A Focus ST owner who mainly wants less wheel hop and better traction should start with the Torque Solution rear engine mount at about $133, while an owner replacing worn mounts or chasing the least engine movement should buy the Torque Solution complete engine mount kit at about $778. The rear mount is the budget first step, and the complete kit replaces all three mounting points in one purchase. Both fit the 2013 to 2018 Focus ST, and the complete kit also fits the 2016 to 2018 Focus RS.
Engine mounts rarely get attention in a build, yet they decide how much the engine moves every time the throttle goes down. A front-wheel-drive turbo hatch loads its mounts hard, and soft factory rubber lets the engine shift more than most owners realize. This guide compares the two Torque Solution options, explains what each one changes, and covers the tradeoffs.
Why Engine Mounts Matter on a Focus ST
An engine twists against its mounts when it produces torque. Factory rubber mounts are soft on purpose, since they isolate vibration and keep the cabin quiet. That softness lets the engine and transmission move more under hard acceleration, and that movement can show up as wheel hop, a clunk on throttle changes, or a loose feeling when shifting.
Performance mounts replace the soft rubber with stiffer materials, which limits the movement. The same logic applies on other platforms, and the Subaru guide on whether engine mounts improve performance explains the principle in detail. A related post covers what engine and drivetrain movement actually costs under power. Both were written for the WRX and STI, but the physics are the same on a Focus ST.
Torque Solution Rear Engine Mount: The Budget First Step
The Torque Solution rear engine mount is machined from 6061-T6 billet aluminum with polyurethane bushings, and it comes anodized black. Torque Solution designs it as a direct replacement for the factory rear mount, and the company says it reduces wheel hop and traction loss. It fits the 2013 to 2018 Focus ST as a direct replacement.
The rear mount costs about $133, which makes it the easiest way to stiffen the drivetrain. Owners who make more torque than stock, through a tune or bolt-on parts, benefit most, since the factory mount flexes more as torque rises. Torque Solution notes that some added vibration is noticeable, though far less than a solid mount would transmit.
That tradeoff is real and worth weighing. A stiffer mount sends more vibration into the cabin, especially at idle and low rpm. Most owners accept it for the improved response, but a daily driver who values a quiet cabin should know the change is not zero.
Torque Solution Complete Engine Mount Kit: Every Mounting Point at Once
The complete kit replaces three mounts in one purchase: the rear mount plus the engine mount and transmission mount that carry the drivetrain’s weight. Torque Solution builds the mounts from CNC billet aluminum combined with polyurethane, with steel brackets that are powder coated black. The company describes the kit as suitable for normal to high-performance driving, from stock cars to engines with moderate bolt-ons.
The kit costs about $778, which is nearly six times the price of the rear mount alone. That gap buys two things: a complete, matched set of mounts, and the stiffer support at the other mounting points. Torque Solution lists the kit for the 2013 to 2018 Focus ST and the 2016 to 2018 Focus RS, so RS owners have a complete option too.
A matched set makes sense for owners replacing worn factory mounts, since replacing only one leaves older mounts in place. It also suits builds that already include a performance clutch or a tune, because those changes raise the stress the mounts see.
Signs Your Factory Mounts Are Worn
Factory rubber mounts age with heat and mileage, and worn ones announce themselves. A clunk when the throttle goes on or off, extra vibration at idle, and visible cracks or tears in the rubber all point to mounts past their best. An engine that rocks noticeably when the throttle is blipped with the hood open is another clear sign.
Replacing worn mounts with stock rubber restores the original feel, while a performance mount restores the stiffness and adds more. Owners who already plan to tune or upgrade the clutch usually skip the stock replacement and move straight to the Torque Solution parts, since the budget is the same either way.
What to Expect After the Swap
Engine mounts do not add horsepower, and anyone expecting a dyno gain will be disappointed. The changes show up in how the car delivers power. Throttle response feels crisper, shifts feel more direct, and wheel hop on hard launches can drop, depending on tires and power level.
The tradeoff is added vibration and a firmer feel at idle. Owners who drive daily should expect to notice it for the first few days, after which most stop paying attention. Anyone who values a silent cabin above everything else should weigh that cost before choosing the complete kit over the single rear mount.
Which One Should You Buy
Owners with a mostly stock or lightly modified car who want to cut wheel hop on a budget fit the rear mount. Buyers with high mileage mounts, a larger build planned, or a wish to do the whole job once fit the complete kit. Owners who cannot decide can start with the rear mount and add the rest later, though buying the kit up front avoids paying for installation twice.
Budget matters too. The rear mount costs under $150, while the kit costs close to the price of a performance clutch kit. Owners spending on a clutch can read the clutch kits category, then decide whether the mounts belong in the same job or a later one.
Pair the Mounts With the Right Supporting Parts
Mounts work best as part of a drivetrain plan, not on their own. A stiffer mount lets a tune and a stronger clutch deliver their full effect, since less energy gets absorbed by flexing rubber. Owners planning that kind of build should read the Ford Focus ST stimulus package guide for the intake, exhaust, and blow off valve combination many owners start with.
Handling is the other half of the picture. The must have suspension upgrades guide covers the chassis side, and the Whiteline sway bar links guide covers one of the cheapest handling upgrades. Owners with a boosted car should also see the Turbosmart plumb-back versus dual-port comparison before choosing a blow off valve.
Install Notes Worth Knowing
Mounts support the engine and transmission, so the job needs proper support while the old mounts come out. Installing them alongside other drivetrain work saves labor, since the access overlaps with a clutch job. Check the transmission mounts category and the flywheels category if a larger drivetrain refresh is planned.
Shift feel is the other natural companion, since a drivetrain that moves less feels tighter through the gears. The COBB Adjustable Shift Plate fits the 2013 to 2018 Focus ST and the 2016 to 2018 Focus RS, and the shifters category lists more options. More Ford guides live in the Ford blog category.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need all three engine mounts replaced on a Focus ST?
No. The rear mount alone targets wheel hop and traction loss, and many owners start there. Replacing every mount makes sense when the factory mounts are worn or when a larger build is planned.
Will a Torque Solution engine mount make my Focus ST louder inside?
It can add some vibration. Torque Solution notes that some vibration is noticeable, though not as harsh as a solid mount. The effect shows most at idle and low rpm.
Which Focus ST years does the Torque Solution rear mount fit?
The rear mount fits the 2013 to 2018 Focus ST. Torque Solution lists the complete kit for the 2013 to 2018 Focus ST and the 2016 to 2018 Focus RS.
How much does the complete engine mount kit cost compared to the rear mount?
The rear mount costs about $133 and the complete kit costs about $778, which is nearly six times as much. Three mounts come in the kit, while the rear mount replaces one.
Do engine mounts help with wheel hop?
Torque Solution designs its rear mount to reduce wheel hop and traction loss. Results vary by car, tires, and power level, so treat it as one part of a traction plan.
Should I replace my engine mounts when I install a new clutch?
It is a good time to consider it. The access overlaps with a clutch job, so doing both together can save labor compared to doing them separately.
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