Actual parts costs will vary depending on your availability and relationships.
Labor cost will also vary depending on your skills and shop relations.

My total cost was approx $750.00 + alignment
Less than the cost of GP arms in the box
Less than the Madness front a-arms in the box.

R56 Trailing Arms: $400.00 - $500.00 (costs variance)
Brackets, Bushings, Hardware, Fasteners: - $100 - $200
Light Machining/Re-Surfacing: - 0 -$100
Shop Time/Labor: - 0 -$300.00+
Alignment

 

Blumini, what exactly did you have to machine ?

 

Looks to be the same as your issues.
Just light resurfacing of mounting points so everything lined up properly.
No big deal at all just want to make sure it is known that they are not a perfect 'plug & play'.

 

Thanks for the summary.

 

Nice write up, might have to add this to the list .

 

2 Auto-X events (Qualcom)
2 Track Days (Thunder Hill, Willow Springs)

Happy to report the wheels have still not fallen off.
Tire wear is spot on w/street & race tires/wheels.
Still on original allignment and is still spot on.

Has anybody else out there done this upgrade?

 

I've ordered the parts....

 

Good for you Nathan, let me know if you need anything.
Might be able to save you some time/aggravation from my experience.

 

That's what I've been waiting to hear! I have a couple of other projects taking priority, but this is up there... J Propane should have these installed, and I think he had a race this past weekend, but I'm not certain...

 

BTW, the set-up works great. Now we'll have to work on the bushings. Too much toe changes under high speed braking....

 

With two first place finishes at Mosport over the weekend, the toe changes couldn't been that bad. Please do share your bushing solution that you come-up with Alain. Congrats again!

 

We spoke with the director of the Mini Challenge series during our recent trip to the Uk and he mentioned something interesting . He said that due to the aluminum being more brittle than the steel versions on the R-53 that racers have been and will be replacing the R-56 versions with the R-53. The reason is for safety as if there is a side impact the wheel may be bent but it will stay on the car. The feeling is that the 12 lb weight savings is not worth the risk. I was just getting ready to do this mod on my R-53 but have changed my mind for the time being.

Randy
M7 Tuning

 

... one of the reasons that we chose not to go with these.

 

Thanks for sharing that Randy. No race car here of course, but given that info, I think I'll refrain now. I can hit 2,400 pounds via other means...

 

Thanks to this thread, I'm having the rear aluminum trailing arms placed on my r53 jcw mcs at Fabrication Specialties, a local shop in Sacramento, CA. I will not be racing, so I'm not too concerned with the wheel failure risk from impact. I'm also possibly having the forged aluminum lower front control arms from a bmw 3 series modified and installed. Fitting,modification,and fabrication in process. I hope to get pics when I'm at the shop .

 

I ordered the rear arms from Mini Mani a couple weeks ago & the bushings from Helix- I can't wait for everything to arrive!

Rutherfong- I was thinking about checking out BMW front arms, too (see thread below):

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...inum+front+arm

 

Your money, your choice.
With racing and safety in mind. Porsche amongst other premium race cars have been using cast aluminum rear trailing arms since the mid 70's. My 911RSR made well in exsess of 400 whp and I never had any issues with my alloy trailing arms. When I first realized R53s had steel arms I assumed it was a cost saving issue. When I got wind that the new GP's and R56's were converting over to this "new wonder mettle" I figured they were 30 years late of the competition. Keep your steel arms, hey why not go all the way and wittle your self up some pretty arms out of wood while your at it?
This is classic head in the sand engineering.

5K+ miles ~ no issues, no regrets.

 

I understand your decision especially after the trouble , effort and expense you went thru doing it . I was in favor of doing it as well and was planning on it until I did a little more investigation. I usually make changes of this nature based on others opinions to some degree and usually try to make sure that those I listen to know what they are talking about . In this case the gentleman in question was Tony Franks. Tony is our newest dealer in the UK and as our forth coming press release will detail will be working with us to combine both the UK and USA tuning concepts for a united approach to improving our cars . As Tony was the former chief engineer for the John Cooper Works company for over 20 years and is the current owner of the Mini Motorsport Center which also manages the now seven year old Mini Challenge Series in the UK I feel it is safe to say he knows what he is talking about . In this case it looks like the " head in the sand " is a rather well educated one when it comes to Mini's doesn't it ?

Here is a little info on Tony .

Following the closure of John Cooper Works at East Preston, we are pleased to announce the opening of MINI Motorsport Centre.
Using the experience of over 26 years at John Cooper Garages and John Cooper Works, MINI Motorsport Centre is proud to offer you the same personal service you have come to expect for you MINI. This includes engine and suspension upgrades, servicing and MOTs, track day and race preparation for your Classic or new MINI.
The 225bhp JCW upgrade for the MINI Cooper S is very popular and the 90bhp classic is still recognised as great value to all customers.
MINI Motorsport Centre is fully approved to build cars for the MINI Challenge race series and have track cars for hire both in MINI Challenge events and elsewhere on track. In addition to the experience gained from preparing the Works MINI for 24 hour races, there are a wealth of development parts exclusive to MINI Motorsport Centre that will soon be available to everyone.

MINI Motorsport Centre's new workshop is based in Shoreham by Sea, Sussex. Should you wish to leave your car with MINI Motorsport Centre there is a main line station less than 200m away, or a collection and delivery service.
We would be delighted to discuss your future MINI requirements at any time.
Tony Franks
(Former Chief Engineer - John Cooper Works)



Randy
M7 Tuning

 

With all due respect to Mr "JCW" Franks...

The arms are over built in steel or aluminium.
Just the humble opinion of a life long (48) road racer & engineer.

My opinion, my money, my choice...

 

I can just picture it now, my newest marketplace thread...
"WTT: r56 rear trailing arms for my r53 arms, drop me a PM, "

 

That aspect was covered as well. As they are in the center of the Mini track commnity they would be a good source of parts if this trend continues.

Randy
M7 Tuning

 

Anyone know how much to torque all of the self threading bolts???

I'm sure the torque va;ues are different since most of the bolts thread into the aluminum arms Vs. the steel nuts on the R53 arms.

I have all the parts & need this info before starting the project ; )

 

I would just go by the german measurement... gutntight....

 

Strippen zenuts???

NINE!!!

 

Happy to report that the wheels have still not fallen off!


*All nuts & bolts should be torqued to "frog *** tight" spec (water tight)