suspension

[weezer2282]

I think the first big mods I'm going to make will be to the suspension. I'm thinking maybe a rear sway bar from H-sport...the tubular sport one with three adjustments. Also maybe some end links from Alta or Randy Webb. Then after that some springs from either Alta or H-sport. The H-sport are progressive and I'm leaning more towards that for ride quality. Anyone know the rates on the Altas? They don't post that info on the website. Any opinions or insights?

[k-huevo]

Opinions you ask for, I’ve plenty of those. Yes, Alta doesn’t reveal their spring rates. I think there just about right for most street needs. The drop is moderate and leaves enough clearance for speed bumps and most pre-flattened road kill.

The H-Sport springs are great for handling, not so great for comfort. The H-Sport Comp bar is lots of fun with a little compromise on comfort and requires a lot of attention when the road gets tight to keep the rear-end where it’s supposed to be.

End links aren’t necessary until you install coilovers, corner balance the car, and need to reduce un-even pre-load. At least, I’ve not bent my stock links yet so; I don’t think durability is an issue.

[weezer2282]

Opinions you ask for, I’ve plenty of those. Yes, Alta doesn’t reveal their spring rates. I think there just about right for most street needs. The drop is moderate and leaves enough clearance for speed bumps and most pre-flattened road kill.

The H-Sport springs are great for handling, not so great for comfort. The H-Sport Comp bar is lots of fun with a little compromise on comfort and requires a lot of attention when the road gets tight to keep the rear-end where it’s supposed to be.

End links aren’t necessary until you install coilovers, corner balance the car, and need to reduce un-even pre-load. At least, I’ve not bent my stock links yet so; I don’t think durability is an issue.

Is there a difference between the Comp bar and the H-sport sport bar? I was looking at this one: http://www.h-sport.com/cgi-bin/EDCstore.pl?user_action=detail&catalogno=22800R
It isn't quite as stiff as the comp bar and has 3 adjustments.

The websites were saying to upgrade the links because the stock ones aren't durable enough, but I guess the stock ones are sufficient.

How are those new tires holding up?

[k-huevo]

The sport bar is probably the right choice for the street but, remember my butt is older than yours.

Did I say the Avon M500s were quiet? These tires are quiet and cushy.

[scuderia]

I had to think about the springs, because it is taking a risk. I am opposed to having springs on the stock suspension. If you are after the looks, it is not worth it, however if you are chasing better handling, which is kind of unnecessary (for me, I do not know your driving habits) because normal day driving does not even bring half of MCS' capabilities, I would look at the JCW suspension kit, you can put your hands on one around $1,000.00, and they really work. It does not lower the car like the aftermarket springs, almost unnoticable, but you get smoother characteristics on high speed, which gives confidence. I test drove one with the JCW kit, liked it.

The real deal is the Bilstein adjustable coilovers, you can set-up your height, that is kind of cool, but again, they are pricey.

We kind of had this conversation with Keith last time at the European AIG, there are thousands of different ways to improve handling. I will start from the tires. If you spend some money on tires and get a set of Mic. pilot sports or even go crazier and buy Pirelli P Zero Rossos, see how well your handling will improve with the stickies.

If you go with the springs on a stock suspension, eventually you will destroy your suspension, and it will wear out gradually, you will not notice it, and it will happen in less than 20K miles. That's my experience.

[Will]

I'm with you Berk.. Stock suspension ROCKS!! :)

[weezer2282]

I do like the stock suspension, but I'd like to reduce understeer. I was going to do the sway bar first to see what that does and if I like it. The sway bar is supposed to provide a significant change in handling without affecting ride quality that much.

Once the runflats are worn I'm going to go with some nice performance tires. Switching to those should help improve handling too. I don't think they will reduce understeer but they will stick better. I am just trying to make it so the front end pushes and slides less, which happens a lot mostly on fun runs. I also want to experiment and have some fun! :D Isn't that what owning a MINI is all about? :confused:

[weezer2282]

I had to think about the springs, because it is taking a risk. I am opposed to having springs on the stock suspension. If you are after the looks, it is not worth it, however if you are chasing better handling, which is kind of unnecessary (for me, I do not know your driving habits) because normal day driving does not even bring half of MCS' capabilities, I would look at the JCW suspension kit, you can put your hands on one around $1,000.00, and they really work. It does not lower the car like the aftermarket springs, almost unnoticable, but you get smoother characteristics on high speed, which gives confidence. I test drove one with the JCW kit, liked it.

The real deal is the Bilstein adjustable coilovers, you can set-up your height, that is kind of cool, but again, they are pricey.

We kind of had this conversation with Keith last time at the European AIG, there are thousands of different ways to improve handling. I will start from the tires. If you spend some money on tires and get a set of Mic. pilot sports or even go crazier and buy Pirelli P Zero Rossos, see how well your handling will improve with the stickies.

If you go with the springs on a stock suspension, eventually you will destroy your suspension, and it will wear out gradually, you will not notice it, and it will happen in less than 20K miles. That's my experience.

This says the JCW kit lowers the car by about an inch (I saw somewhere else it is about 10mm): http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/09/14/jcw_suspension_kit_us_availability
Aftermarket springs are about an inch drop.

The JCW suspension is very nice, but a little pricey. I will have to think about springs more. I haven't really heard of anyone destroying their suspension from aftermarket springs or sway bars. I'm going for tighter handling and don't really care about the look of it sitting lower. In fact, if I could improve the handling without lowering it from stock that would be great. That's why first on my list is the stiffer sway bar. That could do everything I'm looking for. I will try that for a while then it will probably be time to upgrade tires and I will see what that adds to it. After that if I'm still looking for something more or want to experiment more then I might try some springs...that probably won't be for quite a while. Maybe by then I'll have money for a JCW suspension.

For those that want to know what the JCW kit contains:
The JCW suspension kit consists of new struts and springs. The struts and springs have to be purchased together and installed by the dealer for full warranty coverage. The spring rates are also tailored to the weight of your MINI. Their are 3 different springs and the one you get depends on the weight of added options to your MINI.

My car probably handles a bit differently than yours too because of the automatic tranny. Mine is heavier in the front and there are "rumours" that the engine is mounted in a different position to make room for the auto. I think I read on NAM the engine is positioned closer to the passenger side and this is why the intake hose had to be longer(the hose that Alta makes a silicon version of). The added weight would make my car push and slide the front end sooner than your car would do it. It's the laws of physics and momentum. You can't undo the laws of physics, but you can have some fun with them. That's what I intend to do. :thumbsup