Admittedly this is my first front wheel drive manual vehicle, but out of curiosity, how hard should the steering wheel jolt with each application of power? It snaps pretty good. Wondering about bushes and mounts.

John
2002 R53 6 speed

 

Sounds like what you are talking about is torque steer. It should be moderately low as the front axles are nearly the same length. Having said that, it is more pronounced the harder you launch off the line. It also should pull to the right as that is the main drive wheel with the open diff. You can put in a limited slip diff and it will all but get rid of it. A front wheel drive car will always have some torque steer.

If you are talking about the whole system, engine, transmission and all the connected rocking back and forth, well that can be solved with stiffer bushings, motor mounts and transmission mount. The stock passenger side upper motor mount is a crap. Get one from Vibra-technics here - https://www.vibra-technics.co.uk/ They also have all the other mounts as well. If you get the competition versions the motor and transmission will not move... at all. As in none. You will have a considerably more NVH if you go that route. See my signature below as I know this first hand. My like it because... race car.

 

Another thing to consider is front axlw/CV joint wear. Jack up the front with car in gear and rotate wheels back and forth to determine the free play.