10 replies to this topic

[moocoow]

Hi all,

Someone recommended that I put some rear wheel spacers on 1995 SPI sprite.

Is this likely to improve handling and if so what size spacers should I put in?

A quick google search brings these up:
http://www.minisport..._MSLMS0511.html

Thanks,
Danny

[Cooperman]

It's hard to see how an extra 5 mm of track each side would improve either handling or road-holding.
The only reason for fitting them would be to get clearance between tyre wall and radius arm when running, say, a forest rally tyre with re-inforced sidewalls, which is when I had to fit them.
I can think of better things to spend my cash on for my Minis than these things.

[moocoow]

Thanks Cooperman, I was told by making the rear wider it would make the car more stable.
But that's why I posted here to check first.

If this isn't a worth while modification, what would you suggest to improve handling and/or engine performance?
The car currently has a stage 1 fitted. From looking at the prices of stage 2 and 3 kits they're not really very good value for money.

[Cooperman]

The most important thing in terms of handling (which, incidentally, is not the samne as road-holding), is to decide what the car is to be used for. Handling is the way in which the car responds to driver inputs such as steering, braking, power-application, etc.
For example, on a smooth race track a Mini may have better ultimate corning ability if lowered a bit. However, that will not improve handling on normal roads, especially as lowering reduces the available suspension travel, which is little enough to begin with.
For a road-going Mini the optimum seems to be either 10" or 12" diameter wheels with a maximum width of 5" and 165 section tyres.
From there, set the ride height to standard and then ensure that the front is set up using adjustable tie-bars and offset lower arm bushes to give 2.75 to 3.25 degrees of caster and about 0.75 deg negative camber, which is what the bushes will give.
The back is more critial than the front in reality. The rear wheels should have very slight negative camber of a maximum of 0.5 degrees and should toe-in 1.5 mm to 2 mm.
Adjustable dampers will allow good settings, but not too hard as if the tyres bump off the ground, you lose tyre adhesion.
When setting the suspension stiffness, remember, increase the stiffness at one end and you increase the road-holding at the other. That's why racing Minis have rear anti-roll bars to make them turn-in well whilst keeping the power on.
From getting the handling right, you an address the road-holding in terms of tyre choice for your own use.
A car can have fantastic handling, but lousy road-holding. For example, my own Cooper 'S' when driven on dry tarmac with knobbly forest tyres handles beautifully, but the actual road-holding is, as you would expect, not good.
I hope this helps.
The key is suspension settings.

Edited by Cooperman, 20 April 2010 - 03:36 PM.

[moocoow]

Thanks Cooperman, very comprehensive!

It's going to take me quite some time to look up all the terminology used; let alone make the changes to my car.

[Cooperman]

Keep at it, you'll get there. Minis are marvellous when properly set up.

[taffy1967]

I've got that set fitted to my Mini, but I only fitted them because I wanted to fit 165/60x12 tyres and it was said that fitting those spacers would help prevent any rubbing problems with the rear radius arms.

But I've heard that lots of owners didn't bother with spacers and didn't have any problems.

Edited by taffy1967, 20 April 2010 - 05:14 PM.

[daemonchild]

Is it worth some kind of comprehensive guide on this stuff with photos? (Don't shoot me I didn't check the FAQ yet to see if there is one...)

[MRA]

I have 195/45 - 13 on my SPI and have only ever had the standard "spacered" drums

[nicksuth]

I have 195/45 - 13 on my SPI and have only ever had the standard "spacered" drums

Where did you get them from? My 175/50-13 Sumitomo's look a lttle stretched on the 7x13's ??

[MRA]

I bought them in 2003 an dthey are still in good nick, as they only come out for special trips, other than that I got them from Ian when he owned Avonbar, but if you speak to Vince I am sure he will be able to get some for you