I just wanted to post up a small review for people who have not yet tried the LOTF Engine Damper. I installed it this afternoon, and went for a 10min drive around town to assess the work and the damper. First off I noticed that those brackets are made of heavy duty metal, along with the bolts…and they aren’t going anywhere!!! When I started up the car, I could feel a slight improvement of vibration. Now, note* some people may not like this. It’s honestly not “much” more vibration than normal, but I can feel more in the steering wheel and shifter (which I love)!

Drive around town: I picked up a friend and drove ~10min around town just to get a quick feel for the damper. I noticed that the car actually felt a little slower…but what it is; is the fact that the car accelerates much smoother. I guess I’m more use to the feeling of getting bucked around in the MINI, and for the most part, that is gone. If I get on it in second gear (~2k RPM’s) I can still feel the very lively bucking that exists in the MINI, however at ~3k it’s just awesome smooth acceleration.

Overall: So far I have only driven a couple of miles, so I cannot give a report on every day driving, but I liked what I saw today.

The reason why I’m posting this now is because I just received the brackets the other day. I have an 02 build 03’ MCS, and I have the extra metal, so I could not install the damper! Finally LOTF found a method of mounting the damper and I can say he did one kick *** job! I personally like the location even more than the original, so I am quite happy overall. I would definitely order this again! You can order the parts directly from LOTF himself, along with the bracket if needed. Please see this thread for order information and to check if you need the brackets. https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=71325. If you are still unsure, e-mail LOTF.

I would have pictures, but they are in that thread above, and since it’s in the same location, I think it would be pointless. I can take some pictures upon request if you guys want. I have the blue damper against an Indi Blue MCS and my damper set-up is a little bit different than the one posted above. I have the block-side damper bolted inside of the “L” bracket, and have my “L” brackets slightly angled.

Feel free to PM me with any questions or post here.

Thanks,
-Cody

 

Glad you were able to finally install it. Thanks for posting the review.

 

Nice review. Thanks.

 

Thanks guys. Yes, I am happy I finally!!!!! have it on!

Thanks for the nice comments. I have nothing negative to say thus far, but I haven't driven long enough, so we will see how everything works out. Seems like a very well crafter part (both the damper and the brackets) so I'm not worried at all. LOTF is also an excellent guy, so congrats to him for getting this part out to the public.

-Cody

 

Glad to here you got it installed Cody. You will have to come try it out on my road, ( just watch out for potholes )and see how it feels.

 

poleizi is absolutley right. I have been looking forward to an ED for a long time...

The twisting and chugging and bucking was one of the first things that I noticed that I wanted to remedy on my JCW MINI.
I was looking for a good description of what I am feeling.

I just posted in the strut tower vibrations forum..

That is it! It feels slower at first!

Scott from Central coast coopers threw me his keys to his creation the first time I met him...
That was what I remembered loving so much about his car. The Direct feel. He had lots of sano mods... and an engine dampener...

polezei is right about the "feels slower" description... but it is just putting the power to the ground without all the bucking drama.

I love it!!

It does'nt matter if you get the LOTF or the TSW... its up to you...
Just get one. I got the red TSW. It is sick!!! You get what you pay for... Friends of mine that are not even into cars saw it in the box, and the way it is packaged and utter detail of billet aluminun and miniture zert fittings and said, "Damn dude look at this part... what did this cost like $500 bucks?"

An engine dampener is a killer mod. See my other post, just tighten it up all the way.

Thanks to TSW for the super fast shipping, good feed back and a dialed product.... I am stoked!

J

 

Let's not....remember, I'm trying to actually finish paying the car off so I can have more fun, not go in debt even more.

Anyway, I have a handful of people from school that want to go to Edgewater in the spring, so I hope you will come down also, along with Justin and Brandon. ...and anyone else!

-Cody