I've spent the last few weeks reading thru various suspension postings in both Perf Mods and in some of the Racing Forums. I have a few additional questions. First off, let me tell you what I'm thinking about and what I'm after:

• Best handling suspension upgrade for under $600.00 (so I guess it's just springs and sways). Yes, I came back from Vegas with a few extra dollars (amazing! ) and want to get the best bang for the buck. I've already hopped the engine and brakes up to a place where I'm satisified, so now it's the handling department I'm going for next.
• My MCS is a Jan 03 build so it has the "original/stiffer" shocks. (not sure if the stiffer shocks makes a difference in spring choice...but I thought I'd let you know)
• Leaning heavily towards H-Sport springs and sways. So I'm going to at least get the springs.
• This is my daily driver, not a race car.
• I participate in sprited driving on nice twisty roads, but have never been nor care to go to autocross. I have been to a performance driving school which was cool, but don't think I can afford to road race.

Sway bar questsions:

1. Since I'm getting the springs (~$220), do I need to pay the extra money and get the sway bar(s) as well?
2. Do I need the sport (+54%,+88% & +128% ) or comp (+226%,+294%,+383%) Rear Sway bar? The sport bar sounds decently stiff, while the comp bar sounds exciting, but will the comp bar be "too much" for my driving? (see requirements in bulletted items above)
3. Do I really need the 27mm Front sway bar (+16% and +27%) at $130? Those percentages don't look as aggressive as either the front or rear sway bars. I'm doing the labor myself, so cost of installing it should be a concern.

Thanks!

 

I can't comment on the springs or the front sway bar, but I got the H-sport comp rear sway last week (right before a track day ) and it is AMAZING. The car just seems to glide around corners now. Even on the way home from the shop (ESE in Pittsburgh) I was taking corners about 10mph faster than I did earlier in the day, without realizing it. Oh, just for comparison's sake: My car is also a daily driver - mostly highway (50 a day) except for the really nice stretch of twisties near my house. The only mods I've got are an Alta intake and the new swaybar. I'm still running the runflats.

Hope that helps a bit.

 

Actually, most of the threads I found said the similar things to what you just said. I want to know how it works in conjunction with the H-Sport springs and if they're really necessary and if so, which of the two rear sways to get. Is the front sway necessary to get with the package to make it the best handling, or is the front something that just sounds cool to have in a list of car mods?

 

The H-Sport products are top-shelf for the performance enthusiast. The springs are a requisite if you're not going to coil-overs.

In terms of the front and rear bars, yes you definitely want the rear Comp bar, and what position you put it in is dependant if you also match it with the front bar. That said, the front bar install is not a piece of cake to install, though for a tracked MINI, it's worth the improved responsiveness and stability. If you only install the rear, put the bar on the middle hole as the most aggressive setting. This will make a very neutral MCS.

We keep H-Sport products in-stock!

Happy Motoring!
Ryan

 

I have both the H-sport Sway bars (Comp) and H-sport Springs.
I did each upgrade in stages. 1st was the rear bar and then the springs (front bar is not yet installed... not sure if I ever will install it).

A few months passed between each install so I could get a feel for what each thing improved.
The rear bar is by far the better upgrade. The car feels so much tighter/ responsive.(not sure if I'm using the correct terms... all of this is a learning curve for me)
The springs are nice, but a much harsher ride, if you travel on some crappy roads like I do. The car sits about 1" lower and looks cool and seems more mini to me.

Hope this helps,
Keith

 

Hi Keith,

Interesting. I'm not disagreeing with your experience, but I thought the H-Sport's were progressive. With the spring rates actually softer than stock ones then in a "loaded" position, they get stiffer. Do you think the "much harsher ride" is due to the sway bars or due to the springs?

 

Hey Ryan, Thanks for the info above!

I'm not worried about the difficulty of installation. I have a few friends I can bribe easily with a 6-pack of Rolling Rock, a 6-pack of Fat Tire (both for post installation consumption), and a large pizza.

So you'd only recommend the front swaybar if I track the MINI?

 

Yea, the front bar will stiffen up the front (good for track) but that creates even more understeer which you have to dial out with the rear bar. Say your running the stock front bar and the rear bar on the softest setting. To get that same over/understeer tendency with the stiffer front bar, the rear bar might have to be moved to the middle position. You'll get absolutely flat cornering but the problem with the front bar is that it's not very easy to install. Here's a link to the install: http://www.webbmotorsports.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=4

 

If you are willing to look outside of hsport for the sways...look towards Ireland egineering...its infinitely adjustable and it comes with endlinks for the same price as the Hsport bar if not cheaper

just offering another option if you want it :smile:

 

I have the Hsport comp rear bar and springs. I set the bar on the stiffest setting and don't find it too much at normal or just above normal corner speeds. At high speeds in corners you definately get some oversteer which easily controlled. I've never felt unsafe.

The ride is stiffer but hsport springs + non-runflats is maybe just a hair stiffer stock + runflats. I have Yokahama Pradas that work very well.