MINI Cooper MINI Cooper specs
MINI Cooper MINI Cooper Forums MINI Cooper Pictures
Mark Forums Read MINI Cooper radio MINI Cooper latest news
 

Go Back   North American Motoring > 1st Generation MINIs > Modifications > Suspension
Sign in using an external account
Register Forgot Password?

Welcome to North American Motoring !
Welcome to North American Motoring,

You are currently viewing our forum as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our community, at no cost, you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is free, fast and simple, so please join our community today!


» Latest Main Topics
Go to first new post I did it!!!
2 Replies, 61 Views
Advertisement

Reply
 
 
 
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
  #1  
Old 09-04-2009, 11:10 AM
Nazrin Nazrin is offline
4th Gear
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 520
Send a message via MSN to Nazrin
Gallery
Suspension & Brake Needs

Hi MA peeps,

Ive done almost all there is to do on the engine so now I need light to be shed on my Suspension & Braking Needs .

For your info, I dont track my car at all and costs/performance is a major factor in my decision (due to bloody shipping costs - im in Brunei Darussalam).

anyways here are my options so far:

Brakes

1. Ireland Engineering Big Brake conversion kit (Rear)
2. TSW Big Brake conversion kit (front)
3. R56 Brembo 4-pot kit (front & rear)

Suspension

1. Need bushing - but which ones to go for? Wishbone? steering rack?
2. Coilovers - Megan Racing Coilovers with Swift springs setup
__________________
~~~No Rest For The Wicked~~~

Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 09-04-2009, 05:02 PM
Some Guy's Avatar
Some Guy Some Guy is offline
6th Gear
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: CT
Posts: 1,754
Gallery
If you dont track your car you dont need big brakes, end of story. You can only stop as your tires can grip. If you want to decrease your stopping distnace get sticky rubber. If the rubber is so sticky that you are no longer able to lock up your brakes (unlikely) you can graduate to a more aggressive pad if you are cheap or if you are spendy get bigger brakes.

If you are going to do bushings just do them all at once.
__________________
'05 HB/B MCS.
With: LED lit scoop - DIY AUX cable - Angel Eye running lights - M7 STB - Air horn - Rally Lights -SVT Focus LSD - Poly Control arm bushings - IE fixed plates
UCONN FSAE Engine Systems Head '10-present
UCONN FSAE dyno testing and tuning lead '09-10: www.uconnracing.com
Follow UCONN FSAE on twitter: http://twitter.com/UCONNFSAE
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 09-05-2009, 03:57 AM
Nazrin Nazrin is offline
4th Gear
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 520
Send a message via MSN to Nazrin
Gallery
Quote:
Originally Posted by Some Guy View Post
If you dont track your car you dont need big brakes, end of story. You can only stop as your tires can grip. If you want to decrease your stopping distnace get sticky rubber. If the rubber is so sticky that you are no longer able to lock up your brakes (unlikely) you can graduate to a more aggressive pad if you are cheap or if you are spendy get bigger brakes.

If you are going to do bushings just do them all at once.
Thanks, but the brakes are more for bling, so I dont need anything over the top. Just brakes that are both fucntional and looks good...for cheap
__________________
~~~No Rest For The Wicked~~~

Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 09-05-2009, 11:24 AM
MINIdriver85 MINIdriver85 is offline
4th Gear
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 475
Gallery
For the brakes, can I suggest you to look at the AP racing Big brake kit? I still have to install them but everyone I know that has them loves them.

For the suspension, I'd suggest first of all front and rear trailing arm bushings, they are the most important imho, and then add anyone you want. But if the roads aren't very good where you live, I would be careful with those, I have them and the car is considerably stiffer so on bad roads this might be annoying. As for the coilovers, are you set on the Megans? I would go for Bilstein PSS or KW V1, you don't need many settings if you don't track the car but these will provide height adjustment and they are top stuff (not that the Megans are bad, mind you...)
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 09-05-2009, 11:33 AM
Nazrin Nazrin is offline
4th Gear
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 520
Send a message via MSN to Nazrin
Gallery
Quote:
Originally Posted by MINIdriver85 View Post
For the brakes, can I suggest you to look at the AP racing Big brake kit? I still have to install them but everyone I know that has them loves them.

For the suspension, I'd suggest first of all front and rear trailing arm bushings, they are the most important imho, and then add anyone you want. But if the roads aren't very good where you live, I would be careful with those, I have them and the car is considerably stiffer so on bad roads this might be annoying. As for the coilovers, are you set on the Megans? I would go for Bilstein PSS or KW V1, you don't need many settings if you don't track the car but these will provide height adjustment and they are top stuff (not that the Megans are bad, mind you...)
Thanks for that...okay lets refresh:

- AP Racing - I would love these only if it were sub 1k thou
- All front and rear trailing arm bushings - yeap all set..gonna get the Superflex from UK
- Coilovers - I just want a lower stance without compromising confort so I guess the Megans will do...

Thanks for the input

anymore for anymore?
__________________
~~~No Rest For The Wicked~~~

Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 09-05-2009, 01:42 PM
AutoXCooper.com's Avatar
AutoXCooper.com AutoXCooper.com is offline
Banned
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Car Nut Since 1987, Owner Since Fall 2005, Vendor Since Fall 2007
Posts: 3,499
Gallery
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nazrin View Post
Thanks for that...okay lets refresh:
- Coilovers - I just want a lower stance without compromising confort so I guess the Megans will do...
Thanks for the input
anymore for anymore?
I want to address this "lower stance without compromising comfort" and start by saying it can't be done.

Comfort is a very subjective issue and anytime you lower a MINI you give some comfort due to the limited travel of the stock and aftermarket systems.

Tire size also plays as big if not bigger factor in the comfort issue. 18's on rubberbands is not comfort. 205/50 on 17's is a good ride with little wheel gap too. In the summer I run a 205/45-16 and in the winter a 205/55-16.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 09-05-2009, 01:54 PM
Nazrin Nazrin is offline
4th Gear
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 520
Send a message via MSN to Nazrin
Gallery
Dustin...PM sent....
__________________
~~~No Rest For The Wicked~~~

Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 09-05-2009, 08:20 PM
Ryephile Ryephile is offline
The Technophile
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Metro-Detroit
Posts: 8,293
Send a message via AIM to Ryephile Send a message via Yahoo to Ryephile
Gallery
Quote:
Originally Posted by AutoXCooper.com View Post
I want to address this "lower stance without compromising comfort" and start by saying it can't be done.

Comfort is a very subjective issue and anytime you lower a MINI you give some comfort due to the limited travel of the stock and aftermarket systems.
Speak for your own lineup. The Megan, BC, and Cross have less overall stroke than stock. The V-Maxx and KW coilovers have the exact same overall stroke as stock at 5.5" front and 4.5" rear (damper stroke). They are also 1.6" shorter, so setting ride height at 1.6" lower than stock results in identical compression travel. They retain stock-ish ride quality by using similar spring rates and damping curves. The KWs are close to critically damped whereas the V-Maxx are a bit underdamped and give a more comfortable street ride than stock.

Cheers
Ryan
__________________

Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 09-08-2009, 03:59 PM
apexer apexer is offline
6th Gear
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Uniontown, PA
Posts: 1,323
Gallery
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nazrin View Post
Thanks, but the brakes are more for bling, so I dont need anything over the top. Just brakes that are both fucntional and looks good...for cheap
Paint the calipers and get some slotted rotors = Cheap Bling
__________________
04 MCS,CR/W,Anthracite,P-BLeather,15% AltaPulley,+2%AltaCrank,MTH,AltaCAI,IK-22plugs,DT-TB,NologyWires,Alta Oil CC,Magnaflow,EBC Greens,Stoptech SS BrakeLines,Ate fluid,H-Sport Comp.Rear Bar,Kosie K-1 TS Wheels(17X7 in white)w/Star Spec Tires,Momo LeatherShiftKnob,Euro Shelf,Zaino. MMC#150 - CROC#48http://www.thompsonsmithdesign.com/w.../CROC-icon.JPG
Reply With Quote
Old 09-08-2009, 03:59 PM
 
 
 
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off

Forum Jump


MINI CooperMINI Cooper PrivacyMINI Cooper Terms of UseMINI Cooper Guidelines MINI Cooper Advertising The North American MINI Cooper Community
  MINI Cooper news, forums, FAQs, and reviews for enthusiasts and owners of the North American MINI Cooper
All times are GMT -7. The time now is 12:18 PM.
 Copyright © 2002-2008 North American Motoring. All Rights Reserved.     Powered by vBulletin and vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.

All times are GMT -7. The time now is 12:18 PM.


Powered by vBulletin and vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.
North American Motoring is an independently operated web site supporting MINI owners and enthusiastsworldwide. As such it has no official relationship with MINI USA, BMW AG, or BMW of North America.All original artwork and design is Copyright © 2002-2004 North American Motoring.
Admin Account Passwords

Search Engine Friendly URLs by vBSEO 3.5.2