[BostonDriver]

Finally got around to installing the Mountune short shifter and full induction kit... I was expecting anything from the intake kit, but WOW, was I surprised when I took it out for a drive! My butt dyno said HELL YEAH!!! much improved throttle response and the turbo just comes in earlier and harder than ever. I also noticed a huge improvement in intake air temps. The hose that runs into the fender really helps keep the temps no higher than 10 degrees above ambient. Most of the time it was with 3 degrees which meant for the first time I saw charge air temps lower than ambient! This car just continues to amaze me!

I also installed the hydraulic hood strut from sico developments out of the UK. Great little kit that was easy to install.

 

[RDgolfer]

Yes, no doubt about it, it gives the car a totally different feeling...a good one...and having the secondary air intake from the hose down near the fog light, intake temps are way lower than if you were to install a cone type air filter in the engine bay....mountune knows what they are doing, and I know what I am doing...smiling with every bit I install.. now obviously waiting for DP and CBE....bring it on...and to add to this, Randy's 93 oct tune is very satisfying...but I can't wait to have DP and CBE and FMIC installed so Randy Robles, mountune's head calibrator, will write me a sweet tune after I data log for him....laugh it up

 

[[email protected]]

Thanks for the feedback! Glad you're pleased!

 

[Mikeygti]

Any feedback on the short shift kit ?

 

[BostonDriver]

The short shifter is a perfect upgrade as well... Unlike other short shifters I've installed on various cars in the past, the Mountune one feels like it should have been that way from the factory. Shifting feel exactly the same as stock, just a bit shorter. Perfect throw for normal or aggressive driving. Most short shifters make it almost feel like your flicking a light switch when shifting, which is great for racing but unnecessary for normal commuting. Overall, I'm really impressed with the Mountune stuff. Quality upgrades that are straight bolt in with no messing around modding, cutting or hacking required to install.

 

[RodMoe]

Agreed .. I like how the shirt shift kit make the throw to Fifth gear a tad shorter at least it seems like that too me. As well as firming up the 1-2 shift ..

 

[Mikeygti]

I'll be able to add my comments on the short shift kit "shortly" Can't convince myself that the induction hose upgrade is required at this point .....

 

[BostonDriver]

I would say the induction hoses are a game changer in terms of performance, just an overall improvement in drivability through increased throttle response and decreased lag. Not that this car really suffers from either, but it's a very noticeable difference from when I had the stock airbox with K&N drop in filter to how it is now with the mountune box and hoses. After looking at the stock pipes and all the accordion necking and just blatant neck down points the flow must increase quite a bit with the larger diameter smooth mountune hoses.

 

[Mikeygti]

I have the the MP215 upgrade which includes the cold air intake and love it. I'm just not sold that spending the extra $$ for the induction hose will add anything noticeable.

 

[mrtn]

I have the the MP215 upgrade which includes the cold air intake and love it. I'm just not sold that spending the extra $$ for the induction hose will add anything noticeable.

If nothing else it looks really nice.

 

[Mikeygti]

If nothing else it looks really nice.

Well this is true ....hmmmm lol

 

[BlackBird]

Very nice! Eager to get one of these myself at some point.

 

[jfdana]

Just want to add that the short shifter really does work very well. Nothing extraordinary, just a positive, consistent, easy to feel shift from gear to gear. A definite improvement for my enjoyment as a daily driver. My mechanic did say "it feels the way it should been from the factory." Add the Cobb RMM, and you're all set.

 

[BostonDriver]

Although the Cobb RMM might improve feel, as a daily driver driven hard at times I don't feel it's necessary. I've never taken off so hard that I've gotten any noise from excessive motor movement since I don't feel it's needed to launch or shift so hard. With the flat foot shifting I feel it's better to launch without launch control and just use your foot to modulate grip. Randy at mountune mentioned they've seen that the frequency of vibrations caused by the RMM can effect the knock sensors, so I'm opting to not use it unless absolutely needed. I've installed similar mounts in previous cars to deal with excessive wheel hop but the fist doesn't seem to be as affected by it despite being a front drive torque monster. My SVT focus with RMM only had noticeable vibration when cold and when the ac was on, but my wife's Mazda 3 was completely unnoticeable other than it didn't sound like you were going to leave the front end behind when taking off in the wet.

To each his own, but I don't see the need for an RMM on a daily driver unless you're really beating shit out of it off the line all the time.

 

[BostonDriver]

We had some serious rain the other day around Boston and the combo of the cool air and water on the intercooler led to intake temps actually lower the the outside air temp! Step into the throttle and I saw temps 10 degrees lower than ambient! I can't wait to get my mountune intercooler installed and see just how much better this car can go through efficiency! Now mountune just needs to get going on pushing out their turbo back exhaust!!!!!

 

[jfdana]

Certainly no need for the Cobb RMM; my experience is that it just feels tighter all-around, which, in a light agile car, would seem to be a plus. And as a firm believer in the "smoothness is 7/8s of speed" school of driving, I'm not beating anything out of the car whenever.

I doubt that Randy was referring to Cobb, and I no of no reports of a Cobb RMM causing any issues with a knock sensor.

I suppose I could say that "I don't see the need for a short shifter on a daily driver unless you're really beating ... it off the line all the time," but that would be unnecessarily judgmental.

I do know that many ST owners have installed the Cobb RMM and find it adds to a more refined driving experience.

 

[BostonDriver]

I have an email from randy stating that they saw some interference as a result of the change in vibration frequencies caused by non stock RMM's. He didn't mention Cobb's specifically, I just mentioned that I was planning on getting one. I'm sure there's something to it and considering Mountune is developing parts which uphold the factory warranty they can't supply parts that may have this type of effect. I'm sure whatever effect it might have is totally unnoticeable to the person driving as the computer will deal with it, but any potential for excess knock or pulling of timing to handle it would effect performance and reliability... Two things any manufacturer wants to avoid.

 

[mrtn]

I have an email from randy stating that they saw some interference as a result of the change in vibration frequencies caused by non stock RMM's. He didn't mention Cobb's specifically, I just mentioned that I was planning on getting one. I'm sure there's something to it and considering Mountune is developing parts which uphold the factory warranty they can't supply parts that may have this type of effect. I'm sure whatever effect it might have is totally unnoticeable to the person driving as the computer will deal with it, but any potential for excess knock or pulling of timing to handle it would effect performance and reliability... Two things any manufacturer wants to avoid.

Ken said in a different thread that they have not tested the Cobb RRM specifically.

 

[bobjob]

I believe they saw those issues with a rally car. Randy tuned one up and I'm guessing the rally car had a nice stiff mount. Rocks and debris hitting the engin also could do it, but I'm sure they had a skid plate. Ive been checking my AP and i don't see any pulled timing or knock registered.

 

[[email protected]]

Any added NVH from any aftermarket mount that is currently in the marketplace can be problematic. I'm not going to throw any particular mount under the bus, but I use the stock mounts.