Maybe I'm expecting too much from this kind of product. Help me out, here.

I bought one of the Lord of the Flies (LOTF) engine torque dampers, recently. I wasn't thrilled with the side effects, so I purchased a Texas Speedwerks damper kit.

I will say that I've had great service and follow-up from LOTF and I've had several discussions with Scott at TSW, so no issues with either vendor.

I installed the LOTF damper first. I could immediately notice a significant improvement in throttle response and overall smoothness of acceleraton, shifting and downshifting - cool! The damper seemed to really be doing its job. I had initially had an issue with the body of the damper rubbing against the frame, but I was able to remedy that. But after a couple of days, the low-level vibration/buzziness that permeated itself throughout the entire car was driving me nuts. I removed the damper, decreased the preload setting and re-installed. The vibration was still there, but the effect of the damper unit was not as pronounced - and this I expected. I continued to fiddle with the dampening settings for several days, without success. So, I removed the LOTF damper.

I decided to try the TSW kit. This kit comes with a very slick set of brackets that mount to the block and also to the strut tower. This damper essentially bridges the passenger side motor mount. Now, from reading glowing posts on Metroplex MINIs, I figured this kit was going to be the cat's meow. I spoke with Scott at TSW and reviewed my concerns about the LOTF damper. Then, I ordered and received the TSW kit in just two days.

The install was pretty straight forward and the instructions are fairly complete - save for a couple of steps that were omitted and I called those to TSW's attention. What's interesting about the TSW kit that is different than the LOTF kit, is that it mounts much higher up on the engine. One would figure that is where the maximum 'lever' effect would be and this is the optimum location for the damper. Now, I have messed with both damper kits for I can't tell you how many hours and the LOTF kit, on my MINI, does a no-question, hands-down superior job of reducing the torque reaction of the engine, which was really quite a surprise.

The TSW kit induces a different sort of vibration feeling, altogether. It makes the entire car body resonate and the apparent sound level increase in the passenger compartment is dramatic - and annoying. It almost feels and sounds as if the exhaust system is rubbing against the floor pan. There is discussion on Metroplex MINIs about using o-rings to reduce the effect of the damper heim joint-eyelet hitting the mounting hardware. I've tried several different o-rings and three different types of Dynamat as suggested in this forum for brand-J cars - all to no avail. The TSW damper - even on a very 'stiff' setting seems to do little to dampen the rocking of the engine.

So, I'm trying to strike a balance, here. Some vibration/resonance is OK and I expect that, but I don't want to feel like I'm on one of those foot massager machines at the county fair. If you can offer me some guidance as to where to go from here, I'd truly appreciate it.

 

See this post to reduce vibration.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...&postcount=338

and this one:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...&postcount=534

 

Good thoughts. I remember seeing those posts, but somehow, it didn't register . I will give that a try.

 

AntiqueCarNut, thank you for posting your experience on both dampers. It was interesting to read how the TSW "feels" in your car, and that you think the LOTF damper feels like it's doing more. I was the first one to have the LOTF damper mounted (as i was the one who showed him how to mount it ) and I am very pleased with it as well. As for the vibration, it is very slight on my car at idle, but now i'm used to it. The links from M1N1N1M should help.
I am currently working on a bracket system to mount it on the '02s and early '03s.


M1N1N1M, thanks for posting those links.

 

I currently have the TSW damper removed (I took it off to play with the preload but never had a chance to put it back on). When I do remount it, I will try the o-rings and report my findings.

 

I thought the O-ring trick was to keep the TSW damper from rattling in the bracket, I don't think it will have any bearing on it's damping effect.

 

Are you complaining about a vibration at all speeds or just a specific range? I have LOTF damper and only notice a slight vibration at idle. As soon as I am moving there is no vibration. And I love the feel of the car now. Really tightens up and smooths out the driving.

 

That's actually the only problem I have with the TSW kit and it's the noise more than the vibration. I'm actually very happy with the damping effect.

 

I have the TSW damper and had a rather loud rattle at idle, particularly when the AC was on. As long as the pre-load wasn't too tight, I never had any vibration.

I was one of the first to try the o-ring trick to solve the rattle. Installing a pair of #12 o-rings alongside the Heim joints solved the it and I've been happy with the damper since. Here's a pic of where I installed the o-rings.

 

Hi All,

I have a new, in the box Texas Speed Werks Engine Damper waiting to be installed on Monday. I may be blind or otherwise impaired, but for the life of me I've looked and looked and can't find the White Plastic Washer that is to be replaced by thinner 1/2 inch nylon oil drain plug gaskets in the fix for TSW Dampers

https://www.northamericanmotoring.com...&postcount=534

referenced by M1N1N1M.

Where should I be looking to find this washer? I'd like to get some 1/2 gaskets to dampen vibration before my install.

Thanks for any help,

Stephan

 

Stephan:

That 'fat white plastic washer' is *inside* the damper - so unless you have x-ray vision, you would not have seen it.

 

Scott - it's in the 2000-5000 RPM range. Not really what I'd call vibration - but a 'buzziness'. I have some minor vibration with the LOTF damper at idle - my suction cup mounted GPS jiggles a bit at idle with the LOTF, but interestingly, not at all with the TSW. No matter - at idle I can live with it - it's at speed and while motoring on the highway that's an issue.

I think every car will be slightly different, and individuals will be more or less susceptible to how the damper 'feels'.

I will continue to mess with these dampers 'til I either get it just right, or I tear all my hair out. :impatient

 

No wonder I couldn't find the blinkin' washer!

Let me see if I have this right:

Rattles-try FUEGO's "O" Ring Trick

Vibration- use the magic 1/2 inch nylon oil drain plug gaskets

Is that it?

Thanks,

Stephan