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Driver side engine mount

Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2015 6:31 pm
by Beretta1234567
90 Beretta has the engine mount on the top of the bell housing for the driver side.
Holds the engine up.

I have been trying to find info, but I couldn't find much. Some people have removed this engine mont and upgraded to the lower mount that holds the side of the transmission instead.

Is anyone able to point me to photos of the lower mount being added to the older design?
I read that something needs welded, but I am not sure.
Would this work with the 3t40 auto transmission?

Re: Driver side engine mount

Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2015 9:40 pm
by Rettax3
On my '90 'Retta (um, the Turbo one :D ), I fabbed a lower mount that bolted into the transmission (5-speed 282) with the case-half bolts, had a second piece that bolted onto the sub-frame, and they joined together with a bolt that allows some movement. It doesn't absorb as much vibration as the big blocky top-o-the tranny mount setup, but it leaves a lot more room in the bay (you know, for a bigger turbo :wink:). I have been using it for years, it works great and is a clean, simple design. I had pics of it posted back on bstuff, but the details wouldn't matter to you since you are working with the auto. IIRC (I could easily be wrong on this though), the 3T40 (aka TH125C) was replaced at the time the new-style tranny mount was being used. You would need to weld-in the frame-side mount from a newer car, and would still need to fabricate something to hold the 3T40 to it.

BUT... The TH125C was still being used in the N-bodies (Grand Am, Achieva, Skylark) in the '92+ era, and they were using the same or similar mount you are thinking of. Since the bay of the L-bodies is the same as the bay for the N-bodies in that year-group, if you could weld-in the frame-side part you need, you should be able to purchase and bolt-in the intermediate parts and the tranny-side part as well. Good luck, sounds like you have a cool project on your hands! :good:

Re: Driver side engine mount

Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2015 10:12 pm
by 3X00-Modified
Up to 93 had the 3 speed and iirc that trans mount changed in 91 or 92.

Re: Driver side engine mount

Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2015 10:46 pm
by 1988GTU
you could use a W-Body trans mounting configuration if you chop and graft in the provisions to accommodate for it.

Re: Driver side engine mount

Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2015 10:48 am
by Beretta1234567
Thanks for all the replies, I'm planning for a time to check out the W-Body and N-Body mounts.

Worst case I would leave the existing mount, and then modify the pipe to tilt the turbo up a little bit.
Then install a cowl induction hood that covers the opening I would have to make. (Not a center cowl induction hood, a driver side offset one).
Or I might just remove the battery and put it there, there is sufficient space for the turbo and piping.
Still not sure, looking for ideas.