I guess there is an adjustable front bar out now, the H Sport, but it's only got two holes, and comes (new) with a rear bar too. Not what I'm looking for.

I found a web site where what I am looking for appears to be under development. I talked to Jeff Ireland, and he's interested, but like lots of racer shops, dividing his time in many directions.

Here's his web site:
http://www.bmw2002.com

Send him an email so he gets an idea of how many of us out there would be interested in a hollow adjustable bar, hopefully with sliding billets for infintely adjustable settings (rather than holes, which are more work to adjust, and not as variable).

Anyone got any more information about a product like this?

Thanks,
-->Aaron

 

I would be VERY interested in a NASCAR style slider bar. I've spoken to some MR2 guys that have had these built, but they can't (or won't) remeber how much they cost and who built them. I will pay upwards of $200 for a slider front bar.

 

You could count me in for a $200 slider front bar as well. Maybe we should arrange a group buy of sorts and get your friend to bid on it.

HStockAugs

 

Haven't many people that have installed stiffer front bars yanked them off because they re-introduced understeer? Last I heard, many of the track drivers were pulling their's back off...

 

The idea being go softer that the current Cooper (non SS+) bar. I have the SS+ bar in the rear and the stock Cooper on the front and still can pick up understeer.

 

FWD-MX5 is right. You're going to want to go softer with the bar. The MR2 is a rear-biased car, just like the S2000. Both of them can withstand a little more understeer (which is what a stiffer front bar gives you). I've actually seen people disconnect the front bar entirely for autocross stock classes. Just because the rules allow a change to the front bar, it doesn't mean you should. Going with the Cooper bar in front and the SS+ in back may be the best solution.

 

That's what I thought... thanks... FWIW, I have the 24mm bar on the front and a 19mm H&R on the stiffest setting on the rear and have almost no understeer left. The car's almost completely neutral as far as I can tell... Of course, I'll be running STS now! Heh... should provide some interesting competition.

 

Guys- I've toyed with the idea of disconnecting the front swaybar links for autox, not so much for reducing understeer, but for reducing the inside wheel lift so I can start to feed in power a little earlier on turn exit. I don't mind oversteer so much - I've run a couple of pretty radical setups to get the rear to swing out more.

What's your take on the results of those you've observed disconnecting the links? Some of the MINI contingent here in the DC region have tossed the idea around and the speculation is that it would make the MINI pretty tail happy. And what the heck did they do to keep the swaybar from rattling around?

 

Can you order the SS+ rear sway bar from Classic MINI? Anyone have a partnumber?

 

Just buy a rear bar from a memeber who has upgraded their MCS to an adjustable rear bar. They are the same part number (MCS rear and SS+ rear), which I don't have here at work. MCS owners can buy regular Cooper front bars and still stay in GS.

 

I would be very interested in an semi-hollow adjustable 24 MM front swaybar that works with the factory bushing and mounts......I've considered asking various machine shops to see if they could make me one but have yet to make the move.

The benefits I see......

-Slightly lighter
-A bit softer
-Adjustable
-easy installation

Just my .02

 

>>Guys- I've toyed with the idea of disconnecting the front swaybar links for autox, not so much for reducing understeer, but for reducing the inside wheel lift so I can start to feed in power a little earlier on turn exit. I don't mind oversteer so much - I've run a couple of pretty radical setups to get the rear to swing out more.
>>
>>What's your take on the results of those you've observed disconnecting the links? Some of the MINI contingent here in the DC region have tossed the idea around and the speculation is that it would make the MINI pretty tail happy. And what the heck did they do to keep the swaybar from rattling around?

The best results I've seen were with an SE-R (first gen). The guy was running a different set-up then what he normally ran (trying something new) and it sent his balance in the wrong direction. He was a competent driver and he was several seconds off the pace. He disconnected one side entirely (removed the vertical link) while leaving the other side intact. He was able to do this on the grid. He immediately returned to within a few tenths. He then played with the air pressures and was in the hunt for a trophy. The bar didn't rattle because it was still attached to one wheel. It's something to try but only under controlled conditions. The front end does behave differently and you have to "set-up" turns better as any abrupt action into the steering wheel will be met with the front end trying to roll. Smooth is even more important.

 

>>I would be very interested in an semi-hollow adjustable 24 MM front swaybar that works with the factory bushing and mounts......I've considered asking various machine shops to see if they could make me one but have yet to make the move.
>>
>>The benefits I see......
>>
>>-Slightly lighter
>>-A bit softer
>>-Adjustable
>>-easy installation

I have to agree with this! I think a hollow 24 mm bar would be, at it's stiffest, about the same as the 22.5 mm non SS+ bar on the U.S. Coopers. How much difference would depend on the wall thickness of the hollow bar. Another good choice would be a hollow 22.5 mm bar and we'd only need to get new bushings. H-Sport will custom make bars but I don't know that they would do a slider. I'd be willing to go in on a group buy on either size adjustable bar slider or not.

 

>>Just buy a rear bar from a memeber who has upgraded their MCS to an adjustable rear bar. They are the same part number (MCS rear and SS+ rear), which I don't have here at work. MCS owners can buy regular Cooper front bars and still stay in GS.


ok, question from an autox newbie.... can a cooper that was not ordered with SS+ take the rear stock sway bar from a MCS and use it? would that be the same as if I had originally ordered the SS+? oh, and the most important part, can I do this and remain in HS?

I wish I had know I would be racing this car- there are several choices I would have made differently.

Thanks! Amanda

 

>>I have to agree with this! I think a hollow 24 mm bar would be, at it's stiffest, about the same as the 22.5 mm non SS+ bar on the U.S. Coopers. How much difference would depend on the wall thickness of the hollow bar. Another good choice would be a hollow 22.5 mm bar and we'd only need to get new bushings. H-Sport will custom make bars but I don't know that they would do a slider. I'd be willing to go in on a group buy on either size adjustable bar slider or not.
>>


I would be willing to go in on this.......Does anyone have a contact at H-Sport to see what kind of numbers we need to make this happen?

Stuart

 

>>I wish I had know I would be racing this car- there are several choices I would have made differently.
>>
>>Thanks! Amanda

===>Hi, cometgirl63! Just curious --> what changes would you have made?

 

Hi Erik808,

This is what I have:
SG/W 02 MC
Premium and Cold Weather packages
spoiler
leatherette
front fogs
chrome bumpers (& chrome mirror covers)
16 in white 5-star w/ runflats
sunroof
aftermarket speakers (HK wasn't available)

I would have gotten the sport seats, SS+, and maybe the lighter 15 in rims. I do like how the 5-star look but they are heavier. oh, and I would have gotten the invisishield it something similar- got lots of rock chips on the hood.
amanda

 

Hi, Amanda! I just e-mailed SCCA Hawaii's Solo II Chair and newsletter editor (btw, both are kick rear drivers) with your question (which is a very good one). Should you be given the green light, that would be a real nice advantage to have -- staying within HS boundaries to boot. As soon as I get word, I'll fill you in. Hey, what you have & what you would have desired are not very far apart at all. A fellow motorer bought my 16" 5-stars a while back, dressed them with Kuomos, & has done very well overall in the past. I feel fine on my leatherette as I await my turn (& it gets crazy hot over here, too) but I can definitely see your point. Oh yeah, I once advertised in wanting those R81s (15" 7-hole model) & got a really generous offer (he posts here a lot). If you'd like to know his name, just PM me & I'll reply back with it. Wanna know why I decided otherwise? Just click & scroll down to "UPDATE"

_________________

Coop Dogg & erik808

 

Hello again, cometgirl63! Our SCCA Hawaii Solo II Chair has spoken (so quick, yeah?! he kicks butt in all ways :smile:

 

Amanda...

To use the bigger rear sway bar from the SS+ Package you need to swap over the rear bar and all four springs.... then it would be legal.... the only SS+ part you do not need is the front sway bar (the front bar is open).... BUT I would not worry about it!!!! save your money for the Sport Seats (if you can find a pair...if not you can get a Schroth Harness like Jean and I have to keep yourself from moving arround too much).... and or a really good set of shocks (like Konis)....oh and don't forget an extra set of wheels for race tires (this will make the biggest difference so do this first).... IMHO the regular Cooper suspension is not at a big disadvantage in HS.... BTW congrats on the season championship in HSL for the Atlanta Region!! :smile:

 

>> IMHO the regular Cooper suspension is not at a big disadvantage in HS....

I seem to remember that Mark Chiles is running the regular suspension (with fancy shocks, of course), if that is correct, first a nats isn't too bad.

 

>>>> IMHO the regular Cooper suspension is not at a big disadvantage in HS....
>>
>>I seem to remember that Mark Chiles is running the regular suspension (with fancy shocks, of course), if that is correct, first a nats isn't too bad.

Not to debate his obvious talent for preparing a "Stock" vehicle but I would venture to say the SS+ is an advantage for most people in the stock class. Mark Chiles is an exception to the rule as he is one of the only drivers I know of that runs the early generation suspension......He also seems to have the ability to make his vehicle sit 1/2" lower then other comparably equipped cars is HS. I'm still trying to figure out that trick. I know just installing Koni's doesn't do it.......

Stuart

 

Hi guys-
thanks sooooo much for your help. I have a friend that is not only offering a rear sway bar and springs (to keep it legal, thanks Jason) but he is also going to help me install them, all for free! what a great guy!! He said he just wants to get rid of them, but I didn't want to get booted out of HSL since I had such good luck there last year... . I don't have the dough for a set of rims and tires yet or even to upgrade the shocks, but I thought since this is free, I should take advantage of it. I think I will look into getting a harness rather than replace the seats- I have had several problems with the airbag system under the seats (been rewired twice now) and I don't want to give the dealer any reason to not fix it under warranty next time it happens. which they might try if I change the seats on my own. I tried the harness on for size in another mini but haven't driven with one, I think I would really like it tho. I figure in another year and half when I have the car note paid off, I will upgrade everything else legal in HS. for now I am still investing in the most important part of the car- ME the driver.

again, thanks for all the help guys! I have been lurking for awhile now and this thread made think maybe there was someone out there who could answer my question. and there was!!

amanda

 

Amanda, sorry I haven't replied to your thread earlier I have been moving into a new place. I have been through the non SS+ to SS+ conversion, and you need to change the springs and the rear sway bar. The shocks and front bar are "free" i..e they can be replaced with any model. The rub is the springs are specific to the options on the car. I purchase MCS springs just to find out that they were illegal, then had to buy the correct srings from Classic MINI in Mentor, OH. I can look at the paint codes and tell if a car is SS+ or not, and if it has the correct springs. Your best bet to be 100% legal is to order SS+ springs from a dealer, and have them print out the spring tables, keep your receipt, and bring this with you to any event where a protest could be lodged (any event where there is $$$ to be won.) The rear sway bar for a MCS and a SS+ Cooper are identical, so there is a cheap way to get the rear sway for next to nothing. Now go to RSpeed and get their exhaust for your car.
Stuart- Mark has purchased an 03 Cooper identical to his early 02, I'm not sure which one he ran in Topeka. To get the car to sit lower, you can put less gas in a shock which will casue the car to sit lower, and does not count as an adjustment to DA shocks.
I am going in on Tues for a custom front sway, I'll post on how it goes, or maybe not if it is REAALLLL good.

_________________
<IMG SRC="http://dribbleglass.com/images/billb....jpg"> Trophy Fodder Racing Co-Founder

 

thanks FWD-MX5. I am so glad you told me that. I am still so new to all of this, thats why I asked. I thought that the MC SS+ and the MCS springs and rear sway bar were the same. thanks for clueing me in. now, since you have already done this, let me ask you the most important thing of all- is it worth it??? and if it is worth it, how much are the SS+ springs gonna cost from the dealer? I'd call but the parts dept is closed sat and sun and now my curiousity is up. I can't change my exhaust and stay in HSL can I? I thought that would boot me right out and into ... well, ok. I don't know the class but I thought I couldn't do that. maybe I should reread the rulebook. I kinda only skimmed it since I didn't think I would be all that interested in doing anything, but here I am. I feel like I need a mentor to help me with all of this stuff, I went and got hooked on autox (thanks jason!) and I don't even know much about cars. I have always been interested but my dad wouldn't let me near them when I was growing up "this stuff isn't for girls." wanna bet? lol

amanda

oh, and congrats on your new place. I know how stressful that can be. hope you get settled in soon.