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.....MINI USES A REAR SWAY BAR THAT IS SIMPLY TOO SMALL FOR PERFORMANCE DRIVING.
.....To make the problem even worse, us spec cars have smaller sway bar than similar models sold elsewhere in the world. The key to making your car turn better comes from replacement of the rear sway bar
By increasing the diameter and leverage, more cornering force is applied to the outside wheels. Thus forcing the car to "turn-in" better. Additionally reducing sway also increases the contact patch of the rear tires.
The Alta Performance™ rear sway bar goes one step further than simply making the bar bigger. Although size is increased , Alta has added the flexibility of changing the bars leverage with 2 different end link attachment points. This allows the end user to custom tailor the way his or her car handles.
The Alta Performance™ rear sway bar is available in both a 19mm and a 22mm dia. bar. The street enthusiast will enjoy a 19mm upgrade to improve cornering in ordinary driving conditions. Race and hard line drivers will enjoy the 22mm sway bar option as an aggressive, forceful sway bar for excellent cornering and turn in during hard cornering.
Would you recommend the product? No |
Price you paid?: None indicated
| Rating: 3
Pros:
Cons:
Mediocre bushings will eventually squeak. Welded bar ends are more prone to failure than forged - that's why every quality vendor's sway bar is single-piece with forged bar-ends.
mnimniac 2nd Gear
Registered: February 2006 Location: Snellville, GA Posts: 55
Review Date: 4/24/2006
Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: None indicated
| Rating: 8
Pros:
handles quite well, took it on the dragon and performed great.
Cons:
needed 2 people to install.
22mm sway bar install was not bad though i needed help.
the drive is a great improvement. on the dragon it handled much better than expected.
rjtrout2000 5th Gear
Registered: December 2006 Posts: 674
Review Date: 8/27/2007
Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: None indicated
| Rating: 9
Pros:
Excellent performance upgrade, modest price
Cons:
Bit of a lengthy install
Overall, I have been very impressed with the difference in performance from stock to the 19mm sway. I have seen a definite change in the handling and feel of the car. With the newfound crispness, I have officially found the sweetspot for my daily driven mini cooper.
r56mini 6th Gear
Registered: March 2007 Location: Northpole Posts: 1964
Review Date: 10/17/2007
Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: None indicated
| Rating: 9
Pros:
Improved handling
Cons:
possible squeaks
It is a vast improvement over stock 17mm. I have been driving around with the 19mm in the middle setting and it makes the car handle corners like no other. No car can keep up with me anymore. I can't wait to try it out in the stiffest setting on the track next spring!
minibeel Coordinator :: PDX MINI
Registered: June 2005 Location: Beautiful Vancouver, WA Posts: 377
Review Date: 10/18/2007
Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: None indicated
| Rating: 9
Pros:
Better handling, adjustable, simple installment
Cons:
Sqeeky bushings, makes me want to speed
Excellent product! The customer service was top-notch when I had questions. The car pushes far less; it's neutral and the 19mm bar is at middle setting. This bar pairs well with other suspension mods.
AndyW318 1st Gear
Registered: February 2007 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 28
Review Date: 11/15/2007
Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: None indicated
| Rating: 8
Pros:
Performance is Excellent
Cons:
I would have preferred a black bar, red is pretty bright.
19mm here too with no other suspension mods. I'm using the middle hole. The car will now rotate on lift throttle hard cornering, but only when pushed very hard. I'll probably experiment with the stiffest setting on track days. I'm very happy with the changes to the handling. Even my wife noticed the change when she drove it.
bdog1 1st Gear
Registered: February 2006 Posts: 50
Review Date: 3/19/2008
Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: None indicated
| Rating: 10
Pros:
handling improvements
Cons:
some hassle to install (but worth it!)
I've been running the 21mm for a year. Helps get around a corner by reducing understeer. Unlike other comments mine was squeeky at first, but went away, never to return. Run it full stiff right off the bat!
Canvasmonkey 2nd Gear
Registered: March 2007 Location: Margaritaville Posts: 65
Review Date: 5/19/2008
Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: $219.99
| Rating: 9
Pros:
Improved handling & looks
Cons:
Pain in the a$$ install
Solid piece, this bar rocks. Yes, it's that good. It looks good and performs even better. Running mine in the middle hole, which is a little harsh for a daily driver but it does what I want it to. Install was a wee bit more involved, and wasn't expecting to have to remove sub frame bolts to get that baby through. No squeaks yet either. Overall a good deal though!
VELOCITYCRUNCH 1st Gear
Registered: January 2009 Location: TX Posts: 14
Review Date: 5/15/2009
Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: None indicated
| Rating: 8
Pros:
Best Cheap Performance Upgrade!
Cons:
Installation! Beware the dreaded subframe!
I am loving my Alta 22mm Sway Bar!
Jrpsaros Neutral
Registered: August 2009 Posts: 8
Review Date: 10/3/2009
Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: $180.00
| Rating: 9
Pros:
Handling, quality
Cons:
Install
This bar has transformed the way my car handles. It is the only suspension mod I have. I'm still on run flat tires. I did the install by myself on jack stands. It was not terribly difficult, but I did run into trouble bolting the sub frame back on. I ended up using a jack to lift the sub frame as I bolted it on. The install is the only negative I can give this bar so far, and that is the way the Mini is built and nothing ALTA can do. I am very happy with this bar and recommend it to everyone.
limskee88 Neutral
Registered: May 2009 Posts: 1
Review Date: 10/5/2009
Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: $180.00
| Rating: 9
Pros:
corner like a mad man
Cons:
so stiff when going over something uneven it lifts one of the back wheels off the ground
This bar is bad ass and I would recommend it to anyone! When you enter into a turn you have full confidence the wheels are just going to hook up. The only thing i feel the need to mention is that when you go over something like a speed bump or steep driveway at an angle one of the back wheels will lift up because the rear no longer flexes as much as it used to but I guess that's the whole point of it so it's not really a complaint just fyi
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