Hello all,

I need help! I'm a (non-S) MC owner with regular suspention (Non-sport). Now, I want to install a rear sway bar and springs, but there are so many products out there, it's pretty overwhelming. I have read the randy's post on rear sway bars, but I still can't decide that I want.

My MC is my daily driver, but I'll be doing some auto-crossing. I also live in a snowy area (Salt Lake City), so I can't lower the body too much either.

Can someone (Hello, Randy?) recommend me a good "happy medium" combination of rear sway and springs? Thank you all in advance!!!

Kazu.

 

give him (Randy) a call, he's a great guy to speak with, he will help you and also
bring you pu to speed on why's and What's of AutoXing.

 

>>Hello all,
>>
>>I need help! I'm a (non-S) MC owner with regular suspention (Non-sport). Now, I want to install a rear sway bar and springs, but there are so many products out there, it's pretty overwhelming. I have read the randy's post on rear sway bars, but I still can't decide that I want.
>>
>>My MC is my daily driver, but I'll be doing some auto-crossing. I also live in a snowy area (Salt Lake City), so I can't lower the body too much either.
>>
>>Can someone (Hello, Randy?) recommend me a good "happy medium" combination of rear sway and springs? Thank you all in advance!!!
>>
>>Kazu.

I went with a retrofitting of the SS+ from an MCS and will be putting on a H&R sway in the future. I figured that would be both cost effective and comfortable yet more aggressive than stock.

http://www.bridger.us/mini/?Y=2003&M...nPlusOnACooper

 

Kazu,

I agree with Gabe. For the MC, a SS+ bar from the S sorks great, and using the H-Sport springs would be a good solution to your "not too low" needs.

I have an S bar or two laying around that I could throw in with the purchase of the H-Sports.

Give me a call if you have any other questions.

Randy
720-841-1002

 

kazu88,

There are some good suggestions here for your MC. But Gabe's and Randy's are not the same.

Gabe mentioned:
Use the springs from the sport suspension plus (of an MCS that was upgraded to some other springs) and add H&R rear swaybar (or any other bar including the rear swaybar from an MCS- stock- which is the Sport suspension plus bar)

Then Randy suggested:
H-sport lowering springs with a free MCS rear swaybar.

OF these two approaches the ride as proposed by Gabe will be softer and OK on turns. This is due to the softer MCS springs. Using stock springs will not lower your car much and you can still run autocross in stock class since SS+ is a stock option for the MC. The added rear swaybar needs to be from the MCS if you want to run stock class. So gabe's idea is the closest to stock. But still good for autocross.

While Randy's H-sport springs will be much stiffer and great for corners but also rough except on smoother roads. Having the stiffer springs will make you change classes out of stock for autocross and will lower the car by one inch front and rear.
Randy's is much better for autocross but won't be in stock class anymore plus the car is lowered and will have a harsher ride except on smooth roads.

I have an MCS with H=sport springs madness rear sway with firrmest setting and 17x7 wheels with Yokohama ES100 tires and I use the car as a daily driver with excellent ride and results- It is a bit bumpy on rough roads only.

 

Actually Gabe replaced the shock absorbers with the ones from my S...I need to go back and check but I believe the springs between the SS and SS+ are the same and that it is just the sway bars and shock absorbers that differ between them.

 

>>Kazu,
>>
>>I agree with Gabe. For the MC, a SS+ bar from the S sorks great, and using the H-Sport springs would be a good solution to your "not too low" needs.
>>
>>I have an S bar or two laying around that I could throw in with the purchase of the H-Sports.
>>
>>Give me a call if you have any other questions.
>>
>>Randy
>>720-841-1002

Can someone tell me how much difference is there between SS+ bar and stock MC bar? I looked everywhere on the net, but I couldn't find out. I was actually thinking of 19mm adjustable ones... or even 22mm? Or do you all think it's overkill?

Maybe I'll just go with Gabe/Randy's suggestion... cause who am I to doubt those two guys recommendation, right? ha ha ha...

kazu.

 

Sorry, a follow-up question to my fellow MINI drivers,

What does it take to adjust the "adjustable" sway bar settings? Is it easy enough to change it just before the autoctoss events? or does it involve taking the wheels off and jacking the whole car up? or is it much simpler?

Thank you all so much for the info!

Kazu.

 

The SS bar is 16mm and the SS+ bar is 17mm. I have a 19mm H&R bar on my car and between the two settings on it I would not want to go any stiffer. Adjusting them is very easy and can be done in about 10 minutes. I would suggest going to the SS+ shocks though...gabe noticed a huge difference from them on his car...from there if you want to lower it then you can get some lowering springs or coilovers depending on your needs. I would go with a thicker bar then the SS+ though as with that the car still understeers pretty good. You would notice a difference going to the SS+ bar but if your autoxing you will want to go a bit thicker.

My suggestion is find someone with SS+ shocks and get those (I'll check at the shop tommorow and see if we have any of the SS+ shocks still) and then buy an aftermarket sway bar.

 

>>The SS bar is 16mm and the SS+ bar is 17mm. I have a 19mm H&R bar on my car and between the two settings on it I would not want to go any stiffer. Adjusting them is very easy and can be done in about 10 minutes. I would suggest going to the SS+ shocks though...gabe noticed a huge difference from them on his car...from there if you want to lower it then you can get some lowering springs or coilovers depending on your needs. I would go with a thicker bar then the SS+ though as with that the car still understeers pretty good. You would notice a difference going to the SS+ bar but if your autoxing you will want to go a bit thicker.
>>
>>My suggestion is find someone with SS+ shocks and get those (I'll check at the shop tommorow and see if we have any of the SS+ shocks still) and then buy an aftermarket sway bar.

I'll second that opinion!

 

>>My suggestion is find someone with SS+ shocks and get those (I'll check at the shop tommorow and see if we have any of the SS+ shocks still) and then buy an aftermarket sway bar.
================================================== =====

Thank you so much, Casey, Gabe, Randy for your feedback.

Well, I'm still confused about what to do re: my suspension upgrades, but it sure is great to hear everyone's opinions on my little problem!

I guess I'll decide on my purchase after this weekend's autocross here with my current set-up. will keep you guys posted.

kazu.

 

I hope I am not too late to influence a decision, or at least put in my two cents. For a smooth riding MINI, try adjustable Konis front and rear. This is the best way to firm up the suspension, with only minor wrenching.
Shocks-
The MINI has two different part numbers for the shocks on SS and SS+ models, and two different part numbers for the shocks on cars built after 6/03, when the shocks became softer. The MCS shocks and the SS+ are the same part numbers. So there are 4 different part numbers for front shocks on MC/MCS and 4 for the rears.
Stock Solo2 rules, shoocks are free
Sways-
The sways for the MCS and SS+ are the same. The SS is thinner front and rear. 2 part numbers for the front and 2 for the rear amongst all three suspensions MCS, MINI SS, and MINI SS+.
Stock Solo 2 Rules, front sway is free.
Springs here is where it gets tricky-
There are numerous part numbers between a Cooper and MCS and no front or rear springs are shared between the MCS and Cooper SS or SS+. Which part number depends on the options on the car. When the dealer wants to order new springs, they have to fill out an option table, and they are then give the part number to order. To stay stock, you will have to order the springs from the dealer.
Stock Solo 2 Rules, springs can not be changed.
If you want to stay in HStock, and get the best of both worlds, order the SS+ springs from your dealer, buy a used MCS rear sway online, and order Konis from RSpeed. Leave your front bar alone, this will help the car rotate and will not induce any more understeer. You will have a much better handling car, with the ability to stiffen the ride for cone dodging. Feel free to email, or PM me with any questions.
Chris

 

>>I hope I am not too late to influence a decision, or at least put in my two cents. For a smooth riding MINI, try adjustable Konis front and rear. This is the best way to firm up the suspension, with only minor wrenching.

I appreciate your 2 cents!

In fact, I still can't make up my mind, since each one of you experts has diffenrent great recommendations for me!

Again, I can't lower my body too much since it gets snowy where I live. I don't want too bumpy a ride either, since my MC is my daily driver. I was going for the H stock class, but I think I don't mind go beyond it in terms of mods. I've already got promini intake, helix exhaust, plasma booster, possibly adding better plugs (Denso or mini Pilo) etc. etc...

Let's say my budget is $500 - 600 with parts and labor, what would you all suggest? I welcome everyone's 2 cents! Ready, get set, and GO!

Thanks!

Kazu.

 

I still stick with my early suggestion of a MCS Shocks and aftermarket bar especially now since you said you didn't want to lower your car and don't want it too stiff...if you can do the labor yourself you will be WAY under budget and with labor it comes about right on depending on the shops labor rates (for reference Gabe was charged 300 bucks for doing his shocks only).

 

Kazu, if you're interested in a MCS 19mm rear swaybar, I have one that I used for approx 30 days. I bought an Alta 22mm swaybar from Randy, it is definately stiffer ride and better handling, i.e. car is very neutral as opposed to original MCS with performance package. I'd be happy to sell to you, as it's just sitting in my garage taking up space. I'm in Boulder. Not sure how far Moab is from SLC but I'll be in Moab Oct 18/19th.

Chris

 

The rear sway from a MCS with the stock Cooper bar is a great start. MCS shocks are stiffer but make sure you get the early build shocks, since MINIUSA made concessions by softening the shocks. Also if you do buy stiffer stock springs, have the rates checked. The MCS springs are proportionally stiffer front to rear over Cooper springs. The MCS has more weight over the front wheels than does the Cooper. Try to avoid stiffer springs with stock shocks, as the shocks will not be able to keep up with the springs and all sorts of nasty things can happen, i.e. wheel oscillation. I have a set of MCS springs in the garage with rates of 225 front and 200 rear that I could part with. Compare them to 200 front and 180 rear from my non-SS+ car. The SS+ springs for my car have rates of 220 front and 206 rear. It took me several Hoosiers to learn that to stop cording tires after 4 events you need to make the back end of the car do its’ fair share of gripping the track. Softer in the front and stiffer in the rear was the ticket for my driving style. If you get used springs and a rear bar, you should have enough for Koni adjustables. I’m sure you can find someone in the local MINI club that can help with the installs. If I were closer I would gladly work for beer, and not that expensive stuff either- Coors Light for me

 

>>I still stick with my early suggestion of a MCS Shocks and aftermarket bar especially now since you said you didn't want to lower your car and don't want it too stiff...if you can do the labor yourself you will be WAY under budget and with labor it comes about right on depending on the shops labor rates (for reference Gabe was charged 300 bucks for doing his shocks only).

Dear Casey and Randy,

Do you have MCS shocks/springs laying around in Garage? I'd be happy to pay for the shipping and take them off your hands. Maybe I'll do what Gabe did, MCS shocks and one of those 19mm adjustable rear sway bars??? I'm tempted to go with randy's suggestion, H-sport springs and MCS bar that he has in his garage.

Decisions, decisions...

Anyhow, thank you all for your great suggestions!

Kazu.

 

I am in the same position as kazu88 and I also live in SLC area. I would like to lower mine though about 1-1.5 inches and I am also going to get 17" rims and tires. What do you suggest as far as a sway bar and spring go to keep my ride managable (not to bumpy or anything). I would like to get some springs that are close to the same spring rate as stock. I am on a pretty tight budget and my car is just a base cooper. Thanks

 

>>I am in the same position as kazu88 and I also live in SLC area. I would like to lower mine though about 1-1.5 inches and I am also going to get 17" rims and tires. What do you suggest as far as a sway bar and spring go to keep my ride managable (not to bumpy or anything). I would like to get some springs that are close to the same spring rate as stock. I am on a pretty tight budget and my car is just a base cooper. Thanks

One easy solution is to get the springs and rear sway bar from an MCS and install them on your MC. The parts are cheap so just the labor wil be $$. Find your nearest MINI club and see if anyone has these spares. Just ask the MCS owners what have upgraded suspensions. If you get non runflat tires for your 17" rims then the ride with the MCS suspension should be fine. It won't be as low as 1.5 inch drop, maybe a little. But it will be stiffer riding and better in corners than a stock MC.

If you want to go one step more then the H-sport springs are about $240 and randyBMC can throw in a free spare MCS rear swaybar for the price of shipping. This will lower your car 1 inch front and rear and is quite a bit stiffer riding than the stock MCS springs.