I don't doubt that this is the feedback one receives from race-prepared cars. However, it might not be on point. In fact, it might actually argue for the bar.

Let me explain. Joe, I believe what you are relating. I have heard the same thing , in a sense. Remember though, these cars have a minimum of 6-point roll cages. Every roll cage supplier, or fabricator out there that I've spoken with has told me that the addition of a cage will greatly stiffen the car and improve handling. This in itself, is evidence of potential benefits. Whether some of these benefits can be gained by a rear strut tower brace are certainly questionable.

I don't want to go with a cage at this time. Yet, my SOP tells me that more body stiffness would help. Not very scientific.

Where I feel the need is on tight, slow turns. With our long gearing (03) one has to work hard at getting the car rotated fast and back on the throttle. If I can, I like to bounce the inside rear off the curbing, turn the car and gas it. It's entirely possible that stiffening the body in the rear may actually be counter-productive, since it may reduce one's ability to "kick out" the back. I'm still running that through in my head. Maybe worth a try though.

This product, for my purposes, then might be wrong on two counts: One - it may not do anything. Two - it might defeat what I am trying to accomplish. I just don't know, but appreciate the feedback.

 

any reasons why....did they give U' good cold facts? or just opinions..cuz everybody has them & well you know the rest......i've got one on and will say it works to stiffen cabin but not so sure on suspention????

 

Yep. Sold to me as fitting all models. Tried to install and it was way too tall, bonnet would not close. Went to OMP's website and found that it was listed for MINI and MINI One only. Not MCS. Live and learn.
Jim

 

thx jim for clearin' this up. i own a Mcs & was going to try this one in place of the one i currently have...... sorry to hear that ur stuck w/it maybe U should try ur luck selling it here theres plenty of mini one owners on here!

 

Might need a clarification here. Looks like this may be another case of confusing the OMP front strut tower brace with the universal rear brace that is found further down the page:

http://www.motorspot.com/strut.html

I say this, because you mention closing the bonnet.

I'm curious about the "universal rear". Thanks though, sure this info will help others looking at the front brace.

 

Was it the same OMP strut brace that was fitted (successfully) here: http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthread.php?t=93751

 

is it part #1747 b or a states "universal" and has a tension screw on it. cuz thats the one i thought U were talking about?? that part # does look like it will need drillin'

 

hey rkw hows it going, no the one jim refers to is the front brace piece....up top

 

Thanks for the link, but these are front braces. See below

 

Yes, joker those are the ones I'm wondering about. The rear strut tower "universal brace" in either steel (A) or aluminum (B).

 

Yes, I think this is a somewhat off-topic side discussion. Jim mentioned issues with closing the bonnet and I assumed he was referring to the OMP front strut brace. I was curious whether it was the same product that other people apparently had success with.

 

Agreed. Add to that, the fact that the MINI doesn't even have rear struts! The rear suspension does not use the top shock mount to keep the suspension geometry fixed (which is what happens in the front end of the car). Instead, the rear top shock mount simply serves as a place to connect the spring and shock to the body. Moving this mounting location left or right doesn't affect the suspension settings (this is why you don't see camber plates for the rear suspension). The trailing arm and locating links do all of the rear suspension geometry control. Buying a "rear strut brace" for the MINI makes no sense from a logical performance standpoint.

 

and this is the exact explanation i was wanting.......so do U' agree that this part will only help w/cabin flex??

 

If a giant pair of fingers were squeezing the cabin together directly over the rear wheels, and if that turned out to be a bad thing, then yes, a rear "strut" brace would probably help with that.

 

Looks like it. But notice how it bends up and over the ECU and fuse box. On my car, at least, I would of had to remove or trim the under-hood liner for the hood, sorry, bonnet, to close properly.
Jim

 

thats to-bad looks like a nice design too.....