not the structural motor mount. when i put in my ES motor mount inserts i just unbolted that mount. It came out without a problem like it didnt even have any weight on it. Then engine didnt move at all and i didnt have to place a jack under the tranny at that point. The rear mount, ad the top two side mounts are the weight bearing mounts, the other two on the lower front left and right (like the one you would need to replace) are for keeping engine "torqueing" down a bit. now im not saying that this makes it ok, just saying that its not as if thy are replacing one of the major motor mounts with an inferior product. i also think that it is not excuseable that AEM's own tech support line does not know the installation procedures for their new products. They probably use a stupid call center based out of india or something like all the computer companies do and didnt update them..... good luck anyways.

CHRIS

 

Have you tried installing it. Is it impossible to do w/o swapping out your stock tranny support. Maybe its not really necessary.

 

didn't even bother with this V2 crap

 

Man seems to me like you shouldnt even be modding your car in the first place if youre gonna be that paranoid about it. This is not an engine mount, its a stabilizer which cuts down on vibration. Ive seen some people even run without them with no problems whatsoever. Oh and when you called AEM the first time did you specify that you were asking about the new V2 intake and not the standard CAI. So you gonna say that AEM sucks when the manufacture all their parts in house on thier own cnc machines. Ive kinda noticed also that they sponsore the worlds fastest honda. Seems like an ok company to me. So put your damn intake on and enjoy the extra power. Lates

 

That mount doesn't hold the motor up. It is just to keep the motor from rocking back and forth an excessive amount, that is why the rubber mount it connects to is SO SOFT.

That metal bracket looks pretty strong to me. Why didn't you take it out of the bubble wrap?

BUT, does that come with shorter screws? If not, if you use the stock bolts they will be about 1 inch too long now and probably wont screw in all the way, and if you force it, may poke holes into your tranny (trust me, I have seen tranny fluid leeking out of one of those mount holes).

 

i don't think 00-itr-373 said aem sucks.
i'm still curious to see how this all pans out. you are right though, i think a company as big and as reputable as AEM is would have tested this to make sure it's bulletproof. (at least i would hope so).
AEM CAI <---works for me.. no engine mount removal (thought about going with V2, but I'll wait to see what happens.)



[Modified by Mocky57, 11:53 AM 2/27/2003]