Honda Civic Engine Mount Upgrade: Reduce Wheel Hop

By PRL Motorsports - Premium Automotive Performance Products | Published: 2026-10-28

Category: How-to Guides

Learn how upgrading the rear engine mount on your 2016-2021 Honda Civic reduces wheel hop, improves launch traction, and what to expect during install.

Quick Answer

Upgrading the rear engine mount is the most effective single mount change to reduce wheel hop and improve launch traction on a 2016-2021 Honda Civic. PRL Motorsports' rear mount uses dual 60A EPDM bushings to minimize NVH while keeping the drivetrain planted.

Why the Rear Mount Matters Most

The rear engine mount is the primary pivot point that controls engine movement under load. On the 2016-2021 Civic, the factory rear mount is soft to keep the cabin quiet, but that compliance allows the engine to twist and the front wheels to bounce under hard acceleration. Swapping just this one mount stiffens the drivetrain without turning the whole car into a rattle trap.

A stiffer rear mount reduces the delay between throttle input and the tires actually biting. That makes launches feel more immediate and helps put power down more consistently, especially on the 1.5T engine.

Trade-Offs: NVH vs. Performance

Any stiffer mount adds some vibration to the cabin, particularly at idle and low RPM. PRL's rear mount uses dual 60A EPDM bushings—softer than polyurethane or solid mounts—to keep the added harshness minimal. You'll likely notice a bit more engine feel at idle, but it's far more civilized than a solid or 80A mount.

If you daily-drive your Civic and want a meaningful improvement in traction without turning the interior into a massage chair, a 60A rear mount is the sweet spot.

Install Steps: Rear Engine Mount Upgrade

Prepare the car and tools: Park on a level surface, chock the rear wheels, and disconnect the negative battery terminal. You'll need a floor jack, jack stands, 12mm, 14mm, and 17mm sockets, and a torque wrench. Check that you have the correct socket sizes before starting—don't assume all bolts are the same size.
Support the engine: Place a floor jack under the oil pan with a block of wood to spread the load. Raise it just enough to take tension off the mounts. Do not lift the car by the oil pan without a wood block. If the engine moves when you loosen the mount, you haven't supported it enough—lower and reposition the jack.
Remove the factory rear mount: Locate the rear mount near the firewall on the passenger side. Remove the through-bolt and the two or three bolts holding the mount bracket to the engine and subframe. Carefully lower the mount out. Keep the bolts organized by location—they may be different lengths and must go back in the same spots.
Install the new PRL rear mount: Position the new mount in place, hand-thread the bracket bolts, then install the through-bolt. Tighten all bolts to factory torque specs: 49 ft-lbs for the bracket bolts and 54 ft-lbs for the through-bolt (verify your exact year in the service manual). Tighten the through-bolt last, and only after the mount is fully seated, to avoid preloading the bushing.
Lower the engine and reconnect: Slowly lower the floor jack until the engine's full weight is on the mounts. Double-check that all bolts are at spec, then reconnect the battery. Start the engine and let it idle for a minute. Expect a slightly firmer idle feel—that's normal. If you hear metallic clunks, inspect that all bolts are tight and the mount is aligned.
Test and re-torque: Take a short test drive, including a few hard launches in a safe area. After the first 100 miles, re-check the torque on all mount bolts—new bushings can settle. If wheel hop is still present, consider upgrading the front mount or torque mount next; the rear mount alone may not fully eliminate it on very high horsepower builds.

Product Facts

2016-2021 Honda Civic Rear Engine Mount Upgrade: This rear mount uses two press-fit 60A EPDM bushings, unlike most aftermarket mounts that use a single bushing or stiffer urethane. The dual-bushing design balances stiffness for performance with enough compliance to keep cabin vibration tolerable for daily driving.
2016-2021 Honda Civic Rear Engine Mount Upgrade