Suspension Springs, struts, coilovers, sway-bars, camber plates, and all other modifications to suspension components for Cooper (R50), Cabrio (R52), and Cooper S (R53) MINIs.

Suspension M7 Under Strut System

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  #1  
Old 11-28-2005, 10:33 PM
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M7 Under Strut System

I promised some update on this new product and as I had in installed this morning I can give you a few impressions. I feel it has helped my higher speed stability a great deal . My car is primarily set up for canyon driving at the moment and is or now I can say was a bit twitchy at higher speeds. My initial findings on one of our more interesting roads have shown me that there is certainly added stiffness which equates to a whole lot more grip. I can't give you numbers but perhaps I can illustrate what I mean.
Lets say you were, hypothetically of course ,entering a posted 30 mph turn at approx 70 mph. In the middle of this left hand turn there was a pronounced dip in the road which you could tell from the exhaust and oil discoloration. This dip causes your already preloaded suspension to make minor contact between the tire and fender well . Not a big deal as it is a common event with my car in the canyons but it does let you know that the car is really working. Well the good news is that there isn't even a minor deviation from the intended path and the speed was maintained throughout the turn . The car took it as if it was 20 mph slower with out a dip.I've driven this car over 50k miles and fully expected a little wiggle at least. Subsequent turns proved to me that the g loading was more than I have ever felt and this was not even with my R compound tires.
My OPINION at this point is a wonderful item for those that drive their car aggressively and a MANDATORY one for track guys. I will continue to test it for the remainder of the week before signing off on the project and get our final costs on all 3 pieces and delivery schedule set up. More news to follow .

Randy
m7 Tuning
 

Last edited by maxmini; 11-28-2005 at 11:12 PM.
  #2  
Old 11-28-2005, 10:38 PM
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Keep it up guys, looks like a great product
 
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Old 11-28-2005, 10:47 PM
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yah i'm quite interested. Although interesting picture of the p/s fan, looks like it needs a cover or something :P

Is that aluminium or something? What is it made out of?
 
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Old 11-28-2005, 11:02 PM
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I have the H-sport bar and it doesnt even come close . No issues with bars .

Randy
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Old 11-28-2005, 11:04 PM
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Originally Posted by FlynHawaiian
yah i'm quite interested. Although interesting picture of the p/s fan, looks like it needs a cover or something :P

Is that aluminium or something? What is it made out of?

This picture was not taken on my car but that appears to be the stock fan cover.

The three piece system is made out of aluminum and comes complete with all mounting hardware. The entire assembley weighs 10 lbs.

Randy
M7 tuning
 
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Old 11-28-2005, 11:15 PM
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quite intersting. so the high speed stability of the car has greatly improved? Ie what about freeway driving at like say, uhh 90 . Hypothetically speaking of course
 
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Old 11-29-2005, 05:54 AM
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Hypothetically hyw driving felt about the same I think where I notice the difference the most is in the turns . The car just wants to follow the wheel a lot more precisely and hold the line you have selected. Oh yes and one more interesting thing. When entering a sharp feeway on anything but i straight approach it is even more of a wheel lifter than before . Quite amusing

Randy
M7 Tuning
 
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Old 11-29-2005, 06:50 AM
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Randy -
Is this going to work OK with skid plates? It looks like it might. What is that extra smaller horizontal piece at the back do? Can we check it out at Steve's install party next Sunday?
 
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Old 11-29-2005, 07:06 AM
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Ooooo....save one for me
 
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Old 11-29-2005, 07:13 AM
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I'm curious about the decision to use a hinged design, especially since the M7 front STB isn't hinged (a plus in my book), and if anything the hinges here make the chassis brace more complex to manufacture compared to that simple UK steel part.

Neil
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  #11  
Old 11-29-2005, 07:45 AM
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Originally Posted by NeilM
I'm curious about the decision to use a hinged design, especially since the M7 front STB isn't hinged (a plus in my book), and if anything the hinges here make the chassis brace more complex to manufacture compared to that simple UK steel part.
Greetings.....

Good question!
At a cursory look it might seem that our design is hinged, or at least would move when axial loads are applied. The reality is, that the front brace are made up of many separate pieces, that when assembled will not flex or distort during loads. Each metal frame is captioned in the corner squaring
the assembly up and making it incredibly strong.
The other important reason for making the part in a knock-down fashion
is to fit the parts in a manageable box for shipping worldwide.

As for using steel instead of aluminum, the answer is simple..... Weight.

I will have a final price towards the end of the week, as I am still waiting
for prices on powder coating. (silver)


Peter
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  #12  
Old 11-29-2005, 08:25 AM
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Originally Posted by M7
I will have a final price towards the end of the week, as I am still waiting
for prices on powder coating. (silver)
Why bother powder coating an aluminum part? Seems like a pointless expense.
 
  #13  
Old 11-29-2005, 08:38 AM
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I may have missed something...
What does this do and what will it accomplish?
It looks freakin' sweet though!

Mike
 
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Old 11-29-2005, 08:54 AM
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Hey guys this looks great. Will need one next season. How about a rear brace? Any thoughts?
Joel
 
  #15  
Old 11-29-2005, 08:56 AM
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Will it fit on all years of MCS? I know there have been some modifications from the '03 in other parts of the car... Is clearance lowered significantly from stock? dan
 
  #16  
Old 11-29-2005, 10:34 AM
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This looks rather familiar to me



or at least my post from ways back.

Originally Posted by dhayashi
 
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Old 11-29-2005, 11:48 AM
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Originally Posted by dhayashi
This looks rather familiar to me



or at least my post from ways back.
it does look familiar...

in any case... M7 when are you releasing this item and a price guys... im in for the buy!
 
  #18  
Old 11-29-2005, 11:57 AM
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why not a group buy on this if there is enough interest. How about powder coating it in black would that be possible?
 
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Old 11-29-2005, 12:02 PM
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Originally Posted by FlynHawaiian
why not a group buy on this if there is enough interest. How about powder coating it in black would that be possible?
great idea!

im up for a group buy!
 
  #20  
Old 11-29-2005, 12:12 PM
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I am interested depending on price, Personally I would prefer it in BLACK no need to draw attention to anything else

Looks good, and if it will help stiffen the car more it cant really be a bad thing.
 
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Old 11-29-2005, 12:12 PM
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When entering a sharp feeway on anything but i straight approach it is even more of a wheel lifter than before . Quite amusing

Randy,

Then, this item adds to front roll stiffness by reducing body flex at the front end. It should also add a bit more understeer???

Just trying to understand what's happening.
 
  #22  
Old 11-29-2005, 12:45 PM
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We are open to sugestion regarding the color... As production will start early to mid December. Expect delivery early/mid January.

As for understeer, yes you will have to compensate with swaybar, tire-pressure, springrates or adjustment of your shock rates.

As for the powder coating finish? Very simple, it's aluminum and it will corrode if not finished.
It will fit all years as far as we know.
The clearance is not an issue, we tested it on 2 different cars and the bars still look like new.

peter
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Last edited by M7; 11-29-2005 at 12:51 PM.
  #23  
Old 11-29-2005, 02:19 PM
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Originally Posted by CFMINI
Randy -
Is this going to work OK with skid plates? It looks like it might. What is that extra smaller horizontal piece at the back do? Can we check it out at Steve's install party next Sunday?
I will have it up on the lift at Steve's for you to check out . I do not see a skid plate problem at this time but we can confirm on Sunday.

Randy
M7 Tuning
 
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Old 12-05-2005, 08:30 AM
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any updates on this?
 
  #25  
Old 12-05-2005, 09:45 AM
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I had the system available for review at the Steve's Auto Clinic party this weekend and had positive results from those that checked it out . All agreed that the system certainly " looks " good At this point I am planning on doing further testing a week from now at a local track in conjunction with a Euro Tuner magazine event. I will have confirmation on that later today. We have at least two more solid bits of info and that is we have chosen black powder coat as the standard color and we feel we can bring the complete system to market at less than $ 300. More news to follow as we receive it.

Randy
m7 Tuning
 


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