Suspension Texas Speedwerks Springs... launch!
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 6,056
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento, CA
Vedy interesting, all this! Question(s):
I've got a late '03 S (heavy rake and pre-factory-rear-camber-adjustment) with a sunroof. I had the JCW suspension installed last spring. I'm REALLY happy with the handling, the ride quality is ok (firmer than stock S, but not necessarily harsher), and the front drop is perfect (I've got mushrooming, so I'm probably a slight bit lower than the factory claimed .4"). Part of the reason I went with the JCW was for the moderate drop - I had a slammed Civic before my MINI, and didn't want to repeat that experience - just get it down around the tires and tighten up the handling (the Civic DID look bitchin' with the race springs, but I digress).
HOWEVER, I was hoping the rear would come down a bit more than it did. Those early Ss are too jacked up in back. The JCW lowered the rear a bit, but it's still higher than most STOCK '04-'06 Ss that I see.
Will the TSW springs help out with bringing the '03 rear end down a bit more? Or is the giant rake caused by something else with the early suspension? agranger's car looks like a newer one than mine, but I'd like my car's rear to sit about the same height. You state that the TSW springs work well with the stock struts. Have you tested them with the JCW struts?
Would I be shelling out cash for a negligable change swapping the JCWs for the TSWs?
I've got a late '03 S (heavy rake and pre-factory-rear-camber-adjustment) with a sunroof. I had the JCW suspension installed last spring. I'm REALLY happy with the handling, the ride quality is ok (firmer than stock S, but not necessarily harsher), and the front drop is perfect (I've got mushrooming, so I'm probably a slight bit lower than the factory claimed .4"). Part of the reason I went with the JCW was for the moderate drop - I had a slammed Civic before my MINI, and didn't want to repeat that experience - just get it down around the tires and tighten up the handling (the Civic DID look bitchin' with the race springs, but I digress).
HOWEVER, I was hoping the rear would come down a bit more than it did. Those early Ss are too jacked up in back. The JCW lowered the rear a bit, but it's still higher than most STOCK '04-'06 Ss that I see.
Will the TSW springs help out with bringing the '03 rear end down a bit more? Or is the giant rake caused by something else with the early suspension? agranger's car looks like a newer one than mine, but I'd like my car's rear to sit about the same height. You state that the TSW springs work well with the stock struts. Have you tested them with the JCW struts?
Would I be shelling out cash for a negligable change swapping the JCWs for the TSWs?
1st Gear
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Hampton, VA
I droped my LilRed the other day. The TSW springs are great. Not to harsh on the ride and tightens the MINI up just right for me. Here are some befor and after picts.
and this was right after Install, so there is alittle more drop but not much.
and this was right after Install, so there is alittle more drop but not much.
Thread Starter
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Banned
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,299
Likes: 0
From: Tejas
HOWEVER, I was hoping the rear would come down a bit more than it did. Those early Ss are too jacked up in back. The JCW lowered the rear a bit, but it's still higher than most STOCK '04-'06 Ss that I see.
Will the TSW springs help out with bringing the '03 rear end down a bit more? Or is the giant rake caused by something else with the early suspension? agranger's car looks like a newer one than mine, but I'd like my car's rear to sit about the same height. You state that the TSW springs work well with the stock struts. Have you tested them with the JCW struts?
Will the TSW springs help out with bringing the '03 rear end down a bit more? Or is the giant rake caused by something else with the early suspension? agranger's car looks like a newer one than mine, but I'd like my car's rear to sit about the same height. You state that the TSW springs work well with the stock struts. Have you tested them with the JCW struts?
2nd Gear
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: Orange County, CA
3. Increase in spring rate over OEM - why? We've take 3/4" (average) of travel away, so we want a slightly higher spring rate to compensate for the loss in height. And, the OEM springs are NOT well matched to the OEM shocks/struts. In our testing, the OEM shocks/struts need a slightly higher spring rate - they have too much bound/rebound. Our springs match well with virtually any strut. They ride better with the OEM shocks/struts than any other spring on the market - period. We've been on all of them and they all have some disadvantage - we evened everything out, and ended up with a superior compromise in asthetics and performance.
3rd Gear
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 237
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
1st Gear
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Hampton, VA
2nd Gear
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Observed ride height
I just went with this combo on my cabrio and have noticed a .5" drop in the back, but a 3/8" INCREASE up front. Based on what I've read, I'm assuming this will drop more as the bushings on the IEs settle. But I wasn't expecting a gain with this setup since the TSW springs are lowering springs (albeit a modest drop).
3rd Gear
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 237
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
What was your ride height after the FSD/TSW/IE plate install?
I just went with this combo on my cabrio and have noticed a .5" drop in the back, but a 3/8" INCREASE up front. Based on what I've read, I'm assuming this will drop more as the bushings on the IEs settle. But I wasn't expecting a gain with this setup since the TSW springs are lowering springs (albeit a modest drop).
I just went with this combo on my cabrio and have noticed a .5" drop in the back, but a 3/8" INCREASE up front. Based on what I've read, I'm assuming this will drop more as the bushings on the IEs settle. But I wasn't expecting a gain with this setup since the TSW springs are lowering springs (albeit a modest drop).