9 replies to this topic

[billy_t15]

ive heard about hilos what do they actually do?
and what about just cutting the suspension cones?
has anyone done this?

[billy_t15]

ive heard about hilos what do they actually do?
and what about just cutting the suspensiontrumpets?
has anyone done this?

[billy_t15]

any help guys?

[Big_Adam]

10 o'clock at night and you can't wait for an answer?

Okay, 3 ways to do it.

1) Buy HiLos
2) Cute off some of the alloy trumpets, its a 3 to 1 ratio. Say take 1 inch off the trumpet, 3 inch drop.
3) Put concrete in the back of the car.

And

Patience a virtue,

[billy_t15]

is it okay to cut the trumpets then? will this affect the handling

[Big_Adam]

is it okay to cut the trumpets then? will this affect the handling

Only if you hack loads off. In the Vizard book (How to Modify Your Mini) it does say how much to do it by to enhance handling. Alas, I can't find or recall it right now.

Most people are against cutting as you can fluff it up. But HiLos cost money and a saw with blade you've probably got already.

[GTIAlex06]

Best to buy hi los, then u have full control over how high/low your car can be.

Its also a lot less gypoish that cutting the trumpets

[kanye]

id like to see some pics of a "cut trumpet" to see how well bodged it looks hahaaaa

[Timinichelsea]

If you use Hi Los and want to lower it by a fair bit you will have to machine the cones to remove the nut to allow the trumpet to pass through on full compression. If you dont do this it will lock solid and you will have solid suspension - not fun, can be dangerous.

You will also need to either change the dampers to shortened ones or fit some form of anti droop device to prevent your suspension from falling apart (at the rear) on full droop.

The main benefit of adjustable ride height is being able to set the corner weights to improve handling, this will also benefit from some machining of the tower bolts to enable an adjusting rod to fit down through the cone into the trumpet.

Also when you put the Hi Los in you should apply plenty of copper grease to the thread to prevent them from seizing.

Hope this helps. Modifying the ride height is not as straight forward as some people think.

[wzd345]

You will of course need a cone compressor to start with, compress cone and extract trumpet.

Cutting the trumpets is the most cost effective way to lower the suspension and was done for years before the HILOs came along - and still is by the poor people. Ratio is 1:3 for the front and 1:5 for rear. Calculate how much you want to lower the car and shorten the trumpets, front and rear - do not go too low. Knock out the knuckle joint and cut away at the narrow end of the trumpet carefully with hacksaw or cutting disc. Ensure you inspect the knuckle joints for good condition and replace if needed. Uses copper grease liberally when replacing. Allow about 3 hours for the job, more if you are a gunterer. Will be worthwhile retracking and checking the toein after a few days.

ive heard about hilos what do they actually do?
and what about just cutting the suspension cones?
has anyone done this?