7 replies to this topic

[Austinminimark]

hi ive been wanting to lower my back end and was going toget the full conversion coilover kit from mini sport but ive noticed some people have welded turrets and a bar and stuff in the boot wen having coilovers.. does this mean if i want to change my standard mini i will have to do the same or do they just fit straight on?
cheers
mark

[mykweb]

I thought if you were using coil overs then you need to change the rear subframe to a bar?

Mike

[Austinminimark]

oh right well thats what i mean i dont have a clue. i basically want to put coilovers on my mini but dont know how just ive herd somepeople have welded turrets in the rear arches and then put a bar across supporting but im guessing i need the rear beam as well? what does that change tho? can anyone guide me in the right direction?


mark

[Ethel]

I've never undertood what people hope to achieve with a bar between the shocker top mounts, the rubber mounts mean there'll be no lateral forces to transmit and a dirty great long lever won't do much with the vertical loads. In theory you should be able to fit coilovers but since one of the main advantages is weight reduction, junking the subframe is part of the deal. It would be a good idea to beef up the shocker mounting and it may need a bit of fettling to get enough clearance for the spring.

oh right well thats what i mean i dont have a clue. i basically want to put coilovers on my mini but dont know how just ive herd somepeople have welded turrets in the rear arches and then put a bar across supporting but im guessing i need the rear beam as well? what does that change tho? can anyone guide me in the right direction?


mark

[Sammy D]

Yes, they will fit a standard Mini but there are a few points worth noting.

The standard suspension uses dampers and rubber cones. The weight and load of the car is shared between the rubber cone (which is fixed securely in the subframe) and the damper which is attatched to the body. When you fit coilovers, you remove the rubber cone assembly as it is not used, and now all the weight of the car which was previously shared between two components, is now all on the body, and in particular on the four small bolts of the front damper mount. This is why people strengthen the rear wheel arches and inner wings where the coilovers are fitted.

Also, you will notice that you can buy offset coilovers for the rear. As standard, the coilover won't fit in the suspension turret at the rear, as it will rub on the inner wheel arch. Offset coilovers have the stud at the top offset from the rest of the damper to solve this rubbing problem. There have been a few cases of these offset studs snapping off with "spirited driving". To fit the normal coilovers, you will have to modify the inner wheel arch turret to clear the coilover.

So yes, you can fit coilovers to a standard Mini, but it really is worth modifying the mounting points to ensure the strength and correct operation of the suspension.

If you just want the suspension to be a bit better, in my opinion, you'd be better in buying new dampers and hi-los. It will cost you a lot less than coilovers, and you still get excellent adjustability with the ride height and dampening, without having to modify anything.

[adam_93rio]

if you want to lower your mini why dont you just fit hilos then get some springs

[lawrence]

also at the front, when you fit the coilover all the weight is on the wing, which is not designed to take the weight of the car and therfore will break basicly, even if your car is on top condition because its not a load bearing area. that what the subframe is for!

you will also need to leave all the old components in at the front such as cones etc becuase if not you are changing the suspension of the car and it wont pass the mot

[diogoteix]

I just contacted Minispares regarding their coilover kit.

Their answer is :

Hi, you can use the original subframe i.e. you wont need a beam axle, the original suspension setup is completely removed and yes they are height adjustable. Some people reinforce the turrets in the boot as the stress is placed here instead of the subframe.

Kind Regards

Gavin King
Purchasing / Technical Adviser

Hope this helps !