Engine mounts vs motor plates. To avoid block twist.

[333pg333]

I was on a Youtuber's site who is a machinist / sleeve installer etc. I asked if he'd had any issues with MiD sleeves and his suggestion was to use Motor plates instead of engine mounts. It helps to restrict block twist therefore cylinder distortion. This guy seemed to do mostly big block V8s and upon researching a little more, this seems to be where these motor plates are used the most. Curious if anyone has ever had any experience with these plates? I'm not sure if a V8 would be more or less susceptible to block twist than an i4? They would have forces going in differing directions compared to an i4 but should have a stronger block with more meat. Thoughts?

[Tom]

I think of plates on big V8 drag cars where they dump a ton of torque on the drivetrain, serving as the ultimate solid mount to keep the motor locked in place without moving around and/or breaking mounts (and where noise and vibration are irrelevant). If they do stop the block from twisting too, is there anything strong enough on a 944 to withstand that kind of stress (absent tubes and cages, etc.)? I don't have any insights at all on plates, so just curious -- are they are used in other track-based motorsports like F1 and Indy cars? If you make enough power to twist a 944 block, I have to wonder how many weaker links would fail before block twist becomes the failure point?

[333pg333]

Thanks Tom. I too think this guy's main customers are big block drag cars and agree with your sentiments. Unfortunately it took this guy circa 9 months to respond so I'm not holding breath on any follow up questions.

I'd assume most block twist would occur when doing high stress launches with a ton of torque. We don't do those so that's a plus. I was also just curious if Chris or Michael had come across these mounts?

I also wonder if it would have some negative effect on harmonics?