Suspension New Adjustable coilover kit "To BE Announced" for the MINI
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6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2003
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New Adjustable coilover kit "To BE Announced" for the MINI
http://www.jic-magic.com/
is a japanese company specializing in pro racing applications in Japan. The company has made incredible in-roads with Porsche and BMW after market applications. I visited the FarnbacherLoles International Racing facility for a Xmass party last Saturday. This kit resides in a Caymen with a 996 transplant - made a number of major magazines over the summer.
I spoke with the head mechanic at Farnbacher and he and his customers are very happy with the performance/ride characterisitics as well as the quality. This kit uses the same adjustability features as Megan...which concerned me. I spoke with the head mecahnic about my concerns. His response was that R&D in the company is "quite extensive and we use only this kit for after market tuning". He went on to say that the company even altered future kits to meet some very demanding applications.
The valving is 15 way adjustable for bound and rebound. The dampers can be dialed in for specific spring rates should these fall outside garden variety rates. Spring hieght or pre-load is independent of ride height and camber adjustment is integrated.
The Mini kit is in training now and I was asked to check back in January. I spoke about suspension travel and damping velocity in particular and these will be questions I follow up with. Every kit, I'm told, uses tender springs to soak up some fine road irregularities and ensure proper travel. Some applications use inverted dampers as well.
If these folks can retain good suspension travel, ensure up 3 degrees neg camber, the rest is easy - er. Cost is not known at this time, but the Caymen kit costs about $2,300.00. I was told to expect the Mini price to be in the $1,800 - $2,000.00 range. Very comparable with other similar kits...in fact Koni's phase 4 kit costs about $2,300.00 without a camber kit.
These do look like Megans at first blush, but do not in hand. Im hopefull, given JIC's extensive racing experience, and, that so many Porsche aftermarket folks are using these.
The kit below is for a Porsche.
Michael
is a japanese company specializing in pro racing applications in Japan. The company has made incredible in-roads with Porsche and BMW after market applications. I visited the FarnbacherLoles International Racing facility for a Xmass party last Saturday. This kit resides in a Caymen with a 996 transplant - made a number of major magazines over the summer.
I spoke with the head mechanic at Farnbacher and he and his customers are very happy with the performance/ride characterisitics as well as the quality. This kit uses the same adjustability features as Megan...which concerned me. I spoke with the head mecahnic about my concerns. His response was that R&D in the company is "quite extensive and we use only this kit for after market tuning". He went on to say that the company even altered future kits to meet some very demanding applications.
The valving is 15 way adjustable for bound and rebound. The dampers can be dialed in for specific spring rates should these fall outside garden variety rates. Spring hieght or pre-load is independent of ride height and camber adjustment is integrated.
The Mini kit is in training now and I was asked to check back in January. I spoke about suspension travel and damping velocity in particular and these will be questions I follow up with. Every kit, I'm told, uses tender springs to soak up some fine road irregularities and ensure proper travel. Some applications use inverted dampers as well.
If these folks can retain good suspension travel, ensure up 3 degrees neg camber, the rest is easy - er. Cost is not known at this time, but the Caymen kit costs about $2,300.00. I was told to expect the Mini price to be in the $1,800 - $2,000.00 range. Very comparable with other similar kits...in fact Koni's phase 4 kit costs about $2,300.00 without a camber kit.
These do look like Megans at first blush, but do not in hand. Im hopefull, given JIC's extensive racing experience, and, that so many Porsche aftermarket folks are using these.
The kit below is for a Porsche.
Michael
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6th Gear
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Yes, yes!
I should also add, that these folks have been supplying BMWs for a while as well as other European cars - Farnbacher had a few customer Audi cars on hand for viewing; a trio of RS6s and one RS4 all with the JIC setup. I did not have an opportunity to speak with any of the owners.
I should also add, that these folks have been supplying BMWs for a while as well as other European cars - Farnbacher had a few customer Audi cars on hand for viewing; a trio of RS6s and one RS4 all with the JIC setup. I did not have an opportunity to speak with any of the owners.
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6th Gear
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I was told today that the kit is now available for the mini. However, I'm researching responses from current users before I add anymore to this thread. My first query was not a good one - it questioned service and durability...
EDIT: I recieved two more responses today and niether was good. So, I'm ending my research and suggest you purchase with caution or purchase another brand. Sorry guys...choice is good, but perhaps I should have researched these a bit more first.
The responses were all from the JDM market and from guys who track their cars. One fellow had Koni's Phase 3 setup, installed the JIC kit, went on the track once and then bagged the JIC kit immediately. At $2,000.00, these become a very expensive experiment in a sea of proven kits for less money.
EDIT: I recieved two more responses today and niether was good. So, I'm ending my research and suggest you purchase with caution or purchase another brand. Sorry guys...choice is good, but perhaps I should have researched these a bit more first.
The responses were all from the JDM market and from guys who track their cars. One fellow had Koni's Phase 3 setup, installed the JIC kit, went on the track once and then bagged the JIC kit immediately. At $2,000.00, these become a very expensive experiment in a sea of proven kits for less money.
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5th Gear
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 696
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From: Ohio
I was told today that the kit is now available for the mini. However, I'm researching responses from current users before I add anymore to this thread. My first query was not a good one - it questioned service and durability...
EDIT: I recieved two more responses today and niether was good. So, I'm ending my research and suggest you purchase with caution or purchase another brand. Sorry guys...choice is good, but perhaps I should have researched these a bit more first.
The responses were all from the JDM market and from guys who track their cars. One fellow had Koni's Phase 3 setup, installed the JIC kit, went on the track once and then bagged the JIC kit immediately. At $2,000.00, these become a very expensive experiment in a sea of proven kits for less money.
EDIT: I recieved two more responses today and niether was good. So, I'm ending my research and suggest you purchase with caution or purchase another brand. Sorry guys...choice is good, but perhaps I should have researched these a bit more first.
The responses were all from the JDM market and from guys who track their cars. One fellow had Koni's Phase 3 setup, installed the JIC kit, went on the track once and then bagged the JIC kit immediately. At $2,000.00, these become a very expensive experiment in a sea of proven kits for less money.
Can't all be winners, though it would've been nice to have another choice.
Now, if we could only convince the JIC guys to make a Ti Exhaust system for the MCS
Their Lexus IS300 unit goes for $680. That's comparable to current MINI systems.
Please sir's... a NICE light one... possibly single-sided
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From: Tejas
We've got a single adjustable, monotube coilover kit in the works... Expect to have test sets in hand in 3-4 weeks. Supplier has both a set for the Cooper/Cooper S and a specific set for the Cabrio (we plan to test both)...
Made in Holland. Price for the singles will be on par with H&Rs.
Eventually, we plan to expand the design to duals and a triple with a remote reservoir... We'll have access to a shock dyno and will be able to provide whatever you want.
Made in Holland.
Price for the singles will be on par with H&Rs.Eventually, we plan to expand the design to duals and a triple with a remote reservoir... We'll have access to a shock dyno and will be able to provide whatever you want.
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