I ran across these following a link from a MiniMania user:

http://www.sracer.com/catalog/products/sro004.htm



I love the fact that they have the springs and the Hi-Los combined in one unit, and it sounds like they give significant handling improvements as well as the ability to adjust the ride height...


The question is how hard are they to install, and do I need any special tools (a lift, etc.). Also, do you really need to also upgrade/replace the shocks on top of the springs?
I probably won't be able to afford them, but just in case I end up actually considering them (as a Xmas gift or something) I'd like to know what I'm getitng into, installation wise.


Thanks!

 

rear's are fairly easy it's the fronts that have always givin me prob, the front trumpets usually stick........you can replace with springs or leave in your old rubber cones if there in good shape.......there is some sort of rule-of-thumb with how many threads on the bolt is equal to how many inches of lift or lower.......i cant remenber, but i wanna say every 3 threads = 1 inch up or down........

 

Back when folks had to cut the aluminum trumpets to lower the car the rule of thumb was 3:1 in the front and 5:1 in the rear. I've got to adjust my hi-los, but I haven't done it yet! hahaha :D (I might have it backwards - 1:3 and 1:5)

You'll want a rubber cone compressor (borrow one!) to get the old cones out of the front. Those suckers are under a *lot* of compression so be careful - my buddy almost broke a finger when we had a cone (that we thought was secured on the compressor) come loose and kick the suspension trumpet out at max velocity. Like Big Norm said, the fronts are the problem. You might have to get a long screwdriver or a thin crowbar to lever 'em out

Last time I checked I believe the spring + hi-lo combo was $550 or so directly from SRacer.

If you're going to upgrade the suspension you might want to throw some better shocks on the car. Also - if you're lowering it any significant amount you'll want either the lowered shock mounts (with "lowered" shocks) or the adjustable ones from SRacer again.

I've ridden in a couple cars that had 'em. It's a different ride than the rubber cones. Some folks swear by cones, but after having changed a couple I really don't want to do it anymore! I am planning on springs as a replacement for our SPi car. They'll be the blue ones 'cause the car is supposed to be for cruising... my "other" Mini will get something appropriately bone jarring.

 

I installed the hi-los but not the springs. My front end was so low to the ground that I was nearly riding on the bump stops. I actually raised the car about 1.5 inches and the ride is so much better. New shocks will also help.

 

I've got both. The car still feels light and fun, like it originally did, but is way more responsive in the corners. Like miniManiac, my car is now riding a bit high, but once the springs settle (which takes, what, a month or two?) we'll rework the high-lows and tighten it up. Thumbs up over here! Oh, and I added some KYB Gas-a-just shocks, too, while we were getting everything swapped out.

Then again, when I first got my mini (and it's my first) the shocks were shot and the suspension almost totally destroyed, so I'm comparing the new setup to an absolutely busted baseline version. So yeah, it's WAY better!