So I have a Unichip installed, the CAI and pulley are on the way. Now it is time to even out my suspension/drivetrain/brakes.

What do you guys recommend installing to prevent body roll from occuring? What thickness sways does the job for a weekend warrior track/DD?

I will be auto-xing on the weekends as soon as I move to Germany. I do realize that brakes will be a huge issue!

Are the trunk and engine bay stabilizers a waste of hard earned dough?

Just seems like they are more for show than go? Correct me if I am mistaken. Which is cheaper in the long run? Coilovers or replacement struts/springs? I just ask this because you have to rebuild coilovers every so often. I do like the Megan Racing coilovers but am curious what the difference between linear and conical is? Or do I have the terms wrong?

Thanks for hearing my rant out!

 

Start with an Hsport Comp rear sway bar. That will be the best suspension mod.
The strut braces do very little, put your money toward those coilovers.

Buyer beware with coilovers, you get what you pay for.

 

In the description it doesn't say anything about locking cuffs? Do you sell the IE sways more than the H-Sports? I just say that because its cheaper!

 

We actually sell the Hsport bars the most. The Hsport doesn't need any locking cuffs.
Initially the IE bar is atractive, but not good enough. The IE bar is a 22mm hollow so it is only about as stiff as solid 19mm bar. As for the endlinks they are not needed unless corner weighting the car. But they are also noisey and in many cases the collar that slides on the bar will sieze and not be adjustable.
Just spend the little extra on the Hsport sway bar and have no worries. They are the best.

 

Ill take your word for it! Thanks for the knowledgeable advice! Also one more thing, how often (ballpark estimate) do you have to rebuild tein coilovers?

 

Also get rid of the UniChip.....they are known to cause all kinds of problems.

Brakes are not that critical for autoX as you aren't going to be on the brakes much at all.

-1 on the IE rear sway bar......real noisy endlinks and they are not very good quality.

 

Brakes are not an issue for autox. I suggest stainless lines, Ate fluid, brake stiffeners F&R and a mild upgrade of pads. I have EBC Greens, but there are several others that work well. Don't go for hard pads just for autox, a good street pad will be fine.

H-Sport Comp bar is great. I have Alta strut brace but did it more for correcting mushrooming problems. The bar wasn't much more than getting just the top plates

 

ALL coilovers will eventually need replaced or rebuilt!!!
On a DD they will ware out faster.
I'm not trying to discourage the use of coilovers, but as WAY said "You get what you pay for.", I'm also not saying that you need to drop over $3K on a set of custom AST's like I did either. Tein makes some pretty good quality stuff, but mostly for Japaneese makes and models, their super street line has never really been the best on anything but that is all they make for the MINI.

My advise just to save you some headaches and money in the long run, Just get a good set of struts like the KONI "yellows" and a good quality set of springs to go with them, but not with any more than about an inch of drop. You could even go a little more expensive and get a custom set of springs from Swift, or Hypercoil.

As for braces, On the bottom they really tighten up the car TSW/WAY has what is IMO the best. On the top sidejust strut reinforcement plates, no bar nessecary. In the back dont waste your time unless it's with a bolt in (or weld in) bar or cage.

Brakes, stock is great with hawk pads in the front, and super blue fluid.