Vibra-Technics transmission brace - possibly fix 1->2 grind

[beta]

Posting over from the US z4 forum.

I'm hoping someone in the UK is willing to lend their transmission brace to vibra-technics so they can measure and design a transmission brace for the Z4 M, based on their e46 transmission brace.

If you're not aware of the company, they make some really amazing engine mounts. Check out the thread for more info about them, but consensus is they are one of the best mods you can do. They also help with shifting feel.

The theory is that the 3->2 denial when shifting gears, as well as the 1->2 grind might be caused by the amount the engine moves in relation to the transmission. Installing these stiffer engine mounts did help with the 3->2 denial, so the hope is that by adding a transmission brace we can maybe fix (or at least minimize) the 1->2 grind that is a common complaint.

If you look at the thread linked above, you'll see why stiffer transmission mounts won't necessarily solve the problem.

I'm not related to the company, just a satisfied customer. So if you can spare your transmission brace for a short period, please post!

 

[Woots]

I'm not planning anymore hols for time being, but if I do and there's still no takers I may guinea pig my car again...

Although Byrons car is being put to bed over winter....

 

[Beedub]

I'm not planning anymore hols for time being, but if I do and there's still no takers I may guinea pig my car again...

Although Byrons car is being put to bed over winter....

my cars just been put away ive emailed phil about this twice with no reply..... so im not going to chase HIM for me to dismantle my car, ... however.... if the piece is relatively cheap, id consider raising some funds and just buying one and driving it over, their only 45 mins away from me.... BETA, do you think some of the USA owners would be happy to chip in like 5 bucks each??

 

[Woots]

I'm not planning anymore hols for time being, but if I do and there's still no takers I may guinea pig my car again...

Although Byrons car is being put to bed over winter....

my cars just been put away ive emailed phil about this twice with no reply..... so im not going to chase HIM for me to dismantle my car, ... however.... if the piece is relatively cheap, id consider raising some funds and just buying one and driving it over, their only 45 mins away from me.... BETA, do you think some of the USA owners would be happy to chip in like 5 bucks each??

Well I'll touch bases with vibra and whatsapp you tomorrow mate, see why they aren't taking up on your offer...bit of a trek for me to fix an issue I don't have, and I'll need to upgrade the engine mounts at the same time so not sure how viable it'll be...

So your def a better bet, I may chip in, and then buy the whole set sometime and use your garage to fit...

 

[Beedub]

I'm not planning anymore hols for time being, but if I do and there's still no takers I may guinea pig my car again...

Although Byrons car is being put to bed over winter....

my cars just been put away ive emailed phil about this twice with no reply..... so im not going to chase HIM for me to dismantle my car, ... however.... if the piece is relatively cheap, id consider raising some funds and just buying one and driving it over, their only 45 mins away from me.... BETA, do you think some of the USA owners would be happy to chip in like 5 bucks each??

Well I'll touch bases with vibra and whatsapp you tomorrow mate, see why they aren't taking up on your offer...bit of a trek for me to fix an issue I don't have, and I'll need to upgrade the engine mounts at the same time so not sure how viable it'll be...

So your def a better bet, I may chip in, and then buy the whole set sometime and use your garage to fit...

ok buddy.... tbf im more than happy with my current setup so.... genuinely not to bothered about this trans brace really if it happens it happens, if it doesnt well it doesnt.... thats why i didnt really push it when i got no- contact....

 

[exdos]

I've already fitted the Vibra-Technics Engine Mounts and they do make a significant difference to both the feel of gear shifts and to the general handling of the car because the engine, as a moving mass, is more or less fixed in a static position. Now that the engine mass (which is also bolted to the gear box) is restrained, this will considerably reduce movement in the drivetrain between the engine and the differential, so I can't really see how an upgraded transmission brace will improve the gear shifts some more. I think that the less than slick shifting between 1 <-> 2 gears, which occurs even when the car is parked, is just a characteristic of the gearbox with no fix.

 

[Beedub]

I've already fitted the Vibra-Technics Engine Mounts and they do make a significant difference to both the feel of gear shifts and to the general handling of the car because the engine, as a moving mass, is more or less fixed in a static position. Now that the engine mass (which is also bolted to the gear box) is restrained, this will considerably reduce movement in the drivetrain between the engine and the differential, so I can't really see how an upgraded transmission brace will improve the gear shifts some more. I think that the less than slick shifting between 1 <-> 2 gears, which occurs even when the car is parked, is just a characteristic of the gearbox with no fix.

1 million percent agree....... personally not interested in the trans mounts... the stock tran mounts and brace is a very nice design, that came from VT themselves ;-)

 

[BMWZ4MC]

I've already fitted the Vibra-Technics Engine Mounts and they do make a significant difference to both the feel of gear shifts and to the general handling of the car because the engine, as a moving mass, is more or less fixed in a static position. Now that the engine mass (which is also bolted to the gear box) is restrained, this will considerably reduce movement in the drivetrain between the engine and the differential, so I can't really see how an upgraded transmission brace will improve the gear shifts some more. I think that the less than slick shifting between 1 <-> 2 gears, which occurs even when the car is parked, is just a characteristic of the gearbox with no fix.

1 million percent agree....... personally not interested in the trans mounts... the stock tran mounts and brace is a very nice design, that came from VT themselves ;-)

+1
I'll be changing the engine mounts when I fit a SC

 

[ga41]

If not particularly expensive i'd probably get one along with their engine mounts as my car has been susceptible to the 1>2 gear grind and the occasional 3>2 denial when track driving. Can't really offer my car for R&D as there's a continent and a large sea in the way!

 

[donjon]

Did we get anywhere with this? I am thinking mounts as my next mod but I would like to go all out and have a transmission brace as well.

 

[Beedub]

No but their have been some "issues" raised with the one they produced for the e46 platform. personally id stick with the stock unit and mounts in that location, the engine mounts are holding 80% of the bulk and are imo the primary concern.

 

[BMWZ4MC]

I have VT competition engine mounts and they improve the characteristics of the gear change with only minimal increase in NVH over a very narrow and specific RPM range and its harmonics. I don't feel that the transmission mounts need to be replaced, even with my heavy track use.

 

[donjon]

What would you guys recommend then? The competition or road mounts? I don't do track days but plan on doing some light track work with a visit to the ring this year.

 

[Franzino]

I've already fitted the Vibra-Technics Engine Mounts and they do make a significant difference to both the feel of gear shifts and to the general handling of the car because the engine, as a moving mass, is more or less fixed in a static position. Now that the engine mass (which is also bolted to the gear box) is restrained, this will considerably reduce movement in the drivetrain between the engine and the differential, so I can't really see how an upgraded transmission brace will improve the gear shifts some more. I think that the less than slick shifting between 1 <-> 2 gears, which occurs even when the car is parked, is just a characteristic of the gearbox with no fix.

+1 my thoughts exactly….

 

[KevinC]

What would you guys recommend then? The competition or road mounts? I don't do track days but plan on doing some light track work with a visit to the ring this year.

Absolutely do the road mounts. I have them along with Rogue Engineering tranny mounts. For street use, this is more than adequate. The street mounts add plenty of additional stability with a minimal addition of NVH (barely detectable and not at all offensive). The competition mounts, from what I've heard, are quite a bit more harsh for street use.

 

[Beedub]

i have the competition ones.... honestly, i barely notice any difference between those and the road mounts, so for the extra control id go with the comp units, however their is some added NVH at idle, a very slightly shimmer as the engine turns.... i notice nothing else and i was the guinea pig for these on the z4m. However the road are developed for the road and the comp are for the track, can't go wrong with either, i needed that little extra control on the engine as it was moving around alot due to extra power.