just wondering what the lateral acceleration of a stock cooper is and what actual numbers can be shown with what improvements. i have helix springs and 19mm rear sway bar and feel marked improvement. what can you guys tell me to improve it even more. any one have definite numbers?

 

I think you may have a hard time finding published figures on the MC. JCW MCS figures for lateral acceleration by R&T are here

.86g

 

I don't have a skid pad available to me. But, if you want, we can run the local roundabouts up here the next time you come to Phoenix. Plus, we can borrow someone's G-Tech Pro.

 

I've got an Escort GT-1 in my non-s. The lateral g forces largely depends on the type of tire you run. From about 0.70g of my crappy snow tires 185/65/15, to 0.84g of the stock continental all season 175/65/15, to 0.94g of my summer tires Kumho 712 195/55/15, to 1.05g of my racing slicks Kumhos 205/50/15.

 

thanks for the replies, so the tires make the best value for higher l a ?

 

I would say it would have to be tire type than size.

 

Yes, tires makes the biggest difference in absolute grip level. You can probably get a tad bit more by using 16" rims too maybe, but you'll be hard pressed to do more than 0.95g with most summer tires no matter what width/rim size you choose.

Another thing that you could do (and I'm considering it) is add a bit more negative camber up front, that should add a little extra ultimate grip as well.

 

just read in road & track that acura tl-s, g35 infiniti & lexus i 350 all have lateral acceleration over .88g. the mini is has a go cart like handling yet only has .86g on the jcw? what gives?

 

Cornering G is only part of the equation, another good indicator of the car's handling ability is the Slalom. The MINI can change direction really quick there, and is pretty much faster than any sedans out there.

But you're right, a lot of people under-estimate how quick a well driven sports sedan can be!

Remember, the JCW car uses runflat tires which doesn't grip as well as the best summer tires. You can go over 0.90g easily with any decent summer peroformance tires in the MINI.

 

G-Tech RR, Hoosier AS304s, H&R coil overs, Webb Camber plates @ -1.4 at the front, with lower control arms at the rear set to -1.0. Mid 70s for temperature, on the Ft. Devens runways in 2005 when I was banished to ASP.

I have the trace from a 5 gate slalom that day which is consistantly 1.2 left, then right, then left, and so forth! That kind of violence raises heck with the cup holders!

As mentioned several times earlier in the thread, the primary factor seems to be rubber. The Falken Azeni 615s have touched 1g under optimum conditions, but stickies are stickies!

 

I got .97 lateral Gs with 205/45R16 f1 gs-d3 on 16x7 (13lb) rota slipstreams according to my G-Tech

it was fun

got .87Gs in the rain at the autoX, also fun (the turn was effectively a 180)

 

Per R&T, MCS JCW slalom times are nothing to write home about https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=80382

Different tires, different times ... but then again, that can be said about all the cars on the list. But for the price point, very good

 

With my Michelin Pilot Sport Cups, we saw sustained G's of 1.3... 225/50R15's...

With the Hankook RS-2's in 225/45R16's, we saw 1.1 G's sustained in several long sweepers...

Our TSW/Leda Softcore suspension, Ireland camber plates... -2.2 degrees up front, -1.5 out back, 1/8" total toe out up front and neutral toe in the rear...

 

No doubt, I think a lot of people on the forums here are over-rating the MINI, a lot of cars are faster than the little MINI.

Still, it's so much fun to drive, I just enjoy driving it rather than trying to compare it to death on paper. Get some grippy tires and have fun

 

Per my G-Tech Pro RR, I get 1.03g to the left and 1.05 to the right with the stock run-flats, but that's on a concrete hovercraft parking area. I'm sure the numbers would have been lower on asphalt or smooth cement.

Also, those aren't sustained skidpad numbers - those are just the peaks as I went around the autocross course.

 

What gives? Less than half a degree of negative camber gives. Running 2 degrees up front and the cornering Gs on all season tires are nearly on par with Azenis.

If you just want better handling, get some camber plates, they will transform the car into a G load machine. My MC with -2 degrees of camber up front, light 15x7 wheels and 225/45 R-Comps is plenty sticky.... way above .86g I am sure.

As others have mentioned, max G-loads will vary somewhat based on the speed at which the reading was taken. Most magazines have a specific radius turn (therefore speed) that they take measurements at. I think a light MC with solid negative camber and summer tires would post very impressive numbers. Unfortunately, most magazines test Minis that are on bad tires and are heavy as crap with a bunch of convenience options.

 

How much are camber plates??

 

~$450 plus install

I got the Helix camber plates a year ago - very nice quality, work well and don't require any modifications.

http://www.helix13.com/mini/products/suspension-chasis

 

FWIW, the 2nd gen Ireland street/race plates are MUCH better than the 1st gen and don't require you to modify the strut tower anymore (not to mention the cheapest solution out there)... Contact me if you'd like more info...

 

Unfortunately?

That is how MINI sells the car ... just like how all the other car makers sell their cars OEM. That is exactly how the "masses" use their MINIs, day in, day out.

Anyone can "mod" their car to make the times or whatever better but if you going to compare, you gotta do the same to all the cars your comparing it too.

 

Good point chows.

 

Jeez..

I understand why mainstream magazines test cars as stock, it makes a lot of sense. But NAM isn't mainstream, hence to some of us it is unfortunate. By "unfortunately" I meant unfortunately in the context of finding out a car's true handling potential in stock form. Unfortunately for people like many members of this forum that will get rid of the crap runflat tires first chance they get. Unfortunately for comparing a MCS with all season runflats (stock tire) to cars that come with extremely sticky tires out of the factory (for example Evo and STi).

Now go jump down someone else's throat...

 

Remember to add the cost for a good alignment into the budget. You will need to get the alignment done after installing camber plates, and you'd be well served to get it done someplace where the technician will take the time to do things right.

 

Ireland fixed -1.25 are $180. If not tracking the car a lot, it's a very good compromise. Many other benefits to camber plates as well.