My upper shock mounts are pretty worn, and I would like to replace them. I've thought about getting the IE Fixed Camber Plates instead of the stock mounts since the price is about the same...and I would get a little better handling from the added camber.

From what I have read, the IE plates are thicker than stock, will will raise the front of the car a little bit....3/8" or so. Is there anything that I could do in order to get it back down to the stock ride height? I don't want the car sitting that high in the front...but I don't really want to have to put lowering springs on the car either. If that's the case, I'll just put factory upper shock mounts in the car and not worry about it.

Any advice/ideas/suggestions?

Thanks!

 

IMHO get the IE's and some springs

 

Heard the same thing, when I eventually get them, I am going to do this to counter that

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...front-end.html

 

I had the IE fixed cambers on my 2005 Cooper S with springs. Very well worth it. Just note, with springs, your front tires will wear faster on the insides. Without camber adjustment on the back, the rear tires will wear out even faster. Just something to think about. But, back to the topic. The IE fixed camber plates are excellent IMO.

 

that's right you can do that, or you can also leave it. I found that when I put the on the IE plates, they really raised it by 1/4", maybe even less than that.

So i would put them on first and let it settle.

 

It is the IE adjustable plates that tend to raise the car 3/8", that is why I went with H-Sport adjustable plates that do not raise the car.
The IE fixed plates only raise the car by the additional thickness of the plate compared to the stock plates. I have not measured each plate but I would guess 1/8" to 3/16" thicker.

Depending on the springs you get some lower the front less, so if adding the plates look for springs that lower the front a little more than other springs. Or just plan to do the strut mount mod to lower the front a little more.

 

Well, I decided to order the IE fixed camber plates from Way Motor Sports. WOW...they are fast. Got them in two days!! Can't wait to install them this weekend!!

 

Way Motor Works is great. Good decision on the IE fixed plates. Now you need to save money for a 19mm rear sway bar.

 

What's the benefit of adding the larger rear swaybar??

 

FWIW, I just picked up an Eibach 19mm rear bar from Discount Tire Direct: $98 shipped, and get this - there's a $10 rebate!

 

The Minis tend to understeer (push at the front). The additional front negative camber (from the IE fixed camber plates) puts the tire flatter when cornering thus putting more rubber on the ground for traction going around corners. The larger rear sway bar makes the car tend to oversteer (back end coming around). So the combination of the front not pushing as much and the rear trying to come around a little quicker makes the car handle more neutral.

 

Got my FSD's with IE camber plates installed today. I did some measuring on the IE plates, and they were about 1/4" taller than stock. I didn't want my car riding any higher in the front end, so I trimmed down the lower bracket on the shock (like shown in the link above). I hated cutting on the new KONI's, but it needed to be done. As long as you take you time and don't cut into the shock body, you will be done.

The car sits just as height as it did before with the stock plates....and that's what my goal was. The car rides so much better now with the FSD's....I can't wait to get out on some twisty roads and really test the camber plates out! After an alignment ofcoarse

 

Good job!

 

Thanks for posting up the pics. Very helpful. That's my next project.

 

I've got nice and even wear with my IE fixed plates and adjustable rear arms. The stock alignment is just not very good for performance and not that great for tire wear either. Too much in the rear and too little up front.

But yeah the IE fixed plates are one of the best mods for this car.

- Andrew