Hi folks,
I have an 05 MCSC and am considering a strut tower brace from M7 that includes strut tower plates that prevent mushrooming of the strut tower. I have the sport package with the 17" S-lites (why they are called lite, I have no idea) and am sure that I have some mushrooming effect, although I don't know how to tell or know how extensive it is. I also thought that a strut tower brace would be a good way to minimize cowl shake and generally tighten up the front end of the car. Any thoughts? Has anyone else installed a strut tower brace on their MCSC?

thanks for your help and opinions...I appreciate it.

Buzz-Buzz

 

That's a pretty common mod, one which I've done myself. The MINI frame is pretty stiff, but as we all know the ragtops are always in need of a little beefing up. My car was pretty new when I installed the M7 Strut Tower Brace, and I admit to doing so mainly for the mushroom prevention. I didn't notice much, if any, change in body or chassis flex after installation, but I suspect if I took it off today, I'd see a change. Things just get loose with age. No mushrooming either, but the roads I drive aren't all that bad.

One mod I made that had a noticeable, immediate impact was the addition of the TSW x-brace. See this thread, for my impressions.

 

I opted for the cheaper method of Madness tower reinforcement plates and their lower strut brace, and the difference was immediately apparent. Less flex, less squeak, less rattle and tighter handling (due to the brace, not the plates so much. I recently had a strut mount fail, and the mechanic did say that the plates saved me from the mushrooming problem...

 

The lower Madness Bar which is made by http://www.masonengineering.net/
will make a huge difference in stabilizing the front end. The upper bars do little if much of anything. You may want to look at camber plates or the under strut plates that are out there for mushrooming................

 

Undercar braces start cheap...the OMP is said to help a bit, then the masonengenerring/minimaddness bar helps a lot, with little added harhness, then the TSW x brace is said to be like wow...but the price is added NVH. Most of what I have seen said the middle one is a great compermise between cost, performance, and comfort...it is on my short list of things to do soon!!
There is some debate about the best way to combat mushrooming...the below the mount protectors can change the suspension geomerty a bit...so if you want to go this route, fixed camber plates will be great, as they offer protection and better handling.
I put the craven STD's on back when they came out...I run 16's but the potholes here, they were a good investment. No mushrooming here!! The m-7 plates are almost the same...a few hoor release rubbing issues I think due to a slightly different shape, but they do fit with the m-7 bar....IMO the bars are mostly for looks Unless you can put a preload on them....
I have the cabrio front tower braces on my car...I can see the difference...so I can say the area does benifit from a bit of stiffining...but you will most likely see the differance if you drive with finesse.

 

If your looking to really stiffen it up the TSW X brace will make the biggest difference. Do it first, then go for the M7 brace if you want more.