do sway bars really make that much of a difference? are they worth it? how hard is the installation?

 

It depends. Unless you push it fairly hard around the corners, you might not notice a difference. You should probably search around the performance mods: suspension section of this site. You'll find a lot of info there. Rear swaybars really help balance the car out in corners. They can range from lessening understeer to causing all-out oversteer...depending on which size and setting. I'm happy with my H-Sport comp. It's not too hard to install. You need a jack, jackstands, some assorted wrenches, and a friend (or two). Go to Webb Motorsports and find the how-to on his forums.

 

I don't track my car, yet, but having put a biger bar on the MINI was a great mod. It got the steering neutral and added that nice control for the street.

It does take a little work, but follow directions you can find here on NAM and you should be fine.

 

I put an Alta 22mm on max settings and I have a noticible diference. The car just feels more stable in the corners.

 

I do sways with all my rides and just did the Mini not too long ago. Best mod to date!

 

I'd say that the rear sway bar and springs are the best suspension mods for your MINI... I highly suggest them. My MINI has not been the same since I installed the H-sport springs and ALTA sway bar. I put on the 19mm though... Now I want a bigger bar!!! I'm looking into the H-sport comp bar

 

I just did the WMS extreme last weekend, what a difference. I don't track at all, but even for daily driving or spirited twisties it helps alot. Not sure why I waited 100k to install this mod .

Nik

 

does it affect the shocks at all, make for a rougher ride.. well rougher than it already is???

 

I haven't noticed anything. I run the H-Sport comp on the softest setting for street use. The only time you might notice is if you get a big bar and set it on full stiff which is not safe for street use anyway.

 

I run both bar full stiff. As soon as the steering wheel is at about a 45 degree agle the tires let go and it understeers (and you have no control) until you let off the gas slightly. Then it whips around like an F1 car. I LOVE IT! yOU LEARN TO CONTROL IT NICELY.

 

The Webb Motorsports rear sway bar is the single best mod I have done to my car to date. It made an immediately noticable improvement my Mini's ability of to rotate around corners, made turn-in much more positive and quicker, and nearly eliminated the stock set up's tendency to understeer when pushed.

If I were doing it again a rear swaybar would actually be the very first mod I would make to a Mini, before (or at the same time as) a 15% supercharger pulley...

 

No it doesn't make it more stiff... adding lowering springs will. The purpose of a bigger rear sway bar is to reduce understeer. You'll make the car more neutral when making turns. That's where you'll see improvements and a night VS day difference!