Anyone have experience with these?

Researching options; tried a search of this site with no results. I understand Seaplanes West is a good option, but they have vertical tubes which will require some firewall accessories to be moved. SPW Mount is also quite a bit more expensive.

Thanks

I recently installed one on my 58 C180. Overall I am very happy with the mount. I had to buy a seaplanes west exhaust because my exhaust would not fit properly. I also had to remove the heating cones near the carb. It was expensive both parts and labor but the mount is solid. It weighed 4 lbs more than my old mount. Definitely strong and durable. It comes powder-coated black. I paid extra to have it powder-coated white. Realistically you could go with either the TS or the SWP. They will both require a new exhaust and removal of the heating cones.

I’m glad you like the mount, but that sounds like a lot of work. What type of exhaust did you replace? I have a ‘62 with larger diameter 185 collectors, exits RH side of cowling.

Curious about the difference between the stock C180 mount vs the TS mount vs the SPW mount.
Also curious about why you want to upgrade from your current (I assume stock) engine mount--
bigger engine, seaplane use, reduced vibration.....or maybe all of the above??

I went with the Texas Skyways mount over the SPW mount because I thought it was going to be a simpler fix. The SPW and TS mount both have an accessory tube down the back of the mount that makes it stronger. I thought I wouldn't need to exchange the exhaust with the TS mount and this was the reason I chose the TS mount. The new mount has a much large area for the vibration isolaters and thus requires a different exhaust. At least it did in a 1958 C180. It may be different in a later model 180. Knowing what I know now - I might have just gone with the Seaplanes west mount. It was available at the time my mount developed the cracks. I had to order mine from Texas Skyways and it took about 7-8 weeks if I recall. There has been discussion on this site about the need to place a heavier mount. I will say that I am glad I did it even though it was ridiculously expensive. I had overhauled my K mount at the time I placed the TS O-520 engine on in 2008. Cracks appears 10 years later. You could argue just to replace the mount every 10 years with an overhaul but the new mount is definitely superior. There is no vibration at all now - none. It really feels smooth like a turbine engine. The other nice benefit is that I feel the plane lands a little slower now. The improvement in the vibration allows the plane to break at a slower stall speed. I used to approach at 55 mph for STOL landings (yes I have a Sportsman Cuff) but I now use 50 mph and feel I could even push it a little further. I did not lose any speed at the upper end and might have even picked up a knot due to the new exhaust and thrust improvements from the mount. I think it will lead to less wear and tear in the future. We will see.


Josh

Thank you Dog, for the pirep.

A crack was found in the stock mount during annual, and I thought it wise to explore the options. Lots on the forum about the SPW mount, that also involves quite a bit of work, particularly on the firewall area.

This airplane is very smooth with the stock mount(Pponk, MAC 401). It’s been on that mount for 17 years/1300 hours, Floats and skis. Overhauled stock mount ordered from AWI.