hey folks,

if i was to lower my stock MCS to about 1.6" with some springs, will i have to get a recon for it? any thoughts?

 

Springs are no problem. I've gotten inspected twice and passed with lowering springs.

 

I know there are rules about headlight and license plate height, but I don't know them off the top of my head. I think the Integra guys were having problems with that for a while.

When people ask about the Mini I just tell 'em it's stock ride height. Even if it was lowered I'd say that - heck.... do they have a book or something that's going to tell them otherwise?

I'd say find a nice guy / gal to get it inspected by and then go see them each year.

 

I think is 12" to the top of the licence plate or bottom.

 

Yeah it's 12 inches to the bottom of the plate. We really dont measure at our shop and i dont know to many that do. the shop doesnt make any money off the inspections anyway so they just want them in and out. unless you go low and its pretty noticable, you wont have a problem with lowing it 1.6". If you were on the big island i'd pass ya without any worries.

Happy motorin'

 

Hahaha... so the fact that my plate is all bent to hell from hitting things might mean that it's a little low. Thankfully it *is* stock height and in the stock mounting position.

 

--Dude don't you bottom out on most driveways pretty bad already? Seeing your bumper getting squished up at Barry's driveway made my heart cry out for your MINI. Ouch!

My DSM friends say that the recon law will ding you at inspection time. If you find a cool safety check place then they may let you slide, but most will say that "you're lowered, need recon sticker". However....

My friends also say there is a wedge insert that you can put into your suspension so that it doesn't look lowered during inspection. Just a thought.

 

Really? I've had a few inspections with the h-sport springs and never had a problem at the oil change place next to the Kapolei Shell. I guess I better crank-up the coilovers for the next inspection!

But wait, Louis is a MINI DIYer now so he can just swap springs before inspection and pop 'em back in after it's pau. No worries!

 

YIKES i thought it's a tough one to swap out... now i'm thinking again...is it worth all this problem?

 

What's the problem? Most likely you are going to pass inspection - who here hasn't passed because of springs only? If you don't pass we DIY back to stock and then go back when pau. No worries.

 

i know i'm in good hands..

 

--Here's some stuff I found on the subject:
-source - Honolulu Star Bulletin

Here's a link to a pretty informative document to directly from hawaii.gov dot site:

http://www.hawaii.gov/dot/highways/a...Aug%202005.pdf

There's a pretty good portion talking about recon sticker requirements. I think this document is what is used for training safety check inspectors. This is pretty good info for anyone doing any mods to their car.