STILLEN Engine Torque Damper

[tollboothwilley]

As some of you may know, I bought the STILLEN engine damper brace but had some issues with installation because my 2003 is an early production model.

For most people, there should be no issues when installing this damper brace. You can follow the instructions found here: http://www.stillen.com/product...t.pdf

If during your install, during instruction #6 you find that the M8 bolt holes are not threaded then hopefully the following will be of assistance.

What I needed: 4 nuts (8mm x 1.25) - you need 2, but get a couple extra in case...5 lock washers (8mm) - you need 3, i got a couple extras

Drill - you will need to make a hole in your frame railDremel (optional) - I wish I'd had mine so the hole would have been more uniform. Plus, its easier to elongate the hole than using a file

The bracket that comes with the damper brace goes on the frame rail which is under the power steering reservoir. You use a flathead screwdriver to gently pull the plastic tab out on the backside and slide the reservoir upward. You will let the reservoir just hang around, pushing it out of your way as you work.

Here's the bracket on the frame rail. I had to find a way to attach these two bolts firmly to the frame rail to keep this bracket strong and stable. I also used one of the lock washers under the bracket on the small bolt so that the braket would sit even on the frame.

I jacked up the front right tire. Then I removed all the clips and screws for the plastic inner fender liner. With this removed I could access the side of the frame rail. I drilled a few holes and used a file to make this hole big enough to fit a open ended socket wrench through. (NOTE: Use of a dremel with a good metal cutting bit would have been much better but I didnt have mine with me)

Here is a close up of the hole I made, you can see the bracket as well sitting on top of the frame rail.

Using some electrical tape, I closed off one side of the wrench (5/8") so that the nut would sit inside it without falling through. I taped a lock washer on top of the nut sitting in the wrench. By carefully inserting the wrench through my makeshift hole in the frame I was able thread the bolt into the nut. Start with the one furthest away. Be careful and patient as you do this and you will secure this bracket firmly how you want it.

The rest is simple to do by following the instructions from their website.

[4drmadness]

hey great job man, and an awsome diy. so how are you liking the engine damper? did u get a chance to install anything else?

[tollboothwilley]

Its been pretty snowy here, lots of ice on the roads and it just snowed again tonight so I haven't been able to really give it a good test yet...

My back tires are bald too, so I need to get a few on the back to replace them. Def more throttle feel in the pedal.

I pulled out my UR lightweight pulley today and i bet it only weighs 1.5 lbs. This and the E-fan conversion should make a big diff. My HFC should be here by Tues of next week as well. I'll post up more DIY's on the installs when I do those.

[4drmadness]

i bet you are feeling a bit more vibration inside the car. the engine damper really comes alive after a couple days, so have fun with that. so did you find out about the weapon r damper and the strut bar? will both of them fit?

[tollboothwilley]

I dunno

The strut bar is not the first thing on my list to get though, so we'll see

The weapon R torque damper cost me like $130. After I get that installed I'll let you know what we have to work with.

[G_whizz]

Nicely done John!

I recently put in the GT Spec strut bar and I definitely recommend it!

[tollboothwilley]

whats the clearance on the GTSpec?

[4drmadness]

dude are you looking into getting a mrev2 for your car?

[G_whizz]

I'll double check the exact clearance for you, but I know it's all good. I had to remove my engine cover because I have the 5/16 spacer. Not sure if the MREV2 made any difference in height either, but I have that as well.

[tollboothwilley]

I figure with just about any strut bar you will have to take off the cover.

I just want to know what will cover the plenum without rubbing issues. Since I have the 5/8" spacer its gonna be a bit different than the 5/16

[4drmadness]

i have actually been noticing a lot of vibration coming from the passenger side. might be because of the engine damper. oh well.

[tollboothwilley]

Did you get the GT Spec strut bar?

[4drmadness]

nope!! im waiting for you to get it. lol. im still not sure if it will fit, so have to wait for someone to try it before me.

[tollboothwilley]

LOL

I installed my Weapon R damper, so there is no way I will be able to fit a strut bar. There isn't enough room to clamp down the nuts with both things on.

[4drmadness]

yea, btw how is the weapon r damper. u felt additional gains after u installed the stillen one?

[tollboothwilley]

I dunno how much I "gained"...

I feel the throttle through the gas pedal a lot more now

Its been cold and my rear tires are kinda bald so I haven't been driving my car very much.

The Weapon R is a good addition. I do like it. I need to test it more when I get this idle thing worked out all the way.