D Stock Mini Noob autocross build
#1
10-09-2017, 10:34 PM
Mini Noob autocross build
Hello everyone,
So here's the scenario: A buddy of mine just got a 2016 Clubman S (4 door). I believe this means it's an f54?
He just completed his first autocross event this Sunday.
Now for the question:
What are some of the "go-to" mods for these cars? It seems there isn't a whole lot of people autocrossing the f54s.
Besides "SEAT TIME" is there any recommendations that he can do?
When I got my Focus ST it seems everyone agreed: "Rear sway bar, End links, Rear Motor Mount, Wheels/Tires and go"
The mini doesn't seem to have many aftermarket parts available.
If someone could be so kind to just layout some bullet point options that would help improve the car's performance that would be great.
The number one complaint from Sunday was "too much sliding"
Thanks in advance
-Max
So here's the scenario: A buddy of mine just got a 2016 Clubman S (4 door). I believe this means it's an f54?
He just completed his first autocross event this Sunday.
Now for the question:
What are some of the "go-to" mods for these cars? It seems there isn't a whole lot of people autocrossing the f54s.
Besides "SEAT TIME" is there any recommendations that he can do?
When I got my Focus ST it seems everyone agreed: "Rear sway bar, End links, Rear Motor Mount, Wheels/Tires and go"
The mini doesn't seem to have many aftermarket parts available.
If someone could be so kind to just layout some bullet point options that would help improve the car's performance that would be great.
The number one complaint from Sunday was "too much sliding"
Thanks in advance
-Max
#2
10-10-2017, 05:40 AM
Of course #1 most important thing, by a country mile, is driver mod.
Beyond that, in Street, just tires (current top choices are RE71R & BFG Rival S 1.5) and a big rear swaybar of some sort should do it. That's 95% of the way there.
Fancy shocks, lighter exhaust, alignment tweaks also make variable amounts of difference, but won't give nearly the return on a Mini as the above two items.
On my DS car (R56) I have simple, off the shelf Koni yellows, big rear bar, big exhaust, 215 RE71r, and lighter wheels in the factory size. I also run a very slight amount of rear toe out to help the car rotate more, and I have all of the very minimal front camber you can get in an r56. That's it. Car ran times good enough for 4th fastest DS car in the country at Nationals - however I had my head up my **** day 1 and my codriver struggled on day 2. We still both trophied at least.
Beyond that, in Street, just tires (current top choices are RE71R & BFG Rival S 1.5) and a big rear swaybar of some sort should do it. That's 95% of the way there.
Fancy shocks, lighter exhaust, alignment tweaks also make variable amounts of difference, but won't give nearly the return on a Mini as the above two items.
On my DS car (R56) I have simple, off the shelf Koni yellows, big rear bar, big exhaust, 215 RE71r, and lighter wheels in the factory size. I also run a very slight amount of rear toe out to help the car rotate more, and I have all of the very minimal front camber you can get in an r56. That's it. Car ran times good enough for 4th fastest DS car in the country at Nationals - however I had my head up my **** day 1 and my codriver struggled on day 2. We still both trophied at least.
#4
10-10-2017, 07:25 AM
Yeah they're nice. To the OP, note shocks don't help the car "turn any better" per sey, but they do help the car settle a little quicker in transitional stuff like slaloms. Stock stuff on modern cars is usually fine until you get to the pretty pointy end.
FWIW, those silly Focus ST guys should know that a motor mount is an illegal mod...
FWIW, those silly Focus ST guys should know that a motor mount is an illegal mod...
