I feel like I've been reading these forums all day and keep coming up with more questions. I'm trying to build a car that will be my daily driver but will also see 4-5 driving schools each summer. I'm retiring my other higher horsepower car and hope to build a Mini that can do similar lap times by making up time in the corners.

So far, I've decided to buy lightweight 15x7 wheels with 225/45 R compound tires and the H Sport competition sway bar. I will probably also buy front camber plates (don't know which one).

What else should I consider? Would H Sport springs make a big difference compared to the stock springs? If I change the springs, do I need different dampers? I'm looking for any suggestions to improve the handling, while trying to spend less than $3,000.

 

They say misery loves company, so here's what I did when faced with that question.

For auto-x -

15x7 Kosei K1-TS wheels
Hoosier AS-304 225/45-15
H-Sport springs, control arms, swaybar
RDR camber plates
Koni yellows, which I adjust in front for street or auto-x, depending on how much oversteer I want.

For track days I may use my Hoosier RS-304s, or actually run on my street rig, just because it mirrors the street experience, but in a safer venue.

I recently switched from stock dampers (at 60,000 miles). Maybe the H-Sport springs had prematurely aged the stock units, but I was amazed at the difference. I've made such changes before, so I thought I knew what to expect, but this was bigger than even the swaybar.

 

Be very careful here. We are often drawn to the romantic side of racing. In truth, setting up a car that works well on the street and track, works well in niether environment. You have to pick your compromises based upon where you will be driving most of the time. Typically you'll end up with a car too stiff for the street and too soft for the track - the later becomes evident as skills improve with time behind the wheel. Driver comfort should be one of your concerns; an uncomfortable driver on the street or track becomes ineffective.

I beleive Aston Martin threw away the 24hrs of LeMans this year because the teams did not focus enough attention on heat management. Although I'm really referring to spring and damping rates for your Mini, driver comfort can cover a lot of ground...it will affect your long term happieness.

 

I have had the same experience as Hornguys. With the setup in my sig (minus the Koni's) the Mini was great until the shocks/struts died prematurely due to the lowering of the HSport springs and Pennsylvania roads.

I'd go with Hsport front/rear camber, springs, rear sway while retaining the stock dampers. Put your quarters in a jar knowing that you'll eventually need new dampers down the road.

 

Agreed.

Both can be fun but both cannot be right. Having the ability to adjust the Konis in front - and if necessary, the H-Sport comp sway bar in back - helps with unwelcome oversteer on the street (such as on an interstate off-ramp with a decreasing radius).

Certainly camber and toe settings should be different for these applications. I've compromised both to get a setting that's pretty good, but not optimum for either.

I'd also say mine is a bit too harsh for most street passengers although I like it...