In the MINI advertising and brochures they like very much to say that the MINI drives like a Go Kart. I was okay with the understeer in my standard suspension, non S Cooper, but I knew it could be better.

I just put in a set of S springs that were donated by a generous NAM member along with an H Sport 19MM rear sway bar connected to the center setting.

Now this thing rotates like you're sitting in a swivel chair. What a great modification. It does indeed now drive like a go kart.

I have read here that a rear sway bar is the greatest single improvement that one can make to the handling of these cars and I am now a total believer in this. This car is still on the 175 65's and just handles like a champ.

If you're considering stiffening up the rear sway bar, don't hesitate, go for it.

Happy Motoring,

 

fun fun fun - My friends all tell me that once you start modifying your Mini, you WILL get addicted. :smile: Its like tatoos or crack or something.

ugly

 

Think I said that a few months back... pulley is good but swaybar is GREAT! heh... we just need to convert the few remaining skeptics...

 

I agree! Good for you, Doc:smile:

 

What do you mean addictive? I did wheels and tires, then changed the grill on my MCS, and then I did a pulley, throttle body, Alta CAI, plugs, wires, and coilpack in Vegas.

Since then all I have done is Unichip ECU, H-sport Competition swaybar, H-Sport springs, rear camber arms, Alta Intercooler Diverter, Milltek catback, fan shroud, and Webbmotorsport stage 1 brakes. Oh yeah, Whalen shift ****.

Got my driving lights on order (four) and just received my kit for auto up windows.

Don't think I forgot anything.

Earl

 

Yeah, not at all. Haha . Seems like you were able to stop before you knew modding would be addicting.

 

2Cool,

Yes, I'm sure that yours was one of the posts I read that convinced me that I needed to the rear sway bar immediately.

I thank you and the others for pointing this out.

I can't believe that they compromise with the weak sway bar on the standard suspension car. The improvement is so drastic and I have experienced no increase in ride stiffness.

 

I really need to do this mod, I can feel it so much on the track. The back end gets really skirmished when going through high speed corners. I didn't notice it as much last year but now with the R compounds the car just sticks and it's a different story. I can feel it in my stomach going through those quick corners and don't quite have the full confidence. I know it's going to stick but it just doesn't feel right. Last year it felt like , Now it feels like . God i love that smiley

Amit

 

"If you're considering stiffening up the rear sway bar, don't hesitate, go for it."

Ok, now for some particulars(?): can this be done oneself?what kind of sway bars did you use ,and how much were they?is there any re caster /camber issues to be dealt with from a professional?Details please. Jock

 

holdenontoit,

There are several .pdf files with rear sway bar installation instructions that can be found on the vendor sites. I think H-Sport has one. As far as whether this is a do it yourself mod, it depends on what equipment you have available. If you have a floor jack and jack stands, you should be able to accomplish it yourself. If not, plan on probably an hour or hour and a half labor at most any shop. This would not be difficult for any pro tech.

My installation was more involved because I changed the springs at the same time. I am convinced, though, that my results would have been virtually the same if I had stayed with standard Cooper springs.

As I said in my post, I am using the H Sport, Sport 19MM rear bar. This is a 3 position bar. Mine is set in the center position.

If you like to drive spiritedly, you will love the results. If you are one to just ease around and go very slowly through corners as if you were driving some huge American sedan, then you will probably not know the difference.

Good luck.