Does anyone with a GP have a front torsion bar across the front towers? I know they came stock on the JCW but not the GP.

Can anyone feel a difference? Is it worth the $$?

 

For the record that part is called a "strut tower brace" (also refered to as "strut tie bar" int he Bentley book but more popularly called brace).
"Torsion bars" are found in suspension systems traditionally in place of leaf springs in some auto designs, like my old Alfa GTV6 and a lot of US muscle cars, but not the Mini. In the rear we have shock absorbers, coil springs, control arms and a stabilizer bar. Up front you have a macpherson strut, control arms, stabilizer bar and of course bushings and bearings both front and rear.
Many people think we need a Tower brace, but most of us don't since the Mini has such a tight frame as is. The biggest benefit would be to an older and looser car and with the proper style fitted it can deter "mushrooming" of the strut tower on any Mini.
I haven't done one on my MCS GP since it's not a daily drive and only has 8k or so on it. At the end of the day it isn't a true go fast part for most of us, but it does look great if and when you pop the hood, if I do say so myself and one day I'll prolly snag a M7 strut.

 

I have not installed a top strut tower brace on either of my MINIs because I have not thought it would be worth the cost vs performance benefit. A main reason I have not installed a tower brace is because it needs to be removed to change the oil filter. Most people seem to think it is not really required on the Mini however a few people have posted that it seems to help a little plus some of reported less dash rattles with the strut brace.

Instead of the top strut brace, I installed a lower stress brace (trapazoid shape) that you can feel an improvement (shaper steering response). I purchased mine from Mini Madness, it is only $125 right now.
http://www.mini-madness.com/madness-...-cooper-s.aspx
I believe it is made by Mason Eng.
The TSW X-Brace is also a good option but I did not want to use it on the GP because I did not think it would fit without cutting the underbody panels.

 

Thanks, jw cuz my house is inside the canyons and was interested in the benefits of strut tower brace

 

The first suspension item I added to my GP was front camber plates to increase the negative camber of the front tires for better traction around turns (less understeer). You can get fixed camber plates or adjustable camber plates. After adding camber plates you will need an alignment to your specific alignment specs. I later added a 19mm rear sway bar to balance the GP even a little more. Lastely I added the lower stress brace.
Here is a link to camber plates at WMW:
http://www.waymotorworks.com/02-06-c...camber-plates/
The IE Fixed Plates ($180) are great if you do not need to adjust the camber for different purposes, such as Auto-X or Street driving, but you want to add negative camber to the front for better handling.
The Hotchkis adjustable plates ($490) are great if you want to adjust camber for different purposes.

 

Yeah save your money and put it into a rear sway bar, it's better money spent.

 

quick
Just a short note that the filter can be changed from below without removing the brace. I agree it is not the first mod I would do but if your going thru the bracing mods every one will make a difference. I think they all work together as a sum of the parts.
Steve

[quote=quikmni;3181160] A main reason I have not installed a tower brace is because it needs to be removed to change the oil filter.

 

Good point about changing the filter from below when the strut brace is installed. That would be a pain the way I change the oil because I jack up the car just enough to get a oil catch pan underneath but probably would not be bad if the car was on lift/ramps or jacked up a little more.

[quote=THE ITCH;3183514]quick
Just a short note that the filter can be changed from below without removing the brace. I agree it is not the first mod I would do but if your going thru the bracing mods every one will make a difference. I think they all work together as a sum of the parts.
Steve

 

And to clarify..........no car, JCW or otherwise, came with the strut bar stock.

 

Yep the first suspension mod I put was stickier non run flat tires then a rear sway bar. Then I got a used JCW strut tower brace for $125 here on NAM and the convertible reinforcement braces for $40, if money permitted I would of got the camber plates before the STB, but couldn't pass up that deal. Get a rear sway bar and just wait til your run flats wear and replace with good non run flat tires, then save some cash for camber plates if you feel you need them.