Awesome explanation.

 

To throw a wrench in the whole thing for Mini....since the car is essentially on the bumpstops 100% of the time, even a linear lowering spring will behave a little progressively. The foamy rubbery bumpstops are designed to be used as part of the suspension and add their own spring rate to the mix.

Confusing, and it has many drawbacks, with a few advantages.


- Andrew

 

Thanks!

 

Very true and racers even use different types of bumpstops to effect the rate change too infinite, when the spring is totally bottomed out.

Good point too is the more you lower, the less suspension travel you have, that's why the H-sports (with more drop) use a fairly high final rate to help keep the suspension from bottoming out. Another advantage that $GOOD$ coilovers have as they maintain more travel even while lowering..

 

Which is why i need to start saving some money.

the active bumpstop thing is a pretty good design idea for the mini. you get awesome turn in, response, and not too much body roll off the showroom floor and the car feels awesome up to about 8/10ths. but then it understeers safely and predictably. great for a mass produced sporty car. i just wish it had more travel.

- andrew

 

Ideally a truely progressive spring, where the rod is manufactured in a steadily increasing diameter and then wound would be wonderful! Then you wouldn't have the instant on and off transition of the progressive springs available. The rate would steadily increase as compression occurs! But alas the cost to manufacture is as of right now simply cost prohibitive for the masses...

 

 

I am really excited to try my custom linear springs on Eibach Pro Street S coilovers idea this spring.

Much more bump travel than stock, decent valving, and Swift linear 5k/5k springs with IE fixed camber plates. Can't wait. Ride quality and handling should be fantastic and the price will be great.

- Andrew

 

Hello,
Got a question about the H Sport, i just installed a set
How tight, or rather how much space are between the top 3 or 4 coil with weight of car on the springs, ( the closer wound coils at the top)

 

I'm still loving my FSD / TSW Spring / Ireland camber setup for the street and occasional track.

But when my FSD's give up the ghost, I think I'll go with *good* coilovers to have more control of drop and retain more travel.

 

Had a disapointing track day, Fun but bummed

Only thing i changed was Springs ( i bought used ) and New tires, all things the same

Tires,
Was running BFG traction T/A's 205 /55 /16
Now running g-Force T/A KDW 2 225 /50 /16

Bfg? i work at a GM dealer i get a deal with our parts program

What i noticed, On other track days i was fighting wheel spin, Under hard throttle off line or out of courners i was feathering it to keep tires from spinning,

Now, no wheel spin

Springs
I have Koni Yellows set the same as i did with stock "S" springs
First few laps was odd, car felt like it was on flat tires, i checked and rechecked tires, i run nitrogen ( free from work ) i was a bit over inflated once tires came to up temp, and car got better with a air adjustment, but not and planted as before,

A week before track day i had put cable tie on strut shaft,
I found it buried in the Factory bump stop when installing tires ( i did not get the h sport stops )

It was the day before track day so i cut the factor bumps in the center rib, leaving the lower half with boot,

So? Is the added grip making it where i am over driving the factory sway bars or are these springs wore out?

I had talked to a Very Helpful Nam member that said this wore out springs!
Have any others wore out the H sports?

I dont mind lossing to a Blue R56 by 0.300 But lossing to Mazda speed 3's and VW GTI's that i have beat before is killing me

 

This car is on the bumpstops....STOCK. I don't think lowering the car farther into the bumpstops even after cutting them is going to add much overall grip.

- Andrew

 

Are H Sports for Gen 1 still available? I had one fail after about 40K. Cheaper option is to install 1 or 2 H Sports in front or more expensive go with TSW but then I have to install 4 and should I be replacing the bump stops? TIA Mike

 

Save up just a little more and get Linear springs.

My MCS came with H-sports and i think they make it ride like a truck on any uneven surface. I just put on a set of new Hankook Evo tires and it improved the ride but the springs ( and stock shocks..) are only good on smooth roads and at low to medium speeds.

I'm going TSW or Swift for sure when i can afford to.

It cant come soon enough !