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Vibration characteristics of a powerplant, an important parameter to evaluate the booming noise and the durability of each parts of an automobile is a major field of simulation analysis using the finite element method (FEM). Overall vibration characteristics, however, depend heavily on the joint properties when it comes to the analysis of complicated structures like a powerplant where a number of parts are incorporated. Among other characteristics, it is extremely difficult to conduct accurate identification of the damping characteristics of the joint area, which had been the result of inaccurate analyses. This paper reports a newly established method to solve these problems through the application of frequency response function (FRF) data and FEM models. Also described is the result of application of the method to the evaluation of a transversely-mounted in-line four-cylinder engine in a front-wheel drive layout. The application revealed that the joint properties can be identified fairly accurately, which in turn allows reliable prediction of vibration level.