I'm looking for a few opinions on a couple of crazy ideas of mine.

1) For all you manual drivers, don't you think a $20K+ car should not have a a shifter that vibrates to the engine? I was thinking there has got to be a way to dampen the vibration. Would wrapping the shifter with dynamat work (or any generic mastic)?

2) For others with the Wilwoods (especially Chunger) I was thinking it's a shame that the dust shields don't fit and The fastbrakes didn't come with any? Is there enough room to add your own? I saw some on ebay and discovered there was a market for larger dust shields.

Thanks a lot for you time

 

i've read some conflicting things regarding dust shields... some publications say leave them on to keep dust away from various parts, others say take them off because they keep more heat closer to the brake... which is exactly what you dont want.

Neal

 

Dynamat or anything like it wont stop the shifter vibrating. The shifter vibrates becuase it is mechanically connected to the engine with rods. If the engine moves...the shifter moves. It would take a WHOLE LOT of mass applied ot the shifter to damp the vibration of the engine...

Thats my theory.

Why do you want dust shields so bad? They inhibit good cooling of the brakes. Who cares how much brake dust gets on your struts anyway?

 

What you need to worry about is the source of the problem: the soft engine mounts. Once you change out the nice soft rubber, you will notice a HUGE difference.

 

The A4 doesn't come with dust shields, and I have heard guys at Audiworld complain about extended stopping distances when it rains because the rotors get wet. Just something to think about.

 

Honestly, I think your rotors get wet even with the dust shields. Plus, as soon as you hit the brakes for about .5 seconds they would be completely dry.

 

Because my motor is reasonably smooth I don't notice any vibration. I do wish the linkage were tighter though, there is noticable play on the Maxima shifter. First I thought it was just my 98 so I went and sat in a 2000 in the showroom and wouldn't you know, same thing. You can climb under the car and see the rod. Bushing musta been designed that way to be a little forgiving.