I'm looking to try out some different spring rate of my mini this season and i know i need 2.5" springs but i'm unsure of what lengthto buy? Some searching suggests 7" but 8" is a much more common length.

Only swift sells 7"?
I was looking at get getting hypercoils

Also while i'm here what rates would you guys suggest? The car is a DD with KW v3s on it that have the progressive coils on it. I'm switiching out the top hats so that i can put linear springs in the front. It will mainly be used for a couple lapping days and autocrossing. Comfort is important to me so it will have to be a compromise in performance.

Thanks in advance!

 

I think the KW front are progressives, and the rear are rated at 230 in/lbs. I am basing this on memory so there is a good chance I may be off. Not sure you need to go to Hypercoils for DD but I will be running 450 in/lb front and rear on my car this summer for mostly track and some DD. Do not forget, you will be adding natural oversteer or understeer based on the differential F to R spring rates. Perhaps you can consider changing all 4 springs to give you a better balance. I think the 350 in/lb F&R may give you good starting balance to begin experimenting.

Are you trying to raise the car, lower the car, or make it the same height with the new springs?

 

I've been looking for what KW V3s come with and was not able to find that info. The fronts are definitely progressive.

350lbs does sound like a good starting point and see if i would like a high rate afterwards so that i keep some street manors without it being bouncy/hoping over bumps.

now which length do i need? 7in for swift? or can i get the more standard 8in?

 

I do not have KWs so it would be hard for me to answer that question. However, you should be able to call KW and get that info from them. Otherwise pm andyroo on this forum. He may know the answer.

I myself find these coilovers too low for the car and would raise it marginally.

 

I do think the coils do put the car to low especially for when i want to raise the car for winter.

i'll have to email KW and see what they are able to tell me about spring lengths. Didn't think that finding this info was that hard to get.

 

Good luck to you and don't forget to pm andyroo.

 

KW still hasn't replied. Still need to figure out what length of spring to order.

I might have to wait till its warmer and jack the car up and check myself

 

You want 60mm springs, not 2.5 inch.

I would think 7 inch in the rear, though I am not 100% sure. Can you see the printed numbers on the rear springs?

- Andrew

 

My KWs and camber plates are set up of for 2.5" from vorshlag.

I powdercoated my springs red so there is no wording left on them.

 

Ah okay. Well if you're able to remove the spring and measure the length, that could give us a good idea. Do you have a helper/tender in the rear?

- andrew

 

I have just converted my KW version 3 to parallel springs, 61 mm ID.
On the rear Helper spring 20-60-80, main 60nm x 140 mm
On the front Helper spring 10-60-80, main 60nm x 160 mm
You also need the intermediate spring perches to connect main to helper.
And upper spring seats flat design 14 mm bore product no 65030007 to replace the OEM large pressed steel.
These are 50% stronger than the supplied springs.
Hope the information is of some help.

 

Thats for the help! That is some good info. So you converted to helper springs instead of just a longer linear spring? This is to avoid preloading i assume of the main spring?

Your numbers converted would make it 5.5" and 6.25" but of course your using helper springs. I kind of like this idea because i know my front suspension is preloaded some.

What brand springs did you buy, phone?

 

I used KW springs.
Without the helper you would need a 200 mm plus front spring as when the suspension is at full drop the springs could come off the perches.
With the original "Beehive" shaped springs from fully loaded on the ground at 320 mm from arch to wheel centre the suspension would drop 95 mm when the car was jacked up.
The "Beehive spring is 220 mm free length but is only rated at 4 kg per mm
approx (as it is a progressive spring)
I will try and post some pictures.

 

Pictures of the KW springs

 

Whos camber plates are you running? I have vorshlag camber plates which look at little different.

I'll have to contact KW about purchasing the springs. The idea of running helper springs is really starting to interest me.

 

Still searching answers on spring length. KW does not respond to emails or calls.
Is it 7" or 8". Might have to bite the bullet and measure it on the car myself.......

Would like to put 235s on the car but the progrssive spring gets in the way of fitting them so i'm pushing this project get completed.

My friends in EVOs and STI's are starting to think there better drivers them me! So i need to prove to them its the double and triple the hp that they have is what makes them fast...lol. There runing 1-2sec quicker in there cars than my stock mini on KW coils.

 

shoot me an email with exactly what your looking for. I will get your answers taken care of. sales@thesuspensionsource.com or call 888-230-1288

 

You might PM or email WayMotorWorks and see if he is willing to sell the springs that come on his custom KW's seperately. That would be an easy solution.

 

Well, I FINALLY got around to performing this modification. On Saturday i put in 8" long 2.5" springs and they rattle when the suspension droops over bumps. Wrong decision to go without a helper spring.

I've now gone ahead and ordered helper springs from KW NA and purchased 6" long springs from hyperco in 450lb spring rate.

The part no. are as follows as taken from the clubsport model:

helper 60110028
perch 65243000

The front springs on a clubsport are 80NM and use the above part numbers.