I'm getting the TSW springs on my 02 mcs and was thinking about a rear sway bar. which one should i use and which size? Any opinions or feedback would be helpful

 

19 mm H-sport.

 

Thanks i'll try that

 

It depends on what you're looking for in terms of balance: The TSW springs are identical rates front and rear IIRC, so they essentially cancel themselves out when you're looking to figure out the balance of the car. If you then factor in the inherent weight distribution of the MINI, you end up with some undetsteer in most situations. Holding all else equal (since you won't be changing anything else), the RSB is your place to make up for some of this understeer... The stiffer (generally thicker) the bar is, the more rotation the rear will have. If you're just into street driving, a 19 is fine and will be safer for you. If you intend on doing autox more than a few times a year, a 22mm will offer better rotation. The right RSB for track days kind of gets into a grey area based on your driving style - I've heard some people say a 22 is too loose for road courses, but I haven't yet tried it myself so I won't comment further.

 

H&R 19mm is our recommendation... Well, that's until we release our 19mm bar, which will have a spec'd effective rate and 3 adjustment holes.

 

Not to hi-jack, but where do you stand on 22mm RSB's with your springs? I already have the 22mm, and I'm planning on getting a set of the TSW springs - would it be too loose for occasional track-day use? (I do prefer some decent rotation though, and I have not been able to achieve this yet on stock suspension)

 

Nope, you'll be fine... Just start with the softest setting on the track first and then see if you need to go stiffer... If your bar has 3 holes, go one at a time until you're happy with the performance.

 

I found TSW springs with the 25mm Hsport hollow rear bar (same as 22mm solid) almost smoothed out the progression of the rotation, it seemed to be less snappy and more controlled but the amount of rotation was still the same, but it could all be in my head.

 

Will also depend on whether or not you have camber plates (very good idea to get some) as they will allow a smaller rear bar to be as effective as a larger bar.

 

Makes sense, since the OEM springs are too light for the car...

 

I've used the Hsport Comp hollow bar for 99% of the Cooper S's with TSW springs and it has been a great combination. If it was Just a Cooper we found the Hsport 19mm worked great.