Suspension Springs, struts, coilovers, sway-bars, camber plates, and all other modifications to suspension components for Cooper (R50), Cabrio (R52), and Cooper S (R53) MINIs.

Suspension Has anyone tried the Megan Racing Coilovers?

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Old Dec 8, 2005 | 05:22 PM
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Has anyone tried the Megan Racing Coilovers?

Has anyone tried the Megan Racing Coilovers? How do they handle? Is it a better set-up than the KONI Yellows with H-Sport Springs? (strictly performance speaking) Thanks.
 
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Old Dec 8, 2005 | 05:23 PM
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i think you'll want to wait for the Pilo's version.
 
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Old Dec 8, 2005 | 05:30 PM
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i thought the megan and pilo coilovers were the same?
 
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Old Dec 8, 2005 | 05:40 PM
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Nope. Pilo is modifying the Megan to create a version for the MINI.

Steve
 
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Old Dec 8, 2005 | 05:46 PM
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hehe, i guess that would help. so would the pilo coilovers be a better set-up than the KONI and H-Sport spring combination? (in terms of performance only)
 
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Old Dec 8, 2005 | 05:56 PM
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No clue, they don't exist yet in a form we can buy. They are still being developed. There is a technical thread and group buy thread for them if you are brave enough to be an early adopter. I've decided to give them a try when the come out.

Steve
 
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Old Dec 8, 2005 | 06:52 PM
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Originally Posted by koenner1
hehe, i guess that would help. so would the pilo coilovers be a better set-up than the KONI and H-Sport spring combination? (in terms of performance only)
in terms of using progressive rate vs linear rate springs, yes...but i too
would need to try both setups out to know for sure.
 
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Old Feb 3, 2006 | 10:39 PM
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Ummm...

Originally Posted by SRTech
Nope. Pilo is modifying the Megan to create a version for the MINI.

Steve
Ummm... no, it's one in the same. Trust me.
 
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Old Feb 5, 2006 | 05:51 AM
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Could you elaborate?
 
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Old Feb 5, 2006 | 07:16 AM
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Originally Posted by under8seconds
Ummm... no, it's one in the same. Trust me.
Pilo is supposed to be working with Megan on the design. I know that Megan is the manufacturer and the box reflects only Megan.

Steve
 
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Old Feb 5, 2006 | 07:49 AM
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I was under the impression that this kit was available and is in fact currently in a couple of cars??? SRT4, I thought you installed one of the first sets?

Or, per the original question regarding "racing coilovers"...is this a different application than the street set with 280f/320/r linear rate springs with 32 way adjustable dampers???

Michael
 
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Old Feb 5, 2006 | 07:54 AM
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Perhaps Pilo could post exactly how this system has been developed, and what makes it MINI specific. Also what the set is that is sold by another vendor. It would be nice to have it cleared up.
 
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Old Feb 5, 2006 | 07:56 AM
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I am have been installing (and uninstalling) Scooby03's set. He broke one and I have devised a fix and Pilo is working on a permanent solution. These have the street rated springs, but there are supposed to be some higher rate springs coming.

Steve


Originally Posted by meb
I was under the impression that this kit was available and is in fact currently in a couple of cars??? SRT4, I thought you installed one of the first sets?

Or, per the original question regarding "racing coilovers"...is this a different application than the street set with 280f/320/r linear rate springs with 32 way adjustable dampers???

Michael
 
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Old Feb 5, 2006 | 08:12 AM
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All the systems are based on the same original design. The all look the same, cost the same etc...

When a new application (MCS for example) comes along the simply do what they have to to make it fit!

You guys have to look into this a little more. These guys produce at the same volume / quality of say APC or Toucan. All their stuff is "made in Taiwan". Ask around.

Also no offence to Pilo but if you do a little research on his threads you'll find he is quick to post a product sans real testing. Look at the Megan exhaust. It's being redesigned. That pulley thread, where the heck is that product..?? Now these coilovers are the same. Furthermore these are "Megan" coilovers. Pilo may be testing them (ya ok) and helped influence production but these are 100% Megan. Pilo may have bragging rights but thats about it. You guys need to call Megan just as I did and you can put the rest together yourselves.
 
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Old Feb 5, 2006 | 08:26 AM
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I'm not trying to bash the product. I purchased a set, and they are being installed now. Upon visual inspection, the parts look to be very high quality, with attention to detail and great workmanship. However, I have been REALLY disappointed in Pilo's unprofessional lack of communication and support about the product. Particularly in light of the recent breakage incident and install issues.

It seems to me he would be monitoring these posts, and giving full explanations and complete information to the individuals who have already bought the system from him, and to potential buyers. Pilo's silence speaks volumes about his business and professionalism.
 
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Old Feb 5, 2006 | 10:37 AM
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How about the fact that he doesn't have a phone #.
 
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Old Feb 5, 2006 | 12:50 PM
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Can you elaborate about what broke?

Originally Posted by SRTech
I am have been installing (and uninstalling) Scooby03's set. He broke one and I have devised a fix and Pilo is working on a permanent solution. These have the street rated springs, but there are supposed to be some higher rate springs coming.

Steve
 
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Old Feb 6, 2006 | 09:49 AM
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Okay so...

Originally Posted by SRTech
Pilo is supposed to be working with Megan on the design. I know that Megan is the manufacturer and the box reflects only Megan.

Steve
So then tell me what the difference is between the coilovers sold on the Megan Racing website and on Pilo's?
 
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Old Feb 6, 2006 | 10:04 AM
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Originally Posted by DK23
I'm not trying to bash the product. I purchased a set, and they are being installed now. Upon visual inspection, the parts look to be very high quality, with attention to detail and great workmanship. However, I have been REALLY disappointed in Pilo's unprofessional lack of communication and support about the product. Particularly in light of the recent breakage incident and install issues.

It seems to me he would be monitoring these posts, and giving full explanations and complete information to the individuals who have already bought the system from him, and to potential buyers. Pilo's silence speaks volumes about his business and professionalism.
DK23,

What broke was the steel shaft. The reason for this is the way that it's mounted to the chassis. It places a lot of stress on the shaft as where on the other Megan Racing dampers, there are pillowball mounts that can transfer the flex to the springs rather than have it all on the shaft itself. The problem is you can't utilize the pillowball mount with the current design. It's being worked on. The shaft is strong and can take quite a bit of stress.. but it's still hollow in the center. It has to be for the fact the adjusting **** is up at the top. See the dillema? Any feedback would be helpful on this DK23. Drop me a line when you can.
 
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Old Feb 7, 2006 | 06:50 AM
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Thanks for the input. I am having a race shop do the install, so I am not able to look at the setup to see exactly the issue you refer to, but your explanation makes sense. When you say the problem is being worked on, I assume you mean by Megan? When they arrive at a permanent solution, will it be made available to purchasers of the system to retrofit into the install? Would that be through Megan?
I hope the progress on this will be posted here, so everyone can be kept informed. Again, I appreciate the information. If you send me a PM with an email address or phone I will get in touch.
 
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Old Feb 7, 2006 | 09:05 AM
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I'm very interested in this set-up. Would you keep me informed as well? I need to install ( a kit ) within the next 5 weeks.
 
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Old Feb 7, 2006 | 10:14 AM
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DK23,

This thing doesn't let me send PM's to people... so I don't know what gives with that. Either way, drop me a PM with your email address and I'll contact you with my information.

The problem right now is that the chassis issue gives us so little options to work with in terms of mounting at the top-rear. Another thing that I'm considering is why is there stress left-right... if a suspension system is functioning correctly then there should be minimal stress on the rod in terms of moving left-right while there should be more stress moving up and down in the correct path of suspension travel. I gotta get a car in here so I can see what's the deal with the suspension geometry again.
We've had instances where our the factory sends us prototypes.. and they're perfect. Then when they send us the products they're off a little bit. Either way, know that I'm working on this as best I can and I'm trying to get this problem solved. I really want to break into the Mini Market and offer the goods to the community; and I want everything to be resolved. Any suggestions would be highly appreciated... just drop me a line.
 
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Old Feb 7, 2006 | 10:50 AM
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Originally Posted by under8seconds
So then tell me what the difference is between the coilovers sold on the Megan Racing website and on Pilo's?
I don't know if there is a difference. All I know is Pilo was the first MINI vendor to offer them and seems to be in contact with Megan. The shaft on the one I installed broke because the edge of the spring hat contacted the bracket that holds the coilover to the car's frame. It looked like it took a lot of lateral force. The other side looked worse, but didn't break. Also, do you think that stiffer bushings could cause too much force on the hollow shaft as the suspension moves?

Steve
 
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Old Feb 7, 2006 | 10:55 AM
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Originally Posted by SRTech
I don't know if there is a difference. All I know is Pilo was the first MINI vendor to offer them and seems to be in contact with Megan. The shaft on the one I installed broke because the edge of the spring hat contacted the bracket that holds the coilover to the car's frame. It looked like it took a lot of lateral force. The other side looked worse, but didn't break. Also, do you think that stiffer bushings could cause too much force on the hollow shaft as the suspension moves?

Steve
There is no difference between Megan and Pilo. Just cause someone sells them and says they're "designed" by them doesn't mean it's different. Outmotoring and Pilo both had them available at the exact same time. I gotta take a look at the bracket that holds the suspension to the chassis. That SHOULD of been apart of the design so that you replace that bracket as well. They have to be redesigned to incorporate that so that I can put a pillowball in somewhere to take the flex and any unwated metal-metal contact.
 
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Old Feb 7, 2006 | 10:58 AM
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Originally Posted by under8seconds
So then tell me what the difference is between the coilovers sold on the Megan Racing website and on Pilo's?
There may be more substantial differences, but Pilo's version definitely comes with a different set of spring rates. His are 260/320 while the standard set are 400/400. Other than that, I have a feeling they're either identical or nearly so....but I have no further details. I have mine on and it's all good so far.
 
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