I have had the TSW springs on my car for years now, and I love them. However, my suspension is getting older and it is time to think about possibly rolling a set of different springs. When I first bought my TSW springs, they were the simple and logical choice. However, Swift now makes a performance spring for the R53 and I wanted to hear people's thoughts and opinions on them (now that these cars with them installed have some more miles on them).

Thanks in advance! In my mind these two springs seem to be the best choice for overall handling for the Mini, time to see if a change is really worth it

 

How old are your shocks? If worn then I would replace shocks before springs. Check with Way at Waymotorworks and see what he says given your mileage.

Usually shocks wear out faster than springs when you mod with lowering springs- it puts more stress on the shocks especially OEM shocks.

see
http://www.ricksfreeautorepairadvice...ow-to-buy-them

 

Time for coilovers, RJ!

 

Shocks are OEM and original, so it is definitely time!! Danny, I have been lusting over a set of H&R RSS coilovers for a minute, but I have a set of Koni Yellows that I have sitting here that are in great shape (slightly used) and are ready to be installed. If I didn't have them, the H&R RSS setup would be on its way! But, the yellows I have heard are a killer setup and I love my ride height as it sits. I also have some Vorshlag camber plates to install, as an added bonus I overall, I am pleased with the package, just eanna know if the swift springs are any better, before I go through the expense of installing of this new stuff

 

I've had both the TSW and Swift springs on my R53 and both responded well with how they were setup. I ran Koni FSD's with the TSW's and am now running Bilstein's with the Swift's. The FSD's and TSW's were sporty and responded well but I wanted a little more firmness and sharp response but sacrificed some of the plush ride quality. The TSW's and FSD's were predictable and responsive but seemed almost OEM with how well they behaved. Since you already have Koni Yellow's on hand I would try those out and see how you like the handling change. Lot's of people like that combo.

 

I have always heard good things about the yellows matched with the TSW springs, but I am interested to see how much stiffer the Swifts feel vs. The TSW springs. I would be fine with a stiffer and sportier ride. In fact, I am hoping the addition of camber plates and koni yellows will do just that

 

I'm in the middle of installing KONI yellows and Swift spec-R's to replace OEM sport shock/struts and H-Sport springs. Should be a vast improvement.

 

Having had both, actually I had Swift w/OEM first, then Swift w/Yellows, now on TSW w/OEM I can say, the TSW's are far more comfortable. I would say it really depends on how your roads are. If your roads are fairly compliant with your regular pot holes here and there and maybe some expansion joints, then they the Swift/Yellow combo should be ok. My roads are aweful and on Swift/yellows, people stopped riding in my car as it was bone jarring. Both Kw's and Fortune Auto coilovers were more comfortable then the Swift/Yellow combo on it.

Now the Swift springs definitely handled better then the TSW's. And again this is my opinion, but driving with Swift/Yellows on MY roads, my girlfriend would complain some of the bumps would actually hurt her back when we hit them... so they had to go. this was with the yellows set at 1/2 turn from full soft.

Now I'm on TSW's and the ride is much more comfortable, but I am deciding between FSD's and Yellows... I really just don't want the yellows to compromise the current ride of the TSW's so I'm leaning towards the FSD's.

With Swift Springs being around $300... if it were me, I'd install the Yellows and camber plates and see how you like the ride!

 

If you have swift questions feel free to ask me, i could probably answer them for you.
I really like the Swift Bilstein combo for the street.
Camber plates are a bit over kill if you have a rear bar... for a street car.

 

I would love to hear the feedback!

 

After comparing spring rates, I don't doubt that the TSW springs are much more comfortable. My roads in Atlanta are pretty awesome actually (with the exception of a few spots, but shining otherwise) I am interested in your opinion on the handling of the car between the two springs. My TSW springs have always been awesome, but are the Swifts that much better?

 

I have heard good things about that combo. If I had to buy shocks, I would be looking at Bilstein for sure.

The big reason I am looking at camber plates is because my top mounts are ripped and need replaced. Figured I might as well do something that really improves handling and whatnot while I am at it and I have heard awesome things about the Vorshlag plates.

 

Honestly, if I had awesome roads, I'd stay on my Fortune Coilovers all year. Since you already have Koni yellow's, I would have stayed on swifts/yellows when I had them if my roads were even remotely nice during my daily commute. I like the TSW's so far, but the softer rate is noticeable, I can tell that they have sagged slightly and the Swifts just felt more connected to me.

 

Good yo know! What Fortune Auto coils do you have? 500 series?

 

Yes I have the Gen4 500 series, I actually have the first set on an R53... I brought my car to them when I had KW V2's installed so they could get a feel for the ride, the did custom valving and started with 6k/6k spring rates. I currently have 5k front 6k rear swift springs on them and they are magnificent to drive on once I leave my local area and get to even reasonable roads. Most comfortable coils I've had. I am going to swap the rears to 5k as well and see what changes later in the spring/summer.

I'm plan on doing a full review of them as well as the offerings of Fortune because I think they will be a great option for people who like to tailor their suspension setups the way they want them when purchasing, while still being considerably cheaper then KW's and PSS9's.

 

I'd love to see a review of Koni Yellow + Swifts with cut bumpstops.

I need to cut mine for my Koni + Tein h-techs set-up.

- Andrew

 

Thats one of the advantages of the Swifts is the technology they use to build their springs makes their stuff ride softer than the rate would suggest.
I forget what sort of voodoo goes into it. but its pretty legit.
Ive never used the koni stuff though a friend i know has the koni coilovers and seems to like them.

 

I have heard great things about the Koni Coil over setup, just really soft from what I understand. I am looking to add a bit of that sporty feel to Otis, hence the addition of Koni Yellows. I have cut bump stops, so if I install Swifts I will give the full report! From the looks of it, the setup going on the car in the next few weeks is:

1. Koni Yellows
2. TSW Springs (unless I snag the Swifts)
3. Vorshlag Camber Plates
4. H Sport Rear Control Arms
5. An alignment (I will need it)

 

Here is a link to the voodoo that I thought might be useful to those who want to know...

http://swiftsprings.net/comparison_chart.html

 

Swifts aren't voodoo magic but it is good spring material.

 

1. Koni Yellows
2. TSW Springs (unless I snag the Swifts)
3. Vorshlag Camber Plates
4. H Sport Rear Control Arms
5. An alignment (I will need it)[/QUOTE],

Interesting set-up plan!!!
Last Spring I made a trip to Detroit Tuned and had the exact same install with Swift springs, Koni Sports, Vorshlag Plates, H-sport control arms, H-sport comp.sway bar and Conti Extreme 205/50/16.

You will need to decide on alignment specs, Koni's stiffness and if you want full adjustment with the plates some material needs to be cut away from the strut towers. I decided to go with the surgery, Chad @ DT did a nice job, cutting and painting and with the strut brace its out of sight anyway.

I went with a 1/2 turn from full soft in the rears and have been playing with the fronts, right now at a full turn from soft. Sway bar I set at its softest setting. Camber is set at -2% and rear -1.8%, front toe +0.15, rear +0.00.

Car lowered about 5/8", sits level front to rear.

My initial driving impression was that the car has a definitely more planted feeling, firmer, yet very livable. Its difficult to discuss the Swifts on their own as I had so many changes made but I'm very pleased with the overall neutral, confident feel that my R53 has now. Good luck with your plan.

 

,

Interesting set-up plan!!!
Last Spring I made a trip to Detroit Tuned and had the exact same install with Swift springs, Koni Sports, Vorshlag Plates, H-sport control arms, H-sport comp.sway bar and Conti Extreme 205/50/16.

You will need to decide on alignment specs, Koni's stiffness and if you want full adjustment with the plates some material needs to be cut away from the strut towers. I decided to go with the surgery, Chad @ DT did a nice job, cutting and painting and with the strut brace its out of sight anyway.

I went with a 1/2 turn from full soft in the rears and have been playing with the fronts, right now at a full turn from soft. Sway bar I set at its softest setting. Camber is set at -2% and rear -1.8%, front toe +0.15, rear +0.00.

Car lowered about 5/8", sits level front to rear.

My initial driving impression was that the car has a definitely more planted feeling, firmer, yet very livable. Its difficult to discuss the Swifts on their own as I had so many changes made but I'm very pleased with the overall neutral, confident feel that my R53 has now. Good luck with your plan.[/QUOTE]

This is all good to know! How are the Vorshlag Camber Plates on the street for a daily driven car? I had set of OEM style mounts but I have always wanted a set of these platea and saw this as my chance to get them.

One of the positives that I see with the TSW springs are the straight stacked fronts, which allow for a bit more camber adjustment without cutting or hammering anything! I am wanting to do -2.0 front and -.5 rear to start. I am planning on running these shocks about 3/4 all the way up in the rear and then playing with the front a bit. Also thought about adding the TSW x brace if Way has one in stock..

 

FWIW, I completed my installation of the KONI Yellow Sports and Swift springs. Alignment was -2.0 fronts, -1.5 rears, 0 toe F&R. Car measures 24.5 front and 25.125 rear running 215/45x17 Nitto NT-01's. Just got back from VIR and am extremely pleased. Only needed to add 1/4 turn to the 1 full turn from soft up front, left the rears at 5/8 turn from soft but dropped 1 lb. from rear tire pressure. Nice, controllable, predictable oversteer. Excellent rotation. Great handling through the climbing esses. Couldn't be happier with this combination.