Suspension Ohlins installed!!
Ohlins installed!!
I bought ficcion's Ohlin's which had vorshlag camber plates, and they were easily the best investment so far this year. I am absolutely blow away by how amazing they are on the street. Having had 2 Megan coilover systems, the difference is night and day.
Before, even on the softest setting, the megans always gave me bone rattling hits and bumps on the streets/freeways, but with the Ohlins, MY GOD, I feel like I'm riding on a f@#kin cloud! Bumps are absorbed so well that you'd think the stock suspension should have been like this! Completely puts anything in it's path to shame.
I haven't bothered checking what damping setting ficcion set it at, but I'll adjust according this weekend when I have the chance, but whatever it was set on right now, it really does make the ride so much more enjoyable and long trips from one part of the city to the other that much more bearable.
Some will say the spring rate is softer and they should have been stiffer or whatever right out of the box instead of having to buy another set of springs on top of an already expensive suspension, but I think I like them this way, because honestly, I am no NASA or SCCA tracking monster, and I enjoy my occasional track day, so this is definitely a great compromise for street and track. A 25mm Tarrett Swaybar will be next to tie this all in together.
Before, even on the softest setting, the megans always gave me bone rattling hits and bumps on the streets/freeways, but with the Ohlins, MY GOD, I feel like I'm riding on a f@#kin cloud! Bumps are absorbed so well that you'd think the stock suspension should have been like this! Completely puts anything in it's path to shame.
I haven't bothered checking what damping setting ficcion set it at, but I'll adjust according this weekend when I have the chance, but whatever it was set on right now, it really does make the ride so much more enjoyable and long trips from one part of the city to the other that much more bearable.
Some will say the spring rate is softer and they should have been stiffer or whatever right out of the box instead of having to buy another set of springs on top of an already expensive suspension, but I think I like them this way, because honestly, I am no NASA or SCCA tracking monster, and I enjoy my occasional track day, so this is definitely a great compromise for street and track. A 25mm Tarrett Swaybar will be next to tie this all in together.
I've currently got KV V3 on my car and i'm quite happy with them but i'm still tempted to step up to the Ohlins. Does anyone think it will be an improvement?
Do you know what spring rates the Ohlins come with?
Do you know what spring rates the Ohlins come with?
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2nd Gear
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: Riverside County
I bought ficcion's Ohlin's which had vorshlag camber plates, and they were easily the best investment so far this year. I am absolutely blow away by how amazing they are on the street. Having had 2 Megan coilover systems, the difference is night and day.
Before, even on the softest setting, the megans always gave me bone rattling hits and bumps on the streets/freeways, but with the Ohlins, MY GOD, I feel like I'm riding on a f@#kin cloud! Bumps are absorbed so well that you'd think the stock suspension should have been like this! Completely puts anything in it's path to shame.
I haven't bothered checking what damping setting ficcion set it at, but I'll adjust according this weekend when I have the chance, but whatever it was set on right now, it really does make the ride so much more enjoyable and long trips from one part of the city to the other that much more bearable.
Some will say the spring rate is softer and they should have been stiffer or whatever right out of the box instead of having to buy another set of springs on top of an already expensive suspension, but I think I like them this way, because honestly, I am no NASA or SCCA tracking monster, and I enjoy my occasional track day, so this is definitely a great compromise for street and track. A 25mm Tarrett Swaybar will be next to tie this all in together.
Before, even on the softest setting, the megans always gave me bone rattling hits and bumps on the streets/freeways, but with the Ohlins, MY GOD, I feel like I'm riding on a f@#kin cloud! Bumps are absorbed so well that you'd think the stock suspension should have been like this! Completely puts anything in it's path to shame.
I haven't bothered checking what damping setting ficcion set it at, but I'll adjust according this weekend when I have the chance, but whatever it was set on right now, it really does make the ride so much more enjoyable and long trips from one part of the city to the other that much more bearable.
Some will say the spring rate is softer and they should have been stiffer or whatever right out of the box instead of having to buy another set of springs on top of an already expensive suspension, but I think I like them this way, because honestly, I am no NASA or SCCA tracking monster, and I enjoy my occasional track day, so this is definitely a great compromise for street and track. A 25mm Tarrett Swaybar will be next to tie this all in together.
I've seen elsewhere that the rears should be heavier than the fronts.
So are you finding any of this to be true? Have you added your new rear sway bar or are you still stock? If so...results? Also did you add new rear control arms? What other items were needed for the install, is everything else stock: bushings, bump stops, etc?
The best street/track spring rate we have found is 450F 550R. Spring lengths are going to be around 5" front and 6" rear. Don't put the heavier spring on the front, it'll cause understeer. With this setup set the shock in the middle of the adjustment. Swaybars use stock bar in the front and a 24mm in the back. Use rear bar adjustment to help with over/understeer. Also use shock adjustment to adjust over/understeer for conditions and course. Ride height should be set so that front lower control arms are parallel to the ground. 1/2 inch of rack F to R
I'll get a pic up this weekend.
The rears should be heavier than the front, that is correct. I have contacted Swift to get some new springs, but this year I haven't really had the opportunity to track the MINI, so I won't be doing so until I'm ready to hit the track again. And with my schedule seemingly getting busier with projects in the pipeline, I don't foresee me going to the track anytime soon. So I'm in no rush to swap them out.
I've been meaning to get the tarret 25mm sway bar, but I've gone to working on the aero on the car rather than complete my full suspension. I have the DuelL AG GT wing on order from Japan and the GP2 undertray to complete my aero and then I'll get back to suspension, powertrain and then rebuild the engine. All-in-all, the Ohlins will probably sacrifice a bit on the track because of the softer springs, but as a daily MINI for streets, it's unbelievably comfortable compared to the Megans I had.
People can gripe all they want about how soft they are compared to V3's, JRZ's, or AST's, but the compromise is well worth the daily practicality. My friend's shop is 5 mins away from me and when I go the track, they take out their E36 M3 track car too, so we all prep and what not before heading out, so any work that needs adjusted or modified they can do instantly. When the time comes for me to do the rest of my mods, you guys will know.
I've seen elsewhere that the rears should be heavier than the fronts.
So are you finding any of this to be true? Have you added your new rear sway bar or are you still stock? If so...results? Also did you add new rear control arms? What other items were needed for the install, is everything else stock: bushings, bump stops, etc?
So are you finding any of this to be true? Have you added your new rear sway bar or are you still stock? If so...results? Also did you add new rear control arms? What other items were needed for the install, is everything else stock: bushings, bump stops, etc?
I've been meaning to get the tarret 25mm sway bar, but I've gone to working on the aero on the car rather than complete my full suspension. I have the DuelL AG GT wing on order from Japan and the GP2 undertray to complete my aero and then I'll get back to suspension, powertrain and then rebuild the engine. All-in-all, the Ohlins will probably sacrifice a bit on the track because of the softer springs, but as a daily MINI for streets, it's unbelievably comfortable compared to the Megans I had.
People can gripe all they want about how soft they are compared to V3's, JRZ's, or AST's, but the compromise is well worth the daily practicality. My friend's shop is 5 mins away from me and when I go the track, they take out their E36 M3 track car too, so we all prep and what not before heading out, so any work that needs adjusted or modified they can do instantly. When the time comes for me to do the rest of my mods, you guys will know.
Alliance Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 661
Likes: 24
From: Port Orchard, WA.
I wish I had gotten those ficcion's Ohlin's with plates before I wasted money on Koni FSD's! The ride is great but for some reason them seem to be knocking out the top strut plates/bushings. It separates the rubber from the mount! Not sure whats going on but it is no bueno for sure
Gone through 2 sets of plates.
Where is the best place to get the ficcion's Ohlin's?
Suggestions on any of the above would be appreciated???
I have a 2011 MCS w/Sport Suspension option and the OEM BBK.
Gone through 2 sets of plates.Where is the best place to get the ficcion's Ohlin's?
Suggestions on any of the above would be appreciated???
I have a 2011 MCS w/Sport Suspension option and the OEM BBK.
I wish I had gotten those ficcion's Ohlin's with plates before I wasted money on Koni FSD's! The ride is great but for some reason them seem to be knocking out the top strut plates/bushings. It separates the rubber from the mount! Not sure whats going on but it is no bueno for sure Gone through 2 sets of plates.
Where is the best place to get the ficcion's Ohlin's?
Suggestions on any of the above would be appreciated???
I have a 2011 MCS w/Sport Suspension option and the OEM BBK.
Gone through 2 sets of plates.Where is the best place to get the ficcion's Ohlin's?
Suggestions on any of the above would be appreciated???
I have a 2011 MCS w/Sport Suspension option and the OEM BBK.
My MINI is a '10 and it had the sport suspension. The Megan's on one of their softer settings felt pretty much the same as sport; jarring and uncomfortable on long trips (LA to SF). These Ohlin's blow them outta the water.
Alliance Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 661
Likes: 24
From: Port Orchard, WA.
Thanks re2fanatic! I have made the run from Newport Beach Ca. to Seattle a couple of times. Once with the OEM shocks that really beat you up, unless you have a full load in the car, and a couple of times with the FSD's and the FSD's clearly won the comfort wars!
You did not have to cut/trim bump stops did you?
Do you think the Vorshlag top plates you used helped anything except alignment?
Sounds like the Ohlin's are the way to go; thanks for the write up
You did not have to cut/trim bump stops did you?
Do you think the Vorshlag top plates you used helped anything except alignment?
Sounds like the Ohlin's are the way to go; thanks for the write up
Last edited by SMOG; May 26, 2013 at 07:54 AM. Reason: Added a question
Thanks re2fanatic! I have made the run from Newport Beach Ca. to Seattle a couple of times. Once with the OEM shocks that really beat you up, unless you have a full load in the car, and a couple of times with the FSD's and the FSD's clearly won the comfort wars!
You did not have to cut/trim bump stops did you?
Do you think the Vorshlag top plates you used helped anything except alignment?
Sounds like the Ohlin's are the way to go; thanks for the write up
You did not have to cut/trim bump stops did you?
Do you think the Vorshlag top plates you used helped anything except alignment?
Sounds like the Ohlin's are the way to go; thanks for the write up
Looks really good. Are you pretty much maxxed out on neg camber before the large nut hits the sheet metal? What alignment are you at?
Could you give a new pic of the car so that we can admire the stance? It looks like you are running stock control arms in the rear, and that you have some adjustment to go down if you wanted to on F & R, right? Are you still running the stock RSB?
Mike
Could you give a new pic of the car so that we can admire the stance? It looks like you are running stock control arms in the rear, and that you have some adjustment to go down if you wanted to on F & R, right? Are you still running the stock RSB?
Mike
That's a pretty nice setup. I'd be curious to compare to the ride to ours which is on TC Kline Double Adjustables. We're running a 350 square setup on the springs. We started at 450f/350r at a vendors recommendation and it was a pretty rough ride and didn't rotate well at auto-x. The 350 square works much better and we'll probably end up going to a 450 rear spring rate for testing before the season is over.
thanks
Honestly I haven't performed an alignment since I swapped out the Megans. At the time my camber was -1.5 front and -2 rear, so I'll probably go similar to that when I do get a new alignment done. I am still running stock control arms and rsb. I haven't had time to track this year so I haven't been in a rush to get the rest of the suspension done but it will be on before the end of the summer.
I have a new project I'm starting on Monday so I'll have less and less time to work on the MINI. The pic of my MINI is when she was just detailed. iPhone pic, so sorry for the quality =P
Ah TC Kline DA, that's a nice setup you have. I still have intentions to be in Atlanta later this summer for a project, so maybe when that's done I'll have to swing up to VA and hit the track with you. The goal is to at least hit up Sebring, and Road Atlanta while I'm down there.
Looks really good. Are you pretty much maxxed out on neg camber before the large nut hits the sheet metal? What alignment are you at?
Could you give a new pic of the car so that we can admire the stance? It looks like you are running stock control arms in the rear, and that you have some adjustment to go down if you wanted to on F & R, right? Are you still running the stock RSB?
Mike
Could you give a new pic of the car so that we can admire the stance? It looks like you are running stock control arms in the rear, and that you have some adjustment to go down if you wanted to on F & R, right? Are you still running the stock RSB?
Mike
I have a new project I'm starting on Monday so I'll have less and less time to work on the MINI. The pic of my MINI is when she was just detailed. iPhone pic, so sorry for the quality =P
That's a pretty nice setup. I'd be curious to compare to the ride to ours which is on TC Kline Double Adjustables. We're running a 350 square setup on the springs. We started at 450f/350r at a vendors recommendation and it was a pretty rough ride and didn't rotate well at auto-x. The 350 square works much better and we'll probably end up going to a 450 rear spring rate for testing before the season is over.
If you are happy with the ride height of your car, and you haven't needed lca's, then there is a good chance that you won't need them now. Do you set your own alignments, or take it to a shop?
My recommendation is to get the car to about the ride height you want, corner weight it (hey, you have coil overs, and take it to the track, so why not?), then get an alignment. If the rears have excessive camber, then get the control arms and another alignment. This may cost you $100 extra for another alignment, or could save you $200 by not buying control arms. If you will be dropping the car, then go ahead and get the arms now.
Have fun,
Mike
My recommendation is to get the car to about the ride height you want, corner weight it (hey, you have coil overs, and take it to the track, so why not?), then get an alignment. If the rears have excessive camber, then get the control arms and another alignment. This may cost you $100 extra for another alignment, or could save you $200 by not buying control arms. If you will be dropping the car, then go ahead and get the arms now.
Have fun,
Mike
^Well I'll be taking it to get corner balanced after the RSB, end links, and control arms get in. I still need to adjust the height; still needs to go a bit lower, and then I'll be set. I already have a quote from EAS in Anaheim to do a corner balance, so once I get my friend's shop to install the rest of my suspension bits, then it's corner balance and hopefully track in June and fine tune.
With the recent purchase of the aquamist meth kit (again -_-), it'll ensure that my temps stay within reasonable temps so I don't heatsoak at the track.
With the recent purchase of the aquamist meth kit (again -_-), it'll ensure that my temps stay within reasonable temps so I don't heatsoak at the track.