Is there really a point in spending $40+ on these bump stops offered by Way Motor Works (or from any other company for that matter)? Or is there no difference from cutting them and just save the $40?

http://www.waymotorworks.com/bump-stops.html



Thanks,
Yorick

 

Cut bump stops are not functionally the same as the new ones from WMW. However, unless you're really low you're probably not going to be contacting the bump stops much and a set of cut factory stops would work just fine. Do some reading on the function of bump stops and it'll help you understand why they may or may not be important.

 

Thanks v10climber for the response! What do you mean "cut bump stops are not functionally the same as new ones from WMW"? I've been reading that the NM springs installation tells you to cut the bump stops so I believe that's what most people have done. Can you please explain how it would be different from getting new ones from WMW. I'd assume the ones from WMW are just shorter, and therefore would function similarly as the cut stock ones.

Thanks.

 

I have lowered about 50 Mini's and I always but end bumps with a clean cut. Never had an issuer even on my 800HP Cadillac CTSV Coupe

mQubed Motorsport, Manic Tuning Dealer

 

Bump stops are actually pretty complex and for some cars they need to be as the cars contact them more often. Bumpstops can be progressive in "stiffness" like a progressive spring or they can be linear in stiffness like a linear spring. In the mini I don't think most people spend time on their bumpstops but this will depend on how low the cars are. One purpose of a bumpstop is simply to keep the shock from bottoming out internally (destroying the shock) or to keep the wheel/tire from hitting the body of the car at full compression. If you were to use a stiff linear rate bumpstop you can introduce handling issues because you're going from not so stiff (just your spring) to suddenly incredibly stiff (your spring + stiff bumpstop) as your car rolls in corners or hits bumps. The alternative is to use a longer progressive bumpstop so that the bumpstop comes into play earlier but the transition from just spring to spring+bumpstop is more gradual so as to try and not upset the car.

Based on the description on Way's site I'm guessing those bumpstops are either just cut factory ones or ones modeled after the factory ones. IDK if they are a different stiffness than the factory ones or not. As I mentioned earlier unless you're really low the bumpstops probably won't come into play and you won't notice a difference between cut factory ones and other aftermarket ones. If you're lowered really far on 15" wheels then you're going to be contacting bumpstops much more often and the ride comfort could probably be greatly improved by fitting different bumpstops.

TL;DR Unless you're slammed just cut your factory ones and re-use them.