Suspension Springs, struts, coilovers, sway-bars, camber plates, and all other modifications to suspension components for Cooper (R50), Cabrio (R52), and Cooper S (R53) MINIs.

Suspension Adding coilover springs to Koni yellows?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 24, 2006 | 06:45 AM
  #1  
Veni_Vidi_Vici's Avatar
Veni_Vidi_Vici
Thread Starter
|
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 644
Likes: 0
From: Washington, PA
Adding coilover springs to Koni yellows?

Howdy,

There's a bunch of reasons I want to keep my Koni yellows: they're quality parts, I don't have the $ for Bilstien's, I'm not smart enough to tune a suspension that has too many variables (rebound/damping, etc.). The problem is that I need more camber. Stock-sized springs only allow for -2.2 or a bit more.

Is there a way to get coilover springs over the Konis? I know that Ground Effects does this kind of thing for just about every car BUT Mini. Does Koni sell their coilover springs? Any other ideas?

Thanks
 
Reply
Old Dec 24, 2006 | 04:29 PM
  #2  
kenchan's Avatar
kenchan
6th Gear
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 31,439
Likes: 4
you say you're "not smart enough" for bound/rebound
adjustments but then want camber adjustability? and you need
more than -2.2?

hummmmm...

how about you keep the Koni's, get -2.2 and play with your simultaneous
bound/rebound **** and also your rear swaybar?
 
Reply
Old Dec 24, 2006 | 06:46 PM
  #3  
ScuderiaMini's Avatar
ScuderiaMini
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 4,431
Likes: 0
From: Boerne/SAtown TX
Originally Posted by kenchan
how about you keep the Koni's, get -2.2 and play with your simultaneous
bound/rebound **** and also your rear swaybar?
he said he is not smart enough to do that You can get any sport springs with those shocks
 
Reply
Old Dec 24, 2006 | 09:13 PM
  #4  
kenchan's Avatar
kenchan
6th Gear
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 31,439
Likes: 4
come to think of it, yellows are only rebound adjustable so
it's even simpler, i suppose.
 
Reply
Old Dec 24, 2006 | 09:21 PM
  #5  
k-huevo's Avatar
k-huevo
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,629
Likes: 7
From: Pipe Creek, Texas
Unfortunately the lower spring perch on the Koni yellow fronts will not allow fitment of a conventional coil spring for adjustable height struts which would give you a smaller spring diameter spring choice. As far as I know you’re stuck with wider barrel shaped springs on the front.

Could you show an example/link of a Ground Effects conversion for another vehicle?
 
Reply
Old Dec 24, 2006 | 09:32 PM
  #6  
not-so-rednwhitecooper's Avatar
not-so-rednwhitecooper
6th Gear
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,883
Likes: 3
From: Chardon, Ohio
Ground Control DOES make a kit for the MINI.

I had one on my car a for a short while.
 
Reply
Old Dec 24, 2006 | 11:09 PM
  #7  
k-huevo's Avatar
k-huevo
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,629
Likes: 7
From: Pipe Creek, Texas
Coilover kit or spring/perch conversion? Please share a link. Don’t forget he’s asking for a suitable spring or work-around for the lower perch on the Konis; be specific.
 
Reply
Old Dec 24, 2006 | 11:22 PM
  #8  
not-so-rednwhitecooper's Avatar
not-so-rednwhitecooper
6th Gear
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,883
Likes: 3
From: Chardon, Ohio
The standard cup kit they offer for every other car out there.

bolt on for the rear, you have to knock off the front lower perch, then the threaded body slides over.

its basically the same kit for every car.
 
Reply
Old Dec 25, 2006 | 06:47 AM
  #9  
Porsche1VW's Avatar
Porsche1VW
2nd Gear
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: Miller Beach, 30 miles from Chicago on Lake Michigan
Front Konis: I did this with a ring tig welded on ( careful not too much heat) and a threaded sleeve added. I have been running these for the last year. I used H Sport camber plates and 2.5 " springs. Rear Konis are easier and straight forward.
 
Attached Thumbnails Adding coilover springs to Koni yellows?-p1210024-3-.jpg   Adding coilover springs to Koni yellows?-p1220038-3-.jpg  
Reply
Old Dec 25, 2006 | 10:28 AM
  #10  
kurvhugr's Avatar
kurvhugr
6th Gear
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,725
Likes: 0
From: So. Maryland, USA
Originally Posted by not-so-rednwhitecooper
Ground Control DOES make a kit for the MINI.
Nope, not any more. I called a couple months ago asking about some springs I wanted for altering my Megans. At some point in the conversation I mentioned that I was sure I once saw a MINI-specific coilover sleeve kit on their site, and I was told that they did have a kit but there were too many issues with the MINI and they gave up on it.
 
Reply
Old Dec 25, 2006 | 01:28 PM
  #11  
Veni_Vidi_Vici's Avatar
Veni_Vidi_Vici
Thread Starter
|
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 644
Likes: 0
From: Washington, PA
Ok. First thing is that I meant Ground Control not Ground effect. D'Oh!

I feel dopier than usual, but I decided to check their site one more time and found these:

http://www.nolimitmotorsport.com/prod/gc2040-01

Now I just have to figure out is they'll work with the Konis, I guess.

Also, despite going almost full hard up front with bar/konis and full soft in the back with bar/konis, I still get snap oversteer. I'm hoping that more camber will help. Adjusting rebound is a variable I just don't feel I need to goof around with right now.
 
Reply
Old Dec 25, 2006 | 01:44 PM
  #12  
Porsche1VW's Avatar
Porsche1VW
2nd Gear
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: Miller Beach, 30 miles from Chicago on Lake Michigan
Originally Posted by Veni_Vidi_Vici
Ok. First thing is that I meant Ground Control not Ground effect. D'Oh!

I feel dopier than usual, but I decided to check their site one more time and found these:

http://www.nolimitmotorsport.com/prod/gc2040-01

Now I just have to figure out is they'll work with the Konis, I guess.

Also, despite going almost full hard up front with bar/konis and full soft in the back with bar/konis, I still get snap oversteer. I'm hoping that more camber will help. Adjusting rebound is a variable I just don't feel I need to goof around with right now.
These should work but you will have to weld on some rings to function as stops for the threaded sleeves. See pictures in my earlier post in this thread and also the picture below'
 
Attached Thumbnails Adding coilover springs to Koni yellows?-p1220043.jpg  
Reply
Old Dec 25, 2006 | 02:09 PM
  #13  
Veni_Vidi_Vici's Avatar
Veni_Vidi_Vici
Thread Starter
|
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 644
Likes: 0
From: Washington, PA
Awesome! Just out of curiosity, how much camber can you get out of that setup? My goal is -3 in front, -2.6 in back.
 
Reply
Old Dec 25, 2006 | 02:12 PM
  #14  
Porsche1VW's Avatar
Porsche1VW
2nd Gear
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: Miller Beach, 30 miles from Chicago on Lake Michigan
Originally Posted by Veni_Vidi_Vici
Awesome! Just out of curiosity, how much camber can you get out of that setup? My goal is -3 in front, -2.6 in back.
I am running -2.7 in front but can get -3
 
Reply
Old Dec 25, 2006 | 11:01 PM
  #15  
not-so-rednwhitecooper's Avatar
not-so-rednwhitecooper
6th Gear
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,883
Likes: 3
From: Chardon, Ohio
Originally Posted by kurvhugr
Nope, not any more. I called a couple months ago asking about some springs I wanted for altering my Megans. At some point in the conversation I mentioned that I was sure I once saw a MINI-specific coilover sleeve kit on their site, and I was told that they did have a kit but there were too many issues with the MINI and they gave up on it.

There are at least 3 sites ive visited that still carry the mini kit.
 
Reply
Old Dec 26, 2006 | 12:51 AM
  #16  
kurvhugr's Avatar
kurvhugr
6th Gear
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,725
Likes: 0
From: So. Maryland, USA
Originally Posted by not-so-rednwhitecooper
There are at least 3 sites ive visited that still carry the mini kit.
That's good news.....I just wonder why the guy told me they stopped offering stuff for MINIs.

I asked him about the kit because I'd once seen it on their site as something you could buy directly from them but then it disappeared. They must be selling this particular kit through vendors/distributors only. At least they're still making it.
 
Reply
Old Dec 26, 2006 | 06:01 AM
  #17  
Hound_va's Avatar
Hound_va
3rd Gear
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 187
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
Koni has a service center you could call at 859-586-4100 to see if they could set this up for you.
 
Reply
Old Dec 26, 2006 | 09:10 PM
  #18  
not-so-rednwhitecooper's Avatar
not-so-rednwhitecooper
6th Gear
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,883
Likes: 3
From: Chardon, Ohio
Its not a realy nice kit, like a real set of coil overs.

I never really liked Cup kits, but for the money you cant really beat it.
 
Reply
Old Dec 27, 2006 | 05:26 AM
  #19  
Veni_Vidi_Vici's Avatar
Veni_Vidi_Vici
Thread Starter
|
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 644
Likes: 0
From: Washington, PA
Originally Posted by not-so-rednwhitecooper
Its not a realy nice kit, like a real set of coil overs.

I never really liked Cup kits, but for the money you cant really beat it.
If it does the trick I don't mind if it looks like the dog's breakfast. There are "real coilovers" that look cool but are either substandard in performance or durability. Read the thread (Obehave?) on the ultra-expensive Moton fiasco.
 
Reply
Old Aug 27, 2007 | 02:17 PM
  #20  
RedSkunk's Avatar
RedSkunk
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,111
Likes: 0
From: MINIapolis
Bringing the thread back from the dead. What did you end up doing veni vedi vici? I would love to use 2.5" springs with my koni yellows also, but not sure about welding stuff onto them (void warranty?)

edit: after re-reading guess welding is unavoidable.. Has anyone else done this since?
 

Last edited by RedSkunk; Aug 27, 2007 at 02:22 PM.
Reply
Old Aug 28, 2007 | 09:53 AM
  #21  
norm03s's Avatar
norm03s
6th Gear
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,808
Likes: 2
From: Ellicott City, Maryland USA
Any pictures of koni yellows before spring seat was removed?
 
Reply
Old Aug 28, 2007 | 10:36 AM
  #22  
Mini Works's Avatar
Mini Works
5th Gear
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 753
Likes: 0
From: Scottsdale, Arizona
Warning.

If you are going to weld anything on a Koni Yellow shock, make sure you drain the fluid first.

I was told by Koni, something to do with the fluid.

Victor
 
Reply
Old Aug 28, 2007 | 03:40 PM
  #23  
Porsche1VW's Avatar
Porsche1VW
2nd Gear
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: Miller Beach, 30 miles from Chicago on Lake Michigan
No need to drain fluid. Use a tig welder and weld carefully it in 4 places see my earlier photos in this thread.

Sorry no pictures of the Koni's before the stock spring seats were removed. By the way these are easily removed by a sharp blow from a hammer.
 
Reply
Old Aug 28, 2007 | 03:49 PM
  #24  
Mini Works's Avatar
Mini Works
5th Gear
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 753
Likes: 0
From: Scottsdale, Arizona
I am not an expert......

But I was told that the fluid does not tolerate the electricity running thru the shock while welding with mig or tig.

Victor
 
Reply
Old Aug 28, 2007 | 05:02 PM
  #25  
Veni_Vidi_Vici's Avatar
Veni_Vidi_Vici
Thread Starter
|
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 644
Likes: 0
From: Washington, PA
Unfortunately I never did try the above. Its still on the table, though.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ej
MINI Parts for Sale
5
Nov 17, 2015 09:21 PM
Ryan Caballo
R56 :: Hatch Talk (2007+)
7
Sep 10, 2015 10:10 AM
RIchard Nguyen
MINI Parts for Sale
1
Sep 6, 2015 07:21 PM
Ryan Caballo
R56 :: Hatch Talk (2007+)
10
Sep 4, 2015 12:20 PM
Mini Mania
Drivetrain Products
0
Sep 3, 2015 02:06 PM




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 01:22 PM.