ECS vs Apikol Rear Diff Mount. Any thoughts?

[Bruno_s4]

On the fence right now.

ECS claims their mount is stiffer than Apikol's street mount and somewhere between street and race.
Big price difference though at 239 vs 179.

They have sold 75 units so far... any feedback yet?

Thanks

[Alpha Ice]

I'm pretty sure Apikol would win around here. This is the first time I've even heard of ECS doing a rear mount for the diff. I don't think you would want it to be too stiff or you would have some extra wear and tear on other parts. I have no problems with 6k shifts from 1-2 with my red Apikol.... I however have a B8, but they are tried and true here on the forums

[MidwestB6]

This is the first time I've even heard of ECS doing a rear mount for the diff.

It was just released about two weeks a go, there probably won't be anyone with much firsthand experience. On a side note, I was going to do the diff mount because it's so easy to do, but now that I've done the motor mounts and trans mount, I don't really feel the need for it. If I was going to change my diff mount, I'd go for the red apikol mount.

Here's from an older thread(long before the ECS rear diff mount was released) -

We've tried out ALL of the combinations on our shop B7-RS4 and I've got some feedback on the setups. On the transmission mount, we'd go with 034Motorsport Street Density. We've tried Track Density and although it locks the transmission down well, it transmits a NOTICEABLE amount of vibration through the cabin and into the seat. The Street Density Mount is PLENTY capable of locking down the transmission on the B7-RS4 (it did for us on all of our record setting, all-motor runs in addition to our testing with our Supercharger Kit ). For the Rear Differential Mount, you can get away with upgrading to the Red/Stiff bushing without sacrificing much for cabin comfort. It will give you a small increase in vibration but it's not that noticeable and for the upgrade, I think it's worth it.

[Mr.Wrong]

I'd go with Apikol just because they've been out for a while and I heard/hear only positive reviews across all their mounts. ECS just came out recently with their mounts, I'd wait for some reviews. Also, Apikol could be had below 179, well at least race version

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

I'll be happy to answer any questions about our mount. It's currently installed in one of our managers B6 S4's that's daily driven and has been for a while. We've yet to experience any issues. I plan on running this mount as well in my B6 A4.

Jason

[blackedoutt]

ECS is known to have some relatively "lower engineered" parts designed in house which helps with the competitive pricing. I would buy one to save the extra money and see how it works. If it doesn't then give them your feedback and share it with us too. If it's a good part out of the gate or if they are able to fix any issues quickly its definitely a good deal, but if it's junk word of forum will kill it off just as quick.

[Spike00513]

Rockauto sells the OEM rear diff mount for $35.

[JimmyBones]

I would go with the Apikol. It is the tried and tested mount.

Plus it seems like ECStuning is trying to throw out products lately to compete with the older more well known and tested products on the market. Not sure about the testing that they did before releasing them. But I have to admit that the ignition coil pack puller that they sell works pretty good along with a few of the other tools that they sell. It is nice since I recently painted my valve covers and I don't want to scratch them by using a pick to pry the ignition coils up.

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

In response to the "lower quality" and us "pumping out more parts lately" is not a result of just wanting to be in the older parts market. For years we have focused on building the best catalog in the market for all models. We've been designing and engineering ECS Tuning parts and products for over 12 years and in just the recent years we have ramped up our R&D department with now some of the finest engineers out there to aid in the development of new ECS Tuning products.

This part in question was just under a year process from idea to prototype to production. Between all of that, countless hours were spent engineering a part that was unique from the others on the market. Multiple designs were created and tested via simulation until we had the best design. Once that was done our prototyping began with solid parts and multiple poly urethane blends. After thousands of miles of testing and finding the correct poly blend between comfort and performance on both the A4 and S4 we decided it was a go for production. To make things easier on our customers and from our own experience we've also decided to include new OEM bolts so your not installing old beat up hardware on your new part. Our ECS rear differential mount is still installed and driven on everyday on an ECS vehicle and feels / performs great.

OP if you're still on the fence about the mount please feel free to shoot me a PM.

Best,

Jason

[FulhamFTW]

In response to the "lower quality" and us "pumping out more parts lately" is not a result of just wanting to be in the older parts market. For years we have focused on building the best catalog in the market for all models. We've been designing and engineering ECS Tuning parts and products for over 12 years and in just the recent years we have ramped up our R&D department with now some of the finest engineers out there to aid in the development of new ECS Tuning products.

This part in question was just under a year process from idea to prototype to production. Between all of that, countless hours were spent engineering a part that was unique from the others on the market. Multiple designs were created and tested via simulation until we had the best design. Once that was done our prototyping began with solid parts and multiple poly urethane blends. After thousands of miles of testing and finding the correct poly blend between comfort and performance on both the A4 and S4 we decided it was a go for production. To make things easier on our customers and from our own experience we've also decided to include new OEM bolts so your not installing old beat up hardware on your new part. Our ECS rear differential mount is still installed and driven on everyday on an ECS vehicle and feels / performs great.

OP if your still on the fence about the mount please feel free to shoot me a PM.

Best,

Jason

Some people just don't like to be told that there are cheaper parts out there that are just as good. More money=piece of mind to some, which is pretty damn stupid. Also, it's a piece of metal with a bushing in it. I'm not sure how buying the more expensive Apikol mount is going to be any different than this is. Keep pumping out products man. Haters gonna hate.....

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

[masaraksh]

I have the red apikol, which when combined with a new snub mount + zero gap bracket really made the driveline feel more solid.

However, I don't see why there is so much hate for ECS. I think that a part like this mount would be pretty difficult to f* up. It is really easy to install too. I would go with the ECS.

[SurferD]

The ECS engineered parts I have used have all been high quality.

[Crusty128]

I just had the ECS snub mount fitted, would I have any benefits (and what benefits?) to upgrade my rear diff mount if I do not launch the car and don't do 1/4 mile racing ?

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

I just had the ECS snub mount fitted, would I have any benefits (and what benefits?) to upgrade my rear diff mount if I do not launch the car and don't do 1/4 mile racing ?

A stiffer rear diff mount will eliminate the common drive train "clunk" you get from shifting. Not to mention shifting will be crisper restoring a solid "feel" to your vehicle.

Poly bushings are also much more durable than rubber and our poly blend will withstand the elements much better than conventional rubbing giving you longer service life of the mount.

Jason

[Newbie6]

I had the Race Apikol mount installed(Blue). I love it because I drive my car hard and want nothing but the best for my car so that I don't break other things in the result. I noticed with the cold weather my mount does make a pop sound when backing up and then going forward. I called JHM and they informed me that is normal since the race mount is very stiff and would most likely make noise at times. I don't hear it driving down the road or taking turns just when backing up and going forward. I will say I can make shifts really well and no clunk, but I also had the solid race mounts from 034 motorsport, race trans mount and APR snub mount. I would say with all those parts installed my car feels amazing! I wish it was like that when I first bought it LOL

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

My A4 has the stock diff mount still and when I throw it in reverse (manual transmission) you can hear the diff tighten up. I don't think any mount will correct that as it's just play in the drive train itself. Kind of like on a motorcycle when you put in first gear the chain tightens up a bit.

The "clunk" from raking through the gears though is actual the diff moving around since when you shift you remove the load for a split second and then apply it again in full force.

Jason

[blocke]

Necro bump. Does anyone have an upgraded diff mount on a tiptronic?
Would I notice any benefit? I don't notice any "slop" right now, and I like the smoothness.
This car doesn't get tracked, but does get some spirited driving now and then.

[trendster09]

I Have a Apikol rear diff mount for sale if anyone is interested PM for details!!!

[1blacklab]

PM sent

[FWP!]

I'm pretty sure Apikol would win around here. This is the first time I've even heard of ECS doing a rear mount for the diff. I don't think you would want it to be too stiff or you would have some extra wear and tear on other parts. I have no problems with 6k shifts from 1-2 with my red Apikol.... I however have a B8, but they are tried and true here on the forums

I put the ECS one on my RS4 about a week ago, I LOVE the change, highly recommended. No added drive train noise whatsoever, install was easy, and the improvement in shifting and smoothness between shifts is pretty huge, a much better improvement than I was expecting.

[TarlCabot]

ive have the apikol on my B6, so at this price im going to order the ecs for my B7 so i can compare the two :)

[TarlCabot]

i currently have a pretty good "boom" coming from the rear of the cabin when letting out on the clutch in 1st or 2nd and reverse if i am pretty aggressive on my shifts... never actually experienced it in my B6, but that car was stock clutch and this one is kevlar/feramic and new

[jeffrey146]

I have the apikol on my b6 and i love it. it did amazing things to the shifting and how the rear end feels... and it is simply a beautiful piece of engineering... that being said i would probably drill and fill the OEM mount with poly if i had it to do again. There is a write up around here somewhere.

[texasboy21]

A third option is the PowerFlex bushing insert, in the stock mount.

http://www.powerflex.co.uk/road-seri...ush/11290.html

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

Yeah but Billet Aluminum is so much cooler ;)

Jason

[FulhamFTW]

Yeah but Billet Aluminum is so much cooler ;)

Jason

So is not having to press the old bushing out

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

So is not having to press the old bushing out

X2

Jason

[das_boosthead]

My ECS diff mount just arrived.

[BenSti]

A third option is the PowerFlex bushing insert, in the stock mount.

http://www.powerflex.co.uk/road-seri...ush/11290.html

I like that, just ordered one!

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

My ECS diff mount just arrived.

Thanks for the order!

Jason

[noob5]

My ECS diff mount just arrived.

Let us know how your install goes.
I'm hoping mine goes smoothly.
Mine is scheduled to arrive tomorrow along with motor mounts and G62 ECT sensor for the allroad.
I'm looking forward to putting them on!

[texasboy21]

Yeah but Billet Aluminum is so much cooler ;)

Jason

So is not having to press the old bushing out

The factory mount does not need to be pressed out. Wedge a flathead screwdriver between the mount and rubber, give it a few taps with a hammer, then twist. The old mount will be out in a matter of seconds. The new one slides in, just as easy.

[LJH]

A Diff Mount is not exactly a highly complex piece to manufacturer. Not that it really matters but I think the ECS mount looks "cooler" and is significantly cheaper. If I did not already have the Apikol mount I would have gone with the ECS mount. Another note is that my Apikol snub mount literally disintegrated in less than 50K miles and I replaced it with a ECS unit but I cannot comment on the durability as it has only been in the car for 3K miles.

Cheers,
Jim

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

A Diff Mount is not exactly a highly complex piece to manufacturer. Not that it really matters but I think the ECS mount looks "cooler" and is significantly cheaper. If I did not already have the Apikol mount I would have gone with the ECS mount. Another note is that my Apikol snub mount literally disintegrated in less than 50K miles and I replaced it with a ECS unit but I cannot comment on the durability as it has only been in the car for 3K miles.

Cheers,
Jim

Appreciate the feed back!

Jason

[TarlCabot]

These are going in this weekend...

Going blacked out on grill and all chrome except for Audi Rings and other OEM badges... (Saved a TON on their sale and free shipping :)



I have the Apikol on the B6 so i'll be able to compare the 2 in question for install and overall feel after wards

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

Thanks for the order!!

Jason

[TarlCabot]

installation was a breeze, looks great... IMHO the bushing feels a tad bit softer/kinda rubbery in comparison to the Apikol, so i am assuming this will be just a little softer than the Apikol and in comparison to the OEM about 400% stiffer :)



the old OEM in case you were wondering



Now for the test drive

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

Thanks for the order! Feel free to leave feed back once you take it for a spin!

Jason

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

Here is a little more in-depth information on the product life cycle each piece that is made my ECS Tuning goes through for anyone interested.

The design process for our B6/B7 diff mount began with reverse engineering the stock mount and evaluating the packaging requirements of the drivetrain.



We then carefully calculated drivetrain forces to ensure the mount would handle the most severe operating and loading conditions. The size of the poly isolator was maximized to offer the highest load capacity possible while the shape, durometer, and preload was optimized to increase the vibration dampening characteristics of the mount.



Once the basic 3D models were completed, the design was put through multiple simulations to optimize the strength and weight, reduce stress concentrations, and account for fatigue, resulting in the most durable design possible.




The final model was then rapid prototyped (3D printed) and test fit to confirm perfect fitment of the design.

We then moved on to functional metal/poly prototypes, first performing quality inspection of the prototype to confirm that it is an exact match to our model



Then continuing with test fitment of the prototype. Initial testing was more than satisfactory, with an improvement in driving feel, throttle response and crispness immediately evident, so we continued on with long term test and durability testing to further evaluate the driving characteristics, performance, and durability of our mount. After many, many test miles and much abuse on multiple test vehicles, and careful evaluation of the results and final inspection of the test parts, we were satisfied with our final design.

The final production parts are crafted from 6061-T6 alloy for its excellent strength to weight ratio and are type II black anodized for excellent corrosion resistance and appearance. The poly isolator is molded from a durable yet compliant 70A poly and should last for years in the most severe operating conditions.



Jason

[pwest15]

^Cool stuff! Might be considering one of these in the next few months