Powerflex - lower torque mount (fast road model) - review
Discussion
I have a 2021 A110 S. Had this fitted week before last - model PFF19-2020.
Had some other tweaks done at the same time - went from Life fast road geo to LIfe track geo (1.5 deg negative camber to 2 deg negative camber) and also fitted new front brake discs (Girodisc) - but not sure that they will have a massive bearing on the comments below.
The car also has the ITG panel filter (life spec) and life springs.
Was away last week and drove the car again yesterday.
Was thinking that the whole car / drivetrain just feels fantastic - really tight and responsive / sporty / interactive.
Obviously this is a bit subjective as you cant see / isolate exactly what the torque mount is doing - but I can only put it down to that.
Do you feel some additional NVH in the cabin? - yes you do. I noticed this immediately on driving off from having the part fitted. You do feel some greater connectivity to the engine - I am not sure if you can describe it as low level vibration - however, it is not at a level that is hugely intrusive.
The Mrs wouldnt get in the car as a passenger and say - this is obviously night and day different. But I do think that the slightly limo like softness of the drive has been diluted somewhat. However, I dont feel that it has gone to a level where it is too firm - I live in London and the car is still great / fun / not intrusive for day to day stuff - and I am sensitive to this.
I was hanging on to my previous car, which is quite a bit more hardcore than the Alpine and procrastinating about holding / selling it - but I think that with the Alpine in this spec, I am very happy and will now proceed to sell the other car.
I have not tracked the car at this point - but just based on my sense of the compromise experienced, I would not go for the 'track' spec torque mount. Everyone that I have seen comment / post online re this seems to have gone for the fast road version.
According to the place I used to fit the mount, it is a relatively quick job - 5-10 min once the undertray is off.
Had some other tweaks done at the same time - went from Life fast road geo to LIfe track geo (1.5 deg negative camber to 2 deg negative camber) and also fitted new front brake discs (Girodisc) - but not sure that they will have a massive bearing on the comments below.
The car also has the ITG panel filter (life spec) and life springs.
Was away last week and drove the car again yesterday.
Was thinking that the whole car / drivetrain just feels fantastic - really tight and responsive / sporty / interactive.
Obviously this is a bit subjective as you cant see / isolate exactly what the torque mount is doing - but I can only put it down to that.
Do you feel some additional NVH in the cabin? - yes you do. I noticed this immediately on driving off from having the part fitted. You do feel some greater connectivity to the engine - I am not sure if you can describe it as low level vibration - however, it is not at a level that is hugely intrusive.
The Mrs wouldnt get in the car as a passenger and say - this is obviously night and day different. But I do think that the slightly limo like softness of the drive has been diluted somewhat. However, I dont feel that it has gone to a level where it is too firm - I live in London and the car is still great / fun / not intrusive for day to day stuff - and I am sensitive to this.
I was hanging on to my previous car, which is quite a bit more hardcore than the Alpine and procrastinating about holding / selling it - but I think that with the Alpine in this spec, I am very happy and will now proceed to sell the other car.
I have not tracked the car at this point - but just based on my sense of the compromise experienced, I would not go for the 'track' spec torque mount. Everyone that I have seen comment / post online re this seems to have gone for the fast road version.
According to the place I used to fit the mount, it is a relatively quick job - 5-10 min once the undertray is off.
Edited by five50 on Sunday 17th March 09:38
Thanks for the review, i think this is going to be my next mod.
Somehow i feel the alpine is too comfortable for me. I mean I am glad its not as raw as an Elise (i daily the car), but still think it could feel a tad more raw. So far i have Life110 springs with Fast Road&Track Geo (which improved the car a lot!) and a pipercross foam air filter (which makes pretty cool sounds). I guess the torque mounts will be next, sounds exactly like the type of mod i like :-)
Another thing i would like to try (but have no idea how to approach) are the A110R rear carpets. Some reviews mentioned they are lighter then the standard cars carpet and provide less noise insulation. I want that too.
Somehow i feel the alpine is too comfortable for me. I mean I am glad its not as raw as an Elise (i daily the car), but still think it could feel a tad more raw. So far i have Life110 springs with Fast Road&Track Geo (which improved the car a lot!) and a pipercross foam air filter (which makes pretty cool sounds). I guess the torque mounts will be next, sounds exactly like the type of mod i like :-)
Another thing i would like to try (but have no idea how to approach) are the A110R rear carpets. Some reviews mentioned they are lighter then the standard cars carpet and provide less noise insulation. I want that too.
Did the same myself on a 2020S a few weeks back.
As you say the difference is fairly subtle but definitely recognisable from the drivers seat. I changed the gearbox oil at the same time and now find that normal mode when commuting is smoother and track mode is snappier/quicker/flatter feeling and more positive with less movement in the gearbox.
When you unhook the original mount it’s surprising how much the engine/gearbox moves, so the tighter bushes defo have an important job to play and a worthwhile upgrade over the standard part (which I believe is off a Scenic, but don’t quote me on that)
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