Is it true that the US MINI has a smaller sway bar from the factory than the MINI sold elsewhere? For those of you who upgraded the swaybar? Which one are you using and is there a dramatic improvement?

Thanks for sharing your experiences!

 

I run the H-Sport Competition rear sway bar. H-Sport's bars have excellent manufacturing tolerances (they're FLAT, very minimal tweak in the bars) to minimize pre-load with non-adjustable drop-links. This is all a good thing. Plus, the 3-hole adjustment is awesome to dial in the rotation you're looking for. Did I mention it's half the weight of every other bar?

 

After searching through different rear sway bars, here's what I'm considering:

- H-sports Competition 22mm, 5 lb., 3 adjustments
- Alta 22mm, 9 lb., 2 adjustments
- Madness 22mm, 13 lb., 3 adjustments

The H-sports with 5 lb. weight is very tempting! :smile:

On this website, it states that H-Sport Competition is "recommended for competition use only." Does it matter if it's used for the street? What's the difference?

 

Madness, installed last July and have not looked back. A couple of buddies have driven my Cooper and were blown away at the way it cornered, the both have Cooper S's with the SS+. I cannot even think about going back at this point, because I pitched the bar driving home after I installed it.

 

I have the original madness rear sway bar with (2) settings.
It's set on the softer setting of the two.
I've already taken it out once to re-grease the fittings as the car developed a horrid squeak..which has not been... fixed.
There are much better ones out now...
I would recommend one ..that has the ability to re-grease the fitting w/ohaving to remove the sway bar .

Peace,

D

_________________
PM d-mini-ero

 

I have the RDR 3 holer, set to the middle hole, this setting is about as much as the Pirelli run flats can handle with some semblance of control. I'll see how it works with sticky non runflats on lighter wheels when I get some, I'm still looking for a nice wheel with clearance for the Stop Tech's big brake kit.

X2

 

I have the H-sport on the middle setting along with the springs, camber plates, rear camber arms and strut tower brace. I have the camber set at -2.5 front and rear in anticipation of this season's autocrossing.

In a word.....damn!

I need to get a decent racing harness as the car now corners so hard that it throws me around in the seat. At the extremes I get a very neutral feel with just a hint of oversteer. I can't wait to see what it does with cones.

 

I have H-sport front and Rear competition bars. 3 hole adjustability, light weight tubular with forged ends and zerk fitting grease mounts. Best swaybar available for the money. And get the competition bar even if it's only for the street. You will love it.

 

Alta 2 hole here, set on the inside/stiffest setting. Works very nicely with the H&R springs to provide flat and very neutral handling.

 

>>I have H-sport front and Rear competition bars.

I've heard that the rear swaybar adds increased traction to the front wheels, but what does a front sway bar do for the MINI?

 

I've got the RDR from Helix set on the middle hole. This with the H&R springs makes for a large grin in the corners!

 

>>I have the RDR 3 holer, set to the middle hole, this setting is about as much as the Pirelli run flats can handle with some semblance of control. I'll see how it works with sticky non runflats on lighter wheels when I get some, I'm still looking for a nice wheel with clearance for the Stop Tech's big brake kit.
>>
>>X2


Sounds familiar, I too have the RDR, but set on the stiffest setting. :smile:

 

I am very surprised no one is using any of the sway bars from Ireland Engineering...
http://www.bmw2002.com/

I am looking at getting the front bar for my Cooper (HS autocross rules don't allow a rear bar change)

From what I understand the bars they sell are hollow with a billet sliding link for adjustments.... instead of 2 or 3 holes allowing more percise adjustment....

I am expecting a call back from them with more info on the front bar...

 

I have the old madness with 2 holes and use the firmest setting with H-sport springs and tower strut bar. Everything works well for me, street and autocross.

When it comes to rear swaybars-
Prices vary but hover around $200
weights vary from 5 to 13 pounds
Some have 2 vs 3 holes to adjust- more is better and always try the middle setting first if you have one.
Colors vary from blue to red or black
Bar diameter is 19mm to 22mm with the H-sport competition being oversized but roughly equivalent to 22mm
All can function OK for street use
You don't usually need the front swaybar

I know of one person with HR springs that had a madness rear bar set to firmest that rubbed against Alta Endlinks (too thick compared to stock endlinks).

For most of us this is the one easy relatively cheap best suspension upgrade to help minimize understeer. Most times when using the correct hole on the bar, neutral or near neutral handling can be achieved. To get this benefit you do not need to change springs or do any other suspension upgrade.

 

>>>>I have H-sport front and Rear competition bars.
>>
>>I've heard that the rear swaybar adds increased traction to the front wheels, but what does a front sway bar do for the MINI?
>>

Takes traction away... Just kidding. The front bar will stiffen up the entire car with respect to roll, because the MINI has 60% of it's weight in the front. This keeps the car flatter in the corners and the suspension geometery more upright for better contact patch and even tire load. Running a stiffer bar in the front usually means a stiffer setting in the rear to maintain the proper balance between understeer and oversteer. Most say the front bar isn't necessary and it is a pain to install but I'm glad I did it. Car handles great.

_________________

 

Ireland Engineering has some excellent products for the 2002 and E30, however, no pics for the MINI sway bars is bad, plus the description talks about a different wall thickness in the future: which one are they selling now?

Ireland: UPDATE YOUR SITE with some usable info!

 

Well put Super_mini.

We're having a MINI-only autocross (actually a novice school--more track time for all of us but I don't think that they're keeping timing) tomorrow in Atlanta.

We should have a really good chance to see every combination available and provide comments. I know that among the folks coming are those with the h-sport, madness, and RDR bars. Look for more in this space sometime this weekend.

Jeff in ATL

 

>>Ireland Engineering has some excellent products for the 2002 and E30, however, no pics for the MINI sway bars is bad, plus the description talks about a different wall thickness in the future: which one are they selling now?

 

quote from Jeff Ireland (in e-mail recieved today) concerning the front swaybar:
stock SS+ front bar is 24mm
H-Sport and Ireland front bars are 25.4mm effective
Eibach front bar is 26mm
H&R front bar is 27mm

now back to our regularly scheduled thread

 

>>
>>now back to our regularly scheduled thread


Which was......oh yeah, rear sway bars....would anyone mess with the MCS rear sway bar? Who sells just bushing for both front and rear?
Thanks in advance.....
sleepless in the Land of Cleves.....