Met a Porsche driving instructor, talked me into tracking. The car is aligned properly but do notice torsional twist when up or downhill curves.
Been eyeing the TSW but sold out on Ways. Scored a decent deal on ultraracing for my R55 JCW for causal tracking/weekend driver. Really not keen on upgrading struts/swaybars yet. Aside from the subframe mid section brace, what other underbody brace would you suggest without turning the handling to superstiff / kidney stone check everytime I go through a bump?

http://vi.raptor.ebaydesc.com/ws/eBa...=1617158220077

 

If you haven’t done the rear sway bar, do that first. I have the hotchkins 25 mm set in the middle, totally changed the rear end. Stock the rear want to push into certain turns on the Dragon, now is following nicely. This winter I did hit a patch of black ice, going through a turn, and the rear slide out but a quick snap of steering wheel corrected no issue. Now if that were my old mustang totally different story, don’t miss that car at all.

 

Looks like the Way Motors x-brace is in stock, unless the website hasn’t been updated:
https://www.waymotorworks.com/tsw-xb...6-r55-r57.html

That rear control arm brace from Ultra Racing doesn’t look like it’s adding strength to a place where the Mini needs it. I would just get the x-brace and a rear sway bar. Also consider poly front control arm bushings, poly front sway bar bushings, rear trailing arm inserts, and upgraded rear sway bar.

AND, don’t underestimate a precision alignment and extra front camber.

 

Way emailed me yesterday saying they will be out of stock for a while.

Thanks for the headsup, I realized I ordered the rear one, not the front. Just emailed the ebayer and switched to the one from UR pretty much bracing same area as the X-brace w/ 6 points:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/ULTRA-RACIN...8f6c%7Ciid%3A1

I will definitely get the Rear sway bar, follow by an alignment.
As for the rest of the poly bushings, I will probably do it next round.

Thanks!

 

That stinks about the x-brace. The 1648 UR brace would be the next best alternative. I don't think there are any other similar braces on the market.

For bushings, give consideration to the following:
Engine mount insert:
https://www.waymotorworks.com/powerf...unt-large.html
Front lower control arm:
https://www.waymotorworks.com/powerf...7-r58-r59.html
Front sway bar:
https://www.waymotorworks.com/powerf...7-r58-r59.html
Rear trailing arm inserts:
https://www.waymotorworks.com/powerf...g-inserts.html

The bushings listed above, plus front subframe brace and rear sway bar, your car will feel MUCH more planted, responsive, and controllable.

 

received the Ultra racing front 6 pts subframe brace and H&R 22mm RSwaybar: https://www.urotuning.com/products/h...hoC5qEQAvD_BwE

with 2 holes, anyone have experience on how stiff is the inner hole setting, I am not completely set on tracking the car or only hit driver ed once every couple weeks...

 

It’s not hard to change the setting. Jack back end up, take wheels off, change bar, wheels back on, car on ground, torque wheels. I have 3 settings, and we set it on the lowest, after a drive back to Cincinnati from Cleveland I knew it needed to be changed, so I did it the next morning took about 30 minutes total.

 

I’m anxious to hear how the sway bar and brace feel after install...

Here is another install of that brace, with the added mid-brace:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ml#post4501001

 

Kupona went to town on the build! Holy S!

Both of them are getting installed then alignment next Tuesday.

There is a nice two lanes twisty turn from NJ Garden State Parkway N bound from the shore merge to 287N,
Fun turn when there are not many cars (early in the am or midday weekends). The torsional twist is most pronounced going through
that turn. Oh there is also a local PCA DE next weekend too. I will report after road test after both trips.

 

Tomorrow is the big day! Would anyone know the torque spec on the 6 bolts mounting onto to the subframe and rear sway bar connecting to the tierods?

R56 specs applicable to R55?
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...rque-spec.html

 

Update: brace installed, NIGHT and DAY! comparing to w/o the brace! The beamer indy commented how much better in terms of the feel and handling once installed.
I got it from this guy best offered and accepted at $240: https://www.ebay.com/usr/bestho-66?_...53.m2749.l2754

As for the rear swaybar, indy never did the mini RSB removal and install, for JCW, would this video work?

 

Pretty much the same procedure for all Mini generations. Do it!

 

RSB installed, after a perfect alignment, the car with stock JCW stocks / springs are so much tighter than before. I am done modding, now it's time to track her when the weather gets a little cooler!