I know where your rubbing (I'm running 235/40/17's). Its the spot i'm going to have to watch when I install these with my new Koni Coilvers.

Your rubbing your front strut below the spring perch. Turn your tires full lock right, then with a flashlight, stick your head under the drivers side wheel well... look up at where your tire is hitting the strut

You might consider using a 5mm spacer up front to take care of it.

 

hay, you cyan't say that on NAM! People might be get offensive it by.

 

Ok, BOT, so you can put a 225 on a X7. What would I have to watch for?

 

the sidewall rolls over a bit more than on a 7.5". More importantly, you need to worry about the actual section width and outside diameter (OD) of the tire you choose (not all same sized tires are alike!), the alignment, the offset of the wheel, and whether or not you are lowered. With a 225, you run the possibility of touching the interior edge of the rear plastic fenders (easily fixed with a Dremel), and I think the front struts are also a complication. There's a 'sweet spot' combo of everythign working together, thus most people stick to 215's. I know one person is actually running 235's, but on coilovers.

 

i reckon 225 is too much. I don't reckon you'll get anymore grip

 

But all of that tire on the Mini just looks so

 

I 'reckon' you dont know just how much grip there is to be had... try 235's, then we'll talk.

 

what else is needed beyond springs and struts and camber plates to assemble a complete bolt-in set? spring seats and rear tophats?

 

:D good point. It does look tough.

Or we could just not talk at all

 

didn't have time to read the whole thread but let me get this straight...

these are fixed at 1.25" negative camber? So there's no adjustment to be done, just install and voila'...instant 1.25 camber?

 

correct. unless u are lowered. then the camber will be slightly more negative.

 

ahh...
so if i had a set of KW version 1 coilovers lowered 1.5-2"...what would be the final neg. camber? And would i be better off going to a more adjustable set of camber plates at that point so as not to have too much neg. camber?

 

If you don’t have time to read at least look at the pictures and much will be revealed.

With the Ireland Fixed Camber Plates and two inches lower ride height than stock, negative camber around two degrees or more could be expected after the bearing bushing has settled.

 

I just spoke with Ireland Engineering on the fixed plates.They told me that the fixed plates would add -1.25 to whatever your stock MINI front camber specs are. Presently after having an alignment done I have -0*47" R, -0*46"L. So what they are telling me is that with these fixed plates I should end up with -2* on both sides. Another point of interest is that your strut will move approx 1/3" for each degree change. Right now with the GP up on jackstands and the wheels straight I have enough room to put my fingers between the springs and the fender well in the tightest area. So it looks like, with a little luck I would not have to massage the fenders.
Steve

 

i just picked up Ireland's adjustable plates. They weren't much more than the non-adjustable ones....something to keep in mind.

 

I was told that the Ireland fixed plates and lowering springs would not cause more negative camber. Mine do not look that extreme, however I will need to do some measurements to be sure.

 

sweet setup right there...235's look good.
Where'd you get the Motegi Trak Lite 2.0's wheels??
with more neg offset you can possibly tuck those tires in a little more

off topic: what scoop are you running there?

 

Yes they will. My JCW's + the plates ended up at -1.7 and -1.92. L+R. Add a lower spring to that, by nature it will cause you to find more negative camber. Not loads, but you will find some.

 

How much of a difference between L/R camber would be considered "bad" and cause a pull?

 

I put the IE fixed camber plates on with H-Sport springs and have no negative camber. The front wheel sits straight up and down. In another thread I posted this and I believe it turns out that I have them installed incorrect . I believe I have to switch them, which is not going to be fun.

 

oh man....no fun at all. I've yet to get my adjustable plates on

 

You guys are the HEAT!

I did my homework and read this thread thoroughly before having my IE fixed Camber Plates installed.

The plates went in the same time as my Dinan Stage 2 suspension by a local "suspension specialists". Knowing from this thread that the plates could be put in backward, I pointed out that with the plates installed the strut mounts should be offset inward. The “mechanic” assured me he knew what he was doing and proceeded to install them backwards.

When I picked up the car the shop manager told me the “mechanic” wanted to talk to me about my alignment. I popped the hood to confirm my worst fears. When I caught up with the "mechanic" he told me the camber plates were junk and I needed adjustable plates.

He said he couldn't get any negative camber on it at all. Hmmmm, do you think they could be in backward, I asked. They only go in one way, he said. You should have seen his face when he looked at the old plates and realized they were symmetrical. He swapped the plates around and my wife says everything seems cool now. I won’t know for sure until I get back home in May.

I’m an FAA certified aircraft mechanic and I kick myself in the @$$ for trusting my baby to an obvious hack. I was rushed to get the suspension installed before going on a two month deployment. I would have waited but there was a rebate on the suspension if it was installed within 30 days of delivery.

I should have just paid the extra Euros to have the dealership take care of it. Because of my haste I’ll have to pull everything apart once I get back home. Turns out Ol' Boy just slapped in the Koni’s and never checked their adjustment.

 

Not meaning to pour gasoline on a smoldering fire, but my experience has been that everytime I rush something, I end up regretting it. I wonder if the savings from the rebate have been eaten up by having to re-do the install?

 

Same thing happened to me. I went out the check the alignm of the car after they isntalled the plates and he told that he was getting about 1 degree positive. I told him that he put the plated in backwards. So another few hours and voila, neg camber. They work great now.

 

How long did it take a competent mechanic to install the plates and what is a typical installation charge?

Rich