Before I release the ADS for the 1.8 5 speed, I'd like to know how many of you are actually interested in this product.
As most of you know, it has been very successful on the S4 . It would seem that the 1.8 benefits equally.
It will be direct fit, with no drilling or any permanent modification necessary. There will be absolutely no vibration or rubbing issues. I personally assure you all of this fact.<ul><li><a href="http://www.audiworld.com/forum/m.new/a4/msgs/457711.phtml">http://www.audiworld.com/forum/m.new/a4/msgs/457711.phtml</a</li></ul>

This will do the same thing as the Neuspeed lower tie bar, except it will also get rid of tranny vibrations? Does it mount in the same exact place as the Neuspeed bar so those that have it would just use both? I am guessing it does, cause you just remove the tie rod.

The transmission is allowed to vibrate so that engine vibrations do not affect too much gears inside the transmission. By fixing the transmission to the chassis (by bolting the transmission to the tie bar) you will force the transmisssion gears to damp engine vibrations. I believe you will shorten the life of the transmission which is not a very cheap part. If you really want to reduce transmission vibration, then go to the source and get some stiffer engine mounts.

If they move, they move as a unit, don't they? So there is no vibration damping between the two.

This stabilizer adds a mount for the transmission/engine unit at a particularly good spot - one where the leverage allows a good solid mounting without needing to resort to stiff materials for the mount. The lever law.

Anyway, that's my understanding of things... I could be totally off.

--G.

Imagine a stick inserted into one end of a straw. Start vibrating the stick. The straw vibrates with it no problem. If you hold the other end of the straw while the stick shakes, the straw will break, but if you hold the stick, rather than the straw you will be able to reduce vibrations without damaging the straw.

Same analogy applies here. If you want to reduce the total vibrations of the system, then you should get stiffer engine mounts and leave the transmission free to vibrate.

you could check on the S4 forum and ask if anyone has had any problems with the transmission that also happens to have the driveline stabilizer. I check there every once in a while and haven't seen any post complaining about it, but you could still check just to be cerain.

I know that's what you meant. But there's no flex between the engine and the transmission anyway - you fix one, you've fixed the other. Now, downstream I definitely see the potential... if the whole drivetrain flexes and then you fix one end of it (the engine/transmission end) then all the flex of the other end moving about (driveshaft, differential...) is concentrated on a smaller length, so the angle of flex is greater across the non-fixed portion and the stress increases. It's not the engine vibrations that can't be absorbed, it's the flexing of the undercarriage.

I really think that firmer engine mounts would raise the same exact issues. After all, one of the marketing claims behind the APR snub mount is that it reduces driveline lash, no? If the interface between the engine and the tranny could flex, then having a more solid engine mount would do nothing to reduce driveline lash.

But one point of yours is still very valid - I doubt that there are many people who fully understand the systems these mounts (be it engine or tranny) affect. And I doubt that even the designers of these products are among those who do. These are complex, dynamic systems with many requirements. Look a bit down and you'll find a question I asked of Innovator which he did not answer... that of mating aluminum components to stainless steel. I think these two metals will corrode each other when part of the same soup (hey, we're talking undercarriage here!) I'm not sure, but hey, I'm not selling a product that contains these metals and will be exposed to weather! Innovator is, and if his lack of response is any indication, he may not be sure either.

Not trying to flame anyone or cause a stir... just sharing what I think are legit concerns.

Gawd, what I'd give for a detailed picture of all the drivetrain parts on a quattro with mount points included...

--G.

is still achieved.

If there is no noticeable harshness or additional vibration, why would you assume that the transmission would be taking more of the load? The provided mount provides adequate movement. There is a soft rubber mount that goes between the ADS and the tranny.

The engine load to the trans is where the gears are getting most shock load. The ADS simply adds an additional mounting point that dissipates the load to the body, adding a more stability to driveline's movement. If anything, it protects the trans from getting shocked on a hard launch. The ADS keeps everything in perfect alignment, and it stiffens the chassis as an added bonus.

Don't assume that all of the implications of the ADS have not been carefully considered. And please don't assume that I do not understand the way the engine and tranny mounts work, because mechanical engineering was and is my life. I'm not a shoe maker. This isn't the first time I've fabricated a reinforced mounting system. The Audi OTS has told me many times that this product will not effect anyone’s warranty. Why should it?

As for corrosion, the bolts are not SS but zinc plated grade 5 steel. The ADS will be powder coated tubular steel. They will last the life of the car. It is hardly a reason for concern. Surely worring about that would be over analytical. Please let me worry about that. I am the one that has to stand behind the product now.

BTW,I didn't reply earlier, because I don't read this forum as often as the A4 / S4 forum. Sorry.

Furthermore, all of these little details will be addressed before I release the new ADS's. This is once again my baby, and it's gonna be perfect!